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From the NWIL Ecuador 2019 Work and Witness Team - thanks so much for your ongoing commitment to be a district that sends hands and feet to the international ministry field. Your financial support provided the seed money to begin construction on a new Compassion Ministry Center in Santiago, Ecuador.
The team sent from NWIL was amazing. Effort, attitude, and work ethic were consistent. There was never a complaint heard from anyone in the group. Each
member looked for ways to consistently contribute, even when it meant trying new things or finding creative methods to accomplish a task.
The team was made up of 11 adults from 5 churches across the district. We arrived late Saturday night, spent the evening in the dorms of the Work and Witness
Center, and began our adventure from Quito to San Miguel bright and early Sunday morning. The people of San Miguel are some of the most sacrificing, hard-
working, and kind people you will ever meet. With an established Compassion Center and Church of their own - the heart of this congregation is to expand the
Kingdom and the ministry of the church to a nearby village, Santiago.
Santiago, Bolivar is high in the mountains of central Ecuador. It's in a breath-taking location, rich with examples of God's amazing creation and filled with hard
working farming families. These people always had a smile on their face and humbling energy in their steps.
The work done in Santiago was hard, exhausting, and worth every minute. When we arrived on the build-site, we had flat ground, fifteen holes, and piles of rocks.
We worked side by side with locals and fellow sisters and brothers in Christ for six days straight. As we left in the dark a week after we had arrived, a building
structure and a roof had emerged. After 8 to 10-hour work days, our team is now proudly proficient in the art of tying rebar, moving rock, mixing concrete, and
pouring footings and columns! We also had the chance to offer VBS style programs three times in the village of Santiago. One highlight of each day was the time
we spent together after dinner...laughing, recapping the day, and then sharing a testimony or short devotional. While exhaustion was real, and the language barrier
made things complicated from time to time - these moments where always God filled and impactful.
It is a blessing and a privilege to be on a district that values missions: locally, nationally and internationally. Thanks to all who participate in LEVEL giving and in
doing so provided the materials needed for this project.
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PoC - Young Adults Ministry |
Point of Change (PoC) Church of the Nazarene in Bloomington has begun a new campus aimed at young adults. Currently the launch team has about 25 members. If you have students who are attending Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University or Heartland Community College or who are relocating to Bloomington/Normal for any reason, we'd love to have their contact information. Many young adults, once they leave their church or youth group, fall off the radar. It is our hope to keep these young adults connected to fellowship, a church family, and the Lord. Please feel free to pass on Pastor Todd's contact information and the following information to your students and/or parents. I'd love to talk to any of them to give them more information. Thank you for helping us spread the word.
PoC|PreGame
Fun...Meaning...Connection for Young Adults
Thursday Nights at 8pm.
610 IAA Dr.
Bloomington, IL
This is a campus of Point of Change Church of the Nazarene
2407 Beich Rd.
Bloomington, IL
poc.church
For more information contact Pastor Todd Keller - 309-826-9944 -
todd@poc.church
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Nazarene Missions International
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Carole Eatock
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Jon & Shirley Fischer August 18-25, 2019
Tim & Michelle Eby September 18-25, 2019
Bill & Marsha McCoy October 15-20, 2019
Jon & Shirley Fischer
August 18 - Bloomington Grace 9:00am
August 18 - Eureka Grace 11:00am
August 19 - Fox Valley Zone - Marseilles
August 20 - Cuba 6:30pm
August 21 - Southwest Zone - Macomb
August 22 - Blackhawk Zone - Rockford First
Tim & Michelle Eby
September 18 - Bloomington Zone - Eureka Grace
September 21 - Havana
September 22 - Havana (AM service)
September 22 - Sterling First 6:00pm
September 25 - Peoria/Pekin Zone - North Pekin
Bill & Marsha McCoy
October 16 - Spoon River Zone - Smithfield
October 17 - Galesburg/Quad Cities Zone - Galesburg
October 18 - Freeport
October 19 Freeport
October 20 - Freeport
October 20 - Pekin First 6:00pm
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Nazarene Youth International
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-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 contact
Matt Jones
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Teen Bible Quizzing - Resources
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Excited to share the June-August TeenBibleQuiz Podcast schedule!
Visit
www.TeenBibleQuiz.com/podcast
, search "teenbiblequiz" in the Podbean podcast player, or add the RSS feed to your favorite podcast player to listen.
