Central Gulf Coast Connection

April / May 2023

CENTRAL GULF COAST

CONNECTION

41st District Assembly and Conventions

From Our District Superintendent

Looking to the Future

Dr. Mark Berry

Jeremiah 29:11 states, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The roots of this district started back in 1909 with a handful of churches that were in the states of Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi. History records that Dr. Reynolds presided over the 1909 District Assembly and Dr. Bresee was the presiding general superintendent in 1912. In time, each state became its own district and eventually the district became the Central Gulf Coast District that is now comprised of the Panhandle of Florida and South Alabama. In the 114 years of the history of our district there have been 17 district superintendents. We have a rich history of dedicated laypersons, pastors, district superintendents and general superintendents investing in the district.

There is no doubt that God had a plan for the Church of the Nazarene to have strong roots in the South and beyond. God knows what He is doing and will prosper us if we follow His plans and not our own. He had a plan when he called my wife and I to become your district pastoral family. He had a plan for every pastor on the district to serve at the church where they find themselves. And, He has a plan for the future of this district through a new district superintendent.

Therefore, as we pray together and prepare ourselves for a new leader, let’s anticipate a new future for the Central Gulf Coast District. On May 11^th, we will usher in a new future for the district under a new leader. Whoever God has planned to lead this district, that person will need your prayer, support, and commitment. Let’s pray together as a district, as we look to that day with anticipation!

Central Gulf Coast District News

LEADERSHIP REVIEWS

Congratulations to Landmark Church and Pastor Kevin McDonald for recently completing a successful leadership review.

CHURCHES IN TRANSITION

Mobile Parkview | New Providence | Praise Park | Ridgeville

Please keep these churches in your prayers as they seek God's direction.

WELCOME NEW NAZARENES

Crestview (Rev. Joe Bennett) – Jerry Perez, Mabel Perez

Dothan First (Dr. Kevin Knight) – Erika Pemberton, Duke Rice, Lukas Rice, McKenna Rice, Tarah Rice, Judith Rodziwicz, William Rodziwicz

Landmark (Rev. Kevin McDonald) – Matthew Hester, Bre Kendrick, Kaladin Kendrick, Kiera Kendrick, Kyrell Kendrick, Sunshine Pingree, Michael Smith, Amanda Walters, Justin Walters, Liara Walters

Lanette (Rev. Harold Henson) – Dave Batty, Terri Batty, Denise Dollar, Angie Henson, Harold Henson

Moundville (Rev. Rob Steinbrook) – April Crout, Jonathan Gardner, Latondia Wallace

Roca Eterna (Revs. Betty Peralta and Miguel Martinez) – Marlin Godinez Calmo, Neftali Gaspar Celaya, Avisahi Flores Galvez, Gladys Garcia, Jose Luis Flores Garcia, Sonia Aricemi Lopez Gomez, Anailda Hidalgo, Darvin Udiel Reyes Gomez, Celeste Hidalgo, Doreidi Yosani Hidalgo Lopez, Benjamin Garcia Mata, Merlin Garcia Mata, Delma Hermita Ordeñe Vicente

Tuscaloosa Crosse Point (Rev. Freddy Williams) – Cindy Alison, Phillip Colburn, Dr. John Etebom

Tuscaloosa Holten Heights (Rev. Bill Holley) – Glenn Champion, Corinna Smith, William Smith

Upcoming Events

HALF-MILLION MOBILIZATION 2023

A Call to Prayer!

April 9 (Easter) to May 28 (Pentecost)

Jeremiah 29:12-13 (NIV) - Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

From Easter (4/9) to Pentecost (5/28), for 50 days,

we will pray “From Mission to Vision to Mobilization."

For more information visit https://www.usacanadaregion.org/pray

Please watch the video linked below and share with your congregations.

https://vimeo.com/789148457/9327fc6d1e

National Day of Prayer - May 4, 2023

2023 Theme/Verse

“Pray Fervently in Righteousness and Avail Much” / James 5:16b

For more info, downloads, and resources, visit the official website at www.nationaldayofprayer.org

Nazarene Communications Network

For Global Nazarene News

visit the

Nazarene Communications Network (NCN)

Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI)

Brian Aaron, District NDI President

SAVE THE DATE!

