Dr. Larry W. LeonardDistrict Superintendentlwleonard@midsouthnaz.org March 2017

March is proving to be a ministry bonanza for the MidSouth District. We have already seen tremendous trainingfor both clergy and laity, as pictured below. Dr. Dan Boone brought insights to our pastors on the pertinent topic “Preaching Christ in the Current.” Rev. Michelle Lunsford, district SDMI chairperson, led a very well attended ImproveYour Serve, where Rev. Daron Brown, Waverly Church pastor, inspired and challenged us as keynote speaker.

Yet to come in March:• The MidSouth District will have several pastors and spouses participating in an intensive ordination preparation weekend at Camp Garner Creek, Friday, March 24-Sunday, March 26.

• The district will conclude this year’s series of four sessions on preaching on Thursday, March 30, with Dr. Dwight Gunter presenting “Preaching the Resurrection.”

• Over 400 of the MidSouth District’s finest teens will participate in the talent competition TNT at TNU on Thursday, March 30-Sunday, April 2.

There is so much to be grateful for to our God on the MidSouth District as a new church fiscal year begins on April 1. I am so thankful to this district for letting me be a part of your lives.

Our district men’s ministry, led by Rev. John Meeks, conducted a wonderful retreat with three excellentspeakers: Rev. Josh Cougle, Clarksville First pastor, Dr. Carlton Harvey, Clevland First pastor, andDr. Charles Johnson, Meridian Fitkins Memorial Church pastor.

OUR CHURCH YEAR ENDis just around the corner.

ALL budget payments can be made on line.P&B, WEF and Unified can all be made on line thru the Fund The Mission site at fundingthemission.org

Education payments can also be made online at Trevecca. The link can be found on Funding The Mission thru the green“Make a Contribution” button and looking for the “Trevecca Education Payment Link”; or you can mail paymentsdirectly to: Trevecca Nazarene University, Attn: Lisa Hathcock, 333 Murfreesboro Rd., Suite 101, Nashville, TN 37210.Please DO NOT send the education payment to the district office.

June 21 ~ 30, 2017Indianapolis, Indiana

for more information visithttp://ga2017.com

DISTRICT ASSEMBLY and NMI CONVENTIONMay 28-30

Camp Garner Creek

Rev. Michelle LunsfordSDMI Chairmanmichelle@thelunsfords.net

Sunday School

Make the Connection

People of Prayer • Engaged in the Word • Making Christlike Disciples

midsouthnaz.org sdmiusacanada.orgfacebook.com/MIDSOUTHSDMI

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Discipleship During Lent – Journey toward the CrossDuring the Lenten season, we have opportunity to remember Jesus’ journey toward the cross; to remember the role our sin played in that journey, and the great love that motivated God’s provision of forgiveness and full redemption. Jesus invites us to join him on this journey, asking us to take up our own cross of self-denial, self-sacrifice, and death to self-sovereignty as we follow him.As disciples and disciple-makers, we acknowledge that the journey is not without suffering. But there are glory momentstoo. Mountain top moments, where we encounter God. And we travel in the blessed assurance that Jesus also says, I give you my word – I will be with you every step of the journey. I will never leave you. I will never forsake you.During these days of Lent, I encourage you to keep on the journey. Where you serve in discipleship ministry is a placethat God has led you. You travel with Jesus Christ, through the mighty indwelling of his Holy Spirit. You also travel inpartnership with brothers and sisters, locally and globally. Or, in the words of one of my favorite authors, C.S. Lewis, Onward and upward!

USA/Canada Sunday School Emphasis – March 12-April 16Discipleship: Journeying Together with JesusLocal churches have opportunity to engage in Sunday School emphasis from March 12 through April 16,based on the theme Discipleship: Journeying Together with Jesus. Churches can select a weekly focus thatis most applicable for them from one or more of these themes: Prayer Encouragement Bible Reading Service Workplace and School Outreach Fellowship

Access resources for planning, promotion, implementation, and follow up at sdmiusacanada.org.

Events for your SDMI Calendar…

Memphis Women’s Breakaway – April 29 @ Memphis Friendship Church Theme: Walk it Out, Talk it Out (Col 3:17). Speaker Joeann Ballard. $25. Registration deadline April 15.

Prime Time Retreat – April 3-5 @ Garner Creek CampgroundAdults 55 and over welcome! Worship led by Ann Downing. Speaker Karen Fry. $35 (non-refundable) reserves your room. Registration at midsouthnaz.org/primetime or contact MidSouth Prime Time Director, Sharron Shands at 615-337-5381.

Global SDMI Convention – June 21-24 in Indianapolis, IN ga2017.com/sdmi

Mrs. Mary FriedemanNMI Presidentmaryfriedeman@gmail.com

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The Board of General Superintendents has announced that the Church of the Nazarene is now in 162 world areas, adding Singapore, Mongolia, and Curaçao! Overpayment of World Evangelism Fund is used to open new fields such as these. Last year 62 MidSouth churchesgave more than 5.5% of their income to WEF; 44 of those were recognized as World EvangelismChurches of Excellence for contributing 5.7% or more. Congratulations and keep up the goodwork! These three new fields demonstrate what a difference your giving makes!

