Eastern Michigan District Church of the Nazarene
Reporting and Statistics

E-Tidings April 2006

E-Tidings April 2006

In this Issue: News From Around our Great District

From the District Superintendent:

The Resurrection of Christ is the reason that we have hope! If Christ had simply been a good man, a fabulous story teller, a great teacher, a positive thinker, a miracle worker, or a martyr, none of these, nor all of these combined, would have been enough for us to have any hope whatsoever. But because he arose from the dead, just as He said He would, we have hope of life after death, just like He said we will have.

In just a few days we will celebrate Easter with our family and friends. As we look around the table or the church, remember this is not just another day, it is a celebration of the greatest news ever given to mankind. It has changed and is still changing the world one person at a time. It gives the hope of eternal life to all that trust in Jesus.

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again." ' Then they remembered his words." Luke 24:1-8 (NIV)

Marilyn and I want to wish each of you a very Happy Easter! Christ is ALIVE!

Dr. Stephen T. Anthony

 

NMI Convention & District Assembly 2006 Schedule

The schedule for NMI Convention and District Assembly to be held at the Brighton Church will be as follows:

NMI Convention:
Tuesday, April 25
8:30 AM - 9:00 PM

District Assembly:
Wednesday, April 26
8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Business Session)
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Ordination Service)

Brighton Church of the Nazarene
7669 Brighton Rd., Brighton, MI

 
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Dr. Nina Gunter
General Superintendent

Dr. Nina G. Gunter is a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene with an office at the International Center of the denomination in Kansas City, Missouri. She was elected at the 26th General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana, in June 2005, the first woman to be honored with the highest office in the church. At the time of her election, she was serving as general director of Nazarene Missions International (NMI), a position she had held since 1986. During her tenure, she initiated many missions programs, and the annual giving to missions increased from approximately $30 million to $62 million. She is a respected leader, motivational speaker, and inspiring visionary.

 

More News

Prayer Requests:

 

District Campground Update

It's That Time Again!

As another baseball season starts so does our summer camping season. We have been preparing for our May 1st camping season ever since our season closed last October. Our maintenance staff has worked tirelessly preparing our camping area for another great season of RV camping. As many of you know we did not allow storage on many of our lots this winter so that we could clean out some trees and do some repair to some sites. You will be pleased to know that this project is almost complete. We were able to remove many trees that had begun to rot from the inside out and make our campground a little more beautiful. In the off-season the camp board approved a plan to create potentially 135 additional RV sites on a currently undeveloped portion of the camp. These sites would all have water, sewer, and 50 amp electric. We are planning on the expansion being done in two phases with the first 50 or so lots being started this fall. More info on this in months to come.

We have also hired almost all of our counselors for our summer camp program. We have been able to do all of our hiring from ONU. This has been a blessing for both us and the university. We are able to offer the students who work for us a $500 scholarship and ONU matches it making it a $1000 scholarship! We are excited about the great crop of students we have coming. Many of them were campers themselves, and this is a great way for them to help lead a new generation of campers into a closer relationship with Christ. Information concerning all of our summer camps has gone out to all of our churches, but if you need additional brochures for your church, please let us know and we will mail them to you.

We look forward to seeing you here this summer,

Dominic Pace

Director of Development
Water's Edge Camp & Conference Center

 

Flint Eastside Mission Update

Bill Burdine, Mission Founder
Sammi Justice, Director of Publicity

March has been busy as usual for the East Side Mission, but God has provided all of our needs, sometimes before we even knew about them! For the month of March there were 2,511 lunches served (not counting seconds!), 114 Saturday lunches served, and 780 men, women, and children were fed from our food pantry. Thank you, Lord, for your continued blessing on the East Side Mission!

Coming up very quickly is our Annual Easter Dinner, to be held on Saturday, April 15. If you would like to help, please be there between 10 - 10:30 am. Still needed for that great event are empty Easter baskets (no grass please!), candy to fill them and small new/gently used stuffed toys. We distribute around 700 each year, so we can use all we get! We also are still in need of whole hams for this dinner. Gordon's banquet style are preferred, but any brand will do if you're not able to get to Gordon's.

A new ministry opportunity is ready to begin at the ESM! We have completed the renovations to the clothing house that were needed to add a laundry facility! Now, all we need to get this up and running are washers and dryers. We have room for two sets of new/gently used washers and dryers. If you have access to or would like help with the purchase of these, please contact the Mission at 810-767-5312, or e-mail Pastor Bill at ESMission@aol.com.

District Assembly is on April 25 - 26. The ESM will have a booth set up at the Brighton Church this year for both days! Come by and learn more about God's impact on Flint's East Side, we'd love to meet you!

Please visit our web site to read current and past newsletters, to sign up for the quarterly newsletter, or to sign up for Pastor Bill's e-mail prayer chain!

www.FlintEastsideMission.org.

