Greetings in the Name of the Lord,
I thank the Lord daily for our great Kansas team. Thank you to all who attended our District Assembly and contributed in so many ways. We have such great admiration for all of our great leaders. It was a great joy to celebrate all that God has done in and through us all this past year. We love partnering with you in making disciples in the nations. Donna and I would also like to thank you for your generous support of the vision and ministry of the Kansas District. We were overwhelmed with your generous love offering. Thank you!!
As I reflect on a summer of ministry, I am grateful, also, for those who contribute and give of their time to make our camps a great success. We spent significant time at all of our camps this year. We are encouraged to see so many who care about the next generation and invest in the church of tomorrow. We have the best team of children’s ministers, youth pastors and lay leaders! I hope you begin now to plan to attend next year’s camps. Every Senior Pastor ought to invest in at least one of our camps, as this is one of the best ways to invest in the church of tomorrow.
I want to encourage you to bring your youth leaders to our Next Gen meeting, which is coming up quickly. We will meet at Junction City Church of the Nazarene on Saturday, August 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $15 per person. Register by emailing Jeremiah Wood at jeremiahwood@jcnaz.org or John Luce at jluce@sfnaz.com. Please be in prayer as our youth leaders meet to be equipped to reach our next generation for Jesus.
While we are on the subject of reaching the next generation, I want to remind you to keep Nazarene Theological Seminary and Nazarene Bible College in your prayers. Not only do we want to pray for these great schools, but we need to remember to support them with our giving. I was encouraged at assembly when a generous Kansas Nazarene offered to match our giving to NTS and NBC up to $5,000! Wouldn’t it be great if all of our churches participated in giving to NTS and NBC and we met this goal? I encourage you to let your people know about these great schools and encourage them to support them through their giving. Please take at least one offering this year. I believe that if we all jump in and give we will exceed this goal.
Our Minister and Mates Retreat is fast approaching! I am hearing that many are planning to attend. Please make every effort to join us at Horn Creek Resort near Westcliffe, Colorado. The attached brochure has all the information you need to sign up and attend this great weekend as we relax and recharge for the ministry God has called us to. WE NEED YOU THERE, as we are better together. If you need help finding pulpit supply so that you can be with us for retreat, please contact the district office. MNU is prepared to help us with their music groups, student leaders and professors to fill this need as well.
I am also glad to report to you that Jeremy and Jenny Carr have accepted the call to be our new pastoral family in Smith Center, Kansas. Many of you may remember Jeremy and Jenny as they served as youth pastors in Junction City. They come to us after serving as Senior Pastor at Oak Cliff Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma City. Let’s welcome them back to our team.
Finally, I want to remind you to take heart today. Be strong and courageous. I ran across this quote I had jotted down from a Bible Study several years ago:
"Discouragement is dissatisfaction with the past, distaste for the present, and distrust of the future. It is ingratitude for the blessings of yesterday, indifference to the opportunities of today, and insecurity regarding strength for tomorrow. It is unawareness of the presence of beauty, unconcern for the needs of our fellow man, and unbelief of the promises of old. It is impatience with time, immaturity of thought, and impoliteness to God." Don't be discouraged. Be encouraged.
Jesus said "in this world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." JN 16:33
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Jim
The NMI website is now live
You may access it through the Kansas District web site or link directly to it: ksnazarene.org/nmi
Work & Witness Trip to Hounduras
Looking for a way to travel and share Jesus at the same time? Kansas District NMI has just the trip for you! Join us as we travel to Honduras to build a soccer field and deliver JESUS Film Harvest Partners equipment. Don't hesitate - sign up deadline is August 31. Contact Eddie Fowler at efowler@elkhart.com
Deputation tour updates
AJ & Chelsea Fry
8/5 6:00 PM Wichita Eastridge
8/7 9:00 AM Wichita First
8/10 6:00 PMTodas Las Naciones
8/14 6:00 PM Winfield
8/17 6:00 PM Augusta
8/21 9:00 AM Plainville
8/24 6:00 PM Dodge City
8/25 6:00 PM Liberal
8/26 6:00 PM Salina Belmont
8/28 6:00 PM Emporia
8/31 6:00 PM Elkhart
9/3 6:00 PM Pratt Abundant
9/4 9:00 AM Hutchinson First
Todd & Connie Aebischer
9/19 6:00 PM Available to schedule
9/20 7:00 PM El Dorado
9/21 6:00 PM Wichita Todas Las Naciones/Wichita Eastridge
9/22 6:00 PM Wellington
