By David Kyncl

As I reflect on the past year, we saw God move in several significant ways.  Here are a few of the highlights:

*Fat Tuesday lunches resumed on a monthly basis as a way to connect with students, faculty and staff. Many of the same volunteers from Norman Community Church of the Nazarene help us serve the meal and connect with our guests. While the lunch remains free of charge, we do provide the opportunity to make a donation.

*We launched two new ministry initiatives as a way to celebrate the legacies of two of our long-time family partners. We launched a new emphasis on scripture memory. This desire was renewed a few years ago as I heard the testimony of Shirley Posey. Our first scripture memory packet included 13 verses which support the journey of recovery. We also hosted our first Fireside Chat allowing students to interact with Dr. Mike Strauss, an OU Physics professor, as he discussed his personal journey of scientific research and faith. These periodic discussions will be scheduled in our living room to discuss various topics of academia and faith. This initiative recognizes the significant role of Dr. Lloyd and Phyllis McArthur.

*Individual and small-group discipleship continued. 

*Weekly recovery meetings continued with three students sharing their personal testimony of restoration, healing and a closer walk with God. Rhonda and I also host an on-campus support group.

*The Board of Directors completed a full review of the ministry and leadership. A separate article by Dr. Jim Cooper discusses this process.

*Craig, Rhonda and I continue to teach classes on campus. These classes provide the opportunity to connect with students we might not meet through the ministry activities. (Craig shares a special story in another article in this report.)

*The Kyncl family celebrated 15 years of 2:8 House ministry, and the Shepperd family celebrated five years of ministry here. 

*The Shepperds led a summer mission trip to Kosovo for students from Southern Nazarene University, which is also their alma mater.

*We celebrated the birth of Owen Pearson in September. Ben and Danielle, Owen's parents, live upstairs while Ben works to compete his doctorate in Physics.

*I met periodically with campus ministers from other Christian groups on campus to encourage and pray for one another. We also hosted a luncheon for campus ministers to learn about campus resources for students who are "in crisis." Two OU Student Affairs administrators joined us for lunch to meet the campus ministers and to share about the available resources. We plan to host a suicide prevention workshop this semester to respond to the interest from this meeting.

On a more personal note, Rhonda and I continue to participate in HeartPaths spiritual direction classes. These classes, which are taught at Oklahoma City First Church of the Nazarene and St. Luke's United Methodist Church in OKC, focus on various contemplative prayer practices and spiritual direction.

By Anita Shepperd
Looking back at 2013 brings a sense of completion but also an excitement to move forward to 2014.  This past calendar year we have continued to build relationships and connections in our community. Our goal is to build significant supporting relationships with students during their journey at OU. 

One of the most spiritually transformative aspects of the 2:8 House is our continued participation in a Christ-centered recovery program using the Celebrate Recovery model.  Our group has seen people graduate and move on, but it continues to meet weekly.  We have been meeting now for almost three years.  

Furthermore, over the last year I have met with three ladies individually on a regular basis. I have mostly served as listening ears, and a voice of encouragement. Moreover, I have seen significant growth in all three of these ladies and continue to meet with them.

In the fall, we all know it is football time in Oklahoma. Six weeks of the season we open the house on Saturdays to donors and students alike. It is our desire to provide a safe and hospitable place that feels like home. 

My family had an opportunity to train and lead a team from SNU to Kosovo. It was exciting to take college students back to our former place of service.  It was great to see God working in their lives and also the lives of the Kosovars. We also believe in teaching our son to value other people and cultures. Thank you to those that gave us time off and financial support.

In addition, I really enjoyed conducting a Bible study entitled "Sticky Faith" with two freshman ladies. Sticky Faith engages students by helping them think through the process of making faith their own, calling them to find a spiritual mentor, and find their place in their local church. I look forward to continuing meeting with these two ladies as we discover together what God has in store.

Jude is joined by a family from a local church in Kosovo and SNU students participating in a summer mission trip.

