LEADERSHIP UPDATE of the Southeast Region

Volume 3, Issue 4 April May 2008

Check out our new Southeast Region website: www.seregionfmc.org

THE RESURRECTION AND A NEW REFORMATION

My wife was out of state on Easter, visiting family in Indianapolis. When I asked her to describe the Easter worship service she attended, she responded by saying that the music was fine and the message Biblically accurate, but the sermon was more of a historical affirmation of Jesus resurrection, than how Christ can transform our lives today. Proving the Bible is right, overshadowed offering help to those searching for a fresh start in life or needing hope to deal with lifes difficulties. She said she came away feeling flat, and she wondered if anyone who had visited that morning desperate for words of guidance or encouragement had been helped.

Her Easter experience reminded me of something Rick Warren (senior pastor of Saddleback Church, and author of The Purpose Driven Life) recently talked about. The following comments are excerpts from a letter he wrote in preparation for his keynote address at the upcoming Exponential New Church Conference in Orlando later in April. Take some time to think about his assessment:

The First Reformation returned us to the message of the original church.

It was a reformation of doctrine what the church BELIEVES.

[Today we need] a new Reformation.

This Second Reformation will return us to the mission of the original church.

It will be a reformation of purpose what the church DOES in the world.

Does it matter what we believe? Absolutely! But is that enough? Absolutely not! Faith and actions must go hand in hand. I believe what Rick goes on to describe is actually a Wesleyan perspective of how personal transformation must lead to social transformation . . . that there is no true holiness apart from social holiness:

. . . the five biggest problems in the world are Spiritual Lostness, Lack of Godly Leaders, Poverty, Disease, and Lack of Education. These giant problems are so big that neither the government, nor all the NGOs (non-government organizations) can tackle them. There is only one group large enough to tackle these global issues the Christian church in all its local expressions around the world. Nothing else can compare to the distribution channel of the millions of churches around the world. Even in villages where you cannot find a clinic, a store, a school or a post office, you can often find a church.

Warren concludes his letter by offering a strategy to churches across our land:

The P.E.A.C.E. plan is our strategy to have every small group in our church, and then tens of thousands of small groups in other churches, become engaged . . . in addressing these five giant problems by:

P = Planting New Churches

E = Equipping Leaders

A = Assisting the Poor

C = Caring for the Sick

E = Educating the Next Generation

These problems, and the answers, are not new. But the way we intend to tackle them by using the small groups of local churches in large numbers - is revolutionary.

May every believer in each church across the southeast region realize that its not enough to simply GO to church. Instead, we are daily invited to BE the church, partnering with God and one another in our spheres of influence, becoming His voice and hands, redemptively touching the world.

Supt. Darrel Riley

EVERY PERSON IS TO BE A PASSIONATE PRAY-ER

Thursday, May 1, is NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER. Check out the following resources:

Our nations Presidential Prayer Team provides a free, non-partisan weekly email prayer guide for ongoing intercession for our nation, its leaders and its people: www.presidentialprayerteam.com. They also provide special National Day of Prayer resources for worship, adults, teens and children.

PEOPLE, the quarterly Free Methodist World Missions (FMWM) magazine, provides a glossy full color pull-out featuring our missionaries, complete with daily pictures and specific prayer requests. To receive a free subscription: www.fmwm.org/magazine or call 1-800-342-5531

Subscribe to the weekly FMWM prayer e-newsletter Missions Hotline for up-to-date details of whats happening globally. Go to www.fmwm.org, click on PRAY at the top, then HOTLINE at the top.

A Prayer Calendar is printed in each issue of Leadership Update, highlighting specific pastors and churches in the Southeast Region to uplift in prayer. Print the featured prayer focus weekly in your church bulletin. Use the Southeast Region Pictorial Directory to visualize each pastor as you pray. Emails are included for sending greetings to one another. When you are the prayer focus, please contact the Rileys to share your personal & church prayer requests.

