2019 NEO Ministry Team Retreat We were blessed with 123 of our ministry team participating in a great retreat at Branson Chateau on the Lake September 20-22. Drs. Chuck and Carla Sunberg brought great messages, Brady and Karalie Thelander led in meaningful worship, and pastors and spouses bonded together through meetings, meals, and fun times. Our district is blessed with terrific pastors and spouses! District News Al Bryant, a longtime leader at Tulsa Living Hope, died on Sunday morning, October 6. We offer our deep sympathy to his wife, Ira, and daughter, Terasita. Congratulations to Tony and Jessica Siebels who were married on Saturday, October 5. Tony is our pastor in Pawhuska. Congratulations to Pastor Geoff Gunter and the Regency Park Church on a very positive church/pastor review on September 11. Chandler Pastor Keith Cole had a successful heart ablation on October 3. Pray that his heart stays in......

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From the District Superintendent We are excited about the NEO Ministry Team Retreat this weekend at Chateau on the Lake in Branson, MO. Drs. Chuck and Carla Sunberg will be our special speakers and Rev. Brady Thelander will lead our worship. Pray for this to be a time of refreshing and renewal for the outstanding NEO pastors and spouses. I have set aside a day on each Mission Area to meet with lead pastors to discuss ministry and each church’s Annual Goals and Expectations. I value these opportunities for sharing and welcome your prayers that they would truly be times of mutual encouragement. On some of the Mission Areas, the Mission Area Coordinators will also join us for the meeting. Here are the dates: October 3 –  Northeast October 8 –  Tulsa October 15 – Southeast October 22 – Southwest October 28 – Northwest Rev. Mike and Diane Johnson......

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Exciting Days for Sunday School & Discipleship Ministries Michelle Proctor, District SDMI Chair Summertime is coming to a close and that can sometimes be a bitter sweet. How we longed for the summer all year long… the warmer weather, the family vacations. For some, it was a time to slow down from juggling the rigorous schedules of work, school, sports and other activities. For parents, maybe it was looking forward to a week alone while the kids were off to camp. Summer gives us a chance to take a breath, enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, and maybe, slow down just a little bit. It’s nice to take a break from the busyness of life, but once we start looking ahead to the change of the season and all of craziness coming back in full force can often bring a little anxiety and dread. I understand this feeling completely,......

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Transformed Lives NEO NYI Summer Ministries What do you think of when you hear the word summertime? As a youth pastor we think busy time! This summer has lived up to the meaning of busy time. From summer camp to fireworks tents to NYC, it was hard to catch our breath, but we made it. All of these events were well worth it. Teenagers lives were changed and transformed! The coolest thing is that it didn’t just start this summer. It began in all of our youth groups on Wednesday night services. I have heard really great stories on our district of how God is working amongst our youth. Glory be to God! The summer kicked off with a night of worship at Core church where over 100 students and adults gathered for a night of worship. What an amazing way to kick off summer! Then a week and......

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Dear NEO family, Our youth camp, Sacred Spaces, was held last week at Camp Bond. A special thank you to: God, for all the spiritual victories and breakthroughs! NYI President Ryan Amey and staff for planning and leading a great camp. It was not only helpful spiritually, it was fun! All the pastors and youth sponsors who gave of their time to serve our youth at camp. What a gift! Speaker Nate Cook, the band Kaleo and the Camp Bond staff. Pastor Nate not only gave superb messages, but he also gave every student a link to a free book to help them make space for God to carry on the good work He began in their lives at Camp. All the students who participated. One of the Camp Bond workers told me that the NEO campers were the kindest and most cooperative group with which she had worked!......

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NEO District Advance Despite storms and flooding leading to Saturday’s DA activities being postponed, Northeast Oklahoma enjoyed Sunday and Monday’s events at District Advance on June 2-3 with Dr. Carla Sunberg, General Superintendent. We experienced spiritual renewal through the messages and worship services, conducted assembly business, ordained two elders, and recognized one elder’s credentials. A huge thank-you to all who gave of their time and talents through attendance, delegation, workers, and leaders to make 2019 District Advance a success! 2019 Ordinands Front row: Indya Morton, Dianna Surratt, Kristy Hostler Back row: Dr. Carla Sunberg, Brian Morton, Daniel Surratt, Wes Hostler, Dr. Dave McKellips, Jim Thornton NEO Election Results   Thank you to all who allowed their names on the ballot for consideration, and congratulations to those elected:   Advisory Board Ordained Ministers: Steve Brown, Russell Hosey Laypersons: Jeff Jankowski, Jerry Wilburg   SDMI Board Clergy: Anthony Beville Layperson: Janice......

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Saturday’s Ignite Activities are being Postponed. District leadership has made a prayerful decision to postpone Saturday’s events to a later date. We are anticipating opportunities to help with clean-up efforts this Saturday and beyond on each Mission Area. Assembly will continue as planned on Sunday and Monday. In the midst of the storm, we want to come together for worship on Sunday evening. What a time to celebrate our hope in Christ. Monday will include a morning worship service, reports of God’s activity in our midst this past year, elections and ending with a powerful service of ordination. See schedule below. Sunday, June 2 5:00 pm – Assembly Registration open for Delegates and NMI voting 6:00 pm – IGNITE Service w/ Dr. Carla Sunberg    (Childcare Birth-age 5  Pre-registration) Monday, June 3 8:00 am – Registration open for Delegates and NMI voting Café open for Coffee and Snacks 9:00......

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Ignite, our District Advance, is designed for everyone in your church! The renewal services on Saturday morning, Sunday evening, and Monday morning are planned with you in mind. The workshops and “best practices” luncheons on Saturday, June 1 are offered to equip the laity in the church for their ministry! Even the business sessions on Monday are prepared to offer inspiration and encouragement. Check out the Schedule!   What could happen if 5 or 10 people in your church would hear Mark Bane’s passion for evangelism and practical stories of how God uses ordinary people? How could your discipleship be impacted if 5 or 10 people gained new insights on balanced learning communities? What if your NYI, NMI, Children’s Workers or outreach team could get just one practical idea to use during the “Best Practices” sharing over lunch on Saturday?   Everything about Advance 2019 is on the website.  ......

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Dear NEO family, The church year has ended and pastors and lay leaders have been working diligently on all the reports due. Now is the time to celebrate all that God has done! Our annual ADVANCE is a great time to do so. Look over the schedule, reserve your meals and child care, and anticipate a powerful time of refreshing from God. I am excited that this year on Saturday we will invite our elementary, middle school and high school students to join us for the Evangelism Multiplication Training. What a great opportunity for our kids and students to find out how God can use them to impact their schools and neighborhoods. We can’t wait til Assembly to give thanks for what God is doing, so read these reports from Pastors on our district: District churches reported 48 salvations for the month of April, including 26 at Core and......

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