• From the District Superintendent
• District Assembly and NMI Convention
• Other News from Around the District
• Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI)
• THE MASTER'S PLAN FOR MAKING DISCIPLES:
  The Anointing of the Holy Spirit – Entire Sanctification
• PrimeTime Updates
• 2008-2009 Children's Quizzing Schedule
• 2008-2009 Youth Quizzing Schedule
• Momentum 2009 Information
• Nazarene Youth International
• Nazarene Missions International
• About eTidings
  

From the District Superintendent :

For the past two months I have been filling in as interim pastor at Richfield Church where I served from 1986 until I was elected DS in 1992. One lady that has been a part of the church for all of these years sent me an article I had written in 1987 for the local Davison newspaper. I thought you might enjoy it at this Easter season.

In 1976 at the Montreal Olympics, Shun Fujimoto earned the admiration of the world for himself and for his country. Japan was close to winning the gold medal in gymnastics when Shun broke his leg during the semi-finals. A doctor advised Shun to withdraw from the contest and ordered him to bed.

The next evening, Shun appeared for competition. He performed a triple somersault and a twist in dismounting from the rings. He held his pose for the required instant and then collapsed in pain. His performance was spectacular enough to earn Japan an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics.

“It is beyond my comprehension” said the Olympic doctor who treated Fujimoto, “how he could land without collapsing in screams. What a man.”

“Yes, the pain shot through me like a knife,” said Fujimoto. “It brought tears to my eyes. But now I have a gold medal, and the pain is gone.”

In life we make many commitments – our marriage partner, our employer, creditors, and many commitments to the Lord. Yet it seems that these days those commitments are too often only until a better deal comes along.

Marriages fall apart because the commitment made at the church altar is no longer “for better or for worse” but until someone better comes along. If someone else offers a little more money and a few additional fringe benefit, we accept a different job. When the bills become more than we think our income can support, we run to the bankruptcy court to gain release from our commitment to our creditors.

It seems that this philosophy has infiltrated our commitment to the Almighty. If its convenient I’ll go to church. If there’s some extra money, I’ll give in the offering, If it doesn’t cost too much, I’ll do what God wants.

God’s commitment to us was both costly and complete. The well known Bible verse really sums it all up.” For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

His commitment to us cost Him everything. It was not pleasant, nor was it convenient. Can we give Him any less than He has given us?

Our commitment to God must be nothing less than Shun Fujimoto was to the Olympics. We must carry a cross if we someday want to wear a crown.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. James 1:12

Marilyn and I want to wish you and your family a very happy Easter as we celebrate our Savior’s resurrection and life.

District Superintendent

District Assembly and NMI Convention

NMI Convention and District Assembly
April 19-21, 2009
Flint Central Church of the Nazarene
1261 Bristol Rd., Flint
Everyone welcome!

The 2009 NMI Convention and District Assembly will be held April 19-21 at Flint Central Church. NMI Convention will begin Sunday evening April 19 at 6 PM and conclude by 5 PM on Monday. District Assembly will begin at 7 PM on Monday, April 20 with Ordination Service and conclude by 5 PM on Tuesday, April 21st. Dr. James Diehl will be our presiding General Superintendent. More information about this year's assembly including hotel accomodation information can be found at http://www.emdnaz.org/event_district_assembly_20090421.php.

NMI Convention
Sunday April 19 – 6 PM
Monday April 20 – 9 AM – 5 PM

Brian Utter and his wife, Lynne, are on a specialized assignment with World Mission Broadcast (WMB) to ensure the effective and efficient global development, delivery, and utilization of WMB radio and television resources and programming. With this change of responsibility, Utter is taking a lead role in raising awareness in the Church of the Nazarene of this vital regional and local church ministry, working with the World Mission Communications team. He is involved in developing promotional materials in support of the World Mission Broadcast offering and communicating with those who pray and financially support this ministry.

Utter, who has been a part of the WMB team for more than six years, has a background in commercial broadcast and from his most recent assignment as the South America regional communications coordinator. In that role, he successfully created and launched a number of radio and television programs that now reach far beyond the borders of South America.

One program, Mujer Valiosa "The Valued Woman" has been widely received, not only in South America, but also in the U.S. and in many Hispanic communities around the world including Israel where there is a large Hispanic community.

WMB South America currently produces four radio programs in both Spanish and Portuguese, which reach nearly 50 million people monthly in more than 30 countries. 