NMI MARCH EMPHASIS is Easter Offering - a primary means by which many churchesraise World Evangelism Fund (WEF).

What’s so important about WEF? It provides support for global missionaries as theyevangelize, plant churches, train local leaders, and minister through educational institutions and

facilities. This Nazarene presence in 162 world areas provides the infrastructure for programs like child sponsorship,Alabaster, and Work & Witness. When crises arise and churches and individuals give generously forspecific needs and projects, WEF has already laid a foundation globally that enables quick response.

Mission Specials are important, but those and many other valued parts of Nazarene global outreach couldn’t beimplemented without WEF providing the missionary base. Please make WEF giving a personal and congregational priority!

The theme of this year’s Easter offering is “Lord of All”. More information and available resources for Easter offering can be found at nazarene.org/generosity.

WORK & WITNESS: Prayer Needed!Our Work & Witness team headed to Ecuador March 14-22. Please cover their travel and ministry in prayer. There are 24 team members:

Margaret Louise AmburnCynthia Diane Brown Gloria Drake BurnessWalter Earl BurnessNora Taylor Curtis Sharon K DevoreBarbara Welling FoxLarry Wayne Fox Sr

ALABASTER UPDATEAs of March 6, MidSouth Alabaster giving for 2016-17 totalled $33,769. If your Februaryoffering has not yet been submitted to Global Treasury Services (either by check oronline at Funding the Mission), please remit thosefunds before the end of thechurch year on March 31.

Mark Hammond GoinsMichelle Renee Greene Savannah Aliese GreeneHenry Kyle GreerBraydon Lee HolcombCannan Levi Holcomb Daniel Ryan HolcombMelanie Ann Holcomb

Michael Lee Holcomb Jr Robert Jeffery HudsonHoward Sean McCallisterJack Chaffin Oden SrBenjamin Daniyel O'NealClarice Amelia ParsonsMonica Michelle Worcester Scotty Clayton Dean Worcester

Rev. Jason UnderwoodNYI Presidentjason@gccnaz.org

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We are about to enter into the busiest and most exciting time in youth ministry - Spring/Summer. I am sure that many ofyour students are counting down the days until they can “escape” the school halls in search of warms days, sleeping in, andof course a wildly busy church schedule. Plans have been underway for some time for these events but as they growcloser I am anticipating the spirit of the Lord renewing us together daily. Stay connected and informed for allthe details about MidSouth this Spring and Summer.

TNT@TNU... We are preparing to invade Trevecca Nazarene University March 30th – April 1st. We will gather for our MidSouth pre-partyMarch 30th from 5:30-6:30. This will be where you receive registration directions, hotel room keys, MidSouth swag and more. If you have questions about the event you can email info@midsouthnyi.com.

Middle School CamP High School Camp Completed 6-8th grades completed 9-12th grades

June 12 - 16 June 5-9

AT Camp Garner Creek, 700 Sam Hollow Road, Dickson, TN.

Camp forms and zip line releases will soon be available at midsouthnyi.org

Instagram: midsouthnyiFacebook: midsouthnyiWeb: midsouthnyi.com

I love you and there’s nothing you can do about it!

Attendance Report for February

Capitol Mission Area SS AMBread of Life Community ............. 9 ...........................20BridgePoint .................................. 6 ...........................38Brookhaven First ......................NR ......................... NRCrystal Springs ............................ 7 .............................7DaySpring Community............. 228 .........................302Hazelhurst ................................. 10 ...........................19Hillside Community .................... 21 ...........................22Meridian Fitkins Memorial........ 153 .........................253Meridian Northside .................... 17 ...........................30New Beginnings Christian ........NR ......................... NRNew Vision ................................. 28 ...........................68Quitman ....................................NR ......................... NRVicksburg First ........................... 36 ...........................40Vicksburg Hispanic .................... 13 .............................8

Clarksville Mission Area Clarksville First ........................ 215 .........................316Clarksville Grace ..................... 197 .........................416Clarksville Hope Riders Biker .... 14 ...........................58Clarksville Korean...................... 55 .........................100Clarksville Park Lane ................. 88 .........................125Dickson Lighthouse .................. 33 ...........................44Dover ......................................... 64 .........................102Erin .......................................... 188 .........................266Fulton........................................NR ......................... NRGray’s Chapel ............................ 40 ...........................52Griffin’s Chapel .......................... 28 ...........................58 Jason Chapel............................. 78 .........................134Long Creek ................................ 26 ...........................26Paris .......................................... 30 ...........................32Pine Hill ..................................... 45 ...........................80Waverly .................................... 184 .........................289Woodlawn Community............... 80 .........................123

