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Feb 3, 2026 Leave a Comment

SCO District Newsletter 2.03.2026

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The Finish Line is in Sight!

While pastoring in Kentucky, I became a fan of the Kentucky Derby. I loved it all—the hats, the southern pastels, the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home,” and the voice of Dave Johnson calling the race. I’d get chills when the horses rounded the final turn and he’d utter his famous catchphrase: “And down the stretch they come!”

The SCO District church year ends February 28, and we’re coming down the stretch! Here are three ways to finish well:

Receive new members who are prepared to join the church
Check Funding the Mission to ensure your denominational allocations are current
Complete your APR (Annual Pastors Report) on time – Kevin Angel will thank you!

District Zone Tour Coming

Mark your calendars! November 8-11, we’re bringing a Zone Tour to all four corners of the district with encouragement, inspiration, and practical resources for local church boards, treasurers, and NDI/NMI/NYI leaders. More details coming soon!

When to Call the DS

Recently someone asked, “When should I call the District Superintendent?” My answer: “Anytime!”

Feel especially free to reach out:

When something wonderful happens
When something difficult happens
When you need counsel, advice, or a sounding board
To invite me to visit or preach on Sunday morning (I’ve been blessed by steady invitations that have kept my calendar full 3-4 months in advance.)

As we approach the finish line of this church year, let’s finish strong together. Your faithful ministry—week in and week out—is making an eternal difference in lives across South Central Ohio and beyond. I’m honored to serve alongside you.

Eddie Estep

SCO District Superintendent

803.381.3848

eddieestep@sconaz.org

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE DISTRICT

Newark First Church

Congratulations to Pastor Dan (Earla) Meek and the Newark First Church Board on a very positive six-year Church/Pastoral Relationship Review. We are grateful for the significant partnership between the pastor, church board, and congregation.

EQUIP Discipleship Conference

Join us for a powerful day of ministry training with featured speaker Daryl Cripe on February 21. Make sure you’re part of it—registration is open now, and lunch registrations closes February 9. Use the QR code to save your spot!

2026 SCO Women’s Conference – March 7

Registration is Open

Deadline to Register is February 20

Ladies, get ready for an incredible lineup!

Weather Closures, Steady Commitments

Many of our district churches were unable to gather on January 25 due to severe weather conditions. Because weekly tithes and offerings are essential to sustaining their ministries, your continued financial support remains vital. Even when in‑person services must pause, your generosity helps your local church continue its work in the community. Thank you for your faithfulness!

DATE CHANGE

Due to unforeseen scheduling challenges, the NMI/NYI convention date has been moved from April 11 to April 18, 2026. We will once again gather at Circleville Heritage.

This gathering is deeply important to us. It is more than an event on the calendar—it is a time set apart to strengthen our shared commitment to missions and to intentionally invest in our youth. We believe there is great value in coming together as the body of Christ to encourage one another, celebrate what God is doing both locally and globally, and be renewed in our call to serve

Camp Meeting – 2026

Camp Meeting is a week designed for the whole family to grow closer to God and to one another. Hosted by the South Central Ohio District Church of the Nazarene, it’s a time filled with worship, fellowship, fun activities, and spiritual renewal for all ages. Families come together to create lifelong memories, build friendships, and strengthen their faith in a Christ-centered environment.

Date: July 12-19, 2026

Location: Hocking Hills Retreat Center

Preachers: Dr. Geoff Kunselman & Rev. Wendell Brown

Worship Leader: Dan Anderson & Friends

March 8 – Logan 6:00 pm

March 9 – Hilliard 7:00 pm

March 10 – Marietta First 6:30 pm

March 11 – Grace Life 7:00 pm

March 12 – Hebron 7:00 pm

Exciting Mission Tour

Coming in March!

Help spread the word to your congregations. Zone tours allow our missionaries to share their ministry and build relationships across the district. We’re thrilled to feature Roberto and Rhesa Rodriguez, faithfully serving at the USA/Mexico Border.

March 15 – Cornerstone 6:00 pm

March 16 – Ironton First 7:00 pm

March 17 – Obetz 6:00 pm

March 18 – Jackson First 7:00 pm

March 19 – New Hope 7:00 pm

SCO District Office Update: We’ve Officially Arrived!

What a milestone. Yesterday marked a major step forward as district staff and a group of dedicated volunteers helped move our office from Hoover Road in Grove City to our new home at the HHRC. The energy, teamwork, and generosity on display made the day truly special.

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who showed up, lifted boxes, organized supplies, and made the transition seamless.

There’s plenty to look forward to in the months ahead. An open house is on the horizon for this summer, and we can’t wait to welcome you into the new space.

Quarterly Pastor Report: Celebrating God’s Work Across Our Churches

“We had one person receive Christ in his life back in October, and we have been blessed to see him transform before us from being addicted to meth to a brand-new brother in Christ. Please continue to pray for him, each day of life is a victory.”
“We took in one member who was saved and baptized.”
“Even during financially challenging seasons, faithful and generous giving remains a priority for our congregation. Our church is committed to supporting the mission of the Church of the Nazarene through consistent denominational giving.”
“We continue to prioritize “investing and inviting” as a core commitment of our church.”

