eVoice
                                                                                                                                                      December 2016

Nazarene Missions International

Renee Kindle
District NMI President

Work and Witness 2017
Canton Eastside Church of the Nazarene - Canton, IL
You don't want to miss the opportunity to work with Pastor Dennis Owens and the people of Eastside. Together lets make a Kingdom difference in Canton.
 
Dates: June 4-11, 2017
Projects: Drywalling, Painting, Electrical, Cleaning and Much more
Cost: $75 per family (Includes meals and a fun day)
Families are responsible for transportation and housing. Housing options - Camping, Hotel, in Church or Homes.
 
Tabitha's Hands Compassionate Ministry Center - Princeton, IL
Tabitha's Hands ministers to families in crisis in Bureau County. It is recognized by Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
Dates: June 11-18, 2017
Projects: Moving furniture, Cleaning, Building shelves, Furniture/appliance checking, repair and cleaning Cost: $75 per family (Includes meals and a fun day)
Families are responsible for transportation and housing. Housing options-Camping, Hotel, in Church or Homes.

Send Application and Fee to:
Renee Kindle
5 N. Dallas
Princeton, IL 61356
Compassionate Ministries


December is Compassionate Ministries Month, a time to celebrate the way God is transforming lives through the Church of the Nazarene's acts of Christlike compassion worldwide.

Congregations are encouraged to set aside a Sunday during the month of December to focus on God's call to active compassion. Resources from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries are available to help congregations think about living compassion in the margins of the world and to consider what it means to join the work being done by churches around the world.

CLICK for full article
District Events

C ONVENTION - March 18, 2017 - Pekin First 
DISTRICT ASSEMBLY - April 7-8, 2017 - Crossbridge Community (Ottawa)
TEAM DAY - September 30, 2017 - Pekin First
Nazarene Youth International

Mark your calendars 
2017
July 24-28

July 23-27, 2018


J. Todd Keller
District NYI President  


Merry Christmas Allies!!!
 
On behalf of our crazy cool NYI Council, I'd like to encourage all  of you to celebrate the hope of Jesus, the salvation He has  brought to you, and the daily opportunities we have to change the atmosphere in the different sacred places where God has placed us: home... school... work... team... church... community...etc.
 
YOU ARE THE RIGHT PEOPLE...THE VERY ONES...NEEDED TO PRESENT THE GREAT LIGHT OF JESUS TO THE WORLD!
 
Enjoy talking to Jesus daily, and keep looking for ways to encourage one another.  We can't wait to see you at Celebrate Life!!!
 
Your NYI Council loves you!
 
J. Todd Keller,
NYI President
 
Schedule 2016-2017

12/02-12/03 St. Louis Invitational
01/21 Galesburg
02/18 Sterling Invitational
03/25 New Hope 
www.barefootonline.com 
Click to Like us on Facebook 
  
-Ministry Call- 
NMI with the collaboration of NYI and SDMI has been trying to compile a list of children and youth who have expressed a call into ministry. The goal of NMI's Ministry Call is to educate, inform and guide those children and youth called into ministry get as much help in following through with those calls. Being able to pray for them by name and introducing them to opportunities to develop in their particular area of ministry.  
 
If you know of a student who feels called into ministry please let Ronda Hollars know by giving her a call at 815-875-1900 
or by email Ronda Hollars 
Sunday School Discipleship International
 
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."   Matthew 28:19-20
 
As you are going,
THINK BIG: Every relationship, every interaction, all inclusive.

And make disciples,
START SMALL: You. Be one. Be a Christ-like disciple. Re-present Jesus.

Baptizing them, immersing them in Jesus,
GO DEEP: Pray. Empty yourself. Sacrifice.

 

Ellyn Book

District SDMI Director

Luke 2:11 (NIV) "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

Have you ever known someone expecting a baby or working through the adoption process? Often, the wait seems long and unending. But there is nothing like the moment when you finally hear those joyous words-"The baby's here!"

In Luke 2 an angel announces the glorious good news of our Savior's birth to a little band of unlikely, uneducated, unsuspecting shepherds. It was a typical night, similar to countless others they had spent under the stars tending sheep. Then it happened. An angel interrupts their ordinary and the overwhelming glory of God shines brightly all around them. ( Luke 2:9 ) Fear grips the shepherds, and suddenly the doors of heaven burst open and a company of angels joins the first, praising God and promising peace. ( Luke 2:14 )

Wow! Isn't it amazing that the most anticipated and elegant announcement of heaven was sent to some of the most humble, ordinary people on earth?! But the shepherds' response is anything but ordinary.

