DS Newsletter
November 24, 2023 SNAD DS NEWSLETTER Volume 2 Issue 2
Can you believe it? Fall is really here and we are past Thanksgiving and heading toward Christmas and the New Year! What anticipation and what joy!!! Here are some updates as to Eileen’s and my whereabouts the last three months.
September found Eileen and me in Louisville, Kentucky with the District Superintendent Leadership Development Program. We continue to learn and are challenged. Thank you for your support and prayers. While in Kentucky, we went to see one of our SNAD church members—Armando Gonzales from Sells. He sends his love and greetings to SNAD and is waiting for the day when the Lord brings him back to us. We had the privilege to preach and teach Sunday School at Sells this month, too.
Eileen got to have fun and fellowship with some of our SNAD ladies at the Annual Women’s Retreat at Camp Pinerock in Prescott. Bertha Begay from Leupp COTN was the speaker and I hear she did a fantastic job! I tagged along with Eileen to cook breakfast for some of the ladies staying off campus and help support the Ministerial Training in Chino Valley that same weekend. Three students took classes.
In October, all four of our SNAD Zones had a Zone Rally (three of them on the same day!). Of course, we could only attend two of them but we were on the phone for encouragement and information exchange with the other two Rallies where we could not be present! We are so Jesus proud of all of you!!
Also in October, Pastor Appreciation Month happened and we were blessed to see and hear how the SNAD churches and individuals honored and blessed their pastors. Great job, SNAD! I got to see several of you during October but, in case I did not get to tell you personally---Happy Pastor Appreciation not only during October but every month!!!
Eileen and I were able to attend the Annual Cocopah Somerton Tent Meeting and a brother in Christ and I attended the Annual Lehi Tent Meeting in October—WOW! I am so grateful for these and others that have been having these meetings. I am sorry I cannot attend them all but I know you are doing a fantastic job in the Lord sharing His Love and Messages!!
October continued to be remarkably busy and we had the privilege to install the first Church Board for Restoration Church and enjoy visits to Kinlani and Round Cedar Churches.
Finally, in October, there was another Ministerial Training in Chino Valley—this time there were seven students! Again, I was able to show up and be of some support. One student completed his classes in preparation for interviews and hopeful ordination next June 2024!
And here we are at the end of November---it started out with Men’s Retreat at Camp Pinerock in Prescott with a great showing from SNAD! I enjoyed helping, worshipping, resting, learning, and getting to know more of the guys. I encourage more men of all ages to participate next year—it is always the first weekend in November.
I could not make it to the SNAD Winter Retreat at Pinerock but I sure heard of the super great showing by SNAD—Praise the Lord!
The final Ministerial Training for the year was also had in Chino Valley in November and there were nine students participating this time. At the end of this training, two more students had completed their ministerial studies in preparation for ordination. Two of them will be participating in the required interviews soon and trusting to receive their ordination as Elders in the Church of the Nazarene next June 2024. Hold on---there may be a couple more in this group!! Eileen is planning a grand celebration at the end of the District Assembly!
There are many other wonderful things that have transpired (work teams, phone calls, prayer support, preparations for upcoming SNAD events, etc.). I am certain I forgot to share some things with you but this is a bit of where and in what your DS and wife have been involved (besides being in jail 40 hours per week as a Chaplain 😊—There is a lot going on there, too.). I want to leave you with a few reminders:
Please continue to check and remind your churches to check the SNAD website for updates, etc. It will again be updated soon. The website is: snadcotn.org
I recommend up to no more than two Zone Rallies per year. It can be quite burdensome if more than two are planned and remembering that we also get together for Midyear Leadership in January and District Assembly in June in addition to Christmas and other gatherings.
DATES to know and remember:
SNAD Midyear Leadership Convention: January 25-27, 2024 at Phoenix First Church of the Nazarene
Required and mandatory SNAD interviews for those having completed the course of study and looking to be ordained in June 2024 and those with current and possible upcoming SNAD District Pastoral Licenses will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024 in Winslow, Arizona. The Ministerial Board will meet the day before on Friday, March 8, 2024 but the interviews for the persons in the mentioned categories (potential Ordinands and those currently holding or ready to hold District Licenses). If you have any questions about this, please contact Rev. Carla Durby immediately—602-509-1709. Pastor Carla is our very experienced Ministerial Training Liaison and continues to do an excellent job in helping SNAD in this area! Her fee? $0.00.
SNAD District Assembly: June 6-8, 2024 at Phoenix First Church of the Nazarene.
SAVE The DATES, please, for PALCON (Pastors and Leaders Convention) to be held at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. This will be for the whole family and we are working on making it very affordable. More information to come at Midyear Leadership Convention in January but the dates to save are July 22-24, 2024.
Finally, Eileen and I will be out of town and mostly out of reach beginning, November 25, 2023 through December 12, 2023. We still believe and try to practice that “It is just as holy to rest when you’re tired as it is to preach when you’re inspired.” Plus, we will be celebrating our 42nd wedding anniversary and Eileen’s (working) retirement!! Not to worry, though---Rev. Ray Stillings (Cocopah Somerton Church of the Nazarene) is your contact person for any urgent matters. He can be reached at: 928-257-5564.
I know, and see, and hear some of your hard and fantastic work in the Kingdom of God! And I know that God knows and sees it all!!!! Thank you so much for persevering on!
“But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving
of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39
Please know that you are treasured and prayed for.
Keep on in Jesus!! We are STILL in this together!
Sincerely in Christ,
Mike
Rev. Michael J. Andrews, DS (District Superintendent/Servant)
P.S. Please forward this SNAD DS NEWSLETTER to anyone that would want to receive it and send their e-mails to me to be included in the mailing next time. Also, be free to make copies of this letter as it would be of assistance to you and your church. Thank you!