St. Louis Southwest Good News Club Update

As reported back in September, the St. Louis Southwest Church was starting a Good News Club in their local school (Click here). Becky Stear, Associate Pastor, now reports that, "We have about 20 children regularly attending the after school ‘Good News Club’ at our local public school. 8 children have been saved so far. These children don't attend church yet for various reasons, but several children and parents are saying, ‘this is like church for children; we are glad you are doing this.’ That is the goal, to take church to them."

Stears Honored in Ordination Dinner Gala

On Saturday, October 13, 2007, St. Louis Southwest Church held an Ordination Dinner Gala to celebrate the Ordinations of our Pastors, Dennis and Becky Stear. It was an elegant evening to honor our Pastors and let them know how much we appreciate their hard work! We were pleased to have several of our Pastors’ family members present as well as friends from Trinity and neighbors of our church. It was an exciting event that was made even more special when Hannah Stear sang “Thank You for Giving to the Lord” to her parents. It is a very fitting song for this couple whose hearts and lives are truly devoted to urban ministries!

Cape Girardeau Pie Report

Cape Girardeau sent in the following report regarding their pie fund raiser: "This year due to the difficulty of obtaining apples (the late Spring freeze), we only made 1200 apple pies. In the past we have made 2,000 - 2,500 apple pies and also make 600-1,000 pecan and pumpkin pies. The money goes into an account for our Work & Witness projects. We have been able to help individuals with the expense money if needed and also to send the money for the building supplies. Our church began the pie project on the district about 8 - 10 years ago. The pies are a threefold ministry. (1) The church members enjoy the fellowship time. It brings the young and old together in a mutual ministry. (2) The community not only enjoys and eagerly waits each year for pies, but it is an open opportunity to explain why we make them and what the money goes for. (3) The funds are used to support Work and Witness projects. On a year when we really push ourselves, we can net a profit of $12-15,000." They are always happy to share their technique with other churches that might be interested in making pies.

Rev. Tami Wilson Accepts Call To Arnold

Rev. Tami Wilson has accepted the call to the Arnold church and will begin her pastoral ministry there on October 28th. Rev. Wilson was ordained on the Missouri District in 2004 and had previously pastored the Frankclay church. The Arnold church had been open since their previous pastor, Rev. Chris Jones, moved to Texas.

Rev. Glen Hitt Enteres Eternal Reward

Rev. Glen Hitt, retired elder on the Missouri District, passed away on Friday, October 19, 2007 at the Missouri Veteran's Home. He was 90. He was proceeded in death by his wife, Helen.

Rev. Hitt earned his religion degree from Olivet Nazarene University. He was ordained as a minister in the Church of the Nazarene in 1952 and pastored for 23 years in various Church of the Nazarene churches throughout Illinois and at Coffeyville, Ks. He then spent the next 15 years serving in many different capacities including serving for a time as head of security at Mid-America Nazarene College (now MNU) and being "grandpa" to many students at North County Christian School, Florissant, Mo.

Funeral service will be on Tuesday, October 23, 1 p.m. at Baumann Colonial Chapel, 2504 Woodson Road, Overland, Mo. Interment at Mount Lebanon Cemetery, Saint Ann, Mo. Visitation on Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. You can see his complete obituary and sign a guest book at http://www.asimas.com/ASIMAS/baumann/obituaryDescription.jsp?domain_id=115&deceased_id=137483

Delegates Attend Regional NMI Conference

Members of the Missouri District NMI Council and guests attended the annual NMI Regional Conference held in Kansas City, Missouri last week. The delegation included Rev. Michael Palmer, Missouri District Superintendent and Mrs. Barb Bouldrey, Missouri District NMI President.

Eldon Church Makes 4,037 Apple Pies for Missions

In the past two weeks the Eldon Church has made and sold 4,037 apple pies for their work and witness projects. Karen Frye, the pastor's wife, reports, "What a wonderful group of committed people with hearts for missions we have! The work was blessed, the fellowship was great, and God's Spirit was on us from the first day to the last. It was a challenge this year, since we had to drive to Michigan to get apples, but God worked in so many ways to make it all possible. He is so faithful."