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2019 09/21 - Smithfield 10/19 - Quizfest - Olivet 11/16 - Rockford Samuelson Rd 12/6-12/7 - St. Louis 2020 01/18 - TBD 02/15 - Sterling Invitational 05/14-05/16 - CL - Olivet
Shawn McClain, NYI Quiz Director
815-670-9534
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New resources have been created to help you get the word out about Youth Quizzing! The virtual promo kit has editable files for you to promote your current ministry or recruit new ministries. Follow the link below and click the blue button that says 'promo kit.'
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Mark your calendars
July 22-26, 2019
July 27-31, 2020
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We are so excited for the opportunity multiple of our teens have to be
able to
attend both NYC and Teen Camp. With that being said, there are multiple that financially are not able to attend both due to the cost of them.
Only roughly a third of our NYC students are signed up for Teen Camp this year. We would love to be able to send more of them and provide partial sponsorship opportunities for them.
If you are interested in helping sponsor a student please speak with your youth pastor or youth leader. You are also welcome to make a donation to the distrct and we would love to randomly select a few students while at NYC and surprise them with this gift as well. We ask that you continue to pray for NYC as well as District Teen Camp. These moments are filled with life changing and inspiring moments that will last a life time. Thank you for your faithfulness to pray, support and encourage our teens.
God Bless,
Todd Keller NYI, President
Ethan Vidjecan, Teen Camp Director
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Nazarene Youth Conference 2019
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PRAY
Nothing happens in the NYC movement without prayer. Pray for our 85 youth and 31 youth sponsors from across NWIL District as they are attending NYC
2019 in Phoenix.
#NYC19GO
Connect with us on social media to keep up to
date on NYC news and
announcements.
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Sunday School Discipleship International
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"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.
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Ellyn Book
District SDMI Director
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Lisa Abbott
District Children's Director
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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, borrowing curriculum, bouncing ideas off one another and encouraging each other as we all seek to point kids toward Christ.
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Kids & Pre-teen camp was enjoyed by all who attended. 175 campers and 65 counselors/volunteers. The theme was:
GREATEST SHOW
IN THE CIRCUS OF LIFE WE FIND OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST. First time salvations: 9, Recommitment to follow Christ: 37, Sanctification, Experience: 5, Prayer Victory: 14, Call to some type of ministry: 17, Call to missions: 11 All praise and glory to our Lord for moving amongst our NWIL young people.
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Schedule 2019-2020
11/02/19 Galesburg
02/01/20 Pekin First
04/25/20 Eureka Grace |
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Rosie Furston, Children's Quizzing Director
Please join our Facebook group NWIL Children's Bible Quizzing. Information will be posted regarding upcoming meets and events.
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These are all district events. Everyone is invited. Church leaders, members and attendees will be equipped, encouraged and empowered for ministry.
The Summit - March 21,2020 - Galesburg First
District Assembly May 1-2, 2020 - Crossbridge
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The Great Commission Report is now available on the district website. You can access it anytime you would like. Choose
CHURCHES tab dropdown and choose bottom option
Great Commission Statistics. You can view a month or year to date or last year's numbers.
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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.
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Man
y of you have been asking about Team Day that was
scheduled for August 3rd.
There will be NO Team Day this year.
We
hope to bring it back next year. Thank you for your understanding. We are sorry for any inconviences this may have caused.
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August 8-9
Crossbridge Community
4161 Columbus St.
Ottawa, IL
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Everyone has influence
No matter where your influence is - in your family, school, work or church - you are invited to join 405,000 of your peers to learn how to maximize it.
- Get a unique blend of vision, inspiration and skills you can immediately apply
- Learn from a faculty representing multiple sectors and backgrounds
- Leverage the Summit as a resource to transform yourself and community
- Network with influencers in your community who are committed to living out God's purposes in our world.
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Dynamic Church Planting (DCPI) |
September 24-26
Sterling First
New Church Dynamics (NCD)
Shows church leaders how to develop the systems necessary for a healthy church body in the critical first five years of life. Full details coming soon...