Mujer Valiosa TV, currently in production for its third season, reaches a potential television audience of more than 150 million in 20 countries and was recently added for Internet broadcast at CBNEspanol.tv. Pre-production is underway on Toby TV, a children's television program in conjunction with Sunday School Discipleship Ministries.

Prayer is requested for the Utters as they continue to make the adjustment to this assignment.

District Assembly
Monday, April 20 – Ordination Service 7 PM
Tuesday, April 21 8:30 AM – 5 PM

Dr. James Diehl, General Superintendent
Noting Dr. James Diehl’s passion for salvation and holiness of heart and his understanding of biblical truth, delegates to the General Assembly of 1993 in Indianapolis, Indiana, elected Dr. James Diehl to the Board of General Superintendents. Since his election, he has presided at district assemblies across the United States and around the world with a core message of Christian holiness from a Wesleyan perspective.

At the center of his heart is a love for ministry. He first demonstrated this as a pastor in Iowa and Georgia. As pastor at Oskaloosa, Iowa, he conducted live radio programs for seven years and led his church to develop a weekly television broadcast. He came to the general superintendency from his senior pastor role at First Church of the Nazarene in Denver, Colorado. His ministry passion also led him to an administrative role at MidAmerica Nazarene University. Additionally, he served for a decade as district superintendent in both Nebraska and Colorado.

Dr. Diehl is a prolific writer with numerous articles that have appeared in the Herald of Holiness, Holiness Today, Preacher’s Magazine, Bread, World Mission, The Holiness Digest, Perspective, and others.

Dr. Diehl has a great love for education. He is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University. In 1990 Northwest Nazarene University conferred a doctor of divinity degree in recognition of outstanding achievements. His passion for education has led him to serve on the Board of Trustees at several of our schools of higher education, including MidAmerica Nazarene University, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Nazarene Bible College, and Northwest Nazarene University. He also served as chairman of the Board of Regents at Northwest Nazarene University.

Dr. Diehl married the love of his life, Dorothy, and together they have four children and seven wonderful grandchildren.

Those who know Dr. Diehl recognize him as an encourager of people and a preacher of the Word of God with outstanding insight and practical application. His humor and love for people are evident from his preaching. His heart beats ardently for evangelism, missions, youth, families, and the communication of the Spirit-filled life to people of all ages and cultures.

Other News from Around the District

Dr. Anthony and Marilyn along with Rev. Larry and Kathy Betz were blessed on April 7, 2009 with a wonderful, healthy grandson. Erich Vermont Betz was born at 9:34 AM to parents Steve and Cheri at the University of Michigan Hospital. Erich weighs 9 lb 7 ozs and is 20 ¾ inches long. He is Steve & Cheri's first child. Mom and Dad are doing great.We want to thank everyone who prayed for our kids. We believe Erich is definitely an answer to prayer.

Flint Central Church Offers Grief Share Classes
Grief Share classes are offered in 13 week increments beginning on Wednesday evening, April 22nd. These are open classes where you can attend all or any of the classes. The class times are 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM here at Central Church. Anyone that has experienced a death in their family (whether a friend or loved one) is welcome to attend these sessions. Classes start Wednesday, April 22, 2009 @ 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM with childcare available. Flint Central Church of the Nazarene is located at 1261 W. Bristol Rd., Flint MI 48507. For more information, please contact the church office at 810-235-5671 or via email at office@centralnazarene.org.

Campmeeting and Camps 2009
Here are the dates for this year's camps and campmeeting:

• Primary Camp - June 28 - July 1, 2009
• Sr High Camp - July 5 - 10, 2009
• Middler Camp - July 12 - 17, 2009
• Family Campmeeting - July 19 - 26, 2009
• Jr High Camp - July 26 - 31, 2009
• Preteen Camp - August 2 - 7, 2009

Look for more information on this year's camps coming soon!

And speaking of camps...
Waters Edge Campground Welcomes New director Tobin Powers!
The Eastern Michigan District Camp, Waters Edge Campground has a new Program Director/Campground Manager, Tobin Powers.

Photo Right: Tobin Powers, Wife Judy and their 4 children: Grace 6, Haley 5, Elijah 3, and Isabelle 1.

Welcome Powers family!

Detroit New Hope Church Invites You...
All are invited for Detroit New Hope Church's "Family & Friends Day" on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 6:00 PM Questions? Call Detroit New Hope Church at 313-633-0852.

