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| THREE WEEKS UNTIL THE LEADERSHIP TOUR COMES TO YOU!
Mark your calendars: In just three weeks, the South Central Ohio District Leadership Tour rolls out to four churches across our district. If you lead a congregation—or serve on a board or in ministry—this is for you.
Here’s the schedule: November 8 – Cornerstone (Wheelersburg) November 9 – Gallipolis First November 10 – Grace Community (New Lexington) November 11 – Dayspring (Canal Winchester)
Each evening runs 6:30–8:30 p.m., and we’re bringing the district team to you so you don’t have to travel across Ohio for a single meeting.
What to expect: A plenary session on the “Three C’s of Leadership” (Character, Competence, Connections), followed by workshops designed for your specific role—whether you’re a pastor, board member, treasurer, or a leader in discipleship or youth ministry or missions. We’ll wrap up each night with time to ask questions and connect with district staff.
Why now? Because leadership in the local church is the work that matters. You’re navigating meetings, setting priorities, allocating limited resources, vision casting, and caring for people in real time. This tour is our way of saying: we see that work. We want to come alongside you.
Bring your team. Bring your questions. Whether you’re in your first year of leadership or your fortieth, there’s something here for you.
The tour is three weeks away. Don’t miss it. |
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| Eddie Estep District Superintendent |
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NEWS FROM ACROSS THE DISTRICT |
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Lower Lights Community
On Sunday, October 11, Pastor Gary Webb was installed as pastor at Lower Lights Community. We celebrate this new beginning for both Lower Lights and the Webb family (Gary, Kendra, and Braxton). |
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| Ministry Team Christmas Banquet
It’s time to register for our annual Ministry Team Christmas Banquet that will be held at The Naz (Grove City) on Monday, November 30. You will be able to enjoy a hot chocolate and coffee bar at 6:15 p.m. when the doors open. There will also be photo opportunities throughout the lobby area.
Come enjoy beautiful music, an inspiring word from Dr. Estep, and a wonderful dinner surrounded by your district family. If you have questions, please contact Darla Batson at [email protected].
Register for the Christmas Banquet here:
Christmas Banquet – South Central Ohio District
Registration will end at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13. (The caterer will need a final head count.) |
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| | | A Wonderful Weekend of Fellowship at MTR!The Ministry Team Retreat (MTR) brought our district together once again at the beautiful Carlisle Inn in Amish Country. It was a refreshing and relaxing weekend filled with meaningful fellowship, renewed encouragement, and inspiring messages from Dale and Steph Schaeffer each day. What a blessing it was to step away from the busyness of everyday life, connect with one another, and grow together as a district! Be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s Ministry Team Retreat, October 1–3, 2027, as we look forward to gathering again at the Carlisle Inn! |
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| Please contact Pastor Jerry Carpenter at [email protected] for more information or your availability to help with this great need. |
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| | | Search Has Begun for HHRC’s Next Camp Manager |
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| For many years, Rodney Kuhn (along with Miriam) has poured his life into Hocking Hills Retreat Center, shepherding the camp through seasons of growth and ministry that have shaped countless guests in their walk with Jesus. As Rodney prepares to step into retirement, we want to pause and give thanks — for his steady leadership, his servant’s heart, and his faithful stewardship of this sacred place. His legacy at HHRC will bear fruit for years to come, and we are grateful beyond words for his long and effective service.
With Rodney’s retirement approaching, the HHRC Board has begun the search for the camp’s next Camp Manager. This is, first and foremost, a spiritual leadership role. We are seeking someone with a vibrant, growing relationship with Jesus Christ, a heart for discipleship, and a calling to create a safe, welcoming, and spiritually nurturing environment for all who come to HHRC.
The new Camp Manager will oversee daily operations, staff, budget, programming, and risk management, while also growing HHRC’s online presence and representing the camp among our churches, schools, and community partners. Ideal candidates will hold a bachelor’s degree in a related field (or equivalent experience), bring 3–5 years of leadership experience in camp or ministry work, and be willing to live near the Retreat Center.
