digitalchurch
Jun 9, 2026 Leave a Comment

SCO District – Beyond Gathering – The Call to Send

sco-import-dde3eb751406342136795ef2a69e7ba8e13c2d04c118961bddafc18b0ae9f9cc

SCO District Updates:

June 9, 2026

Beyond Gathering; The Call to Send

Last fall, my oldest daughter left Ohio to attend college in Idaho. Like many parents, my wife and I spent weeks helping her prepare, pack, and plan. After several days of driving across the country and a couple of days of orientation, the moment finally arrived. We hugged her goodbye, climbed into a shuttle headed for the airport, and began our journey home.

As we pulled away from campus, there were tears in our eyes and sadness in our hearts. The daughter we had loved, raised, and invested in for eighteen years would now be more than 2,000 miles away. One of the strange realities of parenting is that success often feels like loss.

Yet beneath the sadness was something else: gratitude. She was doing exactly what we had spent years preparing her to do. As parents, we spend years investing in our children. We teach them, guide them, pray for them, and sacrifice for them. Yet the goal was never simply to keep them close. The goal was to prepare them to go.

I have been thinking lately about how similar that is to the mission of the Church. Jesus did not call us merely to gather people. He called us to make disciples. And disciples, by their very nature, are sent people.

Sometimes when we hear the phrase “church planting,” we imagine large churches, special funding, or uniquely gifted leaders. But church planting begins long before a launch team gathers in a school gym or community center. It begins when a local church intentionally develops people who are willing to follow God’s call wherever He leads.

Every church on our district can participate in multiplication. Not every church will launch a new congregation this year, but every church can pray for new works, identify emerging leaders, invest in discipleship, and cultivate a culture of sending. Healthy churches do not merely ask, “How can we grow?” They also ask, “Who is God preparing us to send?”

Just as healthy parents prepare their children to leave home, healthy churches prepare disciples to be sent into God's mission. My prayer is that our district would become known not simply for the churches we have, but for the disciples and leaders we are continually sending into the harvest field.

The harvest is still plentiful. May we be faithful in preparing and sending workers.

Pastor Joshua Porterfield

SCO Director of Church Planting

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE DISTRICT

Our last workday at HHRC before camps kick off will be this Saturday, June 13. We’ll begin around 8:30am and work till around 3:00pm – or whenever you need to leave.

Let’s make it a great one!

SCO Naz Kids’ Camp is almost here — and your child won’t want to miss it! A week packed with adventure, friends, faith, and unforgettable summer fun. Check out the QR code above – Registration closes on July 6th!

SCO Camp Meeting – July 12 – 19

SCO District Open House Invitation

We invite you to stop by the SCO District Office’s new HHRC location on Sunday, July 12, from 4:00–5:30 pm. Explore the space, meet our team, and join us in celebrating this new chapter. All are welcome to attend!

Camp Meeting Speakers and Worship Leader

Worship Leader – Dan Anderson

Dan Anderson serves as a worship leader at Heritage Church of the Nazarene with a passion for creating Christ-centered worship experiences that draw people closer to God. With a heart for the local church, he has led worship in various churches, revivals, and camp meetings in Iowa, West Virginia, and Ohio. Dan is honored to be part of this year’s SCO Nazarene Camp meeting and looks forward to worshipping together as a community of faith.

Speaker – Rev. Wendell Brown

Rev. Wendell Brown served as a lead pastor in three growing churches varying in size from 20 to 1,200 before being appointed District Superintendent of the North Central Ohio District of the Church of the Nazarene in 2017. Every church he pastored doubled in size under his leadership and 1,928 people gave their hearts to Jesus Christ for the first time in their lives. In addition to pastoring he founded Tragedy Into Triumph a ministry that uses the power of testimony to share God's love, reaching over a million people in the last year. He has a tremendous heart for leadership development and believes passionately that every Christian leader must take their place in the Great Commission. Wendell has authored the book LIVING IN TRIUMPH which is available at major book retailers.

