(770) 957-7790
district.office@ganaz.org
Georgia Connection - August 2019
"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12
Hello Georgia Nazarenes!

Summer is winding down and the new school year is quickly arriving! This is a great time to reach out to your community and to gather your church back together after the "scattering" of Summer. Julie and I are so thankful to serve with you and want you to know that we love and appreciate you and pray for you often.
Recently, I read a very insightful post from my friend, Dan Bohi (adapted from Dr. Kevin Baird). I've included most of it below with hopes it encourages many of you as well:

Newest statistics on church size in America...
  • Small: 0 to 49 attendance: 40% of churches in America.
  • Standard: 50 to 124 attendance: 27% of churches in America.
  • Mid: 125 to 249 attendance: 18% of churches in America.
  • Large: 250 to 499 attendance: 8% of churches in America.
  • Very Large: 500 to 999 attendance: 4% of churches in America.
  • Mid Mega: 1,000 to 1,999 in attendance: 2% of churches in America.
  • Mega: 2,000+ in attendance: Less than 1/2 of 1% of churches in America.

Synopsis...
  • 2/3 of ALL churches record weekly worship attendance under 125.
  • 85% of ALL churches record weekly worship attendance under 250.
  • It may appear that mega-churches fill the skyline of America, but in truth they are the anomaly. (I didn’t say they were bad, simply the exception rather than the rule.)
  • If every mega-church suddenly closed, Christianity in America would continue without skipping a beat...
  • If every church under 250 suddenly closed, Christianity in America would be in a significant crisis, perhaps a "spiritual dark ages."
  • Large or small, all churches matter and God is using them all. In that sense, size is unimportant. However, if you are a pastor-friend of mine and your flock is little and it seems like at times you don’t matter or your influence is small, let me assure you that this nation wouldn’t survive spiritually without you. 
  • Your ministry and flock are a part of the spiritual lifeline to this country.
  • I know it seems like you labor in obscurity. Your voice undoubtedly needs to be heard by thousands, but for now its to the few. For some of you, that may change. For most, it will not. Remember, your visibility is before the One Who matters most. I want you to know that I respect you and the faithful work you are doing. Your impact and your ministry is vital. If no one else ever says it I’m saying it now... Thank you! You are advancing the Kingdom of God. We love and appreciate you!

Pastor Kyle
CAMP MEETING 2019 HIGHLIGHTS
Retired Ministers Luncheon

A great group of retired minsters gathered @ Adrian on July 9 for a wonderful appreciation luncheon!
Family Camp Meeting 2019

Rev. Chad Seabright and Dr. Gary Henecke brought outstanding messages. And, Pastor Mike & Melinda McAdory led us in powerful times of worship. We are grateful for the excellent ministry of Pastor Mike Smith and Tim Tharp with our children and teens, and those who led our morning prayer times: Dr. Fred & Dinah Huff and Rev. Jeff Croft. We also enjoyed a couple of informative and inspiring ministry seminars on ministering to immigrants and multiplying disciples.

Mark your calendars now for 2020 Georgia Camp Meeting, July 7-12.
MORE JULY HIGHLIGHTS

Georgia Young Adult Retreat

Young adults from across the state of Georgia gathered in Brunswick for worship, fun, and connection at the annual young adult retreat. Thanks to Roy & Jenny McDowell for leading this event, and to Pastor Tim Tharp, John Mitchell, and Alan De Leon for leading the services.

NYC '19

In July, a great group of Georgia NYI students and youth leaders gathered with 9,000 others at Nazarene Youth Conference 2019 in Phoenix. This was a life-changing event for many. Praise the Lord!
UPCOMING EVENTS

Teen Quizzing 2019-2020


Upcoming NYI Events

  • NYI Convention - Saturday, August 10 @ Warner Robins. Click here to register.
  • Southeast PK Retreat - September 27-29 @ Great Wolf Lodge, LaGrange. Visit pkretreat.org for details and to sign-up online.
  • NYI Fall Retreat - November 22-24 @ FFA Campground, Covington. Susie Shellenberger will be speaking and Refuge from Trevecca will lead worship.
Solocon-The Reunion
August 31 - September 2 - Camp Sumatanga, AL

A gathering of former SoloCon attendees (single and married) along with first time attendees for a weekend of worship, reconnecting with friends and meeting new ones. Think of it as a family reunion, meeting up with family new and old. Featuring Mike Platter, Tim Green and others.

