CENTRAL GULF COAST
CONNECTION
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October is Clergy Appreciation Month |
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Pastor Appreciation Sunday – October 9 |
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“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” – 1 Timothy 5:17 (NIV)
Churches are encouraged to plan a month-long celebration to affirm and honor their pastor(s) in appreciation for their many sacrifices and tending to the spiritual well-being of the church. Please include your pastor’s spouse and children in the celebration!!
Ways to Bless Your Pastor(s) and Family—Be Creative and Generous!
Card Shower | Restaurant or Store Gift Certificates |All-church Social
Gratitude Messages from Kids | Financial Gift | Month-long Encouragement Notes
Surprise Vacation | Appreciation Service |Video Presentation
Congregants’ Sign-up for Designated Days to Express Appreciation
May God bless your church for honoring your pastoral families during October!
Resources for planning your church celebration are available via the
(Spanish resources also available via the websites)
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From Our District Superintendent |
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Retirement
of District Superintendent
Dr. Mark Berry
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On September 1, 2022, I announced to the District Advisory Board that I will be retiring as of District Assembly in May 2023. My last day of service as your district superintendent will be June 7. This decision has been carefully and prayerfully considered and in response to the Lord’s leading. After 41 years of ministerial service—25 years in pastoral ministry and 16 years as district superintendent for Central Gulf Coast—I will become a retired pastor as my successor takes office.
Dr. Eugenio Duarte, jurisdictional general superintendent, and Dr. Stan Reeder, USA/Canada regional director, will be meeting with the District Advisory Board and district leaders in the months to come to begin the process of presenting names to the 2023 District Assembly for the election of the next district superintendent. More information is forthcoming in the weeks and months ahead.
Good days are ahead for the Central Gulf Coast District!
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Central Gulf Coast District News |
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Nazarene Bible College Offering
October 2 was designated NBC Sunday, and it's not too late to receive and send in an offering. Local church support allows NBC to keep tuition rates low making quality higher Christian education affordable to those called into ministerial service. Inserts, posters, and presentations are available via http://www.nbc.edu/give/annual-offering.php. Earmark checks with the name of the district and your church.
Send offerings to: Nazarene Bible College, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Suite 300, Lenexa, KS 66220. The suggested “minimum” offering goal is an amount equal to or greater than last year’s corporate worship attendance average for your church. Meeting your NBC goal is a qualification for the DS Award of Excellence at District Assembly.
Donations made to NBC through the Annual Offering qualify for 10% mission giving for your church.
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Mobile First | New Providence | Praise Park | River Region
Please keep these churches in your prayers as they seek God's direction.
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Capilla de Wallace (Rev. Bayardo Cordon) – Miguel Gonzales, Isabel Perez, Isabel Perez Lopez, Jonathan Perez
Crestview (Rev. Joe Bennett) – Matthew Daughtry, Elizabeth Daughtry, Amber Daughtry, Lilly B. Daughtry, Janice Hart, John Hart, Jonathan Paige, Jackie Powers
Columbiana (Rev. Jonathan Smith) – Arule Cooper, Lynn Cooper
Landmark (Rev. Kevin McDonald) – Brian Remily, Monique Remily
Manantial de Vida (Revs. Abner & Lilliam Garcia) – Myrna Arano, Carol Escoto, Blanca Gonzales, Andres Mejia Hernandez, Linda Gabriela Hernandez, Azul Lopez, Jennifer Lopez, Ivan Ruiz
Selma West Village (Rev. Brenda Tyus) – Eula Rand, Janice Rand
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DISTRICT PASTORS LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
In August, pastors participated in mission area training by the district superintendent. The focus was on The Pastor’s Prayer Life Future. 65 pastors and a few spouses attended.
