In This Issue:
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Our Mission: "Multiplying Leaders, Ministries and Healthy Churches"
I'VE BEEN THINKING - BY DR. JOHN BOWLING
"Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" (Psalm 85:6)  
 
Our great ministry partner, Olivet Nazarene University, will welcome 3,000 students to begin a new school year this coming week.  Here is a message from our President:

As the beginning of a new academic year draws near, I have a request from our 850+ pastors and churches across the Olivet field. The background of my appeal is rooted in an event that occurred fifty years ago, when I was a college student here at Olivet.  In February of 1970, the University experienced a unique and transformative time of spiritual renewal.  This was part of what has come to be known as the great Asbury Revival.  

What began on the Asbury campus spread to many places across the country, including Olivet.  Two students from Asbury drove to Olivet to tell what happened on their campus.  The brief presentation by those students, during a revival service at College Church, spawned a wonderful season of spiritual awakening on our campus.  My life was impacted by that moment.  
 
So, I have been thinking . . .

One notable aspect of the Asbury Revival and its impact on Olivet was that it began as a result of prayer-not programming or preaching or pleading or promotion.  It began with a small group who began to pray for their college.

All of us have been working hard this summer to prepare for the new year.  Class notes and presentations have been updated, the campus has been renewed, new programs have been developed, and a fine group of new students has been recruited. In addition to those aspects of our preparation, 
 
I have been thinking . . .

Perhaps the most important thing we can do, as school begins, is to join in a season of prayer, during which time we give thanks to God for his blessings, recommit ourselves to the spiritual calling of our daily work, and pray for a new season of spiritual renewal for Olivet.  The Psalmist asked the question, Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalm 85:6).  

The world has changed dramatically in the last fifty years, yet God still seeks to renew and bless his people. Jesus declared, Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6).
 
Therefore, I have been thinking . . .

I am designating the week of September 9 to 14 as a "Week of Prayer" on the Olivet campus. I am asking that each academic and administrative department set aside a particular and specific time for prayer that week. I am also asking that our student groups (teams, clubs, organizations, ensembles, and residence halls) find a time for special prayer together during those days.

These times of prayer may be part of, or take the place of, a regular staff meeting or other gathering.  Some may want to meet for an early morning prayer walk before the day begins.  Kelley Prayer Chapel  will be available for anyone who wants to gather there. I am asking the members of the Administrative Team to encourage and assist all of the departments within their administrative areas to participate.
 
I am inviting all of our pastors and churches to pray. "Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts." - Mother Teresa





Dr. Larry McKain, Superintendent
Chicago Central District
Church of the Nazarene

PRETEEN MISSION TRIP

The preteens on the Chicago Central District are invited to on our Preteen Mission Trip, October 11-13, 2019, at the Salvation Army Church in Kankakee. All fifth and sixth graders are eligible to participate. The trip will begin on Friday evening at 7p and finish after lunch on Sunday afternoon. The cost is $40 per person and registration is due by September 25. 

We are in need of adults to attend, along with the preteens. An online registration form can be found here. Payment should be handled through the local church. Please help us spread the word and mark your calendar! We are excited about this opportunity for our preteens! Please contact Pastor Hannah Jones-Nelson with any questions. 

BIBLE QUIZZING 

I t's time to start Children's Quizzing! Genesis materials can be ordered from  www.thefoundrypublishing.com  Questions? Contact Nancy Peeler . 

2019-2020 Genesis Children's Quiz Schedule: 
November 16:  Dig Sites 1-10 | Location TBD (12 weeks from now!)
Feb. 22:  Dig Sites 11-20 | Manteno
March 7: Zone Dig Sites 1-20 | Kankakee First
April 4: District Quiz Dig Sites 1-20 | Kankakee Westbrook 

DISTRICT WORK AND WITNESS TRIP

Join friends from around our Chicago Central District on this amazing Work & Witness trip to Nairobi, Kenya. We will be working at Africa Nazarene University to help them update all of their classrooms in celebration of their 25 th  Anniversary of the university. 

Our trip will be from May 10 - May 20, 2020. The cost is $2,000. All project funds are being supplied by the CCD NMI district council. Please contact Lynne Utter at  [email protected]  or Ralph Goodwin at  [email protected]  for more information.

