LEADERSHIP UPDATE of the Southeast Region
Volume 4,
Issue 9
October 2009
Pastors:
Please distribute this to your delegates, leaders & congregation
KEEP MOVING
FORWARD
It was one of those crazy Guinness
Book of World Record feats. In early August of this year, 30 year old Indian
taxi cab driver Harprett Dev became a celebrity in his hometown of Bhatinda. He
gained notoriety for having driven his Fiat Padmini in reverse since 2003. He
has modified his vehicle to have four reverse gears and only one forward gear. On
the side of his car he painted the sign Back Gear Champion. Harpreets quest
for fame has cost him dearly. Over the past 6 years of looking backwards, he
has suffered neck and back problems, severe vomiting and backbone problems.
Hmmm seems like theres a message
for us as Gods people in this bit of trivia. The direction we face does make a
difference! God did not make us to shift into reverse when we encounter lifes problems
or uncertainties. No, God created us to keep facing and moving forward. But we
do not have to travel alone. God invites us to keep focused on Him and to stay
close to His side as He leads the way into the unknown future.
Moving forward in ministry is just
what many of the churches in our southeast region are doing, and theyre
finding it to be an exhilarating ride. To date, over 75 new openings have
been reported to me. Thats 75 formerly untried attempts by individuals or
local churches to bring others closer to Jesus. As I read the listing, I am
aware that these new ministries are the result of people praying with their eyes
wide open noticing the formerly overlooked who were already living all around
them. Most new ministries offer practical help and spiritual care to those who
need food, a hot shower, guidance with their finances, or language skills. Very
few of the 75 new openings require vocational clergy; rather, the majority of
these new relationships and ministries have been accomplished by average
believers, those whose lives have been captured by the desire to become Jesus
hands and heart to their community each and every day, as they go to work,
school or hang out in their neighborhood.
Lets shift into high gear as we
continue to live and share His Redemptive Love through the witness of our
personal lives and our acts of compassionate service.
Supt. Darrel Riley
OVERFLOW
2010
All pastors and delegates have received
an electronic or hardcopy mailing about the upcoming OVERFLOW Conference, which will take place April 22 24, 2010 in
As Overflow will include Friday afternoon Annual Conference sessions,
each church should at least send their pastor and delegate. However, since this
mega-meeting is in our own backyard, we challenge each church to bring a van
or bus full of attendees.
As October is Pastor Appreciation Month, churches are encouraged to
pay all Overflow fees for their clergy to participate.
EVERY PERSON
A PASSIONATE PRAY-ER
Pray
daily for the following churches. Send greetings to one another. When you are
the prayer focus, please contact the Rileys to share your personal & church
prayer requests.
|
OCTOBER 2009 |
|
AL-GA or GCC CONFERENCE |
|
Sept
27 Oct 3 |
Pastor
Jon Howery ( jhowery@gohfcc.org |
GCC Conference
Evangelists Samuel
Tinsley (Lillian) saltey@juno.com Rose
Thompson roseandwinston@aol.com |
|
Oct
4 - 10 |
Pastor
J. Roberto Oliveira (Dalzira) freemethodistpastor@yahoo.com |
Pastor
James Andy Bunn (Christi) Bunn5@charter.net |
|
Oct
11 - 17 |
Pastor
Ernie Sullivan (Barbara) esullivannwc@yahoo.com |
Pastor
Keith Coward (Pam) keith@ccclive.org |
|
Oct
18 - 24 |
|
Pastor
Greg Nitchman (Jeanne) gregfcc@att.net |
|
Oct
25 - 31 |
Patrick AFB in Military
Chap Mark Williams (Monica) willmark@mwilliams.net |
Pastor
Jeff Curry (Cyndi) afwc@comcast.net |
FM COURSES
OFFERED in ORLANDO and INDIANAPOLIS:
At
Asbury Theological Seminary, Orlando
FL on Thursday Saturday, Jan 21 23:
Supt.
Darrel will teach FM History & Church Polity (2 hours credit)
Pastor
Lucien Behar will teach Evangelism (2 hours credit)
Dr.
Wes King will offer Wesleyan Theology again this year (3 hours credit &
prerequisite of having previously taken a theology class) if there is enough
interest
As
all 3 courses are taught at the same time, select one course only.
Contact Supt. Riley
for details or to register 407-277-1428
At
the World Ministries Center
in
Jan. 4 - 9: Romans (Bible), Leadership (Practical), Intro
to Christian Doctrine
(Theology)
Jan. 11 - 16: Wesleyan Theology (Theology), Homiletics
(Practical), Gospel of John
(Inductive Bible), Spiritual
Formation (Practical)
One course can be taken each
session.
Call 1-800-342-5531, ext. 308 for
information, costs and to register.