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CGC District Women in Ministry Leadership Retreat |
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Ten of our district’s women pastors retreated on September 15-17, 2022, to Kick Back Ranch and Event Center in Ramer AL for rest, mutual support and encouragement and spiritual enrichment. It was a special time of fun, sharing burdens, worship, praying for one another, and concluded with sharing in Holy Communion. Special thanks to Pastor Melissa Aaron (District Women in Ministry Leadership Coordinator) for planning and organizing the retreat, Pastor Brenda Tyus and Pastor Janet Johnson for sharing encouraging and challenging words from the Lord. We would like to thank our District Superintendent, Dr Mark Berry, and the District Advisory Board for financially supporting a portion of the cost to make it affordable for these pastors to attend. |
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Our Sympathy - Homegoing of Rev. Wallace A. Bell |
Rev. Wallace A. Bell, Jr., age 91, made his journey to Heaven on September 12, 2022. Rev. Bell was preceded in death by his wife, Dot Whatley Bell. He is survived by a son, David, and daughter, Danna, a granddaughter, two great grandchildren and many relatives and friends that loved him. He was a retired Nazarene elder who was ordained in 1962 and served in pastoral service for more than 10 years. Rev. Bell retired in his secular career after 20 years of service as a professor of Social Science at Southern Union Community College and Troy University. He also worked for the USPS as a rural carrier in Lanett and was promoted as officer in charge, and retired as postmaster of Clio and Seale, AL. He was a military veteran and served in the U.S. Navy from 1948-1953. He will be remembered as a loving, dedicated father and husband, and a friend to all who knew him. Rev. Bell was a member of Valley First Church of the Nazarene at the time of his passing. |
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For Global Nazarene News
visit the
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Ministers and spouses will retreat to Gatlinburg, TN on Nov. 8-10, 2022 for rest, renewal and leadership training. Retreat speaker will be Rev. Billy Huddleston, registered Nazarene evangelist. Pastors will receive Lifelong Learning credit for their participation. Churches are encouraged to provide lodging, meals, and travel expenses for their pastors/spouses, if possible. Some churches have even provided an “extra” day of lodging for their pastor’s respite—your generosity is appreciated! Please encourage this time of rest, renewal, fellowship, and getaway.
Thank you for caring for the welfare of your shepherd!
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MINISTERS CHRISTMAS BANQUET
The annual Ministers Christmas Banquet will be held on Tues., December 6 at 6:30 p.m. CST at Marriott Legends in Prattville. Churches are encouraged to cover meal and travel expenses of their pastor(s) and spouse(s). If possible, assistance with hotel cost would be appreciated for pastors that need overnight lodging due to the late-night event and travel distance. Registration forms are forthcoming in November.
Special guests will be Randy & Sherri Miller, Gospel musicians from Cleveland, TN. Randy began playing music at the age of 14, traveled seven years with the Kingsmen Quartet, has been the recipient of numerous awards, and has been inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame for lifetime achievements. Sherri toured the country for many years with the Singing Rambos and her family group, The Kenny Parker Trio, and has performed with many country and Christian artists. The Millers now travel the country sharing God’s message through song and speaking.
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Christmas Assistance for Pastors
If individuals or churches would like to provide financial assistance to pastors in need, please send a check to the district office by December 5, 2022.
Thank you!
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November 27 is the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is a season of expectant, spiritual preparation before Christmas in anticipation of the coming celebration of Jesus’ birth. Advent resources are available at http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html
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JANUARY PASTOR'S GATHERING
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Details are forthcoming regarding the training for pastors (lead, associate, retired, ministerial students) that will take place on January 28, 2023 from 9:00 AM – Noon. Emphasis will be “Spiritual Formation.” Guest speaker will be Dr. Tim Green, Dean of the Millard Reed School of Theology and Christian Ministry and Old Testament Theology & Literature professor. Venue to be announced.
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SAVE THE DATE! Click here for more info:
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Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI)
Brian Aaron, District NDI President
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Check out this special update from The Discipleship Place:
The Discipleship Place is at work creating new courses, redesigning the website, updating the app, scheduling new webinars, and much more! Click on the link to find out more.
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The Foundry Publishing Curriculum Highlight: The Dialog Series
The Dialog Series is a trusted curriculum by the Church of the Nazarene and offers topical and biblical small group studies that generate meaningful conversation. Each 7-week study explores a subject significant to the church and to the story of God.