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Church Planting Essentials Training
On June 20-22, Canton First Church of the Nazarene hosted the Dynamic Church Planting International Church Planting Essentials Training. Ten Church Planters from Canton First, Canton St. Peter's Anglican, Kewanee (Wyoming), Tremont (Bridgeway), and Pekin (Pekin First) participated by putting together their initial plans for planting additional churches or ministries as we continue to fulfill the Great Commission here in Northwestern Illinois and beyond. This event was led by two certified DCPI Trainers/Planters from NWIL, Rev. Dennis Owens (Canton First Church of the Nazarene) and Rev. Irene Lewis-Wembley (Pekin First Church/Peoria Southside Community).
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Crossbridge Building Project |
The Crossbridge Ottawa Campus is two months into a large renovation project and we couldn't be more excited! For the past ten years we have struggled with the condition of our building and limitations to ministry. Over that time, we pursued many different options. We purchased land to relocate our building, but that door closed. We designed a foyer addition to the building, but that door closed as well. We designed a worship center addition to our building, but that door closed too. After ten frustrating years and many failed designs, we were introduced to a new way of approaching our building. A design firm asked us, "What if you don't need MORE square footage, what if you need BETTER square footage?" And so, with that thought we launched into an analysis of our needs. We determined we needed intentional space for people to connect, space for children that was engaging and safe, room to grow in our worship services, and an overall updated feel of the building that reflected our church culture. With that in mind, we launched into a project that redesigned a large part of our building (this project touches over 2/3 of our overall square footage). We believe we will be able to meet all of our needs without adding any additional square footage! We are learning how to meet ministry needs with the square footage we already have and are grateful for the new way of approaching an old problem. We project the completion date to be late 2019 and can't wait to see how it impacts ministry on a weekly basis!
John Pickens
Pastor of Ministry Advancement
"Our mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ."
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Preaching & Music Ambassador Program |
Olivet Nazarene University's Preaching and Music Ambassador Program connects students preparing for ministry with the churches they are called to serve.
The Ambassador program has a twofold mission: to provide mentoring and training for students going into the ministry and to offer practical experience in preaching and leading worship in churches across the ONU Region. The program is committed to mentoring and transformation of the lives of the students that are a part of the program, and we believe that a major part of that mentoring and transformation happens when our students are given the opportunity to come to your churches.
In order to provide these opportunities for these students
we need your help by partnering with the program and hosting these young men and women in your church to preach or lead worship on a Sunday morning this upcoming school year! There is no financial obligation to the local church as Olivet is taking care of all the travel expenses with the help of individual donors. However, it would be helpful if someone from the church could house the student on Saturday evening and provide a lunch on Sunday after church.
For questions, comments or to communicate this information, contact Anne Whalen, Ambassador Program Director, at 815-939-5291 or Ryan Crawley, Operations Manager, at 815-936-3992 orchurchrelations@olivet.edu
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Almost to the end of another school year . . . My, how time flies. At the end of the month, I head back for another summer in the States. Hope to see some of you while I'm home. The year has been good though, and I have a few more stories for you to illustrate the way things have been going.
Mindy, who has attended a couple of Sunday gatherings now, told me during a movie night she and I had together: At Easter, she watched the movie Son of Gd, made from the mini-series on the Book. It made her interested enough that she went in search of the series and has watched the first two. In the one about Moses, she was amazed at the mighty work the Almighty did in holding back the water. She was wondering if He ever does those kinds of things anymore and wishing he would show her something. She said then that she was also reading in the book of Mark and had just gotten to the feeding of the 4,000. At the end of the story, the Pharisees began to test the Son by asking Him to give a sign from heaven. He answered with a sigh that this generation always asks for miraculous signs but none would be given. And Mindy said to me, "I think He was answering me. I didn't know He would do that." Great to watch her grow and learn.
Star, a geology major who found me somehow, has been attending lots of Book studies and movies. After a Saturday movie showing of The Grace Card, we were talking about grace. She talked of how, in Book studies, she has heard me talk about grace and how amazing it is, but in the movie, the black 'shepherd' talked about how powerful grace is. (This was in connection with forgiveness and healing in the case of racial tension, rather than in demands.) She said she had never considered the power of grace before, but in thinking about it, she really felt it to be true.
Alice, a senior from an ethnic Muslim background, has attended my Book studies and movie nights for most of her 4 years here. She went with us on our 'outing to the mountains' this week, and we had a little time on the bus to talk. One thing she said was that,
thanks
to me, she now reads our Book more than she reads the Muslim Book. She is so close to the Kingdom, but I know she feels trapped by their ethnic identity of being 'born' a Muslim.
