Central Gulf Coast Connection

October / November 2023

CENTRAL GULF COAST

CONNECTION

Don't Miss TEAM DAY August 12!

Room Reservation Deadline: October 7

Retreat Details

Booking Information

Ministry Team Retreat FAQ's

Dates: Tuesday through Thursday, Nov. 7-9, 2023
Location: Hampton Inn and Suites, Orange Beach, Alabama
Deadline to book rooms: October 7, 2023
Booking details: Use QR CODE or call 1-800-HAMPTON (Group Code NPR)
Room rates per night: $139/beachfront or $119/sideview plus taxes & fees
Hotel cancellation policy: 72 hours
Meals: Complimentary breakfast, Wed. group dinner, other meals on your own

A word from Pastor Ryan

These are great and exciting days to be a part of the Central Gulf Coast District. We have been traveling around and worshipping with you. We’re getting to know you and we love you already. Our Mission Area Leadership Tour was a great opportunity to worship with pastors and church leaders. In that tour, we talked about our need for each other. We are truly better together. We also were called as a District to prayer. Specifically, prayer for four things:

Your local pastor
Your local church
The lost in your community
The Central Gulf Coast District

I hope that you are continuing to be in prayer for the days ahead. Prayer must be our first course of action.

In September, Jamie and I traveled to Louisville for DSLDP (District Superintendent Leadership Development Program) and Kansas City for District Superintendent Orientation. In both cases, Jamie and I said, “This is good, but I can’t wait to get back home.” The Central Gulf Coast is home and it’s good to be home.

CHURCHES IN TRANSITION

Please continue to be in prayer for our open churches: Ridgeville, New Providence, and Mobile Parkview. We continue to trust that the Lord is working to find the right fit for these great churches.

Mission Area Leadership Tour

Tuscaloosa Mission Area

Chattahoochee Valley Mission Area

Capital / North Central Mission Areas

Mobile Misson Area

South Central Mission Area

Wiregrass Mission Area

October is Pastor Appreciation Month

October is Pastor Appreciation Month—a season to express gratitude for the spiritual leaders that God has set over our lives. Pastors face many challenges as they lead and shepherd congregations. Many pastors are bi-vocational, often overworked, and need respite. Some are discouraged and need affirmation—that’s where the church comes in!

Please make plans to honor and celebrate your pastors and families. The second Sunday of October is designated as Pastor Appreciation Sunday—October 8, 2023; although, churches can choose any Sunday in October to honor their pastor(s).

Pastoral Christmas Sponsorship

Several of our congregations give money at Christmas time for the Pastoral Christmas Assistance fund. This is a blessing to pastors in need during the Christmas season. If your church desires to contribute this year, please send assistance to the District Resource Center as early as possible. This ensures the assistance may be given to pastors in early December. Please make checks payable to CGC District, earmarked Pastoral Christmas Assistance. Thank you.

Registration Coming Soon

Theme: "Reflections from the Manger"

Central Gulf Coast District Reminders

AUDIT OF TREASURER'S BOOKS

Every church is advised to conduct an annual audit of the financial records of the treasurer(s) of the church. This includes the NYI, NDI, NMI, Nazarene childcare/schools, and any other financial records of the church as mandated in the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.

CHURCH PROOF OF INSURANCE & INCORPORATION PAPERS

The District Advisory Board requests that all churches provide proof of insurance, in addition to filing incorporation papers at the District Office; unless your church has already done so.

Nazarene Communications Network

For Global Nazarene News

visit the

Nazarene Communications Network (NCN)

Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI)

Brian Aaron, District NDI President

NDI Handbook Available

A new Nazarene Discipleship International Handbook is now available at Nazarene.org. Click the picture/logo to download the PDF.

Prime Time Retreat - Aug 11-13

The Central Gulf Coast Prime Time Retreat was held at Shocco Springs in Talladega on August 11-12-13, with 19 in attendance. We had a great spirit filled retreat. Our speaker was Rev. Harold Henson from Lanett Nazarene and the Lord's presence was very real in the services. We had a great auction on Saturday and a Spirit-filled mini concert by Glenn Hamm from Tuscaloosa on Saturday night. The retreat closed on Sunday with Sunday School taught by Rev. Mike Robinson, morning worship, and communion. I'm hoping more seniors will join us for next years retreat. There will be more information coming soon.

Retreat Director, Gail Holley

CENTRAL GULF COAST NAZARENE WOMEN'S MINISTRIES

35th ANNUAL WOMEN’S RETREAT

Beautiful Beach Retreat Location

MARCH 14 - 17, 2024

Hampton Inn & Suites

Orange Beach, Alabama

The Journey Continues

Deposit due by Dec. 1, 2023

Click on flyer for details

Click the photo below to read the current Global NDI newsletter!

Nazarene Missions International (NMI)

Diane Thompson, District NMI President

Stay in the Know with NMI CENTRAL

To receive monthly NMI news from Nazarene Missions International, sign up for NMI Central, a free publication to your email.

Subscribe to NMI Central

Keeping Your NMI Members Informed

Special Recognition to Local NMI President, Sheryl Cullifer of Dothan First for her lively and informative missions bulletin board.

An informed church is an active church. NMI Presidents, send pictures of how you promote missions to diane.thompson@ua.edu or text to 205-331-9785.

NYI YouthQuake Mission Project

Ethiopia is a huge country located on the Horn of Africa with 15 Nazarene districts. Our churches are spread throughout the countryside where public transportation is not available, or where it is inconsistent. Providing motorcycles for our district leaders will enable them to visit local churches to train and encourage. The motorcycles will also be used to go to new areas for church planting.

As part of this global project, we, Central Gulf Coast NYI/NMI would like to provide one motorcycle at the cost of $2800. Together, we can do this!

Send your offering with the teens from your church who attend Youth Quake, or mail a check to the NMI Treasurer, Reba Hanson 6193 Brighton Lane, Milton, FL 32570.

GIVE ... THANKS Offering in November

The World Evangelism Fund is the foundation for everything the Lord is doing through the global Church of the Nazarene. Our core method of missions through compassion, evangelism, and education are accomplished with World Evangelism giving. Here are a few examples of ministries that your World Evangelism giving makes possible through direct funding of ministry network support:

New churches and ministry outposts
Missionaries
Regional ministries
Christian literature and resources
Holiness education
Partner ministries such as JESUS Film Harvest Partners, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, and many more.

How to be a Missions Priority One Church

It is the desire of the CGC NMI Council that all district churches strive to become a Mission Priority One Church. With only a few months left in this fiscal year, please use this guide to make sure your church is on track.

GUIDE: HOW TO BE A MISSION PRIORITY ONE CHURCH