eVoice
                                                                                  October 2020
NMI - Nazarene Missions International



We are people united in our belief that our involvement changes lives worldwide.
Carole Eatock
District NMI President
We are Vision.
We are Action.
We are Impact.
 

NMI - Pal Pacs
It is exciting to hear how other churches are creatively helping missions. Here was is happening in Sterling. 

Greetings from Sterling Nazarene Church. 

I have great news to share with you. Our church was able to send 17 boxes of Pal Pacs, and what a blessing it was. We asked people for monetary donates, and with the help of my husband, we purchased all of the items. 

The exciting part of the story is how we were able to share why we were buying all those items!!

Naturally, every store we went to had customers backed up in the check out line. Someone always asked why we were buying so many items? We were able to explain how our church participates in helping children around the world. It was exciting to hear the responses. 

It is a great blessing to be the hands and feet of Jesus!

God's Blessings,
Reta Smoot, Missionary President

NMI - Casey Bloom
CASEY BLOOM - SERVING IN ROMANIA SINCE 2015

Sharing God's BIG love in small, every day moments.

Please pray for guidance and wisdom as Casey starts a brand new teen program, and as she continues working with children in a nearby village. Pray for continued physical, spiritual and emotional health. 

VIDEO UPDATE
NMI - Sam & Lumae Yangmi
ASIA-PACIFIC
  Samuel and Lumae Yangmi are career missionaries sent from Global Mission since 1993. Sam graduated from Mid-America Nazarene University in 1984.
On the mission field, Sam currently serves as the District Superintendent for the Northern Mekong District. He served as the DS for the Northern Thailand District for 13 years and helped grow the district from 5 Churches to 20 Churches, the District is now weaned off to national leadership. Sam also serves as the Thailand country coordinator.

Sam and Lumae have 4 daughters, Nellie, Julie, Samantha, and Anzie, along with 2 sons-in-law, 3 granddaughters and 2 grandsons.

The Yangmis were scheduled to tour our district in October. Due to the current pandemic, they are unable to be with us. Please use the attached video during your Mission Service and please support the with your deputation giving. 
 
NMI - Mission Books
Read stories about missions from around the world to see how God is transforming lives. 

ADULT CURRICULUM 
Bring a new focus to missions with this year's adult curriculum.

Read the newest NMI Children's Missions Books.

These resources teach how answering His call can forge the way to build God's Kingdom in diverse cultures.

NYI - Nazarene Youth International


 
 

NYI-ALLIES Facebook

Global NYI
Calling our generation to a dynamic life in Christ

In Evangelism, we are called to BE God's light in the dark and ignored places of our world. We are to BE a faithful example of God's unconditional love. In BEING in Christ and BEING with others, we allow the Holy Spirit to work through our lives and we trust God with the results.

Through Discipleship, we journey together with other believers as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus. As we DO life together, we learn what it means to talk together, serve together, sacrifice together, fall and get back up together. We DO the hard work of becoming more like our Savior, living surrendered lives in community.

In Leadership Development, we challenge and empower youth and their leaders to GO out into their communities as models of Christ's servant leadership. We cannot afford to wait until we think we know enough; we must GO now, learning along the way.

Nazarene Youth RESOURCES
 
Be. Do. Go. Resources are available for download in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Korean. 



Teen Camp 2021
Final date and information coming soon.  
NYI - Young Adult Ministry
Young Adult Allies, NYI sees all of you and has heard you and we want to do everything we can to keep you connected. Not just connected to us, but more importantly to God. In order to do that we need your help. If you are a recent high school graduate, 18-23 years old, or you know someone in your church that fits into that age group, please send your information to us.

We want to help you get connected to a group that will help you and challenge you to continue growing in your faith whether you are attending school far from your NWIL district family or you are working within a NWIL community. 

We, your NWIL family, love you and want you to know you matter and you are needed to accomplish the goal God has set before us. So if you are a college aged student or a church leader/pastor would you please give Ronda Hollars a call or send an email with young adults (18-23)name(s) and contact information so that we can begin connecting them with resources to help them continue maturing in their faith with a body of believers surrounding them. 
 