General Assembly and Conventions 2009
The General Assembly Site Commission has selected the Orange County Convention center in Orlando, Florida, as the site for the 2009 General Conventions and Assembly. This adjustment in location commitment for 2009 became necessary due to planned demolition and construction projects of the convention center in Indianapolis. Several other cities inside and outside of the USA were researched for viability to host the quadrennial events. Consideration was given to criteria such as availability of event dates, demographics of Nazarene constituency, function space, accommodations and local infrastructure.

Orlando has committed over one million square feet of complimentary space to the Church of the Nazarene for the 2009 events. The area surrounding the convention center offers a wide range of hotel accommodations and food service opportunities.

Although this denominational gathering is being moved from the middle part of the USA in 2009, there are great opportunities for international delegate and visitor access in Orlando. The location also provides wonderful options for families to attend the quadrennial events and General assembly in one of the great destination cities of the world.

The dates for the 27th General Assembly and Conventions are June 24 - July 3, 2009

For more information, please visit http://web.nazarene.org/site/PageServer?pagename=General_Assembly_Home

Night to Remember 2009

May 24-26, 2009 is Night to Remember, the Eastern Michigan District's Prom alternative. Click here for information.

2009 Youth Quizzing Schedule

• March 20-21, 2009 District Finals - Detroit First
  Covering Luke 1-24

Bob Flowers
810-577-7721
EMD District Quiz Director

Momentum 2009 Information

Momentum will be May 14-16, 2009.

Convention starts on Sunday April 19 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. and all day Monday April 20th. The service times for Monday are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Delegates, lunch will be off site this year. You will be dismissed with plenty of time to find a local restaurant. The church will have a list of restaurants for your convenience. Our speakers for the NMI Convention this year are Brian and Lynne Uitter. Brian serves as the director of World Mission Radio at the Global Ministry Center. They served our church in South America prior to their current assignment. Dan and Cheryl Evans will be leading our worship. Dan was raised as a missionary kid.

Local Missionary Presidents there will be a meeting on Monday the 20th at 8:30 with Tom Roat from NPH. You will be able to place your orders for your mission education lessons and books at this time.

Crisis Care Kits will be collected again at the convention. They can be dropped off at the truck that will be available at the east entrance of Flint Central. There will also be a separate truck for donations to Christian Resources International. These items can include Bibles, books and other Christian literature and audio/visual materials. These items will then be donated to Christians around the world. If you want more info you can check their website at www.cribooks.org.

Your NMI District President
Cindy has served on 3 district councils (Northwest Ohio, Akron, and EMD) for over 25 years. Her husband Dan is the pastor at Williams Lake and they have been there for 16 years. She believes that the love of missions is the driving force for church growth. She states that, "We must be involved in carrying out the Great Commission and this is one way God has allowed me to do my part." Cindy has enjoyed serving you as the District NMI President this past year. It has been a year for her to see how broad and how wide God's love is. Cindy would like to thank you for the privilege of serving the great people of the Eastern Michigan District.

Easter Offering
Nazarene Headquarters has a great bulletin insert to promote your Easter Offering. Log onto www.nazarene.org click on link NMI then on the giving link then Easter Offering there are several different bulletin inserts as well as some power point slides.

Monthly Emphasis for May:
The emphasis is Missionary Health Care. The cost of keeping missionaries healthy, so they can do their jobs, is quite high. This cost continues to rise. To help defray those costs, the Nazarene Missions International developed NMI Missionary Health Care.
Did You Know . . .

• Though there are several insurance companies that offer worldwide coverage under their plans; The Church of the Nazarene has chosen to continue coverage via a self-funded plan for economic reasons.
  
  
• These expenses total approximately $2.9 million each year.

Missionary Health Care helps pay for the medical expenses of Nazarene missionaries. It accounts for about 25% of the total medical expenses (approximately $500,000). Hopefully, with increased awareness of and participation in the Missionary Health Care, that amount will increase.

eTidings is the email newsletter of the Eastern Michigan District Church of the Nazarene. For more information about our District, visit our website at www.emdnaz.org. You are receiving eTidings because you have subscribed to it either through our website or through a district function. If you would like to unsubscribe, please reply to this email or send a new email to etidings@emdnaz.org with the words "Unsubscribe eTidings" at the top of the message.