digitalchurch
Aug 18, 2026 Leave a Comment

SCO District – District Tour

sco-import-1724d45b24a92c3faa2d9f1e5278b5f5a2fa3f8b801a94783847a1c07c02ddc0

So often, when the district hosts a leadership gathering, our churches drive to us. This November, we’re flipping that script: the district team is loading up and coming to the four corners of the South Central Ohio District for a four-night Leadership Tour.

Mark your calendar:

November 8–11, 2026

6:30–8:30 p.m. – At a church near you!

• Nov. 8 — Cornerstone (Wheelersburg)

• Nov. 9 — Gallipolis First

• Nov. 10 — Grace Community (New Lexington)

• Nov. 11 — Dayspring (Canal Winchester)

Why are we doing this? Honestly, it’s simple. We want to say thank you, and we want to make it easier for you to say yes. Pastors, treasurers, board members, and other church leaders already carry full schedules, and driving across the district for one more evening meeting is a real ask.

So this time, we’re bringing the meeting closer to you — a small way of saying we see you, and we’re grateful for you.

Each evening follows the same rhythm

6:30–7:15 p.m. — Plenary Session. Introductions, gratitude, and a short teaching on the Three Cs of Leadership: Character, Competence, and Charisma.

7:15–8:00 p.m. — Workshops. Tailored to your role. Pastors and board members will dig into board training and leadership development with Eddie Estep. Treasurers will get hands-on FTM training and best practices with Josh Cook. NDI leaders — Sunday school teachers and small group leaders — will explore “The Heart, Hands, and Habits of Discipleship.” NMI and NYI leaders will be resourced as well.

8:00–8:30 p.m. — Resources and Conversation. How can the district best serve you?

This isn’t just for lead pastors. It’s for every leader in your church — experienced, new, and emerging — church board members, Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, and anyone God is stirring toward greater ministry. If you’ve been wondering whether you’re “leader enough” to attend, the answer is yes.

Pick the night closest to you, gather a few leaders from your church, and come. We’re not asking you to make the trip this time — we’re making it, because you’re worth it.

We can’t wait to see you there.

Eddie Estep

SCO District Superintendent

URGENT NEED – PLEASE READ THE FLYER BELOW

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE DISTRICT

One Hope (Westerville)

What a privilege it was to worship on Sunday with the congregation at the One Hope campus of Westerville Naz! Many nations were represented, making it a beautiful and meaningful time of worship. We are especially thankful for the leadership of Pastor Jeremy and Annie Stanley!

LDI Training Facilitated by:

Dr. Stan Reeder

Crucial Conversations

A great day of Leadership Development on August 11! There were nearly 75 people who came together at the HHRC for a one-day conference focused on Crucial Conversations, led by Dr. Stan Reeder.

So many valuable insights, meaningful discussions, and practical tools were offered to help us navigate important conversations with greater confidence and care. Grateful for a wonderful day of growth and learning!

Leadership Day Meetings

Our district leadership came together on August 15 for a day of training, appreciation, and meaningful meetings. We are so thankful for the incredible leaders at SCO who are committed to serving the Lord and faithfully investing in the people of our district and beyond. Special thanks to the following leaders who are leading their teams with excellence, serving with purpose, and making a meaningful impact.

Carol Lee Carpenter

District NMI President

carolleec7@gmail.com

Pastor Christina McCully

District NYI President

christiana@newarknaz.org

Pastor Dan Meek

District NDI President

dan@newarknaz.org

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 from 10am-3pm for a time of spiritual refreshment, practical encouragement, and meaningful community with fellow young clergy (40 and under). Whether you’re feeling energized or running on empty, this day is for you. RSVP here

Young Clergy Refresh Day – Fill out form

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 Quarter Reports

More encouraging reports!

“We began a weekly prayer service. We have issued a new local minister’s license.” – Columbus Northwest

“Hundreds are being served each week through our Celebrate Recovery ministry and our partnership with Appalachian Reach Out.” – Cornerstone

“This last quarter has been marked by a sense of renewal. New people hungry for life change and an authentic encounter with God are coming every week. Our people are catching the vision.” – Pataskala

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.

