A Firm Foundation These are challenging days as our world is dealing with the pandemic of Covid–19. Our churches are considering changes in our worship services, social gatherings and even our sacraments out of concern for the well-being of our parishioners and communities. Churches are contemplating how they might use technology to deliver teaching and preaching, and also to collect offerings.  Precautions are being put into place as we receive updates from our city, state and national leaders. Communication is prioritized. We are thinking about how we will respond if someone in our congregation should test positive for the virus. In the midst of all of the anxiety and fear, which we who have received the first fruits of the Spirit also experience in varying degrees, there is opportunity for the people of God to stand out as salt and light. Like many of you, Psalm 62 was in......

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What kind of legacy are we leaving? I had the privilege of leading the graveside service for Ben Riggins last week. Ben pastored a couple of churches in Northeast Oklahoma several decades ago. He and his family were also active in the Muskogee First Church for 23 years while Ben faithfully worked at Georgia Pacific. One of the notable things about Ben’s life was his passion to see others come to salvation through Jesus Christ. He would feel at home with our emphasis on Organic Outreach. I spoke to someone last week that was led into a personal relationship with Jesus through the ministry of Ben Riggins 50 years ago. The man and his young bride lived a few miles outside of Barnsdall and Pastor Ben, the 28-year-old pastor of Barnsdall Church of the Nazarene, made a “cold call” to their home. Pastor Ben introduced himself, took a few......

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Dear NEO Family, “What would your life look like if you, in fact, fulfilled Jesus’s prayer that you “bear much fruit” (John 15:8)? What would the fruit look like? How would the world be different? When you have run the race with perseverance and finally cross the finish line, what kind of assessment of your life do you envision the Lord giving you?” These words from Chip Ingram challenged me. I thought of the many commercials I have heard in recent months with the theme “just okay is not okay.” We acknowledge that truth in many areas but often fail to carry that over into our relationship with God or our work as a church. What would 2020 look like for NEO Nazarenes if we approached our walk with God with purpose and intentionality? George Whitfield, the great evangelist and teacher of the eighteenth century who led the Great......

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NEO Nazarenes Shining Our Lights Brightly in 2020 We have been talking a lot about sowing the seeds of the gospel the last few years, especially through the focus on Organic Outreach. As we start a new year, is it time for a new emphasis? I don’t believe so. Rather, I think it is time to recommit to follow the Great Commission and to keep sowing seeds, no matter what. I thank God for the hundreds of people that have become followers of Jesus Christ through our churches the past few years. But we are not content nor discouraged. Paul writes to the church in Galatia and to the NEO Church of the Nazarene: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” One of the ways we sow seeds is through our godly......

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Dear NEO Family, Marla gave me the devotional book, Wisdom for Each Day, by Billy Graham, for my birthday. The devotional for last Saturday was one I spent some time contemplating and I would encourage you to do the same. Revival Begins With You “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17 If Christianity is important at all, then it is all-important. If it is anything at all, then it is everything. It is either the most vital thing in your life, or it isn’t worth bothering with. So don’t give the lie to the Christian faith by professing Christ without possessing Him. Don’t lock the church door with the key of inconsistency and keep the lost from coming to Christ. Don’t hinder revival by your unbelief and prayerlessness. Don’t cheat yourself out of spiritual victory by allowing sin to imprison you. Seek God’s face and turn......

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NEO November Reports view full report I Want to Celebrate. . .  Cary Tipton, Mannford Grace Family Worship Center. . . The church let us celebrate our seventh anniversary as a married couple. We enjoyed our time in Branson and feel refreshed in our spirits. Our newest family led the care explosion food drive celebration. Four community churches joined us for a meal, distribution of non-perishable food items, worship led by our Mannford schools superintendent and speaker Manny Parker. Over 80 for service! Tim Odom, Collinsville. . . Great Month at Collinsville. Beginning with guest speakers/musicians The Pic & Bow and ending with our all-church family Thanksgiving Dinner. We have a lot to be thankful for! Bret Metcalfe, Claremore. . . We thank God for His healing touch on lives. We have had several folks with health issues this month, but God has touched and healing is taking place.......

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Thankful “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…” (Philippians 1:3-5) These verses summarize my thoughts of you, NEO Nazarenes! How thankful Gloria and I are for each of you and your faithful partnership in the gospel. God is at work in our midst — see the pastors’ “I want to celebrate…” as a small sample of the good work God is doing. I am also thankful for our University, Southern Nazarene University. A few days ago I was at SNU Board of Trustee Meetings. I serve on the Student/Spiritual Life Committee. I always am encouraged at the committee meetings because the Chaplain and Student Life staff are all STARS who serve our students with excellence! At this meeting, Chaplain Blair Spindle had one of his student......

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Tap your feet to the beat with the Petersen Family Gospel/Bluegrass Band for a talented, family-friendly performance, honoring God and country.  This wonderfully talented family is in its seventh season of performing in Branson. We are in our last week before the Petersen Concert this Saturday, November 16th, 2:00pm at Sapulpa Church of the Nazarene. Contacts via several avenues have been used to inform people of this event. It would be great if someone from every church on the district would be represented by their attendance. Tickets can be purchased at the door and those who would like to donate a jar of peanut butter or jelly for the Manna House will receive a ticket for a bottle of water. We pray that this will be a valuable event to draw NEO Christians and friends together. Thank you so much for giving this thoughtful consideration. We hope to MEET &......

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A Rescuer   I am grateful today for a rescuer. Less than a year ago, I was snorkling in a remote area in the Pacific Ocean; my mask was letting in some water; as I tried to take it off to catch my breath, the waves of the tide repeatedly pushed me against some coral which resulted in cuts in my chest and arms. Then I heard someone behind me ask, “Are you okay?” “I’m not sure”, I replied.   The man quickly came to my side and assisted me until I got back to shore. He wasn’t a professional rescuer. Just an everyday guy who was in the position to assist someone and took the risks to do it.   This man was my hope. In the same way, every follower of Jesus is hope for the spiritually dying people within their reach. We work where we work,......

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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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