He was a combat medic in the 82nd Airborne Division. He also coached a high school basketball team to three Final Four appearances and back-to-back state titles. He is married to Tammi and they reside in Howard, OH. Together they have 4 adult children: Emma (married to Wyatt), Abigail (married to Joseph), Grace and Christian.

Speaker – Dr. Geoff Kunselman

Geoff pastored Nazarene churches in Maysville, Kentucky; Columbus, Ohio; and Columbia, South Carolina, over a twenty-five-year period. In 2008, he was appointed as Superintendent of the Northwestern Ohio District. He served in that capacity until his 2023 assignment as Stewardship Development Director for the Church of the Nazarene.

It has been his privilege to serve the broader interests of the Church of the Nazarene, including serving as chair of the MVNU Board of Trustees, the Global Missions Committee of the General Board, and Nazarene Benefits USA.

Geoff is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Eastern Nazarene College. He enjoys the outdoors, National Parks, growing flowers, and about anything with a ball. Geoff and Mona Kunselman have been married for forty-three years. They are the parents of two daughters and four grandchildren.

Camp Meeting Merchandise!

Get ready for Camp Meeting 2026 with our official merch! 🎉Browse the full collection using the link below and place your order by June 26, 2026. All items will be available for pickup right at camp meeting. Don’t miss out on this year’s gear! Link below:

South Central Ohio District Spirit Wear 2026 | Blank Slate Printing LLC

SCO Naz Kids!

Camp Meeting is also for our kids: Nursery, pre-school, and school age. There will be services each night of Camp Meeting that will include games, snacks, crafts and diving into God’s Word!

Support Our Family Fun Day & Cruise‑In We’re gearing up for an exciting week at Camp Meeting, and we need your help to make Family Fun Day and the Cruise‑In unforgettable! We’re asking each church to donate fun, family‑friendly prizes ($5–$50 value) to be used throughout the events.

Think toys, games, gift cards, car‑care goodies, BBQ favorites, family fun packs, or creative themed baskets. We’ll sort everything by age group so everyone—from kids to adults—gets to join the excitement.

Donations can be dropped off with Pastor Brittany at Whitehall Naz or brought on opening night. Interested in volunteering? Pastor Brittany would love to hear from you. Let’s come together to bless our district families and make this year’s Camp Meeting at Hocking Hills Retreat Center one to remember!

Starting May 11 and running through June 20, we launched a 40 Days of Vision Campaign to raise both awareness and $500,000 for the next phase of HHRC’s development. We are currently in the construction document phase and will be ready to break ground as soon as the funds are raised. More details are available at www.hockinghillsretreatcenter.org.

Young Clergy Refresh Day

Young Clergy Refresh Day is a one-day gathering designed to encourage, renew, and connect young pastors across our district. Join us on September 12th at Hocking Hills Retreat Center for a time of spiritual refreshment, practical encouragement, and meaningful community with other young clergy (40 and under). Whether you’re feeling energized or running on empty, this day is for you. Registration and more details will be available in July.

Ministry Team Retreat

October 2-4, 2026

We’re thrilled to share that our next Ministry Team Retreat is set for October 2–4 in the peaceful beauty of Amish Country. We are honored to welcome Rev. Dale Schaeffer (Steph), District Superintendent of the Florida District, as our guest speaker for the weekend.

Prepare for a meaningful time of rest, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. It’s the perfect opportunity to step away from the busyness of ministry. Watch for additional information and registration coming soon.

New Event for Ministry Spouses!

We are excited to announce a one-day event exclusively for spouses of those in ministry on the SCO district! This gathering will take place on Saturday, January 16, 2027, at the home of Diane Estep (in Byesville, OH).

We are creating a time and space for spouses of pastors to push pause and Reset and do it with other people who understand the role of a pastor’s spouse. This district event will be from 9:30am to 3:30pm and will include snacks, lunch, and coffee (or tea!) The cost is only $10 to reserve your spot!

