NEO Team Update
Making Evangelism Matter
Evangelism has become a taboo word in some circles. Barna Research found that “56% of practicing Christian’s report having two or fewer conversations about their faith with a non-Christian during the past year.”
How do we make evangelism matter again? What will it take for NEO Nazarenes to prioritize joining Jesus in his mission of seeking and saving the lost (Luke 19:10)?
I’m praying for God to give me and to give you three things: Passion, a Plan and Perseverance.
1. Passion.
By that I mean a burden for those separated from God by sin. The early church had this passion and the church prospered, even through trial and persecution. Michael Green writes in Evangelism in the Early Church: “Here were men and women of every rank and station in life, of every country in the known world, so convinced that they had discovered the riddle of the universe, so sure of the one true God whom they had come to know, that nothing must stand in the way of their passing on the good news to others.”
Is your life marked by this passion? John Knox prayed, “Give me Scotland or I die”. It’s time we move from personal embarrassment to passionate evangelism.
How do we get passion for evangelism? To begin growing a heart of love for those who are lost, broken, and wandering far from God, we can pray that God will give us a heart like Jesus’ heart toward those who are still living on the borderlands of faith. Pray for God’s love to fill your heart to overflowing. But be warned: this prayer is dangerous. Jesus wept over Jerusalem. God loves people with absolute desperation. If we have even a small fraction of God’s heart for people, tears will flow, compassion will grow, and hearts will break. We will never be the same.
Another way we can grow our heart for those who are spiritually disconnected is to study the life of Jesus. Jesus talked with and let his heart by touched by an adulterous woman, a dishonest businessman, and all kinds of “sinners”. Jesus’ example and his love for people, even the tough people, can inform our priorities and help reshape our hearts into ones that look a lot like his.
At M25, I picked up a coin, “The Fellowship of the Found”. As I put it in my pocket in the morning or feel it in my pocket when reaching in for my keys, it reminds me to pray for those not yet found: “Oh, God, give us your heart for the lost, and begin the work in me.” I believe God will answer that prayer.
2. Plan.
Passion without a plan is exhausting. We need a plan to purposefully equip believers to move from the church facility to the field of our communities. In my report to the 2025 District Assembly, I shared some components of a plan that I think would work in NEO. You don’t have to adopt any part of my plan, but I believe you need a spirit-inspired plan. As you are praying for renewed passion, pray for wisdom for a plan for yourself and your church body.
3. Perseverance.
We need staying power. The harvest will come. Psalm 126: 5-6 says: Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.”
I love The Message translation of the great commission in Matthew 28: 18 – 20: Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
The early church faced incredible challenges in the Acts: problems from inside, persecution from the outside. How did they meet those challenges? Filled with the Spirit, they continually proclaimed the good news, reached people and formed churches.
May God give us passion, a plan and perseverance as we seek to bring people to Jesus!
Dave McKellips, District Superintendent
Encouraging, Equipping, and Empowering Leaders to Engage the Mission
Ministry Forum is just one and a half months away! We are very excited about what God is going to do in and through this event. Please bring your lay ministry leaders with you – this conference is for everyone serving in ministry. It will be a wonderful time of learning how we can be better at Bringing People to Jesus.
I wanted to let you know that we heard you! We have incorporated more time for fellowship with a dinner on Monday night before the first plenary session and a continental breakfast on Tuesday morning. This will be in addition to the Gathering at Crimson Corner after Monday’s session, and the lunch on Tuesday.
We have some incredible speakers lined up for you:
Dave Ferguson – Pastor of Chicago’s Community Christian Church, President of Exponential Conference, and author of multiple books, including “Hero Maker” and “B.L.E.S.S.”
Goose Ramos – High School Pastor at Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene in Arizona, and 25-year veteran of youth ministry
Daryl Cripe – Lead for Missional Strategic Planning & Fundraising Campaigns at Amplio.Group, passionate about revitalizing churches and facilitating growth
We also have some amazing breakout sessions planned for you in a variety of ministry areas.
We can’t wait to see you there! Register today!
Larry Morris, Vice President of University Relations
DIRT ROAD “WELCOME TO THE JOURNEY”
Bartlesville First,
Aug. 16th,
10am – 3pm
Hello Northeast Oklahoma District,
At Dirt Roads Network, we are excited about the potential of connecting & equipping rural and small town pastors and churches in the Northeast Oklahoma District in becoming life-giving, Bible-believing, and community-transforming. We are really looking forward to a training that we have set up at Bartlesville Nazarene on Saturday, August 16 starting at 10:00am. Attached you will find a PDF that has a link to a form that you can fill out if you are interested in attending the upcoming training. We’d love to connect with you on August 16. If you have any questions in the meantime don’t hesitate to contact Jonathan Hall at dirtroadsnaz@gmail.com or 620-870-8960.
