Eastern Michigan District Church of the Nazarene
Reporting and Statistics
The most important responsibility I have as Superintendent is working with Church Boards as they search for a pastor. It is more than an employment search; it is a spiritual journey to find the Will of God for the local congregation. Not just anyone will do. Only God knows the gifts that are going to be needed to minister to the existing congregation and to reach new people for Christ. Consequently I believe that God prepares ministers for a move that is coming long before a call actually comes. It is a beautiful thing to watch as God does His work in bringing the right parsonage family to lead a congregation.
October is Clergy Appreciation Month and I wonder if you have taken time to say thank you, either in word or deed, to your ministers. Focus on the Family has put together a nice Planning Guide to give some suggestions on how individuals and congregations can say Thank You to their ministerial team. To access Focus on the Families "Clergy Appreciation Planning Guide" go to http://www.family.org/pastor/pdf/cam.pdf
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Eph 4:11-16 (NKJV)
Stephen T. AnthonyDr. Anthony,
Our ball team started about 5 years ago, when my brother George Mellish approched Rev. Jeremy Gomez, and asked him if he could get a team up for the church. At that time we didn't have enough players in our congregation. so my brother asked some older men that he knew, and we were able to field a team.
A young man who started to attend here, the following year, told us his two brothers would like to play when they arrived home from college. we told them the rules about attending church here, and they started attending.
Through softball, Nate Mitchell, and his two brothers started coming here. Now Ben Mitchell is married to Holly, and Joe Mitchell is married to Nicole, and their mother and father, Cindy and Bob, also started to attend here. Joe does or announcments every Sunday morning now, Cindy and Nicole play their flutes in our services. Another couple who started coming to play ball three years ago now attend regularly with their two children, Brad and Apryll Baese. Several young men come, Matt Thick who works in Corrections, Bob Bertrum a contracter, My nephew Buddy and his family, Joe Smith, and Joe Schlesinger. We have two young men who attend another church in the mourning, but come here Sunday night, they are youth directors, and have written books on the subject.
This year some of our older ladies told me they where going to pray everyday for our ball team to grow spiritualy. This year at the Cincinnati ball tournament, one of the team went to the alter, and the rest of the team followed. I didn't know, but I was told by Joe Mitchell that the team had started to have Bible Studies on their own.
Sunday Sept. 11th we had a special service here at the church in recognition of the year our team had. Each member of the team, some very emotional, gave a testimony of how God touched them at Cincinnati. One of the young men preached the service and it was a very good day for our church.
My mother, Betty, was put in the hospital during the season, and missed a game, she hadn't missed a game sense the team started. Every one of the ball players and their wives and children went up to see her, the lady who was in the next bed started to talk to some of the boys, and then some of the players and wives went over and talked to her holding her hand. Before they left we had prayer for my mom, and the lady in the next bed.
God has truly blessed our church, and our ball team this year. I can see their growth. They have lifted my spirits many times. God can work in any situation, through any means at his disposal, and we are looking forward to the future here in Imlay City.
Pastor Jim Mellish, Pastor
Imlay City Church of the Nazarene
Dr. Stephen Anthony has announced that Rev. Larry V. Betz has accepted the position of Assistant to the District Superintendent. Rev. Betz is leaving his assignment as senior pastor of the Adrian First Church of the Nazarene where he has served since 1995. During his pastorate at Adrian, the church has relocated from a downtown location to a new building constructed on 30 acres on the main highway outside of Adrian. In addition, the congregation has grown from just over 200 to an average attendance of 350 per Sunday in morning worship. Prior to Adrian, he served as senior pastor at Allen Park and Wichita, Kansas. His new assignment will include assisting the DS by overseeing the campground ministries and working with churches on the EMD. He will continue as District Secretary, a position he has held since 1996. Rev. Betz and his wife Kathy will live in Grand Blanc and he will work out of the District Office in Fenton.
Rev. Glenn Gardner, senior pastor of Flint Central Church of the Nazarene has been elected by the District Advisory Board to fill the term of Rev. Larry Betz who has joined the district staff. The term runs through District Assembly 2007.
Andrew Frey has joined the district staff as Office Administrator. The son of Rev. Don and Susan Frey, pastor at South Flint, Andrew brings a background in computer and office technology. A graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University, Andrew has previously worked for Benson Publishing in Nashville.
