NEO Team Update
Let’s Show Them Jesus
At the 56th Annual GMA Dove Awards, Jelly Roll received the Song of the Year award for “Hard Fought Hallelujah” and delivered a speech urging the audience to “show them Jesus” through actions like feeding the poor and visiting the jailed. He said, “I am standing here because people cared about the least.” Jelly Roll said the world is hearing about Jesus like they haven’t in decades. Now it is time to put feet on your faith and go show them who Jesus is.
In his State of the church 2025 article, Editor of Outreach Magazine, Ed Stetzer, quoted I Corinthian 16:9, “A wide door for effective ministry has opened for me – yet many oppose me.” Stetzer said what is needed is a combination of gospel proclamation and gospel demonstration.
Pope Leo XIV, in his first document as Pope, criticized economies that marginalize the poor. He said the wealthy live in a “bubble of comfort and luxury” while poor people suffer on the margins. He cited scripture and teaching of church fathers regarding caring for migrants, prisoners, and victims of human trafficking.
Speaking of Scripture, I read the book of Amos a few days ago. The Lord says through the prophet that God’s judgement was coming on Israel because they trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed (2:7). Israelites were gathering for the religious feasts and bringing sacrifices and offerings, but God was not interested in empty worship. “Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” (5: 23 – 24).
I know we often struggle to know how to respond. We want to not just give a hand out, but a hand up. We must do what we can even though it is imperfect. I am impressed by all pastors now encouraging people to step up and help feed the poor during this time of government shutdown and the loss of government programs. Could it be an opportunity for “people to see our good deeds and glorify our Father who is in heaven”, as Jesus said in the Sermon of the Mount.
Let’s follow the Nazarene and be who the Church of the Nazarene has always aspired to be: people who show them Jesus… people who care about the least, the last and the lost… people who not only proclaim the faith but demonstrate it… people who try to build structures that care for the marginalized… people who seek justice and righteousness. Help us Lord!
Tulsa Southwest Church of the Nazarene had a long history of not only proclaiming but demonstrating the gospel. That seemed to be a part of their DNA since their earliest days. In their first decade, in order to raise money for Missions, some of the ladies began taking orders for donuts from the nearby train station. That expanded to preparing meals and delivering them to those working downtown (who knew UberEATS was over 100 years old!). This church sounds like the Macedonians Paul spoke of in 2 Corinthians 8 who “urgently pleaded for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. During the Race Massacre, some members of this relatively new church drove downtown and picked up fleeing black men, giving them shelter and provision in the church parsonage (the didn’t have a church building yet). What a heritage of demonstrating the gospel we have.
Dave McKellips, District Superintendent
NEO RENEWAL SUMMIT
JAN 4 – 7, 2026
Begin praying for fresh repentance, fresh surrender, fresh obedience and for God to bring times of refreshing and renewal.
NEO NYI Training Day
11/8/25 9am – 4pm
Here are the details for the event:
- What: National Day of Youth Volunteer Training
- Where: Owasso Silver Creek (9000 N 145th E. Ave. Owasso, OK 74055)
- When: November 8th, 9am-4pm
- Who: ANY YOUTH WORKER in Northeast OK Nazarene churches! (Seriously, any and all youth workers – paid, volunteer, experienced, inexperienced, old, young, etc. – are invited and encouraged to participate!)
- Cost: $0.00 – This is a free event!
We will have breakfast to start the day, two main sessions to bookend the event, 6 breakout sessions, lunch, plus giveaways!
Here are the topics for each breakout:
- Breakout #1: The Power Of Praying For Your Students (Ricky Jenkins)
- Breakout #2: How To Respond When Kids Deconstruct Their Faith (Sean McDowell)
- Breakout #3: How To Share Your Story Without Oversharing (Heather Flies)
- Breakout #4: From Outsider To Insider: How To Connect With New Students In Seconds (Josh Griffin)
- Breakout #5: From Chaos To Connection: Keeping Students Engaged When Things Go Sideways (Jessica Sanchez)
Breakout #6: How To Handle The Pressure To Be An Amazing Volunteer (Doug Fields)
Calling all volunteer youth leaders, helpers, and everyone in between!
