April - June 2009

Dr. Brian E. Wilson
District Superintendent

Ordination Interviews -- Board of Credentials
April 25 at College Church

Children's Talent in Training
May 2 at Joliet First Church
Visit www.WaukNaz.org and follow link

Pastors Reporting Day
May 11, 2009 -- Weber Center 8:30 -- 11:00
Come and Go

District Assembly 2009
June 14-15 at Kankakee First Church

More information coming soon to your local church

Summer Camps 2009
July 20-24 -- Teen Camp
July 27-30 -- Everyone Cares Camps
July 27-28 -- Rookie Camp
July 27-31 -- Kids' Camp

(more details and application forms forthcoming)

Dr. Paul G. Cunningham
General Superintendent

GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT CUNNINGHAM
TO PRESIDE OVER THE 105th DISTRICT ASSEMBLY OF THE CHICAGO CENTRAL DISTRICT, JUNE 14-15, 2009
ORDINATION OF CLERGY SERVICE, 7 PM JUNE 15

On Monday, June 15, 2009, Dr. Paul G. Cunningham will preside over the sacred ritual of ordination. In the Church of the Nazarene, only General Superintendents are authorized to ordained elders and deacons in the church.

This very special Monday evening will take place at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene, 1000 N. Entrance Ave., Kankakee, Illinois.

Dr. Cunningham is the presiding general superintendent for the Chicago Central District this year. The opening session of the 105th District Assembly will commence at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 14, with the Vision Report of District Superintendent Wilson. Assembly pastors, delegates and visitors from all the district churches wil be present on Monday, June 15, to conduct church business, hear reports and elect district officers for the coming year.

We hope you will stop by to hear some inspiring reports of what God is doing through the Church of the Nazarene on the Chicago Central District!

CHICAGO CENTRAL DISTRICT
CONSOLIDATES OFFICE OPERATIONS TO CHICAGO!

For several years, the Chicago Central District has strategically and aggressively pursuing the goal of re-establishing ministry within the city limits of Chicago, where we got our start in 1904. During the people migrations and demographic shifts between 1950 and 1980, several local congregations found their people moving to the suburbs, taking the church with them, but leaving little of a holiness witness in the city. Since the mid-1980s, the denomination and the district have been pursuing a commitment to return to the city in a significant way, without neglecting our suburban and rural ministries in the process.

As part of the current strategy, District Superintendent Wilson, in consultation with the District Advisory Board, has appointed mission area assistants who are helping him serve several of the churches outside the city limits of Chicago, as he focuses more effort and time in the establishment of new works for the city. Two years ago, office operations were established at 1111 N. Wells St, Chicago, IL 60610, in spaced leased in a non-profit building in the Old Town neighborhood, just north of Moody Bible Institute. A branch office was retained in Bourbonnais.

In November of 2008, Mrs. Kathy Heck, who served as secretary to the District Superintendent, assumed a full-time job at Olivet Nazarene University. It seemed to Dr. Wilson the appropriate time to consolidate office operations and take another step toward permanently establishing the presence of district leadership in the city of Chicago. With the approval of the District Advisory Board, in December, the office facility at 20 Heritage in Bourbonnais was sold to another partner service organization, the American Red Cross and some additional space in Chicago leased for what we are now calling the District Ministry Center (in harmony with the new Global Ministry Center concept of the denomination). Staffing decisions are being made over the next few weeks as the operations in Chicago become more fully established, and as the impact of a newly proposed denominational apportionments formula is reviewed. Mr. Edward Penate currently assists in the DMC.

The updated contact information for the District Ministry Center is as follows:

Mailing address:

Chicago Central District
PO Box 101163
Chicago, IL 60610

Physical Address:
1111 N. Wells, Suite 305
Chicago, IL 60610

Phone: (312) 255-0151
Fax: (312) 255-0180
Email: ccdoffice@ccdnaz.org

We would love for you to stop by and visit!! Thank you for praying that this strategic move would yield a significant Harvest of souls through the planting of new congregations in this city of 2.8 million residents.

District Ministry Center
1111 N. Wells St., Suite 305, Chicago, Illinois 60610

Pastor Steve Spangenberg

District NYI Celebrates 2008 Convention in the 'Hood.
Historic Convention in the City of Chicago!

Left to Right: Edward Penate, Bill Koch, Dwayne Mills, Tim Britton, Steve Spangenberg (carries the President's title). Our congratulations to these fine leaders!

The District Youth Ministries organization is a very active part of our district. There are exciting events to register for, photos of past events to look at, an IMPACT choir to participate in, Celebrate Life events, Summer Camps, and more. The district has established a new internet domain for Youth Ministries, and the web page is being developed by the NYI leadership. Check it out at www.ccdnyi.org

Rev. Rodney Miller Elected District NMI President
for the Chicago Central District
 

Mrs. Yvonne Chalfant, District President of Nazarene Missions International for the Chicago Central District Church of the Nazarene, gave her 11th  report to the delegates from 58 local churches of northeast Illinois, on Saturday, June 21. Having previously announced her retirement, the Convention and District Assembly expressed deep appreciation for her years of service and vision. Thank you, Yvonne!

The NMI Convention proceeded to elect a new NMI president for the district, and elected Rev. Rodney Miller, pastor of our Elgin Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Miller brings to this responsibility a deep passion for global missions, significant experience leading Work and Witness teams around the world, and several years of service as District NMI president in Florida, during his pastorate there. We welcome Rev. Miller and look forward to his leadership in global missions support and involvement by the Chicago Central District.

Visit the NMI Website at www.ccdnmi.org.

The District Sunday School and Discipleship Convention took place in the form of a dinner/program this year.  The dinner was held at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene, 1000 N. Entrance Ave., Kankakee, IL 60901.  The event began at 3:45 p.m. and concluded at 5:20 p.m., giving delegates time to move to College Church's North Campus for the beginning of District Assembly and the report of District Superintendent Dr. Brian E. Wilson, at 6:00 p.m.

Dr. John Bowling
ONU President

Olivet Is Having an Outstanding Year

Visit the Olivet Nazarene University Web Site to read about the great things that are happening at Olivet.  For High School seniors, it is time to finalize your application and get your deposit in to reserve your spot in the freshman class.  Parents, please be sure and complete the FAFSA immediately to ensure the greatest opportunities for financial aid for your students.

 Visit the Church's International Headquarters WebSite at www.nazarene.org.
 

   Link to www.nazarene.org

IMPACT
The Youth Impact Choir has its own website now:  www.impactccd.com