NEO Team Update
Thanksgiving in Uncertain Times
Have you read Psalm 118 lately? If not, you may want to read it today. As we prepare for an election in a deeply divided country, as fighting and killing continues in Ukraine, the Middle East and even Africa, we are prone to anxiety about the future of our country and world. But in the midst of much that is not good, the Psalmist gives thanks for one certainty – The Lord is good and his loving kindness endures forever!
In verse 5, the Psalmist declares, “In my anguish I cried to the Lord and He answered by setting me free.” All who trust in Jesus can testify that at one time we were dead in our transgressions and sins; we were literally slaves to sin. When we called out to the Lord in the midst of our anguish and handed Him the reigns of our lives, the Lord answered by setting us free! And he has continued to give us a taste of what is to come as He has freed us from physical, emotional and spiritual chains.
The Lord’s presence and activity in our lives gives us confidence amidst the turmoil! In verse 6 the Psalmist writes, “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Verse 14 says, “The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” In light of who God is and what He has done and is doing, let’s give thanks to the Lord! He is good and his loving kindness endures forever.
Thanks to NEO Pastors and Spouses
We have an amazing team of shepherds in the Nazarene churches of Northeast Oklahoma! They are gifted, faithful and devoted to their flocks. I loved being in NEO churches in October and seeing ways the churches expressed appreciation for their pastors. And thanks for supporting them as they gathered together in Branson last weekend for our annual retreat. 56 of our pastors (with spouses a total of 103 people) participated as District Superintend Dave McKellips and Gloria shared “Lessons from the Journey.” We had time to worship, laugh, play, pray and draw near to God and one another.
Blessing our Community
It has been exciting to hear how our churches are getting outside the walls of our gathering places to serve and bless their communities.
- Tulsa Hills just completed their first year of Upward Flag Football outreach and Pastor Jim Thornton says it has been pretty amazing, particularly for our inaugural year. Two Saturdays ago they hosted 180 people (players, siblings, parents and grandparents) in a celebration dinner. Kasey and Amanda O’Donnell have done an outstanding job leading this effort.
- Pastor Ryan Amey reports that the Collinsville board said they would match gifts to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries for flood relief in North Carolina up to $5,000. The congregation gave $6,635 so Collinsville sent $11,635 to assist in this monumental task. The Church also had a Serve Sunday on September 29 and 85 people went out to serve widows and others in need in the community.
- Muskogee Church just celebrated their 4th year of Upward Flag Football and Pastor Drew Dinnel says the ministry has led to 21 salvations.
Biblical Approaches to Immigration
Our District Superintendent joined Evangelicals gathering in Tulsa and Oklahoma City the last two weeks of October to discuss biblical approaches to immigration in Oklahoma. The focus was on principles not politics.
Jesus taught us that anyone in need is our neighbor (Luke 10:29 – 37) and that we are to welcome the stranger in our midst (Matthew 25:31 – 40). Evangelicals have long been committed to welcoming immigrants and refugees and to supporting secure, legal, and workable laws and policies. Our broken immigration system has led to family separation, unsafe conditions, labor shortages, and a precarious existence for millions of undocumented immigrants. The challenges of immigration and the border crisis are complex, but they are not greater than our shared commitment to justice, compassion and care for the vulnerable. Check out some of the aspects of Immigration Reform proposed by the National Association of Evangelicals and Evangelical Immigration Table on their websites. Let us continue to walk alongside one another and our immigrant neighbors with brotherly love as we seek to honor God and those made in his image.
SAVE THE DATE
NEO Kid’s Camp 2025 (Jul 14 – 17, 2025)
Cost: $185 per student