Registration for the Christmas Banquet will be open September 15!

RESOURCE HIGHLIGHTS

Pastor, did you know. . .

● 75% of Christian Men and 40% of Christian women report struggling with pornography at least occasionally.

● The average age of first exposure to explicit pornography is age 9-11.

● 80% of adults who identify as LGBTQ+ grew up in a Christian church. Over half left the church as soon as they turned 18!

● 20-30% of Generation Z identifies as LGBTQ+.

82% of Christians say no one is helping them with their struggle with pornography!

We need to go on the offensive in the Church . . . Before It Begins!!!!

Traditional purity programs (groups, workbooks, counselors) are not enough. The need for additional care is compelling! We need a solution that offers:

1) Services for everyone

2) Discipleship before failure

3) Safe first steps

4) LGBTQ+ Engagement

5) Whole-church vision

6) Tools for public witness

Create a culture of holy sexuality in your church and community! Take advantage of our Local Church Programs:

1. Host a virtual or in-person “THE RETURN of the Imago Dei” event.

2. Invest in additional workshop training with strategic groups within the church.

3. Establish preventative and restorative ministry solutions for your leaders and people.

Sample topics and audiences

Parents

Youth

Leaders

Pornography

LGBTQ+

Marital Intimacy

Sexual Restoration Training

Identity Evangelism & Discipleship

Cultural Engagement

Holy Sexuality & Intimacy with God

All Before It Begins Local Church Programs are biblical, practical, & encouraging!

To learn more about our Local Church Programs, contact Before It Begins to schedule a meeting or click here: Before It Begins Programs for Local Churches. Or take advantage of our complementary 30-60 minute zoom training for your church leadership team about: How to Create a Culture of Holiness and Biblical Sexuality in Your Church Community.

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

Even in the heat of summer, we are beginning to prepare for Christmas, and we hope you will make plans to join us.

The 2026 NCM Christmas Project, Room for Every Child, will highlight how local churches around the world are caring for children displaced by conflict, disaster, poverty, and instability.

Across every world region, Nazarene churches are opening their doors through schools, child development centers, emergency relief efforts, safe spaces, meals, tutoring programs, trauma care, and Christ-centered community. Through these ministries, children are finding stability, continuing their education, receiving emotional and spiritual care, and discovering a place to belong.

Throughout Advent, we will share stories of churches in Trinidad, Kenya, the Philippines, and more, walking alongside displaced children and their families with compassion, dignity, and hope. We invite you and your church to begin making plans to participate through prayer, giving, and sharing these stories with others.

Help Make Room for Every Child: Become a Christmas Project Ambassador

The Christmas Project Ambassador program is returning for 2026. Ambassadors will help churches and communities engage with Room for Every Child by sharing stories, encouraging prayer, and inviting others to support local churches caring for displaced children around the world.

The ambassador program sign-up is not yet open, but more information and ready-to-share resources will be available soon. For now, we invite you to begin praying about how you might help make room for every child this Advent season.

Now

• Save space on your church’s Advent calendar.

• Plan to talk with your pastor, church board, or NMI president. Start by checking out this guide.

• Share examples of last year’s Christmas Project resources to help leaders imagine how your church could participate.

• Watch for ambassador registration and new resources coming early October.

All ambassador resources will be free and designed to make it simple for churches, small groups, families, and individuals to participate.

Every child deserves a place to belong. Together, we can help make room at the table, in the classroom, in the community, and in the family of God.

More details are coming soon. Thank you for beginning to pray about how you and your church might participate in the 2026 NCM Christmas Project.

~Nazarene Compassionate Ministries

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:

Church Planting Essential Training

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

Ministry Team Retreat – SCO District

November 13-14: MVNU Homecoming

November 8-11: District Leadership Tour 6:30-8:30 pm Locations:

Nov. 8 Cornerstone; Nov. 9 Gallipolis; Nov. 10 Grace Community; Nov. 11 Day Spring

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

February 20: Equip (Location TBA)

Pray for all of the communities on our district and beyond affected by the flooding.

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.