W&W TRIP CANCELLED

We are sorry to announce that the Work & Witness trip that was scheduled for June 1-18 to Africa Nazarene University has been cancelled. We will be praying about our next W&W trip and keep you informed on where and when it will be.

Nazarene Missionaries

South Pacific Island Nation of Vanuatu

David and Sylvia Potter are global missionaries involved in training and equipping pastors and leaders for the church in Vanuatu, as well as serving in mission finance and other supportive roles. They take great delight in helping others embrace Christ and become strong, equipped missional pastors and leaders for the church.

They were first appointed as medical missionaries to the Nazarene College of Nursing at Kudjip, Papua New Guinea, in 1992 and served there until they accepted the call to begin the work of the Church of the Nazarene in Vanuatu in 2003.David and Sylvia both received a B.S. in Nursing from Point Loma Nazarene College in San Diego, California. 

They will be on our district for Deputation March 27-April 3, 2022. Please Contact Carole Eatock\Diana Jansen if you are interested in scheduling the Potter’s at your church. 

Dates available: March 28, March 29, March 31

DISTRICT CELEBRATE LIFE

February 26, 2022 - Pekin First

OLIVET CELEBRATE LIFE

MAY 12-14, 2022 - Olivet

details coming soon...

TEEN CAMP

JULY 14-17, 2022

Thursday-Sunday

Mark your calendars.

Full details coming soon...

Denis Rutledge, Teen Camp Director

Colossians 4:2

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

We Begin...


We begin to usher in a new day in the USA/Canada Region in the Church of the Nazarene.

We do this not in our own strength, but in the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do we believe God can change the trajectory of our declining churches?

Do we believe God will raise up leaders to start new churches?

Do we believe God has a place in our current culture for the Nazarene holiness message?

Of course, the answer is yes. Perhaps there has never been a better

 time in the USA/Canada Region for the work of God’s church to break through.

Let us join together in a time of prayer for renewal in our ministry and our churches.

Let us pray for a resurgence in the Nazarene message of hope and holiness.

“God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.” - John Wesley

Half-Million Mobilization 

VIDEO

Moving ahead with a Journey of Grace in Small Groups

By Daryll Stanton



What's happening in your discipleship plan for small groups? The SDMI approach of discipleship is illustrated as a three-fold framework called A Journey of Grace. Let's look at that framework and someof the supporting resources. READ MORE

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, curriculum ideas, VBS, online meetings, bouncing ideas off one another and encouraging each other as we all seek to point kids toward Christ. 

The Church of the Nazarene provides us with many resources to help our Children's Ministry be the best that it can be. Click below to find resources. USA/CANADA CHILDREN'S MINISTRY      

GLOBAL CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Bridgeway

Open to all women in our District. This is a time of Spiritual Renewal. There will be inspiring worship, meaningful fellowship, laughter, valuable break out sessions and so much more. Come be refreshed with other women across the area.

Annual InCourage Women's Conference

Location: Pekin BridgeWay Community Church

Dates: Feb 25-26th

Times: Friday 6-9pm, Saturday 9-Noon

Cost: $20

Shirts will be available for purchase as well, for those interested.

Havana

A beautiful new church is being built in Havana. They are in stage one of their building project. The outside walls are in place, windows and doors will be going in soon. Church members are volunteering their time and skills and putting in the electricity. Please be in prayer for Havana church as they continue to build.

Peoria Nazarene

Exciting work continues in the Lower Level of our facility. Here are some of the things that have happened this past month as the Connecting Generations Building Project continues.

