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Jun 23, 2026 Leave a Comment

SCO District – Sabbatical Recap

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SCO District Updates:

June 23, 2026

Sabbatical Recap

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Sabbaticals are a wonderful gift, and this one was life-giving. The first three weeks were spent tackling various projects at home – laying brick pavers, staining and sealing Diane’s raised bed garden, and completing a book manuscript. I spent the next week with my father. For the last ten years, I’ve given him the Christmas gift of an AMTRAK-trip – Dad has always loved trains. We were joined this year by my brothers, Scott and Steve, as we traveled from Kansas City to Omaha and back. The gift of unhurried time, many Rook games, exploring new places, and wandering through a couple of railroad museums, was good for my soul – and exactly the kind of unhurried life I rarely get to live.

The rest of the sabbatical brought its own gifts. What’s in Your Heart? (the fifth book in the biblical leadership series published by The Foundry) was completed toward the end of the sabbatical. Diane and I wrapped up the sabbatical with a cruise, celebrating our 42nd anniverary.

Sunday, June 14, I stepped back into the saddle by preaching three times and installing two pastors.

I’m grateful for the District Advisory Board for providing the sabbatical, and for District Secretary, Kevin Angel and the district office team, who filled in admirably during my six-week absence. Thank you for your prayers, as well. I returned refreshed, renewed, and ready to serve the South Central Ohio District with a full heart and renewed energy.

Youth Camps

For the first time in thirty years, our teenagers came home — to Hocking Hills. Middle School and Senior High Camps took place last week at Hocking Hills Retreat Center (HHRC). This milestone was made possible by the heroic work of Development Director Pastor Rob Paugh and the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to prepare the facility. The new bunkhouse dorms and lake received rave reviews, the food service was spectacular, and thanks go to camp director Pastor Gary Webb, the adult staff, and the kitchen crew for their investment in our teenagers. Many campers experienced transforming moments that will become significant milestones on their spiritual journey. We continue to raise money for a dining hall, which will significantly expand HHRC’s ministry capability. Thank you for your generosity.

Eddie Estep

SCO District Superintendent

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE DISTRICT

Dr. Greg (Elaine) Mason Installed as Pastor at Cornerstone

Gregory D. Mason grew up in Springfield, Ohio where he met and married his wife Elaine (Flack) in 1976. They have three adult children, Chad (Leigh Ann), Ryan (Jyl), and Angela Joy Wells (Justin), nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Greg has spent the past several years helping churches as interim pastor, and preaching revivals and Camp Meetings. Prior to this he served as District Superintendent of the Mississippi and Louisiana Districts (simultaneously) and then the North Carolina District. He has served as Interim DS for the South Carolina and the Northwestern Ohio Districts. Prior to being a DS he served 26 years as a pastor in Wisconsin (Minong Faith and Baraboo First), Kentucky (Georgetown First) and Northwest Illinois (Pekin First). He was instrumental in planting two churches, Reedsburg Community in Wisconsin and Bridgeway Community in Illinois.

Rev. Derek Catron Installed as Pastor at South Point

Derek was born in Ohio and grew up in the small town of Ashville. He was born into a family of faith and with his mother, was in church from the beginning of his life. God called him to preach the Word and into the ministry at the age of 15. He ran from the call for a year, then finally accepted it. He began preaching in different churches and at events. He graduated from Ohio Christian University in 1994 with a Bachelors of Arts in Christian Ministries degree and has served for 34 years on staff and as lead pastor in churches in Ohio, Florida, Louisiana, Kansas, and Kentucky. He loves reading, spending time with family and friends, cooking, baking, BBQ, golf, and everything related to THE Ohio State University Buckeyes sports, especially football. He lost his wife Amy to pancreatic cancer in January 2025. Together they have two children, Ben and Emi. Ben is 26 years old and works as an elementary Para Teachers Assistant. He loves kids, reading, spending time with his cousins, their dog Harley and cat Hazel. Emi will be attending MVNU in the fall, majoring in Elementary Education. She has a dream to teach and influence kids to live their best life. She loves Harley and Hazel more than her brother and dad put together, spending time with cousins, and a party with games with everyone.

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!

Ministry Team Retreat

October 2-4, 2026

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. Registration coming July 7.

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS

Did you know. . .

More than one in five Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ (Gallup poll)
80% of adults who identify as LGBTQ+ grew up in a Christian church (Us. vs. Us; Marin)
Over half left the church as soon as they turned 18! (Us. vs. Us; Marin)

For the church, the LGBTQ topic presents both a threat and an opportunity. There is an ideology seeking to indoctrinate our people, especially our youth, into a false worldview and practice that is sinful and does not lead toward human flourishing. At the same time, this topic is much more than just an “issue”, it is a people whom God loves and wants to be in His family.

Like it or not, this generation has chosen the LGBTQ topic to be a signature social cause, and how we respond will determine whether many want anything to do with your church, or even Jesus Christ himself.

In an effort to protect our people, especially our youth, from this threat, Before It Begins offers numerous resources and training materials to equip parents to talk to their kids about sex and gender using age-appropriate language, and to disciple them to grow into men and women after God’s heart and according to His design for their identity.

Upon this strong foundation, and with a heart to be the hands and feet of Jesus, we also offer resources and training materials to equip all of God’s people to evangelize this generation with the beauty of God’s design, not just for their sex and gender, but for their very identity. We also offer discipleship training for the church to come alongside believers who desire to follow Jesus, but struggle with same-sex attraction or gender dysphoria.

Check out the below links or contact Before It Begins directly to learn more about these and other services available to you as a result of our partnership.

https://sconaz.org/before-it-begins/
beforeitbegins.org
info@beforeitbegins.org
(805) 507-5511

"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.

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 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?

The Next Yes… for yourself, for your church, for your district.

SCO District Camp Meeting: July 12-19, 2026, at HHRC