Reduced registration fee &
housing in Indianapolis IF registered by December 1.
Potential
ATS Orlando Seminary Students:
Preview
Weekend will be held
at the Asbury Orlando campus Oct 16 17 for those considering a call to
seminary. Meet with faculty, academic advisors and students. Join in worship,
share meals and attend class. The event is free, and Asbury will reimburse up
to $50 of hotel costs for long distance travelers. Call 800.2.ASBURY or visit
asburyseminary.edu/preview-weekend for details and to register.
IRAQI
CHURCH focus on NOV. 8
Sunday, November 8 is the International Day of Prayer for the
Persecuted Church. This years focus is upon the persecuted, yet growing,
FMC in
AL-GA MISSION
DISTRICT NEWS:
Fri Sat, Nov. 13
14:
Youth Worker Training Event for all
AL-GA youth volunteers, as well as any churches in the
Thanks
to AL-GA Youth Liaison Tom Jacobs for arranging to bring in Greg Groves, FM Youth Pastor, for a
weekend of inspiration and training. (Rileys know Greg from their days
pastoring at the Greenville FMC in IL, and Greg is an incredible leader &
trainer)
Training
begins Friday with 6pm dinner (EST) and concludes Saturday at 3pm (EST)
This
is a FREE Event just get to
FREE materials & resources
FREE Friday supper, Saturday breakfast
& lunch
FREE lodging in church members
homes (or Tom will provide hotel suggestions if you prefer)
Register
with Tom Jacobs by Nov 10: 706-905-1195 or custom11cruiser@gmail.com
GA
Haitian CPP:
Pastor Serge & Ledia Bonhomme are
hoping to have final confirmation on a meeting place in the
Upcoming
Mon, Oct 19: Pastors Mtg with
Supt Riley at 9:30am, hosted by Pastor Joe Shuffett at Faith FMC (
Sun, Dec 6: Pastors &
Spouses Holiday Dinner Gathering (details finalized at Oct 19 mtg)
Upcoming
GA DISTRICT MTGS (Eastern Time)
Sun, Oct 18: Pastors Mtg with
Supt Riley in
Thurs, Nov 19: Pastors Mtg in
Mon, Dec 7: Pastors &
Spouses Holiday Dinner Gathering in
GULF COAST
CONFERENCE NEWS:
ADULT
RETREAT:
Adult Ministries is sponsoring an overnight retreat Oct 16 17 at The Wesley Center in
CHURCH
BAZAAR:
The Edgewood FMC in Pineville will
hold a bazaar on Nov. 14; all
proceeds will go to raise funds to replace the church A/C unit. Items of all
sorts will be for sale: arts & crafts, holiday clothing, baked goods,
preserves, canned items, etc. Lets support the
DECEMBER
MTGS WITH SUPT RILEY:
Fri, Dec 11: BOA Meeting at 6pm to set 2010 budget
Sat, Dec 12: Pastors &
Spouses Mtg and Christmas Luncheon, to begin at 10am
SOUTH ATLANTIC
CONFERENCE:
PASTORAL FAMILY NEWS:
Medical Update: Elder
Kelly Kannon
will check into
VISA: Daniel Balzer (HS graduate from
VISA: Jonathan
Bergman
(CMC at the Orlando Fellowship) and wife Kristen
fly to
PARTICIPATE &
BRING OTHERS WITH YOU:
ALL -
CONFERENCE OCTOBER RIP FEST RALLY
Bring
your congregation to St. Pete: Cornerstone on Friday - Saturday, October
23 & 24, for RIP FEST! as
we continue building upon our 09 RIPPING THE ROOF theme.
Friday
night fun:
7:00 10:00pm Karaoke for Christ, bring your background music & perform
(Limited
housing available with church members, call for availability: 727-343-7747)
Saturday
events:
8:00 10:00 Teen
Bible Quizzing
8:30 9:30 Continental
Breakfast
10:00
noon Session 1 with J. R. Rushik
Noon
1:00 Boxed
lunches
1:00 - 1:45 Break
Out Special Interest Groups
2:00 3:30 Session
2 with J. R. Rushik
Bulletin
inserts / fliers and oversized posters are available for promotion.
TEEN BIBLE QUIZZING IN
KISSIMMEE
Saturday, Oct 10 at 1pm there will be a
Bible Quiz Tournament in
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
JANUARY REGIONAL TRAINING EVENT
The Regional Training Events are not just for clergy bring
your delegates & other leaders!
Bring your Annual
On Purpose Report to the Regional Training Event:
Sat, 9 West
Coast (9:30am lunch) St. Pete: Cornerstone; District
MEG Bd to follow
Sat, 16 South FL (9:30am lunch)
Mon, 18 Central
FL (6:30 supper 9pm) Orlando:
First Spanish