LEADERSHIP
UPDATE of the Southeast Region
Volume 6,
Issue 3
March 2011
Pastors:
Please distribute this to your delegates, leaders & congregation
LENT: A TIME TO SET CAPTIVES FREE
March 9th is Ash
Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. On this day Christians worldwide take the
sign of the Cross upon their foreheads. The Ash reminds us of our mortality
we came from the dust of the earth, and we will each return to it one day. The Cross
reminds us that Jesus willingly entered our world and laid down his life to break
the bonds of sin that enslaved us. He bought our freedom with His own blood. This
was Gods intervention plan, His divine rescue to bring us from the kingdom of
darkness into the
As an expression of your personal faith,
you may give up something or add something to your daily routine during
Lent. As congregations, you may benefit from a Lenten sermon series or participate
in a special small group Bible study. All of these can be powerful ways to open
our hearts wide and create sacred space so that the Holy Spirit might do a
fresh work in our lives.
But this Lenten Season, I want to
challenge us to also think beyond our
own private spirituality or church programs. This Lent I want us to start thinking
about having an active faith in
broader ways. What would we see if we
saw the world from Gods perspective? Among other things, wed see 27,000,000
individuals living in the bondage of human trafficking and forced labor; 80% are
female, and 50% are children.
But what can we do? This is an overwhelming
issue, and frankly, were all tempted to just pretend that slavery doesnt
exist today, or at least it doesnt exist in OUR backyard. But our Bishops are
calling us to remember our heritage as a Free Methodist people. We were birthed
150 years ago out of the solid conviction that slavery was wrong. The group of
people who later became known as Free Methodists took a stand and became
involved. Today, we can do no less.
On the next page, read the article
on FREEDOM SUNDAY. Youll learn some
simple, practical ways to join with believers around the world to become a
voice for those who have been silenced through slavery. This Lent, begin to become
part of the solution. Celebrate the fullness of freedom Christ died to make
possible for us all.
Supt
Darrel
NEW NAME, SAME IMMEDIATE
RESPONSIVENESS
The Bishops Famine and Relief
Fund has been re-named in order to reflect more inclusively the types of
emergencies to which FMs can offer a first-line of rapid response. The new
name is The Bishops Crisis Response Fund. Thank you for your generous
giving in response to global crises of natural disasters and persecution.
PARTICIPATE IN FREEDOM
SUNDAY
FREEDOM SUNDAY is a special platform
to help Christians and local churches all around the world become aware,
equipped and responsive to human trafficking.
FREEDOM SUNDAY is also a special
day. Join with other FMCs and thousands of global believers on March 13th the first Sunday in Lent
to talk and pray about the reality of slavery today, and productive ways to end
it. (If March 13th doesnt work for your church, have a FREEDOM
SUNDAY emphasis on a different Sunday.)
FREEDOM SUNDAY is also a resource
site. Check out the books, downloadable videos and articles, curriculum, etc.
to meet your needs. Theyve made it easy for you to give a 5 minute special
presentation in morning worship, or devote an entire worship service to the
topic, or pull together a small group.
Our bishops are asking every FM church
to take these TWO STEPS immediately.
1. Become
a FREEDOM SUNDAY Participating Church
Log
onto www.freedomsunday.org
. Under the date March 13, 2011, click on the white type: Register to
receive the Freedom Sunday Start Up Kit
Sign
up as a
The
Church Kit is just a small sampling of resources, so go back to the FREEDOM
SUNDAY homepage and click on the RESOURCES tab at the top. Click on the drop
downs to view videos, sermon helps, teen resources, small group lessons, etc.
2. Take
an offering to fund a FM response to human trafficking & bondage
Our
bishops are suggesting at least $1 per each person in your church.
Make
check payable to FMCNA; in the memo line write Freedom Sunday Offering. Send
check to: Board of Bishops,
In the coming months and at General
Conference, there will be additional information for involvement in this issue.
But for now, just make sure you get started.
GC11.org
General Conference 2011
. . .its not BUSINESS AS USUAL!
Whether youre able to attend or not,
here are some things ALL OF US can do:
1. Check
the website (www,GC11.org) regularly for updates on whats
happening and how to pray more specifically.
2. Read
the Jan Feb 2011 special GC11 issue
of Light & Life Magazine. Youll be amazed and appreciative of all the
insights and information prepared for us. (Pastors: if youve got an unopened
bundle of the Jan Feb 2011 magazine sitting around, OPEN IT UP and PASS OUT
COPIES to all your leaders. The section entitled The Free-ing
of Methodism is a timeline which is something youll want to save for
yourself, and use for future new members classes.
HINT: If you dont have a hardcopy of this
special issue, you can go online at www.llcomm.org and READ, PRINT and SHARE it
in English or Spanish.
.
3. Pray
and Fast: Remember
that the 23rd of each month is a day for special prayer and fasting
for the Spirits guidance in preparations and fruitfulness of GC11.
4. Pastors: keep your congregation informed and
regularly praying for GC11.