  Missions_Update

NMI Convention Schedule

Parade of Flags help needed at NMI Convention

We need 92 people willing, capable and flexible enough to do stairs to carry flags for the 7 PM Theme Presentation. Contact Reta Steely if able to help.

Crisis Care Kits

CCK's will be collected in completely packed banana boxes only. Meaning 6 completed kits in each banana box. A charge of $5 will be collected at the semi- truck that will be parked in the back of the parking lot of Breighton Church of the Nazarene where the NMI Convention will be held this year. Collection starts at 8:00AM and will close at 9:00AM on April 25, 2006. You must remember to send in the $12 for each box to KC so they can afford in turn to send them to needy areas. Thank you.

This offer will save you bundles of money trying to ship kits to Maryland. We have our own driver and truck from EMD who will deliver them. District council hopes that this will be a yearly event and that you take advantage of this opportunity to minister to others more economically manner for all of us. Start collecting Crisis Care Kits and School Pal kits to be collected on NMI Convention morning. See you there.

Mission Night at Campmeeting

Pastors and spouses, and local presidents are encouraged to come to Campmeeting on Wednesday evening. Jim Mellish will bring a mission sermon. At the close of the service, we will gather for ice cream and fellowship in your honor!

Questions?

Ask Reta: rsteelynmi@sbcglobal.net

  EMD NYI

Night to Remember 2006

Attention all Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors from the Eastern Michigan District!

"Night to Remember" in the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island has been a tradition of Michigan Nazarene Youth for over forty years. Again, this year, the Michigan District, Eastern Michigan District and Northern Michigan District are combining for an unforgettable event.

The event dates are Monday and Tuesday, May 29-30, 2006. (many come up a night early however on Sunday, May 28, and stay in Mackinaw City). Cost is $147 per person due by April 7, 2006. (Late payments are $162 and accepted only until April 21). Send payments to Jason Bjerke at 53386 Venus Drive, Shelby, MI 48316.

For more information, visit www.nntr.org.

2006 Summer Camps Information

2006 Summer Camps Brochure - 2086K PDF

2006 NYI Scholarship Information Now available

The 2006 NYI Scholarship Cover Letter and Application are now available on the youth section of EMDNAZ.org.

Olivet Dates

Highest Call

Highest Call is a 34 voice teen choir that travels across the district to churches once a month. They are a talented group of singers and surely something you will not want to miss!

April 30, 2006
Sunday PM - Williams Lake Church of the Nazarene

June 11, 2006
Sunday PM - Flint Central Church of the Nazarene

You can also check out www.highest-call.com for more updates and information.

  Sunday School Ministries Update

Children's Quizzing 2006 Schedule

  PrimeTime Ministries Update

PrimeTimers are making a difference in the world by their commitment to Christ and their willingness to be actively involved in sharing Christ's love no matter where they go or what they do. The Barbados Blitz is a perfect example of what can happen when PrimeTimers serve their Lord selflessly. Not only did our Barbados brothers and sisters benefit from the ministry of the 61 PrimeTimers who presented sacrificial service to them in the Name of Christ, they also brought that blessing home to offer this same love to their churches and communities. Let me tell you about some of the residual blessings of PrimeTime Work and Witness!

Bruce McEwen is a member of the Roxana (IL) Church of the Nazarene. Since arriving home from Barbados he met with his Men's Ministry Council and they have revamped their community service ministry to include less labor intensive projects so the PrimeTimers in their congregation can participate in this wonderful outreach ministry.

Dr. Patsy Livingston is a retired professor from Point Loma Nazarene University and a member of a Baptist Church in Battle Mountain, Nevada. Patsy's Barbados Blitz presentation in her local church excited the congregation about the missions especially Work and Witness because of the personal involvement this ministry offers. Some of the people in her church are talking about the possibility of their church doing a missions trip. Patsy is also leading a Work and Witness trip to Alaska in July 2007 through a new ministry called MissionsXtreme. Once the mission project is completed the team will have the opportunity to go fishing instead of the usual shopping and sight seeing many teams choose to do. For more information about the Alaska Work and Witness adventure, contact Rev. Charles Bledsoe.

Minda Maxwell is a member of the Lebanon (IN) Church of the Nazarene. She was so moved by the worship experiences she had in Barbados that she is now playing the tambourine in her local church. She did not know how it would be received however she did not let this stop her. She reports her church is enjoying the new musical flavor her tambourine adds to their service.

Rev. Robert McFarlane is the senior pastor at the Allen Park (MI) Church of the Nazarene. He is so excited about missions he is planning to lead a PrimeTime W&W to Brazil in October. He has already contact Rev. Steve and Brenda Heap so they can coordinate an exact date and location for the incredible ministry event.

