NDI Equip – February 21
Are you ready to be inspired, refreshed, and equipped for the work of discipleship? Are you ready to connect with likeminded leaders who are learning together? Join us for NDI Equip, a powerful half-day designed to strengthen leaders, encourage pastors, and ignite the church to fulfill Christ’s call to make disciples in your setting.
Date: February 21, 2026
Place: Logan Church of the Nazarene
Time: Registration @ 8:30 AM; First Plenary session @ 9:00 AM; Lunch concludes by 1:30 PM.
Cost: $10
Register Here: Discipleship – South Central Ohio District
This year we are thrilled to welcome Daryl Cripe as our keynote speaker. For more than 14 years, Daryl has partnered with hundreds of churches across the U.S., Canada and Europe – working alongside leaders to craft missional vision, develop strategic plans, and build effective evangelism and discipleship pathways.
Daryl is part of the lead team at Amplio Group, a ministry dedicated to helping churches move the mission forward. His wide experience includes church renewal, vision-driven fundraising, pastoral retreats, and worship experience development. Wherever he services, Daryl brings contagious passion for equipping leadership teams and guiding churches toward real, sustainable disciple-making.
More than a strategist, Daryl is a shepherd at heart. He knows the challenges of ministry leadership, and he carries a deep conviction that every effort – whether through planning, visioning, or renewal – is ultimately about helping one more person step into a relationship with Jesus. Daryl is going to challenge us to find our “one.”
At NDI Equip, you’ll not only hear from Daryl’s wealth of experience but also be encouraged to dream about the future of discipleship in your own context. Expect practical tools, inspiring vision, and meaningful connections with other leaders who share your passion for making disciples.
NDI Equip also offers workshops on things like Dinner Church, Tech Tools for Discipleship, Alpha Groups, Family Life ministry and more. We plan to host a workshop in Spanish and offer translation to Spanish for all other sessions.
This is more than a conference – it’s a gathering of passionate leaders committed to multiplying disciple-makers. NDI Equip is designed for Pastors, staff members, local NDI presidents, and anyone who is currently or soon could be making disciples in your context.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be challenged, inspired, and resourced for the work God has called you to. Come ready to be equipped – because the mission matters.
For more information, please contact Dan at dan@newarknaz.org.
Dan Meek
NDI President
NEWS FROM ACROSS THE DISTRICT
PickNaz Church
What an incredible first Sunday of the new year at PickNaz in Pickerington! Grateful for the leadership, vision, and genuine friendship of Pastor Mark and Janice Maddux.
Hocking Hills Retreat Center Update
Big progress on the cabins!
Cabin 5’s roof is nearly finished, and Cabin 6 is officially halfway there. If all goes as planned, Cabin 7 will be getting its roof this week.
Windows are now installed in Cabins 5 and 6, bringing everything one step closer to completion.
And the lake is slowly filling up—each snowfall and rainfall adds a little more volume. Exciting to see it all coming together!
Quarterly Dashboard Report Highlights: Celebrating God’s Work Across Our Churches
Here are a few great things being reported from our churches:
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“God is moving. We had seven people give their heart to Jesus and five folks experience entire sanctification, as they handed the reins over to Jesus in full surrender. God is moving in mighty ways. We also were able to bring Christmas to 94 children in our community.”
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“We have seen and felt a growing energy around what God is doing in our church. Each week we consistently have new people checking out our church. Our attendance has been consistently increasing, and most of all our worship services are seeing people moved and responding to the Spirit.”
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“God has been blessing our church, especially our youth ministry. We have had a few new families that are attending services and excited to see the church grow spiritually.”
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“The people in our church are growing in their faith – it is a beautiful thing to see how God is taking His people into deeper places of holiness!”
NYC 26 (Nazarene Youth Conference) is coming up fast!
42 Missionary Kids need extra support to attend. Some don’t have a U.S. home district, and others simply can’t raise the full amount from where they serve. We want every MK to experience this life‑changing event, and this is a chance for us to show them they’re seen, valued, and supported. Below you’ll find details on how you can help make their NYC 26 experience possible. If you’d like to contribute by purchasing “favorite MK items” for their welcome packages, you can use the Amazon registry here: View Rendezvous's Gift List
We are excited to open this retreat to all staff pastors! Only 10 spots remain. The Space for God Pastor’s Prayer Retreat will be held at the beautiful Hocking Hills Retreat Center, with cozy cabin accommodations that foster rest and connection.
The deadline to register is January 15.