Ronda Hollars: NWIL NYI College/Career Rep.
trhollars1987@gmail.com or  815-878-4719
NYI - Teen Bible Quizzing 
Schedule 2020-2021

09/19/20 - Smithfield
10/17/20 - QuizFest - Olivet
11/21/20 - Rockford First
12/4/20-12/5/20 - St. Louis
01/16/21 - Pekin First
02/20/21-  Sterling Invitational
03/20/21 - Galesburg First
05/13/21-05/1521 - CL- Olivet

Shawn McLain, NYI Quiz Director
815-670-9534
Click to Like us on  Facebook






Bible Quizzing is about "guiding our youth into God's Word and the Word into their lives."




Global Center Links 

Click here to access free Bible Quizzing materials for the books listed above.* These materials contain devotionals on the text, study guides, sample questions, and a variety of other resources.  Rather than just helping youth memorize the text, these devotionals provide a conversation starter to help your youth engage the text, discuss its meaning, and ultimately its application in their lives.
SDMI - Sunday School Discipleship International

Dear NWIL friends,
 
Five years ago this month our District Superintendent, Dr. Scott Sherwood, invited me to consider serving in the role as SDMI Chair for our district. 
 
I accepted the invitation to serve in that position. These past years have been filled with work, joy, dependence, growth, new friends, humility, challenges and opportunities. I have had the privilege of serving alongside many precious brothers and sisters with many gifts. I have been blessed beyond measure with the council members God brought alongside me to work together for His purposes. I am thankful for many experiences; educational, spiritual, and relational, which God has used to enrich my life (and so the lives of others) during this time.
 
This past spring, just following our scheduled District Convention, I felt God bringing my time to an end in this role. I had completed what He had asked of me, and He was asking me to be obedient and serve in another area for a season. With prior conversation with our D.S., I resigned my position at our SDMI council meeting in early June.
 
I thank you for the opportunity to serve our District in this position. I thank you for your prayers, support, encouragement, understanding, forgiveness and love. Words are completely inadequate here.
 
I will always be passionate about sharing Christ's love and helping those around me draw closer to Jesus, what other response could we possibly have to His love? 
 
Friends, six words of encouragement: Love God. Love others. Make disciples.
 
All Because of His Love,
 
Ellyn Book

SDMI
Subscribe to SDMI Connections: SDMI
SDMI - Children's Ministry
 
Brian Eatock
District Children's Director
beatock@pekinfirstnaz.org
Children's Ministry Workers 
If you're on Facebook, check out NWIL Children's Ministry and request to join! We will be sharing children's ministry ideas, curriculum ideas, VBS, online meetings, bouncing ideas off one another and encouraging each other as we all seek to point kids toward Christ. 



2021
July 15-18
Thursday-Sunday

Details coming soon! 
The Church of the Nazarene provides us with many resources to help our Children's Ministry be the best that it can be. Click below to find resources. 

SDMI - Children's Quizzing
Follow Dr. Digalot and Canteen the Camel as they dig into the book of Exodus. Schedule 2020-2021

11/14/20 - Galesburg First
02/13/21 - Pekin First
04/17/21 - Eureka Grace






Rosie Furston, Children's Quizzing Director  rfurston@outlook.com

Please join our Facebook group NWIL Children's Bible Quizzing. 
Information will be posted regarding upcoming meets and events.


SDMI - Adult Ministry








 


Michael Downs
District Adult Ministries Director

These twelve, downloadable lessons and supplemental videos can be utilized in small groups or as an individual study. 

Faith Conversations at Home: Developed by  The Foundry Publishing, these free resources will help parents and grandparents disciple their kids at home.  Click here to see the video and Click here to download the handout.