Progress this Past Month



• Mold remediation and painting of ceiling is complete.
• Plumbing rough-ins are completed and concrete has been poured around rough-ins.
• New metal partition walls have been made – thanks to many volunteers over the holidays.
• Most of the metal partition walls have been put up by ES Construction!
• Steel beams and support posts with footings have been installed for new wider doors and corridors.
• Exterior foundation walls have been supported with steel beams to prevent further bowing in the walls. Foundation walls also have been framed in with steel studs.
• HVAC ducts have been delivered and installed in Fellowship Hall and north side of Children’s area.
• Three additional furnaces (no longer in use) have been donated to New Beginnings Ministries of Peoria

Progress Happening Soon

• Electrical work to be completed soon.
• Cabling for networking and tech will be installed
• Drywall and insulation installation in walls (this is an upcoming volunteer opportunity).
• HVAC work will continue.

2022 DISTRICT EVENTS

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Celebrate Life – February 26 – Pekin First (NYI)

Convention – March 26 – Galesburg First

District Assembly – April 29-30 - Crossbridge

Celebrate Life – May 12-14 – Olivet (NYI)

Kids Camp – July 7-10 - Olivet

Teen Camp – July 14-17 – Eagle Crest

Team Day – August 6 – Pekin First

Minsters & Spouses Retreat – September 18-21 – Cedar Lakes

Holiness Today is the denominational magazine for the Church of the Nazarene.

SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS

DIGITAL EDITION

A MAGAZINE FOR EVERYDAY FAITH

Dr. Jeff Stark

“Olivet Nazarene University announces the appointment of Dr. Jeffery Stark as the next Director of Graduate Programs of The School of Theology and Christian Ministry beginning February 15, 20222. Jeff will serve Olivet on a twelve-month contract. Jeff holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Lipscomb University in Missional Theology and Spiritual Formation. He has also completed a M.T.S. degree from Vanderbilt University, an M.A. in Theology from Trevecca Nazarene University and B.A. in English Literature from Otterbein College. His dissertation is entitled “Multiplication Wins: Fanning the Flames of Missional Multiplication through the Narrative Journey of Bridgeway Community Church.” Dr. Stark has published articles, “Changing the Scorecard” and “Way Truth, Life: Discipleship as a Journey of Grace.” He is currently under from Foundry Publishing to write, “The News is Good: Evangelism as a Way of Life.”

Dr. Stark is an Ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. He serves as the Executive Director of Reach 77 and Missional Director of the Chicago Central District. Jeff has served as Lead Pastor of Bridgeway Community Church, Erin Church of the Nazarene and Associate Pastor at Clarksville First Church of the Nazarene. At Bridgeway, 260 people were baptized in five years under his ministry. Dr. Stark also has distinguished service as a Sergeant in the United States Army.

While at Olivet Nazarene University Jeff has served as Associate Professor of Christian Ministry, Director of the Center for Theological Leadership, developed a new M.A. program in Missional Multiplication, and directed the development of a new Junior level General Education Course – “Christian Living in a Pluralistic Age.”

Dr. Stark has become an effective professor, an emerging leader, and a passionate advocate of equipping a new generation of spiritual leaders to not just “come and see” but “go and be.” The leadership team has strong confidence in Jeff and his ability to lead us to a preferred future in this very critical missional role.”

EDUCATION WITH A CHRISTIAN PURPOSE

With more than 140 areas of study, 3500 enrolled students, and a stunning campus, Olivet Nazarene University stands tall as one of the nation’s premier hubs of learning and faith. Our nationally recognized academic programs, title-winning athletics, vibrant, energized social climate and countless ministry opportunities make this place unique. Olivet seamlessly integrates passion and calling with career preparedness.

VIEW ALL AREAS OF STUDY   

EXPLORE YOUR INTERESTS  

An Olivet tradition, Purple & Gold Days and Just for Juniors Days are unique, customized group visit days, designed specifically for high school seniors/juniors, and their parents. There’s so much to see and do! Customized faculty and student visits, campus tours and class visits, lunch together – there’s no better way to check out Olivet.

PURPLE & GOLD DAYS

JUST FOR JUNIORS DAYS

Click for registration & full details: Ladies Day 2022

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?

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.

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:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.