NEWSLETTER.

A Most Taxing Day It strikes me as ironic that April 15—Tax Day—falls during Holy Week this year, and even more ironic that April 15, 2025 is a Tuesday. It was on the Tuesday of Holy Week that Jesus was asked to address the issue of paying taxes. It seems that paying taxes was as hot an issue in Jesus’ day as it is in ours, and popular speakers like Jesus were expected to have a word on the matter. The Pharisees and Herodians, political enemies, had teamed up to trap Jesus, using the issue of paying taxes as bait. …

Imagine! As we reflect on the last year and anticipate district assembly, I’m filled with great anticipation, excitement, and joy about the future. I invite you to begin imagining the boundless possibilities that lie ahead for the South Central Ohio District. –   Imagine churches being started in communities that need the message of holiness. –    Imagine churches being strengthened and becoming vibrant and fruitful. –    Imagine leaders being developed and resourced “To Make Christlike disciples in the nations.” –    Imagine youth and children’s camps where students are coming to faith in Jesus, are being filled with the Spirit, and are being called to live lives of…

NMI & NYI Conventions: April 12th The Nazarene Youth International (NYI) and Nazarene Missions International (NMI) Conventions will take place Saturday, April 12th, at Heritage Church of the Nazarene in Circleville. NMI Convention is 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and NYI Convention is 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Delegates are encouraged to attend both conventions.  NMI Convention is a great opportunity to see the Great Commission come alive as you hear stories of God’s faithfulness and see the big picture of the church’s far-reaching impact through missions. We’re delighted to have Joyce Tempel as our mission speaker. Joyce will share inspiring stories…

Of New Beginnings, Lent, and Pruning Fruit Trees This is the first week of a new Church Year. March is the perfect time to start thinking ahead and making a missional plan for the year. January might kick things off, but let’s be real—it’s tough to pick up speed after the holiday chaos. February is all gloom and cold, so we’re just sort of coasting through, counting down the days until it’s over. But March is when we can really get things rolling! Lent also begins this week. Lent is to Easter what Advent is to Christmas—a season of preparation…

Thank You I want to take this opportunity to thank our pastors and churches for partnering with us in district ministries. Your faithful, and at times sacrificial, gifts allow us to accomplish more together than any one pastor or one church could accomplish on their own. As we focus on starting churches, strengthening churches, and developing leaders we continue to rely on our partnership and the synergy created when we share the same mission. Some churches contribute to the District Unified Ministries Fund each week, several contribute on a monthly basis, and a few contribute quarterly. We are grateful for all…

Looking Forward What are you looking forward to these days? Perhaps it is the arrival of Spring – the sight of the pink and white dogwood blossoms, the sound of a bat hitting a baseball, the smell of freshly cut grass, the taste of fresh strawberries. Here are a few things I’m looking forward to: EQUIP: February 22 at Pickerington Nazarene (PickNaz). Dan Meek, (SCO NDI Director) and his team are preparing a significant resourcing opportunity for pastors and lay leaders. SCO District Conventions: April 12, at Circleville Heritage. Carol Lee Carpenter (NMI) and Christina McCully (NYI) and their councils, are…

What Comes to Mind When You Think of Winter? When I think of winter, I’m reminded of the simple joys of childhood: sledding down hills and seeing icicles hanging from rocks on the road to my grandparents’ house at Christmas. And, as an adult, the unforgettable morning in 1995 when 22 inches of snow fell in Wilmore, KY, and snowflakes as big as silver dollars gently drifted from the sky. Each season holds its own unique beauty, and winter is no exception. This morning, the snow blankets the ground, sparkling in the sunlight, outshining any diamond. The crackling sound and…

New Start Congregation Registered! There is a question I’ve been asked often. Just a couple days ago I heard it again.  This time it was a pastor’s spouse posing the question, during a dinner with a dozen pastors and their spouses.  The question: “What is your vision for the South-Central Ohio District?”  The response came quickly: That we start churches, strengthen churches, and develop leaders. Before I ever arrived, plans had been laid by prior leadership regarding each of these priorities. Today’s announcement is not due to my work, but to the work of several other individuals, over several months….

Sharing Christmas Encouragement Want to bless a parsonage family or another church? With the arrival of the Advent season, several of our churches will be considering how they might encourage some of our ministerial families serving smaller congregations on the South Central Ohio District. When congregations adopt one or more of our pastors and their families, it really makes a difference! I’ve already had a couple occasions when a pastor has asked me to recommend someone they could bless. Your church may want to provide a love offering, Christmas gifts, or maybe even a scholarship to next year’s District Pastors…

Thanks – Giving I am greatly enjoying traveling the district, meeting our pastors, and visiting our churches. Thank you for the ways in which you are welcoming Diane and me and making us feel a part of the SCO family. In October, Diane and I had the privilege of spending several days in Africa (South Africa and Mozambique) with around 40 other leaders from the USA/Canada Region and the Africa Region. We were able to see first-hand the result of our giving for World Evangelism (WEF). The purpose of the trip was three-fold: 1) Strengthen our relationships, 2) Explore strategic…