Rev. Charles Bledsoe is currently scheduling another Eastern Michigan District, PrimeTime Ministry, Work and Witness trip. This trip will be to the Apache Avenue (NM) Church of the Nazarene in October. Since this trip will be within the USA he believes many PrimeTimers will be involved. More information will be available soon.

But an incredible Barbados Blitz residual blessing story is being lived out by Judy Lucas who is a member of a church plant soon to become the Fowlerville (MI) Church of the Nazarene on our Eastern Michigan District. While in Barbados, Judy was asked if she would return to Barbados for six months to develop a Children's Ministry at the Western Light Church of the Nazarene. God challenged her heart and stirred her spirit until she was convinced this desire was truly ordained by God and not just her emotions. Judy will be developing a Children's Ministry at the largest Nazarene Church in Barbados as well as conducting training seminars so other churches can develop a life-changing ministry to the children in their communities. Judy will be instrumental in changing Barbados' future for generations to come because of the children who will give their hearts to Jesus through the various Children's Ministries in the churches of Barbados! Her target dates are January - June 2007. I'm sure many of EMD's PrimeTimers and churches will want to support her missionary adventure with their prayers, words of encouragement and financial gifts. You may contact the Fowlerville (MI) Church of the Nazarene for details concerning your support by phone (517-304-5754) or email: fcotn04@sbcglobal.net.

It is amazingly apparent PrimeTimers have unlimited opportunities to serve the Lord of their lives with faith-stretch, life-changing, creative ministries both in their local churches and around the world! Isn't it great to be a Christian PrimeTimer!

EMD PrimeTime News Newsletter Is Now Online!

You may now view, download & print a copy of Prime News, so you may distribute this informative and interesting newsletter to PrimeTimers in your church and community. The most recent four issues are posted for your enjoyment.

The web address is: www.NazPrimeTime.com

You may also review our denomination's PrimeTime Ministry Newsletter. Over 12 issues of "PrimeTime" are posted for you to read, download and print.

This address is: www.nazarene.org/ssm/p_newsletter.html

Nazarene Sunday School's Adult Ministries has launched a new Adult Ministry Online Magazine entitled Adult Ministries Connection. Read the first issue today!

The address to this new resource is: www.amc.nazarene.org

Spring Luncheon Schedule

April 22 Bedford Church
7866 Douglas Road
Lambertville, MI 48144
Lyndene Olson, Hostess
Church Phone: 734-847-6749
Home Phone: 734-850-0073
April 29 Allen Park Church
10944 Reeck Road
Allen Park, MI 48101
Sandy Frahm, Hostess
Church Phone: 313-383-7610
Home Phone: 313-582-8243

All Luncheons begin at 12:00 Noon. Cost is $12.00 per person.
Special speaker is Rev. P. L. Liddell

Promotion Packets were mailed to each church in February. Plan to attend and to bring an unchurched friend. Stay Informed! Stay Connected! Stay Active!

ONU PrimeTime Historic Tour

May 8-12, 2006 - Branson, Missouri
Departure is from the ONU campus. The cost is $550.00 per person and a $150.00 nonrefundable deposit is required. For more information or to pay with a credit card please phone: 815-928-5562.

PrimeTime Summit

June 3, 2006 - Our General PrimeTime Ministry office, in cooperation with Olivet Nazarene University is presenting the second Senior Summit on the campus of ONU. The purpose of this summit is to address the critical issues of equipping PrimeTime leaders.

Dr. Lyle Pointer, Professor of Evangelism at the Nazarene Theological Seminary, will be the keynote speaker. His inspirational messages and workshops will focus on evangelizing PrimeTimers.

Paula Pointer, a professional counselor will also be conducting seminars of PrimeTimer interests.

Cost is $30.00 if paid by April 30 and $40.00 if paid after April 30.

Plan to attend so your leadership and evangelism skill can be sharpened for a more effective ministry to the least evangelized group in America.

PrimeTime Retreat

September 12-15, 2006 - St. Charles Missouri
Located just half an hour from St. Louis, you will be able to enjoy many attractions that bring thousands of visitors to this area every year. Beautiful St. Charles boasts the beginning of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Rev. Derl Keefer, PrimeTime Ministries coordinator and retreat director states: "We are anticipating a wonderful time in St. Charles. We are excited to have General Superintendent, Dr. Jerry Porter as our retreat speaker. I know Dr. Porter will bring significant and inspiring messages during this retreat."

Make plans now to attend! Watch for the retreat costs and registration details in the PrimeTime newsletter and on the web at: www.Nazarene.org/ssm/adult/primetime.

To request a brochure call: 800-221-6317 or email: PrimeTime@Nazarene.org.

District Events and Beyond

For more information concerning PrimeTime events mentioned you may contact:
Rev. Charles A. Bledsoe
Email: Director@GoPrimeTime.org
Phone: 248-684-9457