NEO TEAM UPDATE

November 14, 2026
Gloria McKellips
NEO Team Update

So… have you enjoyed your pumpkin spice latte yet? That’s when you know its officially fall. I love to see the change in colors, experience the cooler weather and watch the KC Chiefs. I also am excited to hear the great reports of so many of our churches as they bless their community with Harvest Parties of some sort or another. That’s a pretty good name… Harvest Parties. I think God likes that idea even more. I grew up in eastern New Mexico where wheat harvest was an incredibly exciting time of year. It’s when all the patient work of the previous season paid off. It’s the fruition of the plowing and planting, watering and nurturing, praying and planning all paid off. It was harvest time. But harvest time also had an effect of forward hope for the seasons yet to come. I like the way Mark Buchanan puts it in his book Spiritual Rhythm. “To put it starkly, harvest is when we reap what we’ve sown. And we reap it unto a storing of it. Not only do we reap what we sow, but we store up what we reap. Our sowing has consequences in the present and in the future. It’s for now, and for then.”

When Jesus called his disciples to the harvest, He wasn’t just calling for one harvest, but rather to a harvest mindset that lasts from season to season. (Matthew 9:37-38) What if we prayed for God to give us a Harvest Mindset in our churches today? What if every church across the NEOK district prayed for at least one other church each week? (Contact the district office if you need the prayer list.) What if we prayed kingdom-sized prayers with a sense of anticipation that God’s Spirit is going to move in fresh new ways? What if we considered the ways in which we invest in the lives of those around us are intended to produce a harvest… that produces more harvests in the years to come?

It’s harvest season! It’s anticipation season. And its time to celebrate the great things God is doing in His Church! So, go enjoy that pumpkin spice latte… and buy one for your friend as well.

Praying for God’s Immeasurably More…

Jim Thornton
District Superintendent

Miami New Life, Pastor Matt Lee – On Sunday the 25th we baptized 2 teenage girls that come from unchurched homes. As if that wasn’t enough, between the two teens, 15 of their family members came to watch them get baptized, all of whom do not have a church home. It was a great day!

Tulsa Central, Pastor Daniel Surratt – Our youth ministry continues to grow, and we’re in the process of moving them into a larger youth room to give them more space for fellowship and discipleship. We also recently completed our fall membership class, and I’m especially encouraged that two of our teenagers participated as they take deeper ownership of their faith and their place in the church.

We’re also grateful for the continued response to our Continuing the Story renovation project. Our congregation has pledged more than $1.7 million toward the project, and this month we’ve moved into the process of selecting the construction team that will help us bring the vision to life.

Finally, we’re preparing for Central GameDay this Saturday, a community event built around a Mario Kart tournament along with carnival games, food, candy, and activities for families. Instead of charging admission, we’re asking participants to bring non-perishable food items for our food pantry. It’s been encouraging to see people across the church come together to create something fun and welcoming for families in our congregation and community while also serving a practical need.

There’s a lot happening right now, and I’m grateful for the ways God continues to work at Central.

BA Core, Pastor Brad Farnsworth – Pastor Ronnie Baker and I just returned from training our Core Movement pastors and leaders in Ethiopia and Kenya. We trained 180 pastors and leaders and now have over 200 churches across the Horn of Africa. Four of our leaders were arrested just before one of our conferences by a corrupt church leader trying to stop our movement. We are thanking God for His protection over us and the release of those pastors.

Coweta The Way, Pastor Jeremy Poplin – I preached a series on serving. The Sunday following the completion of the series, we did not have a typical worship service, we went and served in the community. One group hauled off brush piles in a few different yards in downtown Coweta and another group helped people move items out of their attic and furniture from one house to another. My wife and I stayed at the church and taught the younger kids about the Good Samaritan. The following Saturday we hosted a Harvest Festival and invited the community to come and enjoy free food, games, and live music. Pictures of these events are on our Facebook page.

Meeker Country Faith, Pastor Billy Harding – Our discipleship ministry has really drawn people closer to God and His Word. Our Celebrate Recovery is about to kick off in a few weeks.

