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From the District Superintendent : The Prayer that Never Fails
Could there be such a thing, a “prayer that never fails”? How many times have you prayed and asked the Lord to do something, to heal an illness, to change a circumstance, to provide something miraculously and yet it seems He did not answer your prayer. In fact the thing you asked Him to change didn’t change and you started to doubt if God even hears you. After all if God heard you, wouldn’t your prayer have been answered the way you wanted? Not if you prayed “the prayer that never fails”.
What is this never failing prayer anyway? Is it some magic language that only God can hear, something equivalent to a secret handshake that let’s you gain admittance to the Almighty? Maybe it’s your heavenly username and password that only you and God know. Maybe those TV Evangelists are right, if I only had enough faith, God is obligated to answer my prayer. No it’s nothing like any of these.
“The prayer that never fails” is a simple prayer that Jesus taught us in His darkest hour. At a time when He needed heavenly intervention the most, He prayed “the prayer that never fails”, and it worked. Listen to Him as he prays:
“…Father , if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.” Luke 22:42 KJV
In the most difficult time of Jesus’ life, He was willing to pray the “prayer that never fails” and because He did, He did not fail God. I propose to you today, that it takes many times more faith to pray the “prayer that never fails” than to demand a certain action out of God.
In these uncertain times when life is being turned upside down and all of the securities the world has trusted are failing, can you join Jesus in His “prayer that never fails” and trust God enough to say “nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.” I guarantee that God will not fail you and more importantly you will not fail God.
District Superintendent
Other News from Around the District
 Pastoral Reviews
The following pastoral reviews have been held and the call of these pastors has been extended:
-
Bedford, Rev. Vince Flippo
- Tecumseh, Rev. Rob Lewis
- Caro, Rev. Paul McNett
- Bethel, Rev. Paul Mabry
- Fenton, Rev. Bob Swoveland
- Hazel Park, Rev. Michael Kempton.
Moving Ministers
Rev. Jason Crum, pastor at Armada Church has resigned to accept a call to be Youth Pastor at Indianapolis 1st Church of the Nazarene. Jason, Michelle and their three boys will be moving to Indianapolis the first of March.
JR Celebrate Life Information and Registration available online
We are soon approaching the date of our District Jr. Celebrate Life! It all happens on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at Richfield Church of the Nazarene. Doors will open at 9:30 AM, and we will begin together in the sanctuary at 10:00. All registrations must be postmarked by March 23rd. Once again this year, all information you will need can be found on the web at http://www.emdnaz.org/celebratelife/
Board of Ministry to Meet
The Annual meeting of the Ministerial Studies and Credentials Boards will be held on Monday, February 23 at Flint Central Church. All District Licensed Ministers and those enrolled in the Course of Studies need to contact District Secretary, Rev. Larry Betz for an appointment to meet with the board. Those applying for a first time license also need to contact Rev. Betz. Applications will be available on line.
Rev. Larry V. Betz
810-750-4080 – ofc.
810-964-7225 – cell
lvbetz@emdnaz.org
District Assembly and NMI Convention
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.
Join Detroit Grace Church for
Revival
March 22nd-25th, 2009
The Guest preacher will be Dr. Charles Johnson, Pastor of Fitkins Memorial Church of the
Nazarene, Meridian, Mississippi.
Dr. Johnson has served as pastor of Fitkins Memorial Church of the Nazarene since 1961,
after graduating from the Nazarene Bible College in West Virginia. Over the years he has
continued to further his studies and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from
Trevecca Nazarene University.
Dr. Johnson has been an active participant in Civil Rights including founding the Meridian
Action Committee, a Civil Rights group. In addition to continuing his role as pastor, Dr.
Johnson continues to work closely with the Church of the Nazarene’s Multicultural Ministries.
TEAM Day 2009 is Coming
 SATURDAY - FEBRUARY 28, 2009 at 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Perry High and Middle Schools in Perry, MI
- Lay Leadership & Clergy
- Youth Workshops and Events
- Children's Workshops & Childcare (age 4 through 6th Grade)
Early Registration: postmarked by February 1
Adults and teens: $25 Children $5
Final Registration Deadline: postmarked by February 9
Adults and teens: $35 Children $10
Late Registrations Not Accepted
For more information, forms, and to register online, visit www.minaz.org beginning January 1, 2009
TEAM Day 09
Contacts: John & Darlene Harris
PO Box 678
Perry, MI 48872
517-675-7442
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 |
Don't forget the Benefit Concert followed by Sweet Treats to be held at Richfield Church on Saturday, February 14th @ 7pm. Tickets are $10 each, or 2 for $20. Tickets are available in advance, or at the door.