Chicago Central District Newsletter | Issue 138: December 13, 2019

"God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." (John 3:16)

"I bring you good news of great joy which will be for ALL people." (Luke 2:10)  

A vital part of Christmas is God's vision that drove what He decided to do. God didn't stay in heaven and remain separated from us. "God so loved the world" (John 3:16) that He had to bring the people He created back to Himself. He wanted them to hear "good news of great joy" (Luke 2:10). And it was news that would not just be for religious people who were currently practicing faith - God wanted His good news of salvation broadcast to "ALL people" (Luke 2:10).  

At Jesus' birth, there were not just religious people who gathered inside religious places of worship.  God went first to common shepherds...very ordinary people. The good news of the angel to the shepherds was, "I bring you good news of great joy which will be for ALL people" (Luke 2:10). The shepherds were so excited because God had come near to them. "Those who were once far away had now been brought near to God" (Ephesians 2:13). God's Christmas vision included whole new groups of people that God wanted to welcome to Himself.  

We are so grateful on the Chicago Central District that we hear the sounds of a new movement coming! The sounds are not that of people and congregations who continue to "do church" as they have always done before. The sounds we hear are the marching of those who hear the beat of a different drum. They have embraced God's Christmas vision! They are spiritual innovators, risk-takers, people who are anxious to go on a new adventure with God.  

Many of them among us are new to the Church of the Nazarene. They include both clergy leaders and lay leaders.  They are a growing group of people within a movement who feel the same urge as was felt in the heart of the apostle Paul. "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation" (Romans 15:20). They have embraced God's Christmas vision to focus on those outside the Kingdom. They keep encouraging their church to focus on outsiders, people beyond the four walls of the church who have not yet come to faith in Christ (Matthew 18:10-14). They "have a deep love for unbelievers," and want to use Christmas as another reminder to everyone around them that the gospel, the "good news" is for EVERYONE.

Thank you for joining God's Christmas vision and being one of these spiritual risk-takers. Thank you for serving so well on the Chicago Central District.  Christmas is the BEST outreach opportunity of the year. Let's continue to be Christ in action! You are loved.

Dr. Larry McKain, Superintendent

Chicago Central District

Church of the Nazarene

DISTRICT MINISTRY CENTER HOLIDAY HOURS

Our District Ministry Center will be closed for Christmas and New Year's from December 23-January 1. While there will be no staff at the DMC during this time, you may leave a voice mail message at the following number if a need arises: 312-535-7229. That number will be checked daily throughout the holiday break. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your District Ministry Center Team!

POPS DATE CHANGE

Please note that the date of the January POPS has been changed from January 2 to January 9. Pastors, please mark your calendar and plan to join us for this first POPS of the new year!

PRETEEN RETREAT

With the help of district NYI, Manteno Nazarene is hosting a district pre-teen retreat January 17-18. Students in 5th and 6th grades are invited to attend this event. The focus of the retreat will be being together, connecting with God, and having fun! The cost is $35 per student and it will last from 5p on Friday to 5p on Saturday.

For more information, contact Pastor Hannah Jones-Nelson.

MISSIONARY DATES FOR 2020

We have a great line up of missionaries who will be visiting our district in 2020. If you are interested in having a missionary at your church, please email [email protected] to scheduled a visit.

Rusty and Diane Robbins - serving in Eurasia with Jesus Film

April 3-13, 2020 - everything open except 5 April

Sam and Lumae Yangmi - serving in Northern Thailand

May 10-20 - everything open except 5/17

Jorge Baños - serving in Costa Rica

October 18 - November 1 - open 10/19-1020, 10/22-10/23, 10/26-11/1

Cosmos and Andronica Mutowa - serving in NCM Africa

November 4-15 - everything open except 11/8 evening and 11/15 morning

DS VISITS

Last Sunday afternoon, a Town Hall meeting was held to explore the exciting possibilities of re-launching the ministry of Danville Southside. The church members present voted 98% in favor of proceeding!

This past Sunday, it was our privilege to worship with Pastor Bill and Anna Lou Wiggins and the wonderful church family at our Danville Cedar Grove Church!

Stan and Mary Remole are praising God for the over 200 people who came to the Hooves of Hope Pancake Breakfast last Saturday, and for the lives that are being changed!!

Olivet's annual presentation of Sounds of the Season is always a highlight! Fifty of our pastors and spouses enjoyed attending together with a dessert reception afterward!

Last Saturday evening, over 35 Hispanic pastors, spouses and associates enjoyed a wonderful Christmas dinner together. Thank you to Edy and Liz De Leon and our Hispanic leadership team!

UPCOMING DATES

Mark your calendar!

Saturday, January 4 | South/Southwest Mission Area Dinner
Thursday, January 9 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
Saturday, January 11 | Board of Ministry Training Day
Friday-Saturday, January 17-18 | District Preteen Retreat
Saturday, January 18 | North/Northwest Mission Area Breakfast
Saturday, January 25 | Central Mission Area Dinner
Saturday, February 1 | Ordination Interviews
Thursday, February 6 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
Saturday, February 15 | Southern Mission Area Breakfast
Saturday, February 22 | Chicago Mission Area Breakfast
Saturday, February 22 | Children's Bible Quiz, Manteno
Thursday, March 5 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
Friday-Saturday, March 6-7 | District Celebrate Life, Olivet
Saturday, March 7 | District Advisory Board Meeting
Saturday, March 7 | Children's Bible Quiz, Kankakee First
Friday-Saturday, March 20-21 | SuperStart, a Preteen Event, Naperville
Saturday, March 28 | NMI/NYI Conventions
Thursday, April 2 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
Saturday, April 4 | Children's Bible Quiz, Kankakee Westbrook
Friday-Saturday, April 17 - 18 | District Assembly
Thursday, May 7 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
May 10 - 20 | District Work and Witness Trip, Nairobi, Kenya
Saturday, May 16 | Regional Celebrate Life, Olivet
June 1 - 3 | PALCON, Olivet
July 9-12 | Kids Camp, Olivet

PRAYER REQUESTS AND CELEBRATIONS

Please pray for Pastor Bill Luttrell who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins B-Cell Lymphoma. He has asked for prayers during this difficult time.

We would love to hear any prayer requests or celebrations from our district pastors to include in our weekly communications. Please email us so we can lift each other up!

If there is any way we can serve you better, please let us know!