Flushing Church of the Nazarene partnered with the Flushing Schools the local boy scouts, girl scouts, brownies, and Varsity Club to prepare over Crisis Care Kits for the Gulf region. Rev. Darrel Harvey reports that over 350 people joined together to pack 2200 crisis care kits.
Work continues to organize the work teams to New Orleans and Gulfport. Rev. Chet Decker of Warren Woods Church is heading up the Gulfport initiative and Dr. David Bowser pastor of West Flint Church is coordinating the New Orleans efforts for our district. Please visit our new website developed specifically for Hurricane Relief. The address is www.emdndr.org.
Thank you to everyone that has sent in offerings for this effort.
Dr. Ronald Blake, senior pastor of Detroit First Church, has received a unanimous 4 year renewal of his call. Dr. Blake and wife Suzanne have served at First Church since September of 2003.
Rev. Dennis Owens has accepted a call to pastor the Morenci Church of the Nazarene. Owens and his wife Jody are currently pastoring the Belton Church on the Kansas City District. Rev. Owens attended Olivet Nazarene University and is a graduate of Mid America University. They have three grown children all residing in the mid west. Rev. Todd Owens, son of Dennis and Jody, is the former youth pastor at Morenci Church. Jody grew up in the Flint Central Church of the Nazarene. The Owens will begin their new assignment on November 13th.
With the approval of the Church Board, Dr. Anthony has appointed Rev. William (Bill) Thorn as pastor of Bad Axe Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Thorn and his wife Sandy are originally from the Bedford Church on the EMD. He is a graduate of Nazarene Bible College and Asbury Seminary. They are raising their 14 year old twin grandchildren. They will begin their new assignment on November 6th.
The Board of Trustees of Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) unanimously voted for a five-year extension of John C. Bowling's presidential appointment during their bi-annual meeting on October 5.
Indianapolis District Superintendent Ted Lee, chairman of the Board, reports the renewal was an easy decision for the voting members. Speaking of Bowling's presidency, Lee said, "When I think what's taken place over the last 14 years, it's nothing less than a miracle." Since Bowling took office in July of 1991, enrollment has tripled, and financial aid available to students is at an all-time high. There are more local students enrolled than ever (699 from Kankakee County alone) and 220 more Nazarenes are attending ONU than there were a decade ago.
The 55 trustees making up the Board were quick to express their resounding support for President Bowling's leadership. As the Secretary of the Board gave the president's report, the assembly rose for a spontaneous standing ovation. Lee explains, "Dr. Bowling has an incredible vision for Olivet Nazarene University, and he has been able to instill that vision to the administration, faculty, staff, student body, Board, and all of our constituents. The unity of the Board is at an all-time high."
According to Chairman Lee, Bowling's presidency is the "epitome of the outstanding leadership" ONU has had since its founding in 1907. He continues, "With all of the growth we've had, we have never forgotten our roots, where we came from, our heritage. Our motto 'Education with a Christian Purpose' is more than just a statement on a piece of letterhead - it's who we are. We have honored God in this, His institution, and He has honored our faithfulness."
At the October 2005 meeting of the Board of Trustees Olivet Nazarene University, several individuals from the EMD were chose to leadership roles. Dr. Stephen T. Anthony was elected to be the chairman of the Business and Finance Committee and to serve as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Three laymen are serving in leadership positions on the ONU Foundation Board. They are, Mr. Everett Norton (Detroit First), Vice Chairman, Dr. Quen Dickey (Detroit First Church), Chairman of the Grants Committee, and Mr. Mark Pennington (Morenci) Chairman of the Marketing Committee.
Rev. Wayne Brown, DS of the Northern Michigan District, was selected to receive the degree Doctor of Divinity from Olivet Nazarene University at the May 2006 commencement services. Rev. Brown has served as Superintendent of Northern Michigan since 2002. Under his leadership they have planted 5 new churches and have moved from Phase 2 to a Phase 3 (fully self supporting) district. Rev. Brown served as Senior Pastor at Howell Church until his appointment in Northern Michigan.
Howell Church of the Nazarene is celebrating their 75th Anniversary on Sunday October 23, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. The speaker of the hour will be Dr. John Bowling of Olivet Nazarene University.
Seeing real life-change happen in a family member, colleague or friend is not the work for the few paid religious professionals. In fact, you don't have to wait until you've perfected life and your walk with Christ to engage in this process. More...
The following comes from the San Fernando Church of the Nazarene in Trinidad. If anyone can assist with this request, please contact Bill Heaton at 734-591-2456.