EVERY PERSON A PASSIONATE
PRAY-ER
Blessed
are You, O Lord, for You have heard the voice of my
prayers
You are
my strength and my shield: my heart trusts in You and
I am helped. Psalm 28:6
|
March 2011 |
SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE |
AL-GA or GCC CONFERENCE |
|
Feb 27 March 5 |
Florida
City: South Dade Haitian Pastor David Dor
(Myrlande) 9281 Martinique Dr. Maimi FL 33189 |
Provencal,
LA Pastor Mike Marbut
(Sue)
MProGuns@bellsouth.net |
|
Mar 6 - 12 |
Ft
Lauderdale Haitian Pastor Jean Claude Novius
(Josette) PO
Box 1695 Ft LAudendale
FL 33302 |
Shreveport,
LA: Central Pastor Ronnie Hampton (Elsie) choirboy_71202@yahoo.com |
|
Mar 13 - 19 |
Hialeah:
Ministerios Nueva Vision Pastor Belarminio
Martinez (Dorcas)
b.martinez@nuevavision12.com |
Winnsboro,
LA: Liddieville Pastor Kenneth Lukens (Evangelene) 2166
Highway 135 Winnsboro, LA 71295 |
|
March 20 - 26 |
Hialeah:
Ministerio A Dios Sea La Gloria Pastor Genaro Borras (Aida)
gborras@att.net |
Birmingham,
AL: Emmanuel Pastor James (Andy) Bunn (Christi) Bunn5@charter.net |
|
March 27 April 2 |
Hilliard:
Wesley Chapel Pastor Justin Laurendine
(Melissa)
Melissa.laurendine@yahoo.com |
Columbus
GA: Christ Community Pastor Keith Cowart (Pam) keith@ccclive.org |
AL-GA
MISSION DISTRICT:
Sat, March 26: ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
with Bishop Roller and Supt. Riley
At
Registration & Coffee: 9:00
9:50am. In session 10:00am 3:30pm (Eastern)
This is one day packed with
inspiration, resources and challenge.
No pastor and delegate should come
alone bring 8 10 leaders from your church.
NEW
Sept 13 15: MISSIO INTENSIVE is
being hosted by Browns Mills in Newnan GA
Missio Intensives
are a guided working lab to help your church find the balance of meaningful
gatherings and scattered incarnational communities.
This ministry produced The Tangible
Kingdom Primer, an 8 week guide. Limit: 200 participants.
NEW
Sat, Oct 1: FALL RALLY DAY with Bishop Roller
for all AL-GA congregations at Christ
GULF COAST CONFERENCE:
Fri Sun, April 1
3: SUPT RILEY is in the
Sat, April 2: 10am lunch: Joint meeting of Pastors & church leaders
(BOA)
Immediately
after lunch: MEG Bd Mtg.
(Location information will be sent soon)
Sun, April 3: Supt Riley preaches at Edgewood FMC in
Mon Fri, June 13
17: GCC FAMILY CAMP at
the
Sat, June 18: ANNUAL
CONFERENCE with Bishop Roller and Supt Riley
Location:
NEW
Sat, Oct 8: FALL
RALLY DAY
with Bishop Roller for all GCC Congregations.
Location and Times will be finalized
April 2.
SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE NEWS:
Reminders:
Upcoming Dates:
Tue-Wed,
Mar 1-2 BISHOP MATT THOMAS Consultant Training @ St. Pete: Cornerstone;
Open to all;
SAC District Leaders will attend with Supt Riley
Sun,
March 13 FMC
Freedom Sunday
Fri-Sat, April 1-2 SAC Womens Retreat at the
Sat, April 9 SAC MEG-MAC Mtg if needed
Sun, April 24 EASTER
Fri-Sat, April 29-30 Annual Conference
at
Fri,
May 13 District Leader
Video Conference, 10am noon
JUNE REGIONAL TRAINING EVENT LOCATIONS:
Bring your Spring
Trimester On Purpose Report (Jan April review)
Sat,
4
Regional Event: South FL (9:30am
lunch) Hialeah: Ministerios
Nueva Vision
Mon, 6 Regional Event: Central FL (6:30 9:00pm)
Sat, 11 Regional Event:
NEW DATE
Fri - Mon, July 8 - 11 SAC YOUTH CAMP Make sure youve got this new date
noted!
WedSun,
July 13-17 GENERAL CONFERENCE in
Fri Sat, Aug 5 6 SAC Conf Cabinet Retreat for DLs, BOA, MEG & MAC at
NEW
Sept 13 15: Southeast
Missio Intensives
are a guided working lab to help your church find the balance of meaningful
gatherings and scattered incarnational communities.
This ministry produced The Tangible
Kingdom Primer, an 8 week small group guide. The SE Missio
Intensive is being hosted by Browns Mill FMC in
SEPTEMBER REGIONAL TRAINING EVENT LOCATIONS:
Bring your Summer
Trimester On Purpose Report (May August review)
Sat, 10 Regional Event: South FL (9:30am lunch) Location: TBA
Mon, 19 Regional Event: Central FL (6:30 9:00pm)
Sat, 24 Regional Event:
Fri-Sat, Oct 28-29: RIP
FEST 3
with Bishop Roller at