Please join us in praying for HHRC, for the HHRC Board, and for the person God is preparing for this role. If you or someone you know may be called to this ministry, we would love to hear from you. Submit a resume, a testimony of faith, and professional references to [email protected]. |
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NYI NIGHT OF WORSHIP All students are welcome to join us for a NYI Night of Worship on November 14th at 6:30 p.m. We will be gathering for worship at the Hocking Hills Retreat Center. This is completely free, but we are asking that students bring a canned good that will be donated to food pantries on our district. Please contact Pastor Ryan Etterling for any questions at [email protected] |
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| Second Quarter Reports
Highlighted this week:
“We are thankful for renewed energy and momentum in the church. Our people are serving faithfully, our community outreach continues to grow, and our online ministry is reaching more people with the gospel. God continues to remind us that even a smaller congregation can make a meaningful impact when we faithfully serve together.” – Great City
“God is still in control, and He has great things in store for our future.” – Circleville Heritage
“The church board and pastors just went through a Vision, Strategy and future Planning Retreat for three days. As a result, our church is pushing forward in trying to break the “200” attendance barrier by being intentional in evaluating what we are doing and look forward to developing our hospitality experience and voluntarism in and ways to include newcomers into the life of the church. Our end goal is to reach “The One” or “The Ones” that we want to see walking with Jesus.” – Logan |
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Part of being a great leader is recognizing our need to be continually growing. That is why SCO NYI has purchased the Download Youth Ministry National Day of Volunteer Youth Training 2026 video series to share with you. This training is 3 hour video training that is TED-talk-style from dynamite youth ministry leaders. It’s fun, energizing, and challenging.
You can watch the videos on your own, gather all your youth volunteers together from your local church, or host several churches. You can download the training using the link below:
NDOVT_Youth Training 2026 – Google Drive
For more information, please contact Pastor Christina McCully at [email protected].
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| Missionary Speakers Available This Winter
Global missionaries Rev. Admirado and Celeste Chaguala are available to visit our churches in December and January to share what God is doing through the Church of the Nazarene in Africa. Originally from Mozambique, Admirado serves as Administrative Assistant to the Africa Regional Director and as Field Strategy Coordinator for Africa Central, overseeing ministry strategy and leadership development across 10 districts in 8 countries. The Chagualas are available December 1–20, 2026, and January 4–17, 2027. This is a wonderful opportunity for your congregation to hear firsthand stories of mission and deepen its prayer partnership with Africa. To schedule a visit, contact Admirado directly at [email protected]. |
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NBUSA’s Student Loan Matching Program can help. Eligible Nazarene ministers can receive retirement plan matching contributions based on qualifying student loan payments. Simply upload your student loan payment information through myNBUSA, and NBUSA will process the match. It’s an opportunity to make progress on your student debt while building toward a stronger financial future. Learn how the program works and how to submit your payments with NBUSA’s Student Loan Payment Guide |
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| 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 Dayspring November 30: District Christmas Banquet (Grove City – The Naz) Christmas Banquet – South Central Ohio District January 22-24: NYI District Winter Retreat February 12 – 15: Clergy Kids Retreat (7th through 12th grade) – Kalahari Resort – Register here:
Clergy Kids Retreat February 20: Equip (Location TBA) June 9-12: Junior-High Camp June 14-17: Senior-High Camp June 25 – July 2: General Assembly (Kansas City) July 11 – 18: Camp Meeting (HHRC) |
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| Remember our Rutland Church (Pastor Robbie Keene) as they recover from flooding, and deal with cleanup of the church facility.
The God will help the South Central Ohio District start churches, strengthen churches, and develop leaders.
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. |
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| Belpre – Rev. Keith Hostutler, Interim Pastor
Circleville Heritage – Dr. Mark Fuller, Interim Pastor (effective October 25) |
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