Cost: $75 per person (includes room and meals)
Commitment: Participants are expected to stay for the full retreat
This intimate gathering is designed to create space for God to speak, restore, and refresh. Register here. If you have more questions, please contact Dennis King at dking@sconaz.org.
Are you looking to grow healthier leaders and multiply disciples? Join our District trip to the Exponential 2026 Global Conference in Orlando, FL — March 16–19.
Exponential is a gathering of pastors, leaders, and church planters from around the world, focused on accelerating the multiplication of disciples, leaders, and new churches. It’s a movement-driven environment designed to inspire, equip, and empower the Church to reach the nations with the gospel.
Cost: $325 (includes conference ticket, 3 nights of lodging, and transportation in Orlando). Participants are responsible for their own travel to Orlando, although we can coordinate airfare.
Space is limited to the first 10 people who register — and the conference is already sold out for the main room! Register here.
Questions? Email Joshua Porterfield at newworks@sconaz.org. But if you’re ready to be refreshed, encouraged, and challenged to make a lasting Kingdom impact, reserve your spot today and join us for Exponential 2026!
RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS
East Central School of Ministry — Now Registering for 2026 Classes
Northwestern Ohio • South Central Ohio
North Central Ohio • East Ohio
Whether you feel called to pursue ordination or want to be better equipped to serve in your local church, the East Central School of Ministry exists to help you deepen your understanding of God’s Word, grow in theological knowledge, and develop practical ministry skills for effective service.
The East Central School of Ministry is a multi-district partnership providing a clear and accessible pathway for those responding to God’s call to pastoral ministry and ordination.
Program Overview
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Classes are part of the new Church of the Nazarene non-degree Course of Study
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All 21 courses meet academic requirements for those seeking ordination
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Classes are 8 weeks long and meet once a week via Zoom
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Each class requires approximately 15 hours per week, including class time, reading, assignments, and practical ministry experience
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Courses are facilitated by ordained pastors from the four partner districts
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Denomination-developed content is delivered through MVNU’s Learning Management System (Moodle)
Cost & Scholarships
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$175 per class
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Scholarships are available through participating districts and local churches for those serving in local ministry, reducing the overall cost
Class Schedule
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All 21 classes are offered over a 3-year cycle
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One of the two required classes (of the six needed for a first-time District License) is offered annually
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Two classes per session are offered across five sessions each year:
Spring A • Spring B • Summer • Fall A • Fall B
Registration & More Information
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Learn more: School of Ministry
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Register for classes: School of Ministry Class Registration
Questions?
Contact Jeff Fiorita, East Central School of Ministry Coordinator
jeff.fiorita@nwoteam.church
Call or text: 937-631-6829
QUICK LINKS
SCO District Website Mount Vernon Nazarene University
SCO District Calendar LifeLong Learning Registry
SCO District NDI Give via CDM – Online
SCO District NMI Global Ministry Center
SCO District NYI USA-Canada Region Website
January 23 – 35: NYI – Winter Retreat – Higher Ground in Harrison, Indiana
January 30 – 31: Young Adult Retreat (HHRC) Register here.
February 16 – 17: Prayer Retreat (HHRC) – Register here.
February 19: Pastor’s Leadership Day at MVNU
February 21: NDI – Equip Event – This event will be for all Pastors, Staff members, NDI Presidents, and anyone at your church who is currently or could soon be making disciples. Register here.
March 7: Women’s Conference (HHRC): “The Story of Martha and Mary” – Registration now open. See QR code on the above flyer.
March 8 – 19: Zone Mission Rally – with Roberto and Rhesa Rodriguez
March 16 – 19: Exponential 2026 Global Conference Register here.
March 21: NYI District BLAST – Heritage Church
April 11: NMI/NYI Convention
April 17 – 18: MVNU Women’s Auxiliary Spring Conference
April 26 – 27: SCO District Assembly
June 3 – 6: NYI Field BLAST
July 1 – 7: Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC)
July 12 – 19: District Camp Meeting
July 19 – 25: Children’s Camp
October 2 – 4: Ministry Team Retreat (Amish Country)
Join us in praying for the “270 Window” (inside the I-270 Outerbelt in Columbus) as a strategic location for the planting of new congregations.
The One – Pray that the Lord would keep in front of us those who are searching and need Jesus as their Savior. May the Holy Spirit provide opportunities for conversations and connections with them.
NYC – July 1 – 7, 2026 – Pray that the Lord would begin working in the lives of the students and leaders who will be attending, and that adequate resources to attend will be available for all hoping to attend.
Cornerstone – Dr. Greg Mason, Interim Pastor
South Point – Rev. Wayne Searls, Interim Pastor
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