Pastors Gather For Area Golf Outing

Several pastors gathered Monday in Labadie, MO at the Wolf Hollow Golf Course for time a fellowship and friendly competition. The event was one of four being held all across the district. The first two were in Eldon and Moberly. The final pastor's golf day for 2007 will be held in Sikeston on November 19th. The team of Caddy, Cargill, and Thompson took top honors in yesterday's event!

"Thank You" From the Beams

"Thank you so much for all the prayers of the Missouri District. We love and appreciate you all! We serve an awesome God and we know He is in control and knows the future! Please contintue to pray for us! God bless, Gerald and Carol Beam" (Note: Rev. Beam will be receiving radiation therapy on his brain tumor in Columbia, MO).

Palmers Honored During Clergy Appreciation Month

Rev. Mike and Mary Palmer, Missouri District Superintendent and First Lady, were honored during the annual Fall Retreat for their leadership and faithful service. Rev. Dwight Presson, Missouri District Advisory Board secretary, presented them with cards and gifts from the district churches. Rev. Palmer was elected by the 2006 District Assembly as our 21st District Superintendent.

Dr. Gene Williams Speaks at Fall Retreat

Dr. Gene Williams spoke to over 100 of our pastors and their spouses last week at the annual Missouri District Ministry Team Retreat held in Branson, MO. His theme was taken from the Biblical passage found in Isa 49:16, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Dr. Williams pastored the Wichita First Church of the Nazarene until January 19, 1998. He and his wife Joyce then began SHEPHERD'S FOLD MINISTRIES offering support, encouragement and renewal to pastoral families around the world.

Rev. Beam to Undergo Radiation for Brain Tumor

Chaplain Beam is one of our elders and retired Navy Chaplain from Dexter, Missouri. He writes, "Recently I have had some numbness and tingling in my left hand and after some MRI's it was discovered that I have a small tumor on the right side of my brain." Surgery was preformed on Friday, September 21st, in Cape Girardeau, MO and the pathology report came back showing the removed cells were cancer. Rev. Beam is to meet with the oncologist and radiation therapist in the next several days. Please keep him and Carol in your prayers.

Pressons Honored for 50 Years of Ministerial Service

On Sunday, September 23rd, a real surprise occurred as Dwight and Margaret Presson was honored by district, church, university, family, and friends for achieving 50 years in ministry service. Miraculously coming as a complete surprise, close to 200 were in attendance from our district and as far reaching as California, Indiana, Virginia, and Florida. Just a few of the surprises included: a family flown in from California, D.S. Rev. Mike Palmer, Recognition from G.S. Dr. J.K. Warrick, Former Missouri District Superintendent, Dr. Hiram Sanders, Rev. Jerry Frye, Rev. Darin Nossett, friends from previous churches in state and out, a lunch/dessert reception, presentation of a Distinguished Alumni Award from Trevecca University and President Dr. Dan Boone, numbered pen/ink artwork of Trevecca, large pile of appreciation cards from across the country, and variety of special gifts from the local congregation. Congratulations Dwight and Margaret for your faithful service these past 50 years and beyond!"

Dr. Michael Benson To Speak At Fall POP

Dr. Michael Benson will speak to our pastors at the next Pastoring on Purpose (POP) meeting on October 30th at the Gateway Central Church of the Nazarene . Rev. Benson was called to preach while attending Bethany Nazarene College, now Southern Nazarene University. He is a graduate of SNU and of Nazarene Theological Seminary. Asbury Theological Seminary conferred the Doctor of Ministry of Spiritual Formation degree in May 2001. He has more than 20 years of local church ministry experience, having served in a variety of positions — staff ministry, senior pastorate, evangelism. Two districts elected him as their district NYI president. He has conducted 350+ revivals, retreats and camp meetings. He co-authored with his father, the late Bob Benson, the The book Disciplines For the Inner Life. Beginning in August 2002, Rev. Benson began serving as chaplain to the University at Olivet Nazarene University.