As the glory of God becomes visible to the shepherds, it creates an acute awareness of the power and presence of God. The shepherds are afraid, but this vision of God's glory is filled with good news. The best news! And the shepherds hear every word spoken to them and take it to heart.

They are not so paralyzed or mesmerized by the miraculous vision before them that they miss the message. The shepherds receive the truth the angels proclaim-the Messiah is born! Christ the Lord, our Savior, is here!

Upon hearing the good news, the shepherds don't hesitate to respond in obedience to these words. They want to see and experience firsthand what the angels of the Lord have promised. And so they instantly move into action. Scripture records they "hurried off" to find Jesus! ( Luke 2:15-16 )

Imagine seeing an angel break through the night sky and proclaim a personal promise to you ... and then having a host of heavenly beings appear?! That's something to talk about, right? But more than that, the shepherds are captivated by the incarnate glory of God wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger. How do we know? They begin spreading the word to others "about this child" ( Luke 2:11 ). He became the message of their testimony. ( Luke 2:17 )

Something truly significant did happen that night, and it is all about the baby-the Lord Jesus Christ. The Promised One. ( Matthew 1:21 ; Isaiah 9:6 )

The shepherds' response is built around God's truth.
  • They listened and received God's message.
  • They joyfully worshiped and believed.
  • They immediately went.
  • They encountered Jesus.
  • They passionately told.
  • Others marveled at the good news.
When we think about the glorious news of Jesus Christ, what is our response? What kind of effect does the reality of the Savior's birth have on us?

Prayer: Lord God, I don't want to miss the wonder of who You are in the midst of the ordinary. Interrupt me with Your divine presence and keep my heart and mind focused on Your Word. I want to hear You. I want to see You. I want to know You more and help others know You too. Fill my soul with joyful worship and a passion for sharing the wonder of who You are and the truth about Jesus with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

(First 5 Proverbs 31 Ministries, Luke Reading Plan)

May this Christmas season be filled with times of joyful worship, extraordinary encounters with Jesus, and opportunities to passionately tell others the Good News!
Ellyn
Children's Ministry


Anne Whalen 

District Children's Director

Congratulations to the children's Bible quizzers for their accomplishments at the first quiz of the year on November 12th! Quizzers from Freeport, Galesburg, Havana, Pekin, Peoria, Princeton, Rock Island, Smithfield, and Sterling met at Sterling Naz for three rounds of quizzing on the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel. Quizzers earned medals and ribbons for their accomplishments, in addition to gold stars that were distributed to quizzers who had a perfect round. Special thanks to Erin Copling and the team at Sterling Naz for hosting the meet, and to District Children's Quizzing Director Rosie Furston for all her efforts in organizing the meet!

If you haven't already, please join the newly created Facebook group NWIL Children's Bible Quizzing. Information will be posted regarding upcoming meets and events.




Schedule 2016-2017    
11/12/16 - Sterling 
02/04/17 - Pekin 
04/29/17- Peoria First
 
Rosie Furston
Children's Quizzing Director 
 
Children's Ministry Workers 
If you're on Facebook, check out the newly created group NWIL Children's Ministry and request to join! We will be sharing children's ministry ideas, borrowing curriculum, bouncing ideas off one another and encouraging each other as we all seek to point kids toward Christ.  




Mark your
calendars 
 
2017
July 5-8
Wednesday-Saturday 
 
 
June 25-28, 2018    
Church News
Are exciting things happening in your church? We would love to share it with our district family.  Please send a short article and pictures to NWIL District Office
Great Commission
  
Click below
 
   

Funding the Mission
For generations, Nazarenes have supported the World Evangelism Fund. Together, we've accomplished so much in our first 100 years. Join us on a journey into the next 100 years and partner with the Church of the Nazarene to make Christlike disciples in the nations. In our new plan for Funding the Mission, the World Evangelism Fund is the vehicle through which we deliver the message of hope - and your church drives our mission more than ever before.

The report below may not reflect actual end of year numbers. Corrections and updates are still being made.  November 2016 Report 
General Secretary Releases 2016 Global Statistics 

General Secretary David P. Wilson and Nazarene Research Services released the annual church statistical reports for 2016. These detailed reports documenting the missional activities of the Church of the Nazarene on a global scale show growth for the denomination over the statistical year, as well as continued growth over the past decade.