APRIL & MAY	SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE	GCC or AL-GA CONFERENCES
March 30 April 5	Ft. Lauderdale Haitian FMC Pastor Jean Claude Novius (Josette) jnovius@yahoo.com	Whitfield, MS: Mississippi State Hospital Chaplain Phil Cartrette (Patricia) pcartrette@bellsouth.net
April 6 - 12	Greenacres, Centro de Adoracion Miami, Hosanna Internacional Pastor Javier Mendoza (Martha) hosannainternacional@hotmail.com	Winnsboro, LA: Liddieville FMC Pastor Kenneth Lukens (Evangelene) kelukens@yahoo.com
April 13 19	2008 South Atlantic Annual Conference Fri Sat, April 18 - 19	GCC Evangelists: Rose Thompson roseandwinston@aol.com Samuel Tinsley (Lillian) saltey@juno.com
April 20 26	Hialeah, Ministereos Nueva Vision Pastor Belarminio Martinez (Dorcas) pastorbela@hotmail.com	Birmingham, AL: Emmanuel CPP Pastor Andy Bunn (Christi) Bunn5@charter.net ASP Lewis Bunn (Amy) labseven@aol.com
April 27 May 3	Hilliard, Wesley Chapel Congregation is under the superintendent Pray for God to provide the correct pastor	2008 Alabama Georgia Annual Conf. Fri Sat, May 2 - 3
May 4 10	Holiday FMC Sr. Pastor Richard Keep (Diane) ASP Mike Kramer revmkramer@yahoo.com	Boaz AL Pastor Kent Schroeder (Charlotte) Bro_kent_salem@yahoo.com
May 11 - 17	Immokalee Haitian FMC Pastor Emmanuel Eugene (Alette) Jc2be888@hotmail.com	Columbus, GA: Christ Community Church Pastor Keith Cowart (Pam) keith@ccclive.org
May 18 - 24	Kissimmee, Good Shepherd Pastor Don Kaufmann (Nanette) Dkaufmannquizr1@yahoo.com ASP Sueli & Charles Zuppann pastorzuppann@earthlink.net	Fayetteville, GA: Fayette Comm Church Pastor Brad Wilcox (Mishawn) btwilcox@bellsouth.net
May 25 - 31	Kissimmee, Arca de Salvacion CPP Pastor Edgard Medina (Gladys) Edmglad3@netzero.com	Huntsville, AL: Acts Family Worship Center Pastor Jeff Curry (Cyndi) afwc@comcast.net YM Doug Wall (Karey)

SOUTHEAST REGION ENCOURAGEMENTS

CHILDRENS MINISTRY RESOURCES:

This spring there are some wonderful resources available for childrens ministry. Get them now, and use them this spring, summer, or even next fall:

Vacation Bible School Curriculums are available for purchase as kits or individual pieces.

Ÿ Be creative with the VBS format:

use it as a traditional 1 week daytime or evening VBS, OR

use it as a once-a-week summer emphasis for 6 weeks, OR

divide each lesson into 2 parts and make it into a 10-week long curriculum for use Sunday PM or Wednesday evenings later this year.

Ÿ There are over 15 VBS publishers out there. Top Picks: Word Action, Gospel Light & Group

Prince Caspian movie, based upon C. S. Lewis series The Chronicles of Narnia, opens in theaters May 16. Contact www.outreach.com or call 1.800.991.6011 to request a FREE Caspian Outreach Kit. In Prince Caspian, only those with true faith can see and hear the voice of Aslan. Use the themes of obedience, restoration, and discernment portrayed in this movie as a springboard for discussing faith not only with children, but also teens and adults.

PREPARE FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

With great anticipation and expectation, Supt Riley looks forward to Annual Conference gatherings:

South Atlantic Conference: April 18 19; 1:00 pm Friday 1:00 pm Saturday

Host pastor: John Hendricks, at Lakeland Light & Life FMC

Alabama Georgia Mission District: May 2 3; 6:30 pm Friday 1:00 pm Saturday

Host pastor: Keith Cowart at Christ Community Church in Columbus, GA

Gulf Coast Conference: Saturday, June 14, 9:00 am noon

At the Church of God Campground Tabernacle in Pollock, LA

Begin NOW to prepare in three ways:

1. Pray that the Spirit will do a fresh work in us as we gather together

2. Bring as many of your lay leaders as possible to attend Annual Conference, that together we might experience worship, be inspired, and envision a more fruitful future.

3. Continue using the On Purpose Process as a tool to help your congregations leaders (clergy & laity) keep the lines of communication open and your efforts united in living out Gods unique mission for your church this year.

INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

ALABAMA - GEORGIA CONFERENCE:

NEWS:

Ÿ Pastor Brad Wilcox (Fayette Community Church, GA) recently took three first-timers to Pass Christian, MS. They helped drywall a store that was being renovated into a home.