Hope in the Midst Devotionals: The leadership of the Church of the Nazarene has provided a 14-Day devotional series as well as written devotionals by Dr. Chic Shaver.
Lay Ministry Studies
Lay Ministry Studies

Here you will find the studies needed to pursue the Certificate of Lay Ministry. While anyone is welcome to take these studies, 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 

How to Study the Bible 

Funding the Mission
For generations, Nazarenes have supported the World Evangelism Fund. Working together, we accomplish so much as the Body of Christ. Become a part of missions work and partner with the Church of the Nazarene to make Christlike disciples in the nations. In the Funding the Mission plan, the World Evangelism Fund is the vehicle through which we deliver the message of hope - and your church drives that mission. SEPTEMBER REPORT

Great Commission

The General Church 
has suspended reporting attendance numbers
during the pandemic.

Pastor Appreciation

October is the time to say Thank You to our pastors. 

NWIL District is blessed with amazing pastors. Thank you for everything you do for your local church and for the district. Thank you for building the kingdom one relationship at a time. You are prayed for, loved and appreciated. 

'The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching' (1 Timothy 5:17 NIV). Those who do the 'preaching and teaching' in your congregation will be deeply honored through your expressions of grace. Celebrate those who have answered God's call and are serving with intentionality.
Sandwich - Racial Reconciliation


"I hope that this will begin a conversation that should have maybe began a long time ago. Hopefully you will leave feeling a little more equipped to talk with friends and family with people that maybe you don't have anything in common with what God has to say about who we are". - Rev. Matt Jones

May the information provided help open our eyes and hearts.


Rev. Sharon Norman
Racial Reconciliation and the People of God 
Galesburg First
RENEWL/REVIVAL WEEKEND
October 16-18
Galesburg First

Bob & Jennifer Wilkerson

Friday & Saturday 6:30pm - Sunday 10:45am
1501 Webster - Galesburg
Olivet Advocacy Campaign

Olivet is excited to present the "Great People Know Great People" advocacy campaign. We are asking the Olivet community for support by recommending high school students in your circle of influence to attend Olivet. Our goal is to reach 5,000 recommendations by August 30, 2021. Not only will you be moving forward the mission of Olivet, "Education with a Christian Purpose", but you will also have opportunities to get free Olivet swag! Check out the different items below and recommend your first student.

Click for complete details: ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN
 
________________________________________________________


Olivet Nazarene University recognized in four distinct categories in the 2021 U.S. News Best Colleges Report. 

On September 14, 2020, U.S. News & World Report released the  2021 Best Colleges Report. Olivet Nazarene University received rankings and recognition in four unique categories - including a No. 2 ranking in the Best Value College for regional universities in the Midwest category.

Olivet has also been recognized as a top Regional University in the Midwest; Top Performer on Social Mobility; and Best Undergraduate Engineering Program for national non-doctoral engineering programs. These rankings took into consideration various factors including retention and graduation rates, faculty and financial resources, student excellence and alumni engagement. 

For more than 30 years, U.S. News & World Report's rankings and advice have served as a valuable consumer reference. The U.S. News Best Colleges annual report provides nearly 50 different types of numerical rankings and lists to help students narrow their college search. This type of third-party endorsement provides clarity for prospective students as they go through the college search process. 

With a modern, student-centered approach to teaching, Olivet continues to stand out by offering a unique learning environment and programming that engages students with character-building service learning; spring break and summer mission trip opportunities; global learning programs; collaborative assignments; undergraduate research projects; and internship opportunities.
______________________________________________________________

EDUCATION WITH A CHRISTIAN PURPOSE


With more than 140 areas of study, 3500 enrolled students, and a stunning campus, Olivet Nazarene University stands tall as one of the nation's premier hubs of learning and faith. Our nationally recognized academic programs, title-winning athletics, vibrant, energized social climate and countless ministry opportunities make this place unique. Olivet seamlessly integrates passion and calling with career preparedness.




WE BELIEVE | YOU BELONG HERE


We offer several different ways for you to visit our beautiful campus! Whether you visit in person or online, choose a personalized visit or energetic event day, we want to show you all that Olivet has to offer. Choose from one of the several visit styles below. 