LIGHTHOUSE COMMUNITY EVENT

DEPUTATION SERVICE AVAILABLE SERVICES

Below are some opportunities for upcoming deputation services on the district.  Email Denise Anderson at  [email protected]  or call 815-370-4318 with any questions!
  • Phil and Denise Anderson (serving at Cactus Nazarene Ministry Center, Cactus TX - replacing Rolf and Debbie Kleinfeld who had to cancel their tour)
    • Available dates:
      • Sunday AM Sept 15
      • Monday - Friday PM Sept 16-20
      • Sunday PM Sept 22
    • They also have other available dates through the fall semester.  
  • Dan and Melody Anderson (serving in Uganda)
    • Available dates:
      • Monday Oct 21
      • Tuesday Oct 22
      • Saturday Oct 26
TEEN QUIZZING 
The annual teen quizzing kick-off is approaching! Quizzing is an excellent opportunity for teens to hide God's word in their hearts and also to develop relationships with other teens from their church and district. The curriculum is a great tool - it functions as a built-in Bible study! 

If you have teens from your church who would like to participate, consider pairing with another church from our district to create a team. Check out this Teen Quizzing promo video here and contact district teen quizzing director, Ron Marklund, for more information. 
ISRAEL TRIP

The Mundelein Church is leading a trip to Israel, and there are limited spaces available.  It is an 8 day trip from June 8-15, 2020, and the cost is $2,700. This cost includes everything, including airfare. If you are interested, contact Pastor Doug Ward at  [email protected] , and he will email the complete itinerary and any other information you may want.  
UPCOMING DATES

Mark your calendar!
  • October 11 - 13 | District Preteen Mission Trip 
  • September 5-6 | Theological Leadership Conference at ONU
  • Thursday, September 12 | District Mission Strategy Team
  • Thursday, October 3 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • Saturday, November 2 | Cultivate at Kankakee First
  • Thursday, November 7 | District Mission Strategy Team
  • November 15-16 | Ministerial Self-Discovery Weekend
  • Saturday, November 16 | Children's Bible Quiz, Location TBA
  • Thursday, December 5 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • Thursday, January 2 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • Saturday, January 4, 2020 | South/Southwest Mission Area Dinner
  • Saturday, January 11, 2020 | Board of Ministry Training Day
  • Saturday, January 18, 2020 | North/Northwest Mission Area Breakfast
  • Saturday, January 25, 2020 | Central Mission Area Dinner
  • Saturday, February 1, 2020 | Ordination Interviews
  • Thursday, February 6, 2020 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • Saturday, February 15, 2020 | Southern Mission Area Breakfast
  • Saturday, February 22, 2020 | Chicago Mission Area Breakfast 
  • Saturday, February 22, 2020 | Children's Bible Quiz, Manteno
  • Thursday, March 5 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 | District Advisory Board Meeting
  • Saturday, March 7, 2020 | Children's Bible Quiz, Kankakee First
  • Saturday, March 28, 2020 | NMI Convention
  • Thursday, April 2 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • Saturday, April 4, 2020 | Children's Bible Quiz, Kankakee Westbrook 
  • April 17 - 18, 2020 | District Assembly
  • Thursday, May 7 | Pastors on Purpose and District Mission Strategy Team
  • May 10 - 20 | District Work and Witness Trip, Nairobi, Kenya
PRAYER REQUESTS AND CELEBRATIONS

Your prayers are appreciated for Robyn Luttrell. Her heart-related epileptic seizures continue and the ocular ones, affecting her eyes, cause much pain.    

Your continued prayers are appreciated for strength and full recovery from Bill Wiggins's recent stroke.

Please pray for Pastor Andrew Twibell. He recently found out his brain cancer has returned. Please pray for wisdom as they look at possible treatment options. 

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!
UPCOMING LEADERSHIP COMMUNITY EVENTS
 
September
Mon, Sept 9 - Joliet Crystal Lawns   6:30 - 8:15 pm
Sun., Sept. 15 - Oak Lawn First - 6:00 - 8:00 pm
 
 
October
 
 
 
November
Sun., Nov. 3 - Oak Lawn First  6:00 - 8:00 pm
Mon, Nov 11 - Joliet Crystal Lawns   6:30 - 8:15 pm
 
 
December


Please send us dates for your upcoming 2019 Leadership Community gatherings - we would like to promote those in our newsletter! 


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