Our church is seeking to expand its ministries and become more relevant to the times. We were able to acquire on our own, a projector to use transparencies with to help with Bible Studies and choruses for morning worship.
But we're greatly desirous of having a multi-media projector for our own use. At present whenever we need to use one, we pay a rental fee of $100, but this cost prevents us from using it frequently. I know that sometimes when new models become available, some churches upgrade. If you are at all aware of any church that would like to donate a used one to us, we would be exceedingly grateful.
Saturday, November 5, 2005 at Richfield Church of the Nazarene 9:00 - 3:30
Pre-registration To Diane Witt-Kingsbury $10.00 Per person (will include printing and lunch)
What - Providing maintenance and remodeling of homes in typical One Heart Many Hands way. This is truly an international Work and Witness project.
Where - Tuxtla, Gutirrez, (Chiappas)Mexico - There are 11 Nazarene churches in the Tuxtla area who will be participating.
Who - 500 persons from the U.S. and 500 from Mexico Adults and mature teens
When - July 22-29, 2006 - Saturday to Saturday Travel - One Heart Many Hands is considering chartering a plane from Indianapolis and one from Kansas City.
How to Register - Contact Bill Heaton, 734-591-2456 or e-mail him at BHeaton@RC.Net
Tools - Most tools, especially heavy ones will be provided by the Mexicans.
Material - The cost and method for providing funds for the material have not been identified.
Hello Friends!
Wanted to update you about a project we are working on... Coats for all of the children at Williams Elementary School. Thus far, 382 have been pledged by some of our churches... This is OUTSTANDING!
Please be sure to check out the updates to the website... www.flinteastsidemission.org because our home page is THE PLACE to reserve your coats. Should you choose to go this route and you register online, you'll receive your coat tag information via-e-mail (and save us a bit of postage).
Item of note: should you request a larger size coat... word on the street is that Steve and Barry's Sportwear has large size coats at an incredibly LOW, LOW price ($10-15).
I know that many are still involved with hurricane relief, however, we still need to remember the ongoing needs of the inner city people that God has entrusted us with. Any number of coats you can help us with... will help.
May God continue to bless,
Rev. Margie Bryce
If you are interested in volunteering in the Clothing House, please contact us... we need people to help organize and work in the areas needed.
If you have questions, please call Rev. Margie Bryce at (810) 664-3457 or e-mail at mebryce@flinteastsidemission.org.
Visit the Mission online at flinteastsidemission.org!
For more information on NYI Bible quizzing, contact: Rev. Bob Flowers, 810-232-8081, 810-577-7721 (mobile) or reviceman@netzero.net
Teens, are you ready for some football?
Then get ready for the 2005 EMD-NYI Turkey Bowl
to be held on Saturday, November 26 In Plymouth, MI.
Rosters, Waivers and Money must be postmarked by Thursday, November 10.
Download your forms at www.emdnaz.org/youth_home.php! DivisionsA participant can play for only one team. If a church brings more than one team, players may not move from team to team. If this does happen, both teams will be disqualified.
Cost $15 per participant which includes a team shirt. One check per team please. Team checks payable to Plymouth Nazarene Youth. FoodWithin a few miles from the church, there are plenty of restaurants ranging from McDonalds to Fridays.
Referees WantedIf you would to help out or know someone who could help out with the refereeing, please contact Jeff Tschetter. Our goal is to have 4 referees per game.
Information/QuestionsPlease contact Jeff Tschetter at jeff@plymouthnazarene.org or 734.453.1525 (church) or 734.673.1968 (cell).
Send Rosters, Waivers and Payment to:
EMD-NYI Turkey Bowl 2005
45801 W. Ann Arbor Rd.
Plymouth, MI 48170
We have 52 participants, representing 14 districts; 33 local churches; 4 denominations in 13 states and 2 Canadian provinces. We have 21 "rookies" and 31 "veterans." There are: Two Mother-Son; One Father-Daughter; One Father-Mother-Daughter-Niece and Nine husband-wife combinations. We even have a retired missionary who served for a few years in Barbados! The average age of the participants is 63 years with ages ranging from 24 to 78. The 31 veterans have completed 98 W&W trips and when The Blitz is completed these teams will have a combined total of 150 W&W trips which is over 5 years of volunteer service to our Lord and missions!
Time is running out, however there is still room for YOU!
For more information go to: www.GoPrimeTime.org
Or phone: Rev. Charles A. Bledsoe at 248-684-9457