Sand Springs, Pastor Rod Thelander – I want to praise God for the way He meets with us each and every week as we gather to worship Him! This past Sunday was especially special! The Spirit’s presence was so evident and it was so refreshing to see several come to the altar to pray and receive a touch from the Master’s hand. Lives are being transformed through the love of our Father, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit! To God be the glory!

Muskogee First, Pastor Drew Dinnel – Muskogee church had a great opportunity to serve 300-400 people at their Trunk or Treat. God is doing great things in Muskogee!

Tulsa Hills, Pastor John Cutshall – A Spooktacular Success at Tulsa Hills as we celebrated our first annual Trunk or Treat, and what a tremendous success it was! With 13 creatively decorated trunks, a petting zoo, and over 300 children joining in the fun, it was an evening filled with excitement, laughter, and community connection. We were thrilled to welcome so many families to our church and provide a fun, safe place for our community to celebrate. We are grateful to everyone who volunteered, donated, and helped make this event possible. What a wonderful way to connect with our community, and we are already looking forward to next year!

2026 Ministry Team Retreat – Thank you to each local church who supported your pastors and spouses as they got away for Ministry Team Retreat. And thanks to all the pastors and spouses who came together for this special time of refreshing, rest and fun. From the Round-Up Party to the Anointing Service, there was a special sense of God’s presence as we laughed, worshiped and prayed with one another. Click here to check out the pics! A special thanks to the “Fun Squad” (Ryan Amey, Megan Barrett and Bethany Park), Michelle & Tony Proctor, Dr. David & Christi Busic, LIbby Frees, Victor Ruiz and Christy Thornton for your hard work in bringing this all together. We can’t wait to see what is in store for next year!

NCOS Update

Our Spring A term registration page is now live and ready for students to begin registering for courses. The linked schedule provides information regarding the courses, NCOS 2027 Course Schedule.

As a reminder, students only need to complete the registration page to register for the Spring A session.

Registration/Payment Page: https://payments.snu.edu/webapps/ncos/
Spring A Registration Deadline: January 14, 2027
Spring A Course Dates: January 18 – March 13, 2027

There is a link at the bottom of the registration page that students can use to request a transcript. NCOS transcripts are free for students if they request them using that link.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for all you do!

Blessings!

SCOTT MARSEE, PH.D.

VP FOR Learning and innovation

(419) 786-9950 | smarsee@mail.snu.edu

SOUTHERN NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

We’re investing in the Next Generation across NEOK!

Pastor, we really need your help promoting The Cause… and we need your help ASAP.

Sam and Kristi Senica have put together a powerful event geared toward challenging and equipping the next generation of Christ-followers to respond to His Call. Some will become missionaries. Others will become pastors. Many will become the next generation of lay-leaders in their local church. There will be powerful services for inspiration, small group interaction, practical workshops, a service project… and so much more.

Here are the details:

· Registration has been extended to Nov. 1, not a day longer.

· We have scholarship money available for those interested.

· $259 + hotel.

· Jan 3, 5pm – Jan 6, 12pm

· Focus age is 18-28 (but some are attending as old as 38)

· Currently 130 have registered.

All the other information can be found here.

Let’s send a big group to The Cause! Thanks for promoting this in your local church.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND CONVENTIONS
JUNE 25 – JULY 2, 2027

As you plan to attend General Assembly & Conventions next year, consider participating in Love Your Neighbor,
a missions service opportunity that allows you to actively serve communities while we gather as a global family. The week before General Assembly, 20-27 June 2027, you will have the opportunity to serve locally in Kansas City, or globally from where you are in a number of ways, including church planting, construction, Vacation Bible School (VBS) and sports camps.

Love Your Neighbor is an excellent way to participate in a mission trip while also experiencing General Assembly & Conventions! You can participate as an individual, a family or with a group from your church or district. Start planning now to be a part of Love Your Neighbor!

Pre-registration is open now! Event registration will open in September. Space is limited, so be sure to register as soon as possible.

Contact LYN@nazarene.org for more information.

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