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS

UPCOMING TRAINING: Staff Management Tips for Pastors

When you envisioned your calling to shepherd a flock, managing staff—whether lay, volunteer, or pastoral—may not have been at the top of your mind! Yet managing people is one of the most challenging aspects of ministry, and most of us learn through trial and error.

Join us for a practical 90-minute training session designed to equip you with actionable management strategies that can help you lead more effectively and reclaim valuable time in your week.

What We'll Cover:

· The key differences between management and leadership

· How to conduct effective one-on-one conversations

· A framework for providing constructive feedback

· Best practices for delegation

· And more!

Session Details:

· Topic: "What Can a Pastor Learn About Management?"

· Facilitator: Mark Runals, member and board member at Columbus Northwest, with extensive management experience across multiple teams

· Format: By Zoom (session will be recorded for those unable to attend live)

· Duration: 90 minutes

· When: Thursday, March 26, 2026

· Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

This training will focus on practical tips you can implement immediately, with just enough management theory to provide context. Whether you're new to staff management or looking to refine your skills, this session promises valuable insights for your ministry.

The training is free – Register here.

Hello Nazarene Ministry Leaders,

We are praying for the Lord’s abundant blessing on your districts, churches, and local communities as the 2026 Easter season approaches. Now is the time to unite with thousands of Nazarenes across the USA and Canada for the 2026 Half-Million Mobilization — praying from Easter through Pentecost and beyond for the Spirit’s leading and empowerment as we focus on Becoming Christlike Disciples.

Please click here to access helpful resources, including the Mobilized for Becoming Christlike Disciples prayer journal (available to order in English and download in Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole, French, and Korean), as well as a free 8-week sermon series available in those same languages.

Stay tuned, as we will have children resources coming soon!

Will you join us in this focused season as we seek to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world? Let’s not leave even one behind!

Serving together,

USA/Canada Regional Team

Pastor’s Leadership Day

Date: Thursday, February 19

Location: Mount Vernon Nazarene University – Thorne Performance Hall/R.R. Hodges Chapel

Hospitality: A lite continental breakfast and lunch will be provided for all attendees.

Please mark your calendars and plan to be part of this important day. Together, let’s shape the future of theological education and strengthen the church for generations to come.

Click to Register

SCO NDI to Offer Scholarships

Applications are due March 15, and recipients will be announced at the NYI Convention this spring.

South Central Ohio NDI is excited to offer scholarships for students pursuing an undergraduate degree at MVNU or NBC. This opportunity is open to graduating high school seniors and adult learners who are active members of a Nazarene church on the SCO district and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Preference is given to students pursuing education, social work, or vocational ministry, but all eligible students are encouraged to apply.

The application can be found here:

South Central Ohio District

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

Classes are part of the new Church of the Nazarene non-degree Course of Study
All 21 courses meet academic requirements for those seeking ordination
Classes are 8 weeks long and meet once a week via Zoom
Each class requires approximately 15 hours per week, including class time, reading, assignments, and practical ministry experience
Courses are facilitated by ordained pastors from the four partner districts
Denomination-developed content is delivered through MVNU’s Learning Management System (Moodle)

Cost & Scholarships

$175 per class
Scholarships are available through participating districts and local churches for those serving in local ministry, reducing the overall cost

Class Schedule

All 21 classes are offered over a 3-year cycle
One of the two required classes (of the six needed for a first-time District License) is offered annually
Two classes per session are offered across five sessions each year:
Spring A • Spring B • Summer • Fall A • Fall B

Registration & More Information

Learn more: School of Ministry
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

Click here for more information: 2026 Global Week of Prayer – Church of the Nazarene

As the 2026 Global Week of Prayer approaches, NMI would like to invite the church to pray for the needs of our global churches and districts with requests from the regions.

This is the 30th year of the Global Week of Prayer, and we have some new and exciting resources to share with you!

May this week be a sacred time as we serve as the global missions advocate in every local church, nurturing a spirit of missions and mobilizing into action, impacting people around the world. Thank you for praying!

February 16 – 17: Prayer Retreat (HHRC)

February 19: Pastor’s Leadership Day at MVNU

February 21: Equip Conference – This event will be for all Pastors, Staff members, NDI Presidents, and anyone at your church who is interested in 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 21: NYI District BLAST – Circleville Heritage Church

April 18: NMI/NYI Convention – Circleville Heritage Church

April 17 – 18: MVNU Women’s Auxiliary Spring Conference

April 26 – 27: SCO District Assembly

June 14 – 17: Junior-High Camp – HHRC

June 17 – 20: Senior-High Camp – HHRC

July 1 – 7: Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC)

July 12 – 19: District Camp Meeting

July 19 – 25: Children’s Camp

District Mission Team Trip – We have a district mission team of 48 people leaving for Panama on February 7 through the 14th for medical missions, construction work, Jesus Film distribution, and VBS. Would you join us by praying now through February 14. There are a lot of logistics to a trip like this and we want God glorified in everything. Pray that God set apart this team to be a great conduit of His love and grace.

Global Week of Prayer – March 1 – 7 2026, will focus on one world region each day.

“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.