DS Newsletter
May 22, 2024 SNAD DS NEWSLETTER Volume 2 Issue 4
My heart is confident in You, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sign Your praises! — Psalm 57:7 NLT
We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. — Psalm 33:20 NLT
As you have probably heard me say on more than one occasion---God has the right to interrupt my life! And He still does!! Although these “interruptions” seem to be unwelcome at times, I continue to learn that He is still in charge and in control of all of me!!! I have heard of some of your “interruptions” and how God has and is seeing you through. Thank you for sharing. Please continue---I love to praise and pray with you!!The BIG item to share with you is the Southwest Native American District Church of the Nazarene District Assembly. Please find the agenda attached. One unexpected “interruption” is that our host church for District Assembly, Phoenix First Church, will be having their annual Vacation Bible School at the same time but ending on Friday evening, June 7. Not to worry---we continue to learn to not only receive from those outside of our church district but also how to come alongside and support, encourage, and work with each other. Pastor Josh and Phoenix First has been so helpful and supportive of SNAD for many years. May we show him and the congregation the same support.
REMINDERS
Some of this is a repeat but…………Please remember to let me know of the following items:
(And please write these down and e-mail them to me—do not only tell me verbally—I will most likely forget.)
Dates & locations of upcoming Zone Rallies.
NDI, NMI, & NYI events for posting on the SNAD website (snadcotn.org)
Any specific needs of your church. The Nazarene Work & Witness trips for SNAD is to be approved and updated. And please think about future projects---not just immediate needs as these probably cannot be met as soon as you would like. I will need additional information regarding your church projects and it takes time to get things appropriately in place. Please remember that people have their lives “interrupted” when they come to work alongside us. What a blessing for them and us!
Your praises and prayer requests. Thank you to those of you who have given Eileen and me the privilege to praise and pray with you through your “interruptions” personally either in person, via a telephone call, or on Zoom.
Your questions----I may not have the answer but I will do my best to help you find it as some of you have discovered! And please do not hesitate to remind me if I do not get back with you in a timely manner.
Each SNAD Church should have recently received a notarized copy via e-mail and snail-mail of their Church’s Affadavit confirming that they are an established church. Some have asked for this as they were “interrupted” needing to verify their legitimacy with the local government agencies. I thought we should have this documentation for each of our churches and it was quickly received from our Nazarene Headquarters. If you have not received your copy for your church, please contact Marilyn Van Yazzie (please see contact information above).
Rev. Mrs. Carla Durby is the SNAD Ministerial Liaison. She is doing an amazing job and SNAD has five ready for ordination on June 8 at District Assembly. If you are interested in starting and, most certainly if you are continuing in the Ministerial Course of Study, please contact Pastor Carla for assist in staying on track (please see contact information above). The ordinands and their leaders have worked so hard for many years but because of “interruptions,” not a one of them would have completed their studies in time for ordination next month. Thank you, Jesus, for sending us Pastor Carla!
UPDATES
Lives and schedules were “interrupted” in the below activities---God led all the way! Praise Him!
SNAD Mid-year Leadership Convention in January 2024 was well attended. Thank you for your participation and support.
The last Ministerial Class was held in Phoenix, AZ in February 2024---I think there were about 20 in attendance---good job! I also took the class---Wow! We had a great time studying Spiritual Formation with Dr. Michele Pasley.
All four Zone Rallies were held in March and April---again—good job!
In March the Ministerial Board conducted 17 interviews. What a team!! All interviewees were recommended to either receive for the first time or continue to receive their District License and five were recommended for ordination! Again—job well done!
Eileen and I have been muchly involved in encouraging and celebrating many of our DS Couples from the SW USA Region who are retiring after many years of service. Their lives are being “interrupted” & they are moving on to further service for the Lord! We also had the privilege to attend the pre- District Assembly service for the SW Latin District.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
May 24-27, 2024—ELEVATE @ Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA—please contact Mrs. Danielle Nez for details.
June 6-8, 2024—SNAD District Assembly at Phoenix First Church of the Nazarene (19201 N. 7th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85027. All are invited to a special celebration meal immediately following the Assembly for the ordinands and other special honorees—we hope to see you there!! Rev. Dr. Chrisian Sarmiento is the General Superintendent that will be presiding over the Assembly.
July 22-24, 2024---PALCON (Pastors & Leaders & Families Conference)---Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, CA. Please see website for more details. Register by June 15 for lowest price!
July 2024--Kinlani Family Camp—please contact Rev. Dennis Benale for details.
September 27-29, 2024—SNAD Women’s Retreat—Camp Pinerock, Prescott, AZ---please contact Rev. Darlene Joe for details..
October 10-12, 2024---Cocopah Somerton Tent Revival---please contact Revs. Ray or June Stillings for details.
October, 2024---Lehi Campmeeting---please contact Pastor Merrill or Missy Jones for details.
November 1-3, 2024---Men’s Retreat at Camp Pinerock, Prescott, AZ---please contact DS Mike Andrews for details.
I thank God for our interrupted lives! I repeat from my last DS Nesletter: “I realize your schedules are busy and most of our church leaders are or have been bi-vocational and must request time off from their other jobs to attend the above-mentioned events. I am in this same position as God still has me working in the jails of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. I honor and respect and thank you for the time and effort you share and invest with the Southwest Native American District Church of the Nazarene and others.”
One last but definitely not the least of things---Eileen and I send our BLESSINGS and CONGRATULATIONS upon each of the graduates and their families---whether it be from pre-school, Kindergarten, 6th grade, Junior High, High School, Vocational School, College or University, or any other education that has been received and completed. I am certain you have been “interrupted” many times as you have endeavored to reach your goal. I Praise the Lord for and with you!! Job Well Done!!!
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!
https://usacanadaregion.org/cycle-of-resurgence/blessing-our-community