If interested, please email resetminiretreat@gmail.com and let Diane Estep or Darla Batson know you are interested in attending. This would be the perfect time to contact your ministry spouse friend on the district and bring them with you, or an excellent time to get to know the spouses on the district better! This event is limited to the first 40 who sign up. If needed, an additional date will be added.

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS

Dr. Jeffrey Johnson has been elected as the USA/Canada regional director for the Church of the Nazarene and began serving in the role on May 1, 2026. He served as the superintendent of the South Texas District, a role he had held since 2013.

A lifelong minister and leader in the Church of the Nazarene, Dr. Johnson has served in a variety of pastoral and district roles, including youth pastor, lead pastor, and district superintendent across churches in Tennessee, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. His pastoral assignments have included First Church of the Nazarene in Portland, Council Bluffs, and Houston (now Graceway Church of the Nazarene).

Dr. Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University, a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Asbury Theological Seminary.

He is known for his relational leadership, passion for missions, and commitment to Christlike discipleship. Dr. Johnson is the son of the late General Superintendent Talmadge Johnson and has been married to his wife, Julie, since 1985. They are blessed with two beautiful married daughters and three amazing grandchildren who bring so much joy and life to their family.

Check out this message from Dr. Johnson!

Make It Matter: Turning Summer

Outreach Into Lasting Change

NMI welcomes you to a dynamic Zoom training event on June 15th at 6:00 PM (EST) – designed to inspire and equip you for a powerful summer of ministry.

Summer brings countless opportunities for community outreach. In this training – led by Sam and Kristi Senica (USA/Canada Mobilization) – you will discover practical, creative ways to turn outreach into meaningful connections that impact your community.

Know someone who has a heart for outreach? Invite them to join us! You won’t want to miss it!

Spanish translation available.

Zoom Link

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries

Update on 2025 Christmas Project!

When Plans Changed

Through the 2025 Christmas Project, you helped support Nazarene schools in Lebanon and Jordan, creating spaces where children could learn, grow, and experience care within the life of the church.

In recent months, the increased conflict has changed daily life across the region. In Lebanon, many families have been displaced, schools have faced disruptions, and communities are navigating fear and uncertainty. In Jordan, while daily life continues in many ways, the effects of regional conflict are still felt by students and families.

This is not what we had hoped for. And yet, thanks to your generosity, these schools and churches were already in place and ready to respond.

"Becoming Christlike Disciples"
Grant Money Available

The USA/Canada Region is offering two types of grants for churches to support creative ministries that help people Become Christlike Disciples in this new 2026-2027 church year. Funds may be used to launch or expand outreach efforts that engage your community and introduce people to the hope of the gospel.

A one-time $500 non-matching grant (geared toward but not limited to churches with 100 people or fewer)
A $1,000 matching grant (your church contributes $1,000 and we match it with $1,000 – It does not matter where the $1,000 funds come from…church budget, donation, offering, etc.

Applications are now open! Click here to learn more and apply.

June 14 – 17: Middle School Camp – HHRC (completed 6th grade through completed 8th)

June 17 – 20: High School Camp – HHRC (completed 9th grade through completed 12th)

July 1 – 7: Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC)

July 12: SCO District Office Open House (HHRC)

July 12 – 19: District Camp Meeting

July 19 – 22: Children’s Camp (4th through 6th grade)

July 23 – 25: Children’s Camp (1st through 3rd grade)

August 11: Crucial Conversations – HHRC Register here:

Crucial Conversations with Dr. Stan Reeder – South Central Ohio District

October 2 – 4: Ministry Team Retreat (MTR) Amish Country

Pray for our District Superintendent, Dr. Eddie, and his wife, Diane, as they begin their sabbatical May 3 to June 14. Ask God to bless them with deep rest and a refreshed spirit.

Pray with us that God will help us plant many new congregations in the next 5 years, both within the I-270 outer belt and across the district. Who might God be calling? Where might God be calling?