Personalized Campus Visit
It's all about your dreams and goals! We want to plan a personalized visit just for you. We will schedule a time for you to take a campus tour, meet your admissions counselor, and visit with a professor.

Online Campus Visit
Explore campus with an online tour and set-up a virtual meeting with your admissions counselor. Of course, you will want to come to campus as soon as possible, but our online visit should help you in the meantime.

Purple & Gold Days
Specifically for high school seniors, we invite you to experience Life at Olivet when you visit campus on a high-energy, event-packed Purple and Gold Day!

Just for Juniors
Specifically for high school juniors and their parents, we invite you on campus to get a taste of what Olivet is all about.

Holidays @ Olivet
We are open many holidays that you might have off school. Take advantage of your day off and invest in your future by visiting Olivet's beautiful campus.

NWIL District Prayer Force

Prayer Force Moving Forward!

The District Prayer Force Strategy to pray for every person living in Northwestern Illinois is moving forward.  Five Prayer Force leaders have been identified allowing us to move forward in 17 of the 30 counties across the District. These leaders, their counties and contact information is as follows:
Chuck Cobb - Mason & Tazewell 
(309) 642-0244 
 
Judy Davenport - Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, Schyler & Warren (309) 259-9042 jdaven5@yahoo.com
 
Ronda Hollars - Bureau, Lee & Whiteside
(815) 878-4719 trhollars87@gmail.com
Debbie Lyons - Winnebago

Patrick Lovell - Woodford, Marshall & Putnam

Tammy Shane - Henry, Knox & Mercer
(309) 678-8364 shanetl76@gmail.com

If you live in one of the above counties and are interested in being a part of the Prayer Force or learning more about it, please contact the above indicated Prayer Force leader. 
  
2 Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Therefore, every person deserves and must be prayed for by name.
 
If you live in one of the remaining 13 counties (Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, LaSalle, Livingston, McLean, Ogle, Peoria, Rock Island, Stark, Stephenson) and are interested in being a part of the Prayer Force or learning more about it, contact: 

Ray Barker - (309) 645-7716 (phone or text) - raybarker@aol.com

NWIL Online Church Services
Don't let social distancing stop you from worshipping. Click one of the links below to worship with one of the churches on our district. May God give you peace and hope during this time. Have a joyous worship time. 
NWIL Handbook 2020
Since we were not able to have District Assembly, please find attached the Handbook 2020. 





Quick Links
Calendar
~2020~

10/16-10/17 - ECM/BOM
10/17 - NYI Quiz Fest - Olivet
10/22 - MST/ZF Meeting 9:30am-2:00pm
11/12 POPS - Canton First
11/14 Children's Quiz
11/17 DAB Meeting 6:30pm
11/21 - NYI Quiz - Rockford First
12/4-12/5 - NYI Quiz - St. Louis 
12/10 - POPS - Summit Nazarene

POPS
2019-2020 Schedule
        
9:45 am
Arrive and Gather with our District Team
10:00 am
POPS begins Worship - Word - Prayer - District Information

2020-2021
September 17 - Pekin First
October 8 - Crossbridge
November 12 - Canton First
December 10 - Summit
January 14 - Freeport
February 11 - Bridgeway
March 11 - Rock Island First
April 8 - Peoria Nazarene
Global Ministry Center
Due to the current coronavirus concerns, the Global Ministry Center has suspended onsite staffing and a temporary telecommuting.  We thank you for your patience. If you have any questions, please send us an email or phone message. 

nmi@nazarene.org phone: 913-577-2800

nyi@nazarene.org phone: 913-577-0542

Global Ministry Center
info@nazarene.org phone: 913-577-0500

COVID-19 UPDATE & RESOURCES
The Board of General Superintendents and additional Church of the Nazarene leadership continues to closely monitor the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on the church and people around the world.  READ MORE 

The Global Ministry Center has given us a great resource. 
Click on nazarene.org for Stories, Find a Church, Grow in Faith, News, Announcements, Resources, Region News, Global News and so much more.

Click for Global Ministry Center contact information: GMC
Church Multiplication Endowment Fund
Give a GIFT that doesn't stop Giving! 
 