August 11-13, 2023

Shocco Springs Conference Center (Springview)

Talladega, Alabama

Registration fee of $35 per person due June 11

View/download flyer

District Children's Camp 2023

July 24-27

Camp Baldwin, Elberta, Alabama

Theme - Starship Nova: Dealing with the 7 Deadly Sins

There will be lots of fun activities, games, fellowship and growing

in our relationship with God.

Early Registration Fee: $175 (postmarked by April 30)

Regular Registration Fee: $185 (postmarked after April 30)

Registration forms have been shared in the CGC District Children’s Ministries and the Central Gulf Coast District Nazarenes Facebook groups.

Questions: Contact Children's Camp Directors: Rev. Blake (334-546-7144) and Rachel Mohling (334-224-8684).

Hope to see you and your kids at camp this summer!

Women's 34th Annual District Retreat 2023

This was our first Women's Retreat in Orange Beach, Alabama and not our last! What a weekend of worship, fellowship, laughter, tears, praises, renewals, releasing, refreshing and reviving all in one weekend. Awesome speaker, Rev. Rosalind Williams, and worship!

We had 105 in Attendance! God was with us from the very beginning until closing with Dr. Berry on Sunday leading us with Communion. The ladies were making plans for next year as they were leaving.

PRAISE THE LORD FOR THE WOMEN THAT ATTENDED!

WOMEN continue to R.I.S.E UP!!

Thank you for an amazing weekend!

Moneica Fowler

District Women's Retreat Director

CGC District Women's Ministries Director Lisa Daughtery (left) and Women's Retreat Director Moneica Fowler (right).

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

Nazarene Missions International (NMI)

Diane Thompson, District NMI President

Celebrating 25 years of JESUS Film ministry

Did you know JESUS Film Harvest Partners (JFHP) is a Kingdom-building ministry devoted to world evangelism through the JESUS film and other tools. JFHP equips and supports JESUS Film teams of local people to do evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. The Church of the Nazarene (JFHP) is celebrating 25 years of partnership with the JESUS Film ministries this year. Harvest Partners are those who invest in the ministry thought their time, influence, money and expertise. They support local work of teams who share Jesus with their neighbors in 139 countries.

For every $3 invested in JFHP, there is one decision for Christ.

For more information check out JFHP.org.

DSA ... DID YOU KNOW?

The Distinguished Service Award (DSA) is a tribute to church people who are living and for their service to the church. Although the DSA is given through NMI, it need not be given in the area of missions. A church may wish to honor anyone in the church for their efforts. The cost of the DSA is USD$125 and supports Missionary Health Care.

Consider honoring someone that has been or continues to be a blessing

in your church. More information can be found here.

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.

Missions Deputation Services

Missions Deputation Services are scheduled across the district in May with Rev. Monte and Bethany Cyr, missionaries to Guatamela/Mesoamerica Region. Make a good effort to get to one of these services to support our missionaries. Contact Sheryl Cullifer, NMI District Deputation Coordinator, at 334-333-3770 to schedule a service.

JOIN US at the ...

CGC District NMI Convention

May 9, 2023

River Region Church of the Nazarene

Millbrook, Alabama

Your district NMI will be celebrating what the Lord has done through your efforts. We will also be blessed to hear missionaries Monte & Bethany Cyr (pronounced "Sear") from Guatemala share their journey and inspire us to continue praying, giving, and going to make Christlike disciples in the nations.

Hispanic Ministries News

Iglesia del Nazareno Roca Eterna issued a local minister’s license to Joel Perez Carrillo in January and a license to Jose Luis Flores Garcia in March. Four new church members were received in January and nine members in March at Roca Eterna in Valley, AL (Pastors Betty Peralta and Miguel Martinez).

God is blessing our Hispanic Ministries!

Please consider receiving an offering this summer as we encourage churches

to give toward our Multi-cultural Ministries offering.

Nazarene Youth International (NYI)

Rev. Susan Broadhead, District NYI President

Facebook @Central Gulf Coast NYI

2023 Central Gulf Coast NYI ConventionC

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Teens and adult representatives from across South Alabama and Northwest Floriday gathered Saturday, March 25 in East Brewton for the 2023 Central Gulf Coast District Nazarene Youth International (NYI) Convention.

District NYI President Rev. Susan Sawyer (Broadhead) brought a challenging, inspirational and vision casting report.