At Robertsdale, we just completed the study on the Old Testament Prophets, and it was encouraging, challenging and transformational. I encourage you to try one of these studies for your small groups at your church. Click the link below to explore:
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Central Gulf Coast Women's Retreat
Retreat Theme: Living with Zest
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March 16-19, 2023
Hampton Inn & Suites, Orange Beach AL
Deposit Due December 31, 2022
(Click on flyer below to download and print)
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Click the photo below to read the current Global NDI newsletter! |
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Nazarene Missions International (NMI)
Diane Thompson, District NMI President
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Introducing New
LINKS Missionaries
for Central Gulf Coast District
COLLIN AND SHIREEN ELLIOTT
Collin and Shireen were born and raised in Africa. They have served the Church of the Nazarene for 22 years in many roles such as pastors, DS’s, Field Supervisors, and Ministry Coordinators in two regions, Asia Pacific and Africa. Presently they are on Global Deployment in Durbin, South Africa as the Engagement and Equipping Facilitators for the region. This includes working in 44 countries. They have 2 adult children, Peter and Amy, who are both faithful to the Lord.
What is expected of your church? Pray for them regularly. Connect with them by email or snail mail at least once every quarter. Share this information with your children and youth and give them the opportunity to send cards or emails to them on their special days such as birthdays and anniversaries. Collin – October 21; Shireen – March 15; Anniversary – December.
Their mailing address is 459 Stella Road, Malvern, 4093, South Africa
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NMI CENTRAL – is a free publication released every Wednesday and available in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. It is the central location for all NMI information for a local church. Visit www.nazarene.org/nmi-central to subscribe.
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How Do We Fund Missions?
Nazarene Missions is funded through the generous, sacrificial giving of people and churches throughout the world through giving to the World Evangelism Fund and specific Nazarene Mission initiatives. The upcoming Thanks Offering is one of those initiatives. Ask God what he would have you give.
Diane Thompson, NMI District President
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District Superintendent
Dr. Mark Berry organized
Iglesia del Nazareno
Manantial de Vida
on August 28, 2022
Pictured are charter members of the church and D.S Dr. Mark Berry with co-pastors Rev. Abner Garcia (Pastor/Hispanic coordinator) and Rev. Lilliam Garcia (Pastor) and their family.
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Nazarene Youth International (NYI)
Rev. Susan Broadhead, District NYI President
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Fall is in full swing! Our teens are living life to the fullest from Volleyball to Cross Country to Football to Band Competitions and they are continuing to share God's love with others. Though this is usually a fairly quiet time of year for district events, the CGC NYI Council has been discussing and praying about ways that we can get together. I'm happy to say that some of our local churches are already reaching out to others to invite them to local events so that teens can catch up with their district friends, continue making memories and most importantly continue to grow spiritually. I would like to encourage local churches to consider hosting a mission area youth rally. If your church would like to do this, please reach out to me, I would love to help you plan and attend your event.
Pastor Susan Broadhead,
CGC NYI President
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Upcoming Events to Note:
PK Retreat (SE Field NYI)
October 14-16 at Laguna Beach
Mission Area Youth Rally
at Moundville Nazarene - October 29
Celebrate! (District TNT)
January 6 - 7 at Gardendale Nazarene
TNT@TNU
April 13 - 16, 2023
Follow us: Instagram @cgcnyi
Facebook @Central Gulf Coast NYI
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Welcome New CGC NYI Vice President
Pastor Angela Stephens
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We welcome Pastor Angela Stephens to the CGC NYI Council, but she is no stranger to our youth and district. Pastor Angela has served as Youth Pastor at Robertsdale Nazarene since the Summer of 2018. She is an Ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene and has been in ministry for many years, including being a New Start lead pastor.
Pastor Angela is also Youth and Family Services Director for the YMCA in Pensacola, FL. She has served our district in recent years as PK Retreat Coordinator and has recently embraced the responsibility of TNT Coordinator.
She is a wife, mother and grandmother. In her down time, you can find her enjoying the outdoors, going on walks or shooting hoops. She is a huge UK fan and enjoys watching games. We are excited to have Pastor Angela step into the VP role with her love for God and teens along with her strong leadership skills.
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Experience Trevecca Day ........ Oct. 15
TNU Homecoming ................. Nov. 4 - 5
DETAILS & TICKETS available here
Experience Trevecca Day......... Nov. 12
Trevecca Nazarene University
Admissions: 800-210-4TNU
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District Finance Report & District Calendar |
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Phone: 334.365.3188
Facebook: Central Gulf Coast Nazarenes
Newsletter editor: Becky Shobe, Communications Coordinator
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