Would you give $1.00 a month if it never stopped giving, never wore out, never changed its usefulness or purpose and transformed lives?
 
How many times do we give a gift to someone only to see it discarded at a later date or discover it was never used as intended? Have you ever wanted to give a gift that would never grow old or wear out, that would always be used for good and made a difference for eternity? NOW you can!
 
Jesus said "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."
 
Would you partner with your Northwestern Illinois District's vision to plant churches?  You might wonder how you can make a difference or even be a part. Everyone can. We need some to plant, we need everyone to pray and we need many to invest.
 
The Church Multiplication Endowment Fund is designed to reach unreached people living on the NWIL District for Christ. Every dollar given will continue to give in perpetuity. An endowment fund uses the interest from the principle to do kingdom work.  Will you help fund this goal? 
 
Currently, our district property funds have been invested in planting 22 new churches these past three years and the district is in need of capital to continue to plant more! We need your help. Presently, there are 36 more potential church plants in various stages of planning which will require additional funding support.
 
Help us reach our GOAL of planting 300 churches by 2030.  We see 300 churches as 3,000 disciplemakers who disciple 15,000 disciples gathering with 30,000 worshippers.  Every dollar you give will continue to reach people for Christ your whole lifetime and beyond.
 
Would you consider a GIFT of $1.00 a month?  We are not trying to take money from your local ministry where you give your tithes and offerings. We are asking for many to give a little.  Our initial goal is 5,000 giving at least $1.00 a month. Would you be one of those 5,000 making a commitment to create a movement to plant churches that change lives?  Here are ways to give:
 
 1. You can give to your local church by marking your check or cash gift "NWIL CM Endowment" and your church treasurer will take it from there.
 
 2. You can also choose to give online if you want to set up one time or reoccurring payments using debit/credit/Electronic Check on the district website at nwilnaz.org/GIVE/ On District Church Planting or direct  CM Endowment Giving LINK. Or scan this QR code at the bottom of this article.

3. You can send a check or cash to NWIL District, 3520 Broadway St., Pekin, IL 61554 (please indicate CM Endowment on check memo)
 
We are also looking for those who might like to make greater kingdom investments!

You can give cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, livestock, grain, or other personal property.  Basically, any asset of marketable value can be used to help fund this endowment. There are also charitable gift annuity options that allow you to specify the endowment fund or another ministry of your choice while allowing you to receive income for your lifetime and when you pass, your gift goes to the endowment fund or specified ministry. CLICK HERE to see other ways to model generosity. Gifts can be given in memory or in honor of someone.  
 
Large or small: Why not leave a lasting legacy that lasts more than your lifetime. 
 
For more information or confidential consultation please contact NWIL District Administrator, Jim Book 309-678-2357; NWIL District Treasurer, Ray Barker 
309-645-7716; or the Nazarene Foundation directly at 913-577-2983.
 
Scan for CM Endowment Fund Giving
              

Every gift is tax deductible

District Leaders
NWIL District Advisory Board
                                    
                  MINISTERIAL                    LAYMAN
                  Rev. Scott Sherwood          Ken Roat
                  Rev. Bill Clark                    Carole Eatock
                  Rev. Lloyd Brock                Keith Peachey
                  Rev. Kevin Donoho             Kevin Singletary
                  Rev. Mark McCall

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      Scott Sherwood
                        Pekin/Peoria            Lloyd Brock
                        Southwest               Harold Berrian
                        Spoon Rive            Denny Owens
                        Quad Cities              James Book
                        Blackhawk               Scott Sherwood 
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
Dr. Bill Clark
bclark@mtco.com


Course of Study
Rev. Karin Orwig

We are pleased to announce that our District Administrator, Rev. Jim Book, has been certified with the Myers & Briggs Foundation as a Certified Practitioner of the MBTI step I & step II instruments. We look forward to using this training in our ministerial preparation program and other applicable ways. You can contact Rev. Book if you would have interest in using these instruments and training in the ministry of your local church.
Resources