Never attended Solocon before?  If you are single, you will enjoy laughter and worship and the opportunity to meet and make new friends. Come join the fun!

For more information or to register go to   www.solocon-reunion.org

District Fall Retreat - Sept. 20-22, 2019
@ Adrian Camp (all adults welcome)

All adults are invited to the District Fall Retreat @ Adrian on Sept. 20-22, 2019. District Superintendent Kyle Poole is speaking and Dr. Steve Callis is leading worship. Click for a Fall Retreat Registration Form. Please contact Retreat Director, Brenda Williamson for more information.

456 Fall Frenzy Preteen Retreat
September 27-29 @ Camp Adrian

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for our First ever Preteen Retreat! 456 Fall Frenzy is for kids in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade and happens Sept 27-29 at Camp Adrian.
Cost is only $110 (with discounts for additional kids in same household). Click here to register. Click for full-size flyer or post-card size flyer . (Adult Counselor registration available soon)
Pastors Enrichment Day with Dr. Jay Earles
Fri., Oct. 18 - 1:30-4:00pm @ Harvest Community (Lilburn)
Sat., Oct. 19 - 10am-12:30pm @ Warner Robins

All pastors and ministers are invited to an enrichment day with Dr. Jay Earles. For travel purposes, Friday's session is north of Atlanta (Lilburn) and Saturday's session is south of Atlanta (Warner Robins). During our time together, Dr. Earles will cover several practical areas and skills that will help ministers to flourish in life and ministry. Drinks and light snacks will be available. This event qualifies for lifelong learning credits. There is no charge for Georgia Nazarene ministers.

Dr. Earles is the founder and leader of Hope Community Counseling Center in Graniteville, SC. Prior to starting this ministry, he retired as one of the highest ranking psychologists for the U.S. Army. Jay is also an active member of Midland Valley Community Church of the Nazarene, where he sings in the choir and serves as a volunteer in many different ministries. Jay has been married to Kim Hildreth Earles (a Nazarene PK) for 29 years and they have two adult children, Jonathan and Brittany.
MEET OUR NEW PASTORS
Pastor Michael & Hope McCants
@ East Point August 4
Pastor Tony & Toni Lupton
@ Graham Memorial August 4
Looking Ahead
for full calendar go to georgianazarenedistrict.org
Aug 5-7 Southeast Regional Prayer Conference (Archdale, NC) - Click here for info
Aug 10 NYI Convention (Warner Robins)
Aug 17 GA Hispanic Pastors' meeting
Aug 17 Children's Missions Day (Barnesville)
Aug. 22 Ministerial Credentials Board Mtg. (District Office)
Aug 24 Children's Missions Day (Battlefield Pkwy & Mt. Olive)
Aug 24 Teen Quizzing Fun Day (Barnesville)
Aug 24 Camp Board meeting (Adrian)
Aug 27 District Advisory Board (District Office)
Aug 31 - Sep 1 - Hispanic Family Camp Meeting (Adrian)
Aug 31 - Sept 2 - SoloCon Reunion (Sumatanga, Alabama)
Sept 20-22 District Fall Retreat (Adrian)
Sept 27-29 456 Fall Frenzy Preteen Retreat
Sept 27-29 Southeast PK Retreat
Oct. 3 TNU Legacy Partners Concert with Collingsworth Family
Oct 18 Metro Atlanta Planning Session (Harvest Community, Lilburn)
Oct 18 Pastors Enrichment Day w/ Dr. Jay Earles (Harvest Community, Lilburn)
Oct 19 Pastors Enrichment Day w/ Dr. Jay Earles (Warner Robins)
Nov 1-2 - TNU Homecoming
Nov 22-24 NYI Fall Retreat
Dec. 6 - District Pastors Christmas Celebration @ Forsyth
Feb. 21-22 - GOLD (Ordination & Licensing) Retreat (Adrian)
Mar 12-14 - District Ministers & Mates Retreat (Downtown Chattanooga)
Georgia Nazarene District Office
Pastor Kyle Poole , District Superintendent
Dr. Fred Huff , Director of New Church Development
Brenda Williamson , Administrative Assistant
Becky Meeks , District Treasurer
Pastor Jeff & Peggy Croft , Adrian Camp & Conference Center Manager
Julie Poole , Communications Assistant
Dinah Huff , District Assembly Facilitator


Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 920,
Locust Grove, GA 30248

Physical Address:
50 Lincoln Road, Suite B
McDonough, GA 30253


Phone: (770) 957-7790

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