 By Dr. Jim Cooper

District Superintendent

Southwest Oklahoma District Church of the Nazarene

As a ministry of the Church of the Nazarene, the 2:8 House profits from a "review" every four years. The purpose of this review is to clarify missional focus, identify strategies for effective mission accomplishment, and promote discussion between ministry leaders to determine how we might increase each other's effectiveness. 

The 2:8 House ministry review was conducted by the 2:8 House Board, Executive Director and myself as District Superintendent. Each Board member completed the following surveys: Personal Spiritual Audit; SWOT (Strengths/Weaknesses/Opportunities/Threats) analysis; Mission-Goals-Strategies ID; "360 Review"...what to stop, what to start, what to keep doing.

Some of the findings from our compiled survey responses follow:

Through the review process the Board affirmed the general direction of the minsitry  and the leadership of David & Rhonda Kyncl and Craig & Anita Shepperd.

The board indicated it was important to have a broad ministry focus. This will lead to further development of other ministries and an expanding ministry scope.

The ministry needs to improve communication of the breadth of the existing ministry scope. This communication needs expression to the donor base, churches, students and Board and should feature each specific ministry expression (i.e., CR, International Student Ministry, Staff relationships with University, etc.) There are many victories/wins that need exposure.

We must expand our relational contacts (with students, donors, University staff, churches) in order to maximize this existing strength. We must address how we can expand the donor base and improve our relationship with donors through continual and varied contact.

We should seek to define a way that students may "give back" to the 2:8 House Ministry.

In order for the 2:8 House Board to become more effective we recommend some follow-up training/education regarding healthy Board practices and clear expectations of its members.

We believe the result of the review will be increased effectiveness for ministry. We hope that this reflects our commitment to accountability and missional effectiveness. We believe it will give donors and others a sense of confidence in our direction and practice as they support this vital Kingdom ministry. The 2:8 House director, staff and board seek to give our very best to realize God's calling to represent Christ on the OU campus.

The 2:8 House relies on the generous support of individuals, families, churches and distrticts, which comprise our Century Club. Contributions in 2013 were received from the following:

Individuals: anoymous, Jeff Ashby, Gary & Linda Banz, Marta Banz, Mindy Banz, Kenneth Brown, Willie Burkhart, Clay & Anna Beth Combes, Daniel Dennison, Mitch & Charlene Dietz, Vic Diffee, Rod & Mary Eskridge, Troy & Janice Estell ,Gary & Nancy Gilles, John & Carolyn Jensen, Gene & Rhonda Kesselhuth, David & Rhonda Kyncl, Jonathan Kyncl, Darrell & Myrna Latham,  Bud & Linda Lauhon, Jim & Stephanie Lawler, Lyndon & Jayne Lee, Marilyn Jenkins, Phyullis McArthur, Robert & Donna McArthur, Melvin & Jeannie McCullough, John & Nancy Porter, James & Donetta Posey, Cindy Powell, Stan & Linda Toler, Cherith Tucker, Cleat & Alece Stockebrand,  John & Edna Westmoreland, Brandon & Meggan Wilson, and Kyle Wright.

Churches: Ardmore, Bethany First, Chicasha, Mustang, Norman Community, Regency Park (Tulsa), SouthPointe and Western Oaks.

Districts: Northeast Oklahoma and Southwest Oklahoma.

We also received the gift a 1,500 sq. ft. of bermuda sod from Brown Sod Farm in Colllinsville. Diffee Ford Lincoln provided a car for ministry use and Redlogic Communications donated web hosting and email services.

Myrna Latham, President

Ben Pearson, Vice President

Rev. Brent Hardesty, Treasurer

Brandon Wilson, Secretary

Members include: Dr. Martha Banz, Dr. Jim Cooper, Duane Cox, Stephanie Lawler, Dr. Robert McArthur, and Rev. Dustin Sells.