02
Oct 2023
Mobilizing All Nazarenes in Unity I love the “Cycle to Resurgence”. I love the way I see NEO Nazarenes living out the core heart cries of this Vision. It starts with mobilizing all Nazarenes in unity. We must: 1. Equip and send everyday ministers on mission. The Scriptures are clear when Peter writes, “As each one has received a gift, minister to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (I Peter 4:10). Each one is gifted to minister to others. Unfortunately, we don’t function like “each one” is essential for the ministry. We function like only a select few are gifted for ministry and the rest are called to support the gifted in their work. We need to reawaken the biblical idea that all of God’s people are called to ministry and are sent on mission, and that their mission field starts where God placed them......
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13
Sep 2023
The past two Sundays I have had the privilege of worshipping with Sapulpa First Church of the Nazarene and Bartlesville First Church of the Nazarene. Both churches are flourishing. Both have great lead pastors and pastoral staff. But the reason I believe they are flourishing is because the pastors are helping equip and send everyday ministers into the mission field. The Scriptures are clear when Peter writes, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). Each one is gifted to minister to others. Unfortunately, we often don’t function like “each one” is essential for the ministry. We function like only a select few are gifted for ministry and the rest are called to support the gifted few in their work. Engagement, not just attendance, of all is the key for us in the Cycle......
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30
Aug 2023
October – Appreciation Month Helping us Mobilize All Nazarenes in Unity You remember my proposal at Assembly: “I propose we make October ‘Appreciation Month’ in our churches! Yes, I know this is usually the month we celebrate Pastor Appreciation. I want us to continue this … but expand it! What if we took the month of October to practice this skill of identifying the good in others, including our pastors, and affirming it? What if we intentionally communicated in some way every day words of blessing and encouragement to another member of the local expression of the body of Christ. Since it is Pastor Appreciation Month, what if we would make sure at least one expression of appreciation each week was for the pastor(s)? What if some of the words were done anonymously so they didn’t even know who was sending the words of praise? Could this make a......
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08
Aug 2023
5 Reasons I Can’t Share My Faith by Kevin G. Harney As a kid growing up, I was a master of excuses. When I forgot to do my school work, lost another jacket because I left it at the park, or got in a fight, I had my reasons and rationalizations. I was creative and passionate as I explained to my dad and mom why things turned out as they did. But my parents were very smart. They did not buy my excuses. They did not let me get away with childlike rationalizations. Instead, they lovingly corrected me and consistently disciplined me. As I look back, I am deeply grateful for their firm rejection of my lame excuses! Read More District Discipleship Day – Bringing People to Jesus August 12 Hey Pastors and Church Leaders: What would your church look like if a few people were inspired to be......
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21
Jul 2023
Dear NEO Family, What a wonderful and busy summer it has been. We are just over halfway through and have had amazing opportunities via Youth Camp, General Assembly, District Assembly, Nazarene Youth Conference, Kid’s Camps, and Missions Deputation services. I am worn out, but also refreshed by God’s Spirit and God’s people. We have another wonderful opportunity to gather and develop our skills at District Discipleship Day on Saturday, August 12. District Discipleship Day: The Path Forward Conference will inspire you to embrace Jesus’ forgotten way and become disciples who make disciples. How to Register The best way to sign up for the event is to scan the QR Code or visit the website at loveservego.com/pathforward What: Path Forward: Embracing the Forgotten Way – 1-Day Conference When: Saturday, August 12th, 10:00am – 4:00pm Cost: $15 – covers lunch and printed materials Where: Central Church of the Nazarene (7291 E 81st......
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21
Jun 2023
District Assembly Schedule Friday, June 23 12:30-1:30pm Delegate Registration Open 1:30 pm – Devotional by Dr. Graves, Report/Vision of Dr. McKellips Local Church/Pastor Reports, Elections, District Reports, The Path Forward Rebecka Peterson – 2023 National Teacher of the Year 7:00 pm – Worship and Celebration, Awards, Message by Dr. Graves Saturday, June 24 8:00 am – Continental Breakfast Hosted by SNU 9:00 am – Reports from SNU, NTS, Foundation, NDI and other District Ministries 11:00 am – Ordination Service Reception Following Assembly Kids (Pre-K thru 5th grade) activities will be only during the Friday evening service. Kids are welcome to join their parents in the Convention and Assembly. Register online: neokdistrict.org...
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05
Jun 2023
NEO District Assembly June 23-24 Leadership and Preaching Provided by General Superintendent, Dr. David Graves Friday, June 23 1:30-5:00pm – Team Reports, Business and Celebration; National Teacher of the Year, Rebecka Peterson 7:00pm – Assembly Worship Service; special awards and recognition Saturday, June 24 8:00am – Continental Breakfast Hosted by SNU and Dr. Keith Newman 9:00am – Team Reports, Business and Celebration 11:00am – Ordination Service with reception following Register Children for Assembly Kids Assembly Kids (Pre-K thru 5th grade) activities will be only during the Friday evening service. Kids are welcome to join their parents in the Convention and Assembly. Register Children for Nursery ...
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05
May 2023
Congratulations Parsonage Family Graduates Pastor Austin Troyer, Tahlequah, Doctor of Ministry, Nazarene Theological Seminary Anna Victoria Ruiz, Tulsa Regency Park, Masters in Instructional and Academic Curriculum in Biomedical Education, University of Oklahoma Brooke Ferring, Tulsa Audacity, Bixby High School We are excited to announce that Open House for Pathways of Hope, our NEO Immigration Center, is this Saturday, May 6th, 12pm-3pm with a short presentation at 1:30pm. Kaleo Church, 525 N. Oxford, is hosting the Immigration Center. District Assembly 2023’s theme is “Vision Reset” Tulsa Regency Park / June 23-24 We will focus on the four elements of this cycle in the reports of the Pastors’ and District Superintendent. You won’t want to miss this time of reporting victories and casting vision!! ...
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04
May 2023
Dear NEO Family, I love hearing how God is at work. Below are reports from a few of our pastors who are celebrating a great Easter and Holy Week: Pastor Drew Dinnel, Muskogee Church. We had had 132+ in attendance, 2 baptisms and a glow in the dark Easter egg hunt and experience. We are also looking at taking in 15 members: 11 new and 4 by transfer in the next few weeks. Pastor David Stevens, Vinita. We had 30 in attendance. A wonderful sense of the presence of God. Johnny Borgstrom sang a beautiful special song about the Blood. As we get close to the end of the year we will be celebrating all that God has done in our Annual Celebration of Ministries on April 23. Pastor Steve Spangenberg, Bartlesville. We have been blessed to be able to carry some incredible momentum into our Easter weekend this year. God truly anointed our......
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04
May 2023
Dear NEO Family, I love this season of year. Of course, I love the beautiful Spring days, the flowers blooming, the trees budding and the grass turning green. But I especially love Holy Week and the chance to focus on the key acts of redemption history. I pray this will be a time for every NEO participant to experience anew the amazing privilege we have of being children of God and walking free of guilt and condemnation, made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus! Let’s exalt his name together! Here are a few more reasons to celebrate: Scott Moore, Broken Arrow – We have changed our name to Broken Arrow Connect Church of the Nazarene and have renovated the outside of our building. We are seeing growth spiritually and numerically as well. God is moving in Connect Church. Brad Farnsworth, Broken Arrow Core – We are celebrating the launch......
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