Olivet Nazarene University
  Often we are asked, "Is Olivet affordable and accessible for Nazarene students?" The answer is "YES!
  1. Incoming Nazarene students will receive Olivet-sponsored scholarships and grants that equal or exceed one-half the cost of tuition. This is our promise to each of these students - at least 50% off the price of tuition.
  2. These scholarships and grants may consist of academic, music, athletic, need-based, marching band, art, quizzing, student government or orchestra awards, based on a student's eligibility.
  3. Students with parent in full-time Nazarene ministry will automatically receive a Pastor's Scholarship of $8,488 before other forms of financial assistance are added.
  4. Many Nazarene students receive additional resources funded by generous alumni and friends of the University through the ONU Foundation and Friends of Olivet annual giving.

Educating and equipping students from our churches is a primary mission of the University. A key to sustaining strong Nazarene enrollment at Olivet is for every church, pastor and alumnus to recruit. We need you. We appreciate you.

 

We are thrilled to come alongside these students and families, and we are here as a resource for you and them. If you have any questions or want to connect about how we can best serve the families of your church, please call 815-939-5255, or email me at [email protected]. We want to partner with you in every way possible to inspire and educate the next generation of leaders for the Church and the broad reach of God's Kingdom in the world!

 

Blessings, 

Brian Allen

Vice President for Institutional Advancement

 

P.S. Please encourage every family with juniors or seniors in high school to put Olivet on their short lists and visit us in Bourbonnais!  

Celebrate Life 

Date: JANUARY 28, 2017
Time: 9:00am-4:00pm
Location: Pekin First

MARK YOUR CALENDARS
ONU CELEBRATE LIFE
May 11-13, 2017



Registration Deadline is January 18, 2017
Mail forms & fees to:
Pekin First Church of the Nazarene
ATTN: Kim Brock
3514 Broadway St.
Pekin, IL 61554
Student Cost:
$20.00 before 01/18/17
$25.00 after 01/18/17
Sponsor Cost:
$5.00
Checks payable to: NWIL-NYI

Questions: Kim Brock, District CL Director
309-231-5875 (cell) or 309-346-3053 (church)
SuperStart
 
It's that time of year again: time to make plans to attend SuperStart 2017! SuperStart is a high energy event designed specifically for 5th and 6th graders. The event takes place in Bloomington on
March 10th & 11th and is a weekend that your pre-teens don't want to miss! Please see your local Children's Director for more details, or visit the district website.

Questions: Lori Bradshaw, District SuperStart Director
Thank You

Thank you to Kevin Smoot for leading the construction of the new district website. Kevin is a member of Sterling First. Go to nwilnaz.org
for all the district news and updates.    
 
Lay Ministry Studies

Here you will find the studies needed to pursue th e Cer tificate of Lay Ministry. While anyone is welcome to take these stu dies, these studies are specifically designed for those who have gone through the steps as outlined by the Manual for the Church of the Nazarene and have already received the certificate to become a Lay Minister. For more information, be sure and visit our Requirements For The Certificate of Lay Ministry
page. Here you will find information on the process to become a Lay Minister.

Courses:

Communicating the Gospel 

History and Polity 

John Wesley's Theology 

New Testament Study 

Old Testament Study 

Spiritual Formation  

 

General Assembly



BGS announces theme for General Assembly
click below for full article.

Indianapolis, Indiana
SAVE THE DATE 
June 21-30, 2017 
General Assembly One Heart - Many Hands 
 
The Church of the Nazarene believes in empowering laypeople to serve. This is evident around the world, including the tens of thousands of Nazarenes mobilized through the One Heart - Many Hands service projects over the last 24 years.

OHMH is calling all past, present, and future volunteers to join in a Work & Witness project in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, June 18 to 23, 2017, the week prior to the denomination's General Assembly and Conventions.
This project will kick off a new, five-year initiative to repair, rehab, and rebuild more than 400 homes and build 20 new homes in the 46201 zip code.

Communities in this zip code are dotted with dilapidated or abandoned homes. Single parents, many of whom live below the poverty line, dominate the population. Help is sorely needed, but not easily available.
"What we do now will not only have a positive impact today, but will plant seeds of change that will continue growing for generations," said George Sisler, OHMH president.

In 1993, OHMH founder Dr. Gary Morsch organized the first weeklong service project to accompany a Church of the Nazarene General Assembly. That project, also in Indianapolis, included about 25 locations. At the 20th anniversary project, there were more than 120 project locations and 1,800 volunteers.