We will have breakfast to start the day, two main sessions to bookend the event, 6 breakout sessions, lunch, plus giveaways!
Registration will close at midnight on November 5th!
Here is the link for registration:
https://forms.gle/7jonTKnCgD865LpN8
or CLICK HERE to Register!
NEO NYI New Year’s Eve
12/31/25 6pm – 10pm
🎉 NEO NYI New Year’s Eve Party! 🎉
Ring in the New Year with friends from across the district at BA Connect Church! 🙌
🕕 When: December 31 | 6–10 PM
📍 Where: Connect Church Broken Arrow
💵 Cost: $10
We’ll have games in the gym, hangout rooms with board & video games, food, fun, and of course — a countdown to the New Year! 🥳
Bring your youth group and your friends. Let’s wrap up 2025 together in the best way possible — with laughter, community, and joy!
👉 Invite your friends and make plans to be there!
NEO Ladies Day 2026
Jan 31, 2026 9am – 12pm
Please mark your calendars for District Ladies Day on January 31, 2026,
from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.
LOCATION: Regency Park Church of the Nazarene,
8707 East 51st Street South, Tulsa, OK 74145
THEME: Reflect
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” Lamentations 3:22-24
SPECIAL SPEAKER: Gloria McKellips
WORSHIP LEADER: Ragan Schubert
COST: $35 per person, includes breakfast
Reservations are non-refundable but transferable.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 16, 2026. You can reserve your seat and pay online (scan QR code on the flyer or visit https://www.neokdistrict.org/adult/ladies-2026/.)
PROMOTION: Please promote this day with your ladies. You can expect to enjoy a delicious meal, uplifting worship, an encouraging message, sweet fellowship and a morning of fun.
Visit the district website (above) to download the poster/flyer.
Your Women’s Council is working hard to make this a wonderful Ladies Day and we look forward to seeing you there!
Tulsa Southwest
Final Sunday Service
October 26, 2025 was a bittersweet day at Tulsa Southwest!
We celebrated 15 years of outstanding pastoral leadership by Pastor Wayde and Jena Normandin, and we also honored Pastor Wayde on his retirement from Pastoral Ministry.
We celebrated 107 years of faithful and impactful ministry by Tulsa Southwest Church, the first Nazarene Church in the Tulsa area, but we also had our last service together.
Thank you, members of Tulsa Southwest for the past 107 years, for the way you have consistently blessed your community, brought people to Jesus and grown in Christlike discipleship. You have made us better and we will seek to carry on your legacy.
*Celebrate Recovery will continue to serve out of this facility and we are looking for other non-profits and a partnering church to launch a new work at this location.
Join us as we Pray for Wisdom and Guidance for NEO District Leadership.
Okmulgee New Day Church
100th Anniversary Celebration
On Sunday, October 19th, 2025 we celebrated our 100th Anniversary as a Church of the Nazarene. We bought and installed new carpet and spruced up the church anticipating the return of old friends and fellow believers. Dwight Mullins came to help us with the music. We shared videos of greetings and congratulations from our DS, Dr. Dave McKellips, former pastor and now DS of Southern Indiana, Dr. Tim Crump, and former member, Bobbye McElrath, sharing remembrances of her days growing up in our church. Following the service we shared a meal together and had a short gospel sing. After the sing, the Vice Mayor Marcus Jeffry, presented a Certificate from the City of Okmulgee commemorating our significant involvement in the life of Okmulgee over the last 100 years.
Broken Arrow Core Church – 25th Anniversary Celebration
Core Church celebrated 25 years with their founding pastor, Brett Ricky. Brett preached a powerful message, challenging all to live the Beautiful life God intends for each of us. Pastor Brad and Laura Farnsworth continue to serve Core Church with passion and vision. Good days are ahead!
NEO PrimeTime Event
at Collinsville was a SUCCESS.
A Wonderful Prime Time lunch hosted by Collinsville COTN. Our seniors are tough. They drove through pouring rain and showed up anyway! Cheryl Roland gave a powerful message of encouragement. Great fun and fellowship was had by all. Thanks for everyone who helped to make it possible. The next gathering will be in March hosted by Regency Park Church.
NEO Ministry Team Retreat
Nov 14 – 16, 2025