Looking Forward To Journeying With You!
Jonathan Hall
ABBA Hope Walk, Sep 20, 2025, 10am -1pm
Encouraging, Equipping, and Empowering Leaders to Engage the Mission
Fall ministry momentum begins with intentional planning. As a Church of the Nazarene partner, Alpha helps your church engage the community through open, honest conversations about life, faith, and Jesus.
Alpha creates a welcoming online space around a dinner table or over coffee, a space where people can ask big questions and explore the Christian faith. Churches that run Alpha often experience spiritual growth, stronger community, and meaningful connections with those who might not otherwise walk through their doors.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more. Join Alpha 101, a free training that introduces the heart and structure of Alpha. The session concludes with a Nazarene-specific breakout for Q&A and connection.
Learn About “Bringing People to Jesus” Grants
We’re passionate about helping churches bring people to Jesus across our region and we’re excited to share how through an exclusive 30-minute webinar on either August 18 at 7 p.m. CST or August 20 at 12 p.m. CST.
You’ll learn everything you need to know to apply for a non-matching $500 grant or $1,000 matching grant to help launch your outreach idea! Whether you’ve got a plan or are just starting to dream, this is your moment to get equipped and take the next step.
An exclusive link to the grant application will be provided during the webinar. Don’t miss this opportunity to join the movement and see how God is working through the Church of the Nazarene!
Nazarene Theological Seminary – PRAXIS 
Church & Finance
Keith Cox
General Treasurer of the
Church of the Nazarene
October 7 – November 4
Tuesdays @ 7pm (CST)
Click above to join PRAXIS for a 5-week course with Keith Cox, General Treasurer, discussing key areas of church administration and finance.
Many pastors spend years preparing sermons, providing pastoral care, and organizing for worship, discipleship, and outreach. Fewer are able to spend as much time learning good financial management skills and guiding in best practices for the local church. Yet, pastors are often given general or specific responsibilities for oversight of expenditures, budgets, and accounting.
Therefore, PRAXIS is partnering with General Treasurer Keith Cox to offer this webinar. In addition to his duties with the general church, he has held numerous positions in finance and ministry, giving him tangible experience in both worlds.
We encourage local church pastors, their church treasurers, and others charged with oversight of these resources to join in this webinar to learn best practices for managing them for effective ministry.
Compassionate Ministries Conference
August 20–23
6 pm – 11 am
Indianapolis, IN
Shepherd Community
Registration is FREE: CLICK HERE to Register!
– Dr. Jay Height, USA/Canada Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinator, executive director Shepherd Community
– Rev. Jeremy Sullivan Height, Nazarene global missionary
Save the Date — Especially for Bi-Vocational Pastors! 
Bi-vocational pastors, this one’s for you!
Mark your calendar for October 9, 2025, and join us for a special event created with your unique calling in mind.
We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Ed Stetzer, respected author, missiologist, and church leader, who will share timely encouragement and practical insight into bi-vocational ministry.
Don’t miss this chance to be encouraged, equipped, and inspired for the work God has called you to!
Other Quick Updates:
- Church/Pastor Reviews. Tulsa Ecclesia, Dewey, Tulsa Regency Park and Muskogee First have all conducted positive Church/Pastor Reviews with DS Dave McKellips this church year.
- NEO Prime Time has its next event on October 18 at Collinsville.
- Church Anniversaries. On October 19, Okmulgee New Day will be celebrating their 100th anniversary and Broken Arrow Core will be celebrating its 25th anniversary.
- Church Planting Assessment – September 11-13. Is the Lord calling you to plant a church? Do you wonder if you might have the gifts and strengths to Plant a Church? Join us for assessment at Bethany First Church on Sept. 11 – 13, Contact Ronnie Baker, New Start Coordinator for details.
- Comfort for those who grieve. We mourn with retired pastor, Claude Guy, on the passing of his wife, Betty, on July 2. Retired pastor Charles Ballard’s wife, Frances, passed away on July 10. Also, the mother of Kim Coates, wife of Cushing Pastor Brad Coates, recently passed away.
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