District Welcomes New Pastors

Rev. Ralph Meredith
Wife, Melinda
Daughters: Alexis and Lia

Park Hills Church of the NazareneThe district welcomes Rev. Ralph Meredith and his family to the Missouri District as they have accepted the call to minister at Park Hills Church of the Nazarene.  Rev. Meredith comes to the Missouri District from Joplin.  Congratulations to the Park Hills Church as they welcome their new pastoral family.











Rev. James Brunner
Wife, Becky
Daughter, Beth
Sons, Jimmy and John

 
Living Word Church of the Nazarene (House Springs)The district welcomes Rev. James Brunner and his family to the Missouri District as they have accepted the call to minister at Living Word Church of the Nazarene.  Rev. Brunner and his family are native to the district and have been attending the Ferguson Church of the Nazarene.  Congratulations to Living Word as they welcome their new pastoral family.

District Prayer Gatherings

District Prayer Gatherings
Mark your calendars for the District Prayer Gatherings that will be held around the Missouri District.  Find a church near you to meet together with local pastors and lay people joining together in prayer.
February 20- 7:00 p.m. @ Dexter First
February 21- 7:00 p.m. @ Mountain View
February 23- 7:00 p.m. @ Eldon
February 27- 7:00 p.m. @ Clarence
March 1 - 7:00 p.m. @ Harvester
March 5 - 7:00 p.m. @ Festus

Passings

Ruth Perkinson, 91, of Columbia, MO
Ruth Perkinson, a missionary who served in the Church of the Nazarene for forty years went home to be with Jesus, Tuesday, January 24, 2012.  She attended Kansas City College and Bible School in Overland Park, KS, Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, OK, and Wycliff School of Linguistics in Norman, OK.  Ruth loved people and spent forty years serving as a missionary in Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, and Puerto Rico.  She worked with her husband, Oather Perkinson, in evangelism and Bible Institues where ministers were trained.  Funeral services were held Friday, January 27th at Columbia First Church of the Nazarene.  Memorial donations may be made to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, or another ministry of your choosing.  Online condolences may be left at http://www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com/.

Mary Christina (Sutton) Wilson, 93
Mary Christina Wilson, went home to be with Jesus, Wednesday, January 25th.  Christina Wilson served beside her husband, Joseph Henry Wilson, in the Church of the Nazarene for forty years.  Funeral services were held Saturday, January 28th at Macon Church of the Nazarene.  The family suggests memorials to the Macon Church of the Nazarene.  Condolences may be left at http://www.greeningeaganhayes.com/.

Rev. William A. Self, 83
USAR Ret. Chaplain (Col) "Bill" Amos Self went home to be with Jesus, Sunday, February 5th.  Bill spent 30 years as a Chaplain in the United States Reserves, pastored for 36 years in Texas, Arkansas and Missouri, worked 30 years in education, working last for the Pattonville School District in St. Louis, Missouri before retiring in 1989 to the Cuba area, where he enjoyed his farm and raising sheep, goats and other animals.  Funeral services were held February 8th at the Rolla Church of the Nazarene.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Rolla Church of the Nazarene in Bill's memory.  Condolences may be left at www.brittonfuneralhome-cuba.com/home.html.

Passings

Many on the district will remember Lester and Lucy Anderson who pastored on our district and worked in the district office for several years before retiring and moving to Arizona in 2004.  On Friday, November 4, Lucy went home to be with Jesus.  Her funeral was Tuesday, November 8, in Mesa, Arizona.  You may address cards to Lester at their home:  2539 S. Copperwood  Mesa, AZ  85212.   Keep Lester and the family in your prayers.

New Pastors Installed

We welcome the following new pastors to the MO District Team!





Dr. Stan and Sherri Hall were installed at StL Gateway Central
on Sunday, August 28.




 
 
 
 
 
     

 
 
Rev. Rich and Tawnya Hadley were installed at StL South County
on Sunday, October 23.






 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Rev. Bryan and Dawn Ayers were intalled at Sikeston First
on Sunday, October 23.

Obituary for Rev. Ray Thompson

 Obituary for Rev. Ray Thompson

(Donald) Ray Thompson, age 49, of Bridgeton, MO, died suddenly of a massive heart attack Monday, March 28, 2011.  He was a loving husband, son, father, grandfather, and friend to many.  He was the Pastor to Gateway Central Church of the Nazarene for nearly eight years and a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene for over 25 years.  He is survived by his wife, Tamberlyn Perkins Thompson; two sons Rev. Dusty and Lisa Thompson of Florissant, MO and Rev. Heath and Stacy Thompson of Tallahassee, FL; parents, Donald and Irma Thompson of Wheelersburg, OH; two sisters, Debbie (Dave) Thompson Braden of Pataskla, OH and Cathy (Jim) Thompson Lintz of Franklin Furnace, OH; one grandson, Christian Paul Thompson of Florissant, MO, many nieces and nephews, and loved family members.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Donna Thompson Noel and grandparents, Charles and Carrie Adams Thompson and Estel and Ruth Colley.

Office Staff Update

Following is an update from Rev. Palmer:


As many of you know, we are in the midst of a significant transition in the district office. As a part of the reorganization, both Gary Daud and Pat Morrison will be moving on to other positions. Gary has served as our office manager/treasurer for nearly 7 years, and Pat has served as our office secretary for 6 years. We sincerely appreciate their work and contribution to the district, and are thankful for their support and effort in making the Missouri District an efficient ministry. We will miss them and pray God’s blessing upon them. Pats final day in the office is January 6, 2011, she will be working part time for South County Church of the Nazarene. Gary will begin a new ministry on December 27, working as a hospice chaplain out of Washington, Missouri. Again, I appreciate the privilege of working with both Pat and Gary. They have certainly been a great asset to the team.  I am pleased to introduce you to the newest members of our office staff:

Rachel Africano

Rachel Africano will be serving as our District Administrative Assistant. Rachel is a member of the Gateway Central Church of the Nazarene. She is a graduate of Regent University, with a degree in Leadership and Management. Rachel is a veteran of the U.S. Army and has served as a missionary in Kyrgyzstan.   We welcome Rachel to our district team and know she will serve well.

 

Kevin Muttschall

Kevin Muttschall will be serving as our new District Treasurer. Kevin has been a member of the Missouri district for many years, having served as NYI president among other positions. He is currently the pastor of the Fenton Church of the Nazarene. We welcome Kevin to this new position.

We are thankful to God for his leadership and provision during this time of transition. I know there will be a period of adjustment for all of us. Thank you in advance for your patience during this time.

We look forward to a great 2011 as we continue to work together to “make disciples in the nations.”

Columbia First Hires Associate Pastor

Pastor Mark West is pleased to announce that Colombia First has hired Tom and Tarah Garrison as their new associate pastor.    The Garrisons will begin there just after the first of January.    We want to also welcome them to the Missouri District Ministry Team. 

Revs. Joe and Kim Purl Accept Call to Wright City

Pastors Joe and Kim Purl, husband and wife who are also both ordained elders, have accepted the call to the Wright City Church of the Nazarene.   Joe Purl is a native of St. Louis, having grown up in the former Overland Church of the Nazarene.   They have been attending the Missouri District Camp Meeting almost every year.     They will be moving to Wright City from Panama City, FL, during the first part of January.   We welcome them to the Missouri District Ministry Team.