Coastal Mission Area Crossroads .............................. 114 .........................184Gloster ....................................... 32 ...........................25Gulf Coast Family ...................... 64 .........................104Gulfport ........................................ 0 .............................9Hattiesburg First ........................ 21 ...........................39Laurel Bresee ............................ 19 .............................20Laurel First.....................................NR ............................NRLifePointe Community .................... 27 ............................. 33Long Beach Community ................... 5 ............................... 5 Magnolia ......................................... 14 ............................. 19Palabra de Vida .............................. 20 ............................. 51Prentiss..........................................NR ............................NRVictory Praise & Worship Center .... 58 ............................. 37Waynesboro Trinity ......................... 16 ............................. 21

Columbia Mission AreaColumbia First ........................... 20 ...........................54Columbia Grace....................... 534 .........................554Elmore ......................................NR ......................... NRFly .............................................. 73 ...........................77Jones Chapel............................. 47 ...........................72Lawrenceburg Grace ................. 52 ...........................76Lewisburg First .......................... 23 ...........................46Mount Wesley-Akin .................... 23 ...........................35Nashville New Life Korean .......... 19 ...........................25Pleasant Point ........................... 15 ...........................15Savannah .................................. 10 ...........................11Spring Hill Restoration Comm ... 97 .........................199Summertown ............................. 18 ...........................22

Hills Mission Area Bent Knee Cowboy .................... 39 ...........................40Clarksdale.................................... 6 ...........................12Cleveland First........................... 47 ...........................45 Columbus First .......................... 14 ...........................21

SS AMDivine Grace Sunflower ............... 8 ...........................16Fellowship.................................NR ......................... NRGreenville First ............................ 0 .............................8Grenada First............................. 32 ...........................20Houlka ......................................NR ......................... NRNew Albany ............................... 10 ...........................10Oxford/Oxford Hispanic ............. 55 ...........................75Pearson Chapel ........................NR ......................... NRRipley Hispanic .......................... 20 ...........................48Rosebloom ................................ 33 ...........................56Sentobia N.O. Nabors ..............NR ......................... NRStarkville Wesley Comm. ........... 13 ...........................25Tupelo ........................................ 10 ...........................12Union ......................................... 10 ...........................25Way of the Cross ....................... 18 ...........................18

Memphis Mission AreaColonial Hills .............................. 15 ...........................35Covington .................................. 18 ...........................22Crossroads Community ............. 38 ...........................57Dyersburg .................................NR ......................... NRIglesia Libertad en Cristo ........... 12 ...........................12Memphis Calvary ..................... 345 .........................402Memphis Eastside ..................... 29 ...........................68Memphis Emmanuel .................NR ......................... NRMemphis Faithful Believers ....... 10 ...........................18Memphis Friendship .................. 46 ...........................82Memphis Grace ....................... 136 .........................192Memphis Holiness Tabernacle .. 35 ...........................65Memphis Hope Tabernacle ........ 21 ...........................25Memphis New Hope .................. 39 ...........................34Memphis Refreshing Springs ...... 5 ...........................31Millington ................................... 25 ...........................25

Nashville North Mission AreaAshland City Faith Comm. ......... 61 ...........................93Gallatin .....................................NR ......................... NRGallatin Hispanic.......................NR ......................... NRGoodlettsville ........................... 239 .........................515Hendersonville ........................... 92 .........................154Hermitage ................................ 336 .........................606Highland .................................... 16 ...........................19Joelton ....................................... 20 ...........................22Madison ..................................... 10 ...........................25Madison Hispanic ...................... 90 .........................103Nashville First (Bethel Campus) ........ 58 .........................100 Nashville First (Main Campus) ....... 647 .......................1120Nashville Inglewood................... 26 ...........................38Nashville Whites Creek ............. 28 ...........................49Old Hickory ................................ 70 ...........................85Portland ..................................... 96 .........................199Springfield.................................. 23 ...........................32

Nashville South Mission Area Brentwood Concord Comm. .... 100 .........................138Franklin Comm of Faith ............. 63 .........................169Gateway Community ............... 248 .........................357Kingston Springs ....................... 19 ...........................31Nashville Bell Road ................... 28 ...........................45Nashville Blakemore .................. 25 ...........................56Nashville Christ.......................... 29 ...........................50Nashville Community Fellowship ... 29 ...........................37Nashville Donelson .................... 20 ...........................28Nashville First Calvary Korean .. 27 ...........................67Nashville Glencliff Hispanic ....... 44 .........................143Nashville Grace ....................... 216 .........................339Nashville Kaleo .......................... 18 ...........................31Nashville Trevecca Comm. ..... 395 .........................686Nashville Trinity ......................... 29 ...........................39Nashville Westwind Comm ........ 12 ...........................12TOTAL ................................... 7425 .....................11640