The next project in 2017 is slated to be one of the largest yet with 2,000 volunteers. This project is perfect for individuals or groups of any size, and volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Early registration ends January 31 and is $195.   Click here to request an information packet and be a part of this tradition.

For more on General Assembly, visit   nazarene.org/ga.
General Assembly Shawl Project 
   Contribute to General Assembly without leaving home
Even if you are not able to attend the 29th General Assembly and Conventions, you can play an important role.
Many delegates from outside the U.S. who attend the Church of the Nazarene's General Assembly and Conventions are not accustomed to air conditioning and remain uncomfortable throughout the week's meetings and services in the chilly convention halls.
To combat this, free shawls will be offered once again at the event. This is a great project for Sunday school classes, youth groups, or entire congregations, and no donation is too small. If you knit, crochet, or sew, a homemade shawl will be an important contribution.
Click for full article and information

For more information on the 29th General Assembly and Conventions, visit   nazarene.org/ga.
Calendar

01/12 - POPS - Rock Island
01/17 - SDMI Meeting 6pm Peoria
01/17 - DAB - New Hope
01/18 - BOM Prep Day - Peoria First
01/19 - BOM Interviews - Peoria First
01/21 - Teen Quiz - Galesburg
01/26 - MST-ZF online meeting 9:30am-11:30am
01/28 - Celebrate Life - Pekin First
02/04 - Children's Quiz - Pekin First
02/09 - POPS - Bloomington First
02/18 - Teen Quiz - Sterling First (Sterling Invitational)
02/21 - DAB - New Hope
02/23 - MST/ZF online meeting 9:30am-11:30am
02/25 - Teen Quiz - New Hope
03/02 - Executive Finance Meeting - Pekin First
03/04 - Finance Meeting - New Hope
03/09 - POPS - Havana
03/18 - Convention - Pekin First
03/21 - DAB - New Hope
03/23 - MST/ZF online Meeting 9:30am-11:30am
03/25 - Teen Quiz - New Hope
Quick Links
The Relationship Factor Workshop
The workshop, focusing on understanding and ministering to those with challenging behaviors, was presented twice in October. The workshop was sponsored by NWIL SDMI and presented by Pastor Irene Lewis-Wimbley.
 
It was attended by more than 80 participants, from over 15 churches across our district.
 
Some comments from the workshop survey:
  • "Outstanding in so many ways."
  • "Please offer this more often in more locations."
  • "Thank you so much for this class. It helped me so much! I believe what I learned is going to help our kids."
  • "Fantastic training. In fact, I am going to use this in my workplace (with adults)."
If you are interested in more information about this workshop, please contact Irene at [email protected].
 
On behalf of the SDMI Council, a special thank you to Irene for sacrificing her time and sharing her knowledge with us to benefit God's kingdom. We also thank Peoria First and Sterling First for not only hosting this event for us, but for their exceptional hospitality.
 
Discipleship IS relationships.  THINK BIG, START SMALL, GO DEEP.
 
Ellyn Book, SDMI Chair
District Leaders
NWIL District Advisory Board
                                    
                  MINISTERIAL                    LAYMAN
                  Rev. Scott Sherwood          Brett Spengler
                  Rev. Bill Clark                    Carole Eatock
                  Rev. Jim Book                    Keith Peachey
                  Rev. Lloyd Brock                Kevin Singletary
                  Rev. Kevin Donoho
           
ONU Board of Trustees
                  Rev. Scott Sherwood          Rev. William Clark
                  Rev. Lloyd Brock                Cheryl Sherwood
                  Ken Roat 
Zone Facilitators

                        ZONE                     FACILITATORS & E-MAIL
                        Bloomington           Mike Stipp
                        Fox Valley               Kevin Donoho
                        Galesburg               Harold Berrian
                        Lincoln Highway     
                        Pekin/Peoria            Lloyd Brock
                        Southwest               Harold Berrian
                        Spoon River             Randy Munson
                        Quad Cities            
                        Blackhawk               Brian Eatock
NWIL District Team

District Superintendent
Rev. Scott Sherwood
Jim Book
District Secretary
District Administrator
Rev. James Book

District Treasurer
District DCPI Coordinator
Rev. Ray Barker

NWIL Office Manager
Pamela Smith

Board Of Ministry
Rev. Bob Hasselbring

Course of Study
Rev. Scott Whalen

 




Resources