NEO Team Update 12-15-22
Sunday I saw this “We are better TOGETHER” sign on the platform of our Hominy Church. But even better, I saw evidence of the truth of this as I visited three of our churches that day!
It started at the 9am service at Tulsa Audacity Church. Pastor Ronnie Baker didn’t know I would be there, but he shared a video about Abba Ministries, one of the District Compassionate Ministry Centers, in the service. He highlighted the church’s giving to others, including Abba, World Evangelism Fund, Pensions and Benefits, Southern Nazarene University, and NEO District. He told of the church’s goal to give more than 20% of all they take in to others in the year ahead! Aren’t you thankful that our newer churches understand the importance of our connection! We are better together.
It continued as I surprised Pastor Carl Brown and the Hominy Church by joining them for worship at 10:45. As they started the service, local Nazarene Missions President, Alan Hough, bragged on the people for their giving for Alabaster and Thanksgiving Offerings and shared a video about the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Christmas Project for a school in Lebanon (45% of their students are refugees!). I am so thankful to be a part of a church that cares about needs around the globe. We really do need one another!
Sunday afternoon I attended the Open House at Skiatook Parsonage with Pastors Carly and Danial Karnes. Seeing this parsonage that so many NEO Churches contributed to remodeling made me proud to be a part of the NEO family. We are better together!
Thank You!!!
Gloria and I cannot thank you enough for giving us the time away for sabbatical. We had a relaxing and refreshing time together. Thanks to the Advisory Board for making it possible and for our Mission Area Coordinators for extra efforts to shepherd our churches during this time away. We love the NEO team!
Pastors, “I Want to Celebrate…”
David Stevens, Vinita – We have a great spirit of fellowship and love in our Church. God has blessed our services with His presence.
Daniel Surratt, Tulsa Central – We’ve updated our children’s ministry rooms and created a centralized, safer place for our children to be ministered to.
Michael Staton, Wagoner – The church is enjoying walking in the Word. I’m also enjoying some mighty fine reading in The Divine Conspiracy and Anderson’s The Bondage Breaker.
Scott Moore, Broken Arrow First – We are seeing some significant increases in attendance the last few months. Our congregation has embraced revitalization of our Church by recreating a positive and outreach-oriented culture. We had an overwhelming vote to change our name to Connect Church and will be starting renovations on the outside of our building soon.
Bret Metcalfe, Claremore – We baptized two people a couple of months ago and the youth group is beginning to see some growth of unchurched kids.
Ben Finkbeiner, Cushing Kinetic – We are becoming the little church with the big footprint God is calling us to be. The Thursday night service remains at 30-40 people each week. And we are seeing growth at our Sunday service. 2 Days ago we had 30! The Thanksgiving meal was a success. We had our usual Thursday people there, as well as 10ish new people! Our team cooked 5 turkeys and 2 hams while our people brought sides.
Brady Thelander, Sapulpa – We had 220 people at our showing of The Polar Express. We even had one new family come to church on Sunday before the event. They said they needed to get in church, and they were going to come to The Polar Express, so they thought they would come to church.
Jim Thornton, Tulsa Hills – We had a great Funding the Mission Sunday with Ronnie Baker. Emphasized the need for church planting while reinforcing our love for missions. Over $40k was pledged. Teens raised a bunch of money for NYC through our annual Chili Bowl and Flag Football game.
Brad Coates, Drumright – Taken in two new members; had a successful toy drive along with Kinetic and Love INC; have a new guitar player; have a baptism planned for January 8th.
Prime Time Christmas Luncheon
There were over 80 in attendance at the NEO Prime Time Christmas Luncheon on Saturday, December 10th. Thanks to Kendall Moseley and the Prime Time Council for organizing, Doan/Cooper Family for providing music, and to Tulsa Central for hosting. Be watching for details about our next PT event in early 2023!
IT’S NOT JUST WHAT YOU DO, IT’S WHO YOU’RE BECOMING
Friday, January 27th / 1:00 – 7:00pm
Identifying how God wants to use us can be a process. It’s easy to forget in a performance-driven culture that we have value beyond what we can do. Who we’re becoming is what determines our impact, and that’s what really matters.
At this year’s conference, we’ll explore our gifts, our true value, and how to look forward to the future with hope and expectation. Together, we’ll be inspired to define, discover, chase down, and live out our God-given purpose.
During this one-day conference for high school junior and senior girls, you’ll experience guest speakers from diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. We’ll lead you through a hand-lettering workshop to challenge your creativity, and you’ll meet like-minded friends. We hope you’ll join us!
Pastors & Associates, APPLY today for the True North Retreat in Tulsa on January 6-7. The cost of the retreat is covered for qualifying applicants, including lodging and meals!!!
This practical hands-on retreat empowers ministers and their spouses to address their personal financial challenges through budgeting, debt management, and biblical financial stewardship. Ministers leave the retreat with a realistic financial plan and achievable goals for the future.
The waiting is almost over for our 30th General Assembly! The 2023 General Assembly and Conventions in Indianapolis, Indiana is a place for Nazarenes to gather for celebration and worship, as well as to conduct the business of the global church and its various ministries. Click HERE for more information about the upcoming Assembly, HERE to watch a video about General Assembly, or click on the blocks below for details about Global Conventions and your GA Missions Opportunity.
