digitalchurch
Aug 4, 2026 Leave a Comment

SCO District – Sustaining Circles

sco-import-1724d45b24a92c3faa2d9f1e5278b5f5a2fa3f8b801a94783847a1c07c02ddc0

BEFORE YOUR TANK RUNS DRY

A few months ago I went to fire up our gas grill so I could cook a delicious salmon dinner. But the click-click of the igniter announced the tragic truth: there was no fuel left in the propane tank! Cheryl and I settled for leftovers until I could exchange it for a full tank.

Have you ever discovered that your tank was empty?

Not the propane tank on your grill, but your reservoir of spiritual power.

That can be a frightening place to be, especially for those God has called into ministry leadership.

Shortly after my empty-tank mishap, I read Paul’s words in Romans 12:11:

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

Those words zeal and fervor sound an awful lot like the Holy Spirit’s power fueling our lives and ministry.

But the word that stopped me in my tracks was never.

Really, Paul? Is it actually possible for our spiritual tank to never run dry?

I think about all the things that have drained my own tank over the years. Discouragement. Opposition. Loneliness. Long fruitless seasons. The relentless demands of ministry. How can anyone stay spiritually full through all of that?

Then I noticed the verse that comes just before it:

“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10).

Suddenly, Paul’s command made more sense.

Keeping our spiritual tank full is not something we can do alone. We do it in the company of people who are devoted to us . . . who care for us . . . who honor us by walking with us.

Or as John Wesley put it, a group of people who “watch over one another in love.”

We need others to help keep our spiritual tanks full.

And others need us to help keep their spiritual tanks full.

So here’s the question:

Who is on your tank-filling team?

If you don’t have one, perhaps it’s time to find one.

A Sustaining Circle is a small group of fellow travelers on this ministry journey. They meet monthly to share honestly, encourage one another, pray together, and remind each other of God’s faithfulness. In a calling where isolation and burnout are common, these relationships become one of God’s primary means of keeping us fueled for the long haul.

If you don’t have people intentionally watching over you in love, I’d like to invite you to join a Sustaining Circle. In September we are starting a new year of Circles across our district for:

*Lead Pastors

*Staff Pastors

*Ministry Spouses

*Retired Ministers

Contact Dennis King at pastordennis128@gmail.com or (607) 972-7619 to find the people who will help keep your tank full.

Pastor Dennis King

Director of Mentoring and Pastoral Flourishing

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE DISTRICT

As Columbus Shepherd moves toward their 100th Anniversary on July 4, 2027, one of their goals is to celebrate 270 baptisms. Every fourth Sunday is Baptism Sunday, giving them the opportunity to rejoice with those who have publicly declared their faith in Jesus.

This month, they celebrated three young people taking that important step. Their joyful expressions were a beautiful reminder of Christ's transforming power at work. Children's Pastor, Brett Dillinger, had the privilege of baptizing two of these students, making it a special day for their church family. We praise God for what He is doing at Columbus Shepherd and look forward to many more celebrations in the months ahead.

DON’T MISS THIS!

SPECIAL DAY OF LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Tuesday, August 11

Last day to register is this Thursday, August 6.

It’s going to be a great day!

Location: HHRC

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Lunch will be provided. Cost is $15 for the day.

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

Join Dr. Eddie for an inspiring Zoom LDI on Monday, September 14, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. This encouraging training will equip you with practical insights as we learn how to allow God to work through us and produce lasting, fruitful results.

There is no cost to attend. Please register here

Ten Habits of Fruitful Pastors- Training – South Central Ohio District to reserve your spot. The Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants as the event date approaches.

Join us September 18–19 at the SCO District Center at HHRC in Logan, Ohio, for DCPI’s Church Planting Essentials (CPE) Training.

This training is for anyone who wants to better understand what it means to plant a church—whether you’re interested in an organic model, a high-impact launch, a house church, or another expression of church planting. If you’re exploring a possible call to plant, curious about how church planting works, or simply passionate about The Great Commission and seeing new churches reach new people, we’d love for you to be part of it.

CPE provides practical, foundational training to help participants think biblically and strategically about the multiplication of disciples and starting healthy churches.

For more information or to register, go here:
https://sco.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3795775

Questions? Please contact Joshua Porterfield at newworks@sconaz.org.

To register, click HERE!

Single Cost for two nights: $425

Double Cost for two nights: $450

If you have any questions about the retreat or about registration, please reach out to Darla Batson at dbatson@sconaz.org. There are limited number of spots available so register early!

First Quarterly Reports

Encouraging reports!

“We are celebrating a bittersweet yet beautiful milestone in our ministry. Three beloved international students from Denison University, who have been a vibrant part of our church family, recently graduated and are moving on to their next chapters. Over the past four years, it has been an absolute joy to watch them grow deeply in their faith, and we recently held a special time of blessing and prayer for their futures. Looking ahead, our church desires to continue faithfully serving as a spiritual home and a vital support system for international students coming from Korea and around the world, helping them navigate both their faith and daily lives in a new land. We appreciate the district family’s prayers for our graduates and our ongoing campus outreach!” – Columbus – Korean Soh Mang

“The church just recently installed a playground, swing set area. We are starting small groups in the coming weeks.” – Living Faith

“Our Wednesday evening kids connect and LIFT youth group is growing. We were excited to have 18 kids/teens for Ash Wednesday in February. This past week we had 29 kids/teens!” – New Boston First

Featured Resource: Dreaming of Christmas – An Advent Devotional

Copies are available through The Foundry and Amazon. Consider ordering yours today and invite others to experience the joy of Advent together!

Prepare your heart for the Christmas season with Dreaming of Christmas: An Advent Devotional by our own District Superintendent, Dr. Eddie Estep.

This beautifully written devotional invites readers on a meaningful journey through Advent with daily Scripture, inspiring reflections, and thoughtful questions designed to deepen your faith and encourage personal application.

Whether you're looking for a resource for your own quiet time, a small group study, or a church-wide Advent experience, Dreaming of Christmas offers a wonderful way to celebrate the hope, peace, joy, and love of the season together.

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS

Save the date! MVNU Homecoming will be held November 13–14, 2026. Alumni, families, and friends are invited to return to campus for a weekend of celebration, connection, and MVNU traditions. Find event details and updates here

Homecoming | MVNU

NYC Impact Report

(Report from NYI International)

Thank you for praying for NYC! Testimonies continue to pour in from NYC 2026 about what the Lord did in our midst. So many have described the event as life-changing, and it’s clear we may never truly grasp its full impact. Check out this impact report Resources – Nazarene Youth Conference based on everything we’ve gathered in the wake of this monumental event. And don’t forget to relive any of the sessions from NYC 2026 by visiting our YouTube page!

Confidential Contact Information

Access all programs included in this partnership

beforeitbegins.org
info@beforeitbegins.org
(805) 507-5511

August 11: Crucial Conversations – HHRC – Register here:

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

September 14: LDI “Ten Habits of Fruitful Pastors” – Zoom – Register here:

Ten Habits of Fruitful Pastors- Training – South Central Ohio District

September 18 – 19: Church Planting Essential Training – HHRC – Register here:

https://sco.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3795775

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

Ministry Leader Retreat – South Central Ohio District

November 13-14: MVNU Homecoming

November 30: District Christmas Banquet (Grove City – The Naz)

January 16: Reset for Ministry Spouses (Estep’s Home – Byesville, Ohio)

Resetminiretreat@gmail.com or dbatson@sconaz.org

Children’s 30-Day Prayer Emphasis for Missions: August 2 – September 1.

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.