Lina, a young mother, was the only one who 'got wet' on our outing to the mountain this year. Before going for a dip, in her spoken witness, she talked of having a faith-based upbringing but not really accepting it. She said she has spent her life kind of wandering in and out and around the faith but not fully embracing it. In this weekend outing, as she committed to 'getting wet' for Him, she is also committing to staying firm in her faith. No more wandering in and around it.
You, my friends, have a part in all this. From a reading by Aletha Hinthorne, I got this: "After years on the mission field, Jonathan Goforth visited his prayer partner in London, telling her of the great revival movements he had experienced in my part of the world. She invited him to look at her prayer diary. With great joy, they discovered that the times of her special intercession for him corresponded exactly to the times of his greatest revivals. This is a modern day story similar to the account of Joshua fighting the Amalekites. Moses told Joshua to choose some men to fight: "Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands...As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning" (Exodus 17:9, 11). It is not the one who wields the sword who determines if the battle is won, but the ones who faithfully carry the burden in prayer."
Thank you
for remembering us and for lifting this work before the Father's throne.
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Olivet Nazarene University |
Upcoming events on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University and around the world, including Homecoming, concert events, golf outings, alumni gatherings and much more.
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Revitalize Now "Leadership in the Church" |
Are you overwhelmed and frustrated as you try to get things done?
Are you allowing God to effectively use the gifts and talents of your church family?
Are there conflicts between your staff, board, volunteers, and congregation?
Do you need help planning a church board/staff retreat or launching a new ministry?
Click for complete details:
LLC
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07/9-14 - NYC - Phoenix, Arizona
07/22-26 - Teen Camp - Lake Williamson
08/02 - District Leadership Appreciation - Pekin
08/16 - NMI Presidents Dinner Peoria/Pekin Zone
08/18-25 - Deputation Tour Jon & Shirley Fischer
08/27 - NMI Presidents Dinner Galesburg/Quad Cities
08/31 - NMI Presidents Dinner Spoon River
09/12 - POPS - Pekin First
09/13 - NMI Presidents Dinner Southwest Zone
09/14 - NMI Presidents Dinner Blackhawk Zone (11:30am)
09/14 - NMI Presidents Dinner Bloomington Zone
09/18-25 Deputation Tour Tim & Michelle Eby
09/20-21 Red Carpet Days - Olivet
09/28 - ALLIES Fall Party - Pekin First
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2019-2020 Schedule
09/12/19 - Pekin First
10/10/19 - Crossbridge Peru
11/11/19 - South Side (SCC)
12/12/19 - New Hope
01/09/20 - Galesburg First
02/13/20 - Canton First
03/12/20 - Rock Island First
04/16/20 - Reachway
9:45 am - Arrive and Gather with our District Team
10:00 am - POPS begins
Worship - Word - Prayer - District Information
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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
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Church Multiplication Endowment Fund
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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
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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
ONU Board of Trustees
Rev. Scott Sherwood Rev. William Clark
Rev. Lloyd Brock Cheryl Sherwood
Ken Roat
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Zone Facilitators
ZONE FACILITATORS & E-MAIL
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District Superintendent
Rev. Scott Sherwood
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District Secretary
District Administrator
Rev. James Book
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District Treasurer
District DCPI Coordinator
Rev. Ray Barker
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NWIL Office Manager
Pamela Smith
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Board Of Ministry
Rev. Bob Hasselbring
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Course of Study
Rev. Karin Orwig
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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.
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NWIL District Prayer Force
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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:
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Chuck Cobb - Mason & Tazewell
(309) 642-0244 (phone or text)
Judy Davenport - Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, Schyler & Warren (309) 259-9042 (phone or text)
Ronda Hollars - Bureau, Lee & Whiteside
(815) 878-4719 (phone or text) trhollars87@gmail.com
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Patrick Lovell - Peoria & Stark
(309) 229-0003 (phone or text)
Debbie Lyons - Winnebago
(779) 970-1776 (phone or text) debbielyons@comcast.net
Tammy Shane - Henry, Knox & Mercer
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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, Marshall, McLean, Ogle, Putnam, Rock Island, Stephenson, Winnebago, Woodford) and are interested in being a part of the Prayer Force or learning more about it, contact:
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