DATES:

Fri Sat, May 2 3: ANNUAL CONFERENCE at Christ Community Church

Address: 1819 Midtown Dr., Columbus, GA 31906

Church Phone: 706-565-7240

Host Pastor: Keith Cowart

Friday PM: 6:30: Registration; 7:00: Worship with Bishop Roller; Reception to follow

Saturday AM: 9:00 noon: Annual Conference Meeting

All clergy are expected to participate, as are all church delegates.

Bring as many members from your church as possible to welcome our new bishop

GULF COAST CONFERENCE:

Church Family News:

Wow! Take a look at progress on the new worship and educational facility at Provencal FMC (Pastor Mike Marbut). Go to www.picasaweb.google.com/tsmbarnett , then select Church Progress to see a picture gallery of 27 shots.

Upcoming Dates:

Sat, April 12: At 9:00am Upcoming PASTORS & SPOUSES MEETING with Supt Riley & Peggy, followed by a 1:00pm Administrative / Camp meeting. Location: Marthas Chapel in Deville.

Wk of April 14: Pastor Monty Bower is leading a WORK TEAM to PASS CHRISTIAN, MS to support Greg Nitchman and become Hands of Hope to Katrina-displaced residents. Regardless of your level of skill or strength, theres a job for you and a blessing awaiting you. Additional participants are welcome; contact Monty for details.

Mon Fri, June 9 13: FAMILY CAMP at the Church of God Campground in Pollock, LA.

Sat, June 14: ANNUAL CONFERENCE will be held from 9:00am noon at the Church of God Campground in Pollock, LA at the conclusion of Family Camp. Clergy and delegates are expected to participate; all others are encouraged to attend.

SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE:

Reminder:

FL Incorporation postcards are due prior to May 1; complete & return to be exempt from taxation

News:

Please continue praying that Pastor Ruben Brito (Miami: Melrose) will completely recover his speech and ability to walk following a stroke. Financial donations to assist the Brito family should be sent to SAC Treasurer Marge Lehman at 5421 Sharon Tr., Lakeland, FL 33810.

Ÿ Raquel Grullon, daughter of Pastor Juan & Lucia (Orlando First) is a VISA missionary to Costa Rica for 3 months. She is home schooling the 3 Yost children who are ages 15, 11 and 9. Email Raquel at dmncnangel85@yahoo.com.

Ÿ If you have a musical instrument youre willing to donate for a unique ministry to teens, contact Mirtha at Ramirez_mirtha@hotmail.com OR Peggy at 407-277-1428 or riley661@yahoo.com.

Ÿ Hialeah is organizing a conference-wide Singles Retreat & Couples Retreat April 25 27. Contact Mirtha at 305-688-5126 ext. 301 for brochures & applications in English or Spanish.

Upcoming Dates:

Fri Sat, April 18 - 19: ANNUAL CONFERENCE at Light & Life FMC in Lakeland:

Lets have a packed house to welcome Bishop David & Yvonne Roller.

Sessions begin at 1pm on Friday, April 18 and will conclude by 1pm on Saturday, April 19.

Limited housing is available at the Park; contact Peggy Riley immediately to inquire.

MAY REGIONAL TRAINING EVENT DATES & LOCATIONS:

Bring a copy of your January April Trimester On Purpose Form with you:

Sat., May 10: South FL: Miami Melrose. Gather at 9:30am, meeting 10am lunch

Sat., May 17: West Coast FL: St. Pete - Cornerstone. Gather 9:30am, meeting 10am lunch

Mon., May 19: Central FL: Orlando First. Dinner at 6:30pm, meeting 7 9pm

Thu Sat, May 15 17: SAC LADIES RETREAT at the Wycliffe Center in Orlando

CHANGE: The SAC SUMMER YOUTH CAMP date and location have been changed!

Youth Camp will now take place July 14 18 at the Lakewood Retreat in Brooksville, FL. Details will be provided soon start promoting the new date & place!

Sat., Sept 20: SAC PASTORS & LEADERS RALLY DAY with Larry Walkemeyer; this is a not-to-be-missed event for all pastors, delegates, ministry leaders and team members. The event will be held at St. Pete: Cornerstone. Protect that date on your calendar NOW so you can attend.