North Michigan District of The Wesleyan Church

Rev. Thomas K. Schmidt District Superintendent

918 Garden Avenue, Fremont, MI  49412     231.924.3284     231.924.3995 (fax)

 

2008 April DS letter

Family of North Michigan District,

            “Work for the night is coming” are words of Christ that speak to diligence of ministry. Souls are in need of a Savior!  There isn’t any place where people do not need God.  The evidence of need to reach lost people is abundant. 

It so easy to get caught up in the day to day routines of life that we can neglect seeing that people need to hear the good news of salvation and see Christ in us!

Routine personal inventory is a good habit.  Letting the Holy Spirit do an analysis of our day to day life, our deep inner being, our methods of spiritual interaction, our motives for ministry, and our relational activities will keep us open and honest before God and ourselves.

Integrity needs to be a word that is spoken about us as followers of God, not to mention as men and women called into service.

As we work to reach lost people, we work for a cause that is so eternally rewarding.  Focus our work and walk on Jesus.  Give Him honor and praise.  “Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord”. Psalm 150:6.  We praise God every time the good news of salvation is spoken and lived out!

 

LIGHTHOUSE LEADERSHIP EVENTS

            Pastor Kyle Brown of Grand Rapids Berkley Hills, Pastor Phil Struckmeyer of Lowell Impact, and Pastor Jim Bowen of Belding Encounter did fabulous presentations on community connections.  Already some of our North Michigan district churches are planning new ways to impact their communities.  The enthusiasm for ministry, excitement for reaching lost people and vision casting by these men were evident. 

Thanks to the host church’s pastor, staff and people: Central Montcalm, Fremont, Midland and Traverse City College Terrace. More than 220 people attended from 30 district churches.

            Next Lighthouse Leadership Event is with Dr. Dick Wynn and will take place on May 3. You will hear about Lifetime Leadership skills that influence your ability to serve God in maximum ways.

 

DISTRICT BUDGET EMPHASIS

            We are down to the last few weeks of the Conference Year.  This is the time to make sure that fulfilling district obligations will take place.  The reality is that our Michigan economy is taking a toll on local church finances, and transferred to district budget payments.  Thank you for your commitment to making sure that your budget assessment is paid in full.

 

CAMPING YEAR PREPARATION

            This is the time to schedule work time along with planning on spending some vacation time at Whispering Pines.  Memorial weekend marks the beginning of district ministries with Trailblazer’s Retreat, Youth Camp 180 in June, Family Camp and Kid’s Camp in July, Couples Retreat on Labor Day weekend and Wesleyan Men’s Retreat in September. New number for Family Camp Registrar Ken Wyman 231-557-5179.

            Your church or family can schedule a camping event separate from the district camping events by contacting VJ Scarbrough at 231.834.5336.  Support YOUR Whispering Pines Camp & Conference Center by using the facilities as much as possible starting in May through Oct.

               

DISTRICT WESLEYAN BIBLE BOWL EVENT

The District Wesleyan Bible Bowl (WBB) competition was held at Merrill Wesleyan on March 29, 2008.  Every participant was a winner by “hiding God’s Word in their heart”!  Merrill A team took home the Championship.  Bayview team was 2nd, Merrill B team 3rd and Fremont team 4th.  Individual quizzer places are as follows: 1st Nathan Morrison from Merrill, 2nd Shaine Evans from Merrill, 3rd Necole Reno from Traverse City Bayview, 4th Justin Tinkham from Fremont and 5th Jessica Taylor from Merrill.  

Mark Brumels is an awesome District WBB director. Approximately 100 people participated, coached, cheered or served as WBB staff for the competition.                            

Congratulations to the Youth WBB teams of Bayview, Fremont and Merrill. 

Your church could field a WBB team and learn scriptures that “will not return void”, an eternal reward!

    Page 2 April DS newsletter

DENOMINATION WEB SITE

            Due to someone hacking into the Denomination website, the site is being completely rebuilt.  Various sections are added as they are rebuilt.

 

MINISTRY MOMENTUM

¸  Easter ministry impact with the working of the Holy Spirit and positive attendance reports  

¸  Traverse City newest church will be called “The Harbor” with Rev. Roger and Brenda Freed
     returning to North Michigan District as the launch pastor.  Approval of the church plant was

     granted by the General Department of Evangelism and Church Growth, DBA and District

     Church Multiplication Team.

¸  Potential church plants at Charlevoix and White Cloud

¸  Response to Lighthouse Leadership Events with pastors Kyle, Ken and Phil – Make a community

     connection and a difference for God   

 

PRAYER EMPHASIS

¸  Pastor Noel and Brenda Hubler moving to Wisconsin

¸  Clyda Hubbard recovering from open heart surgery on March 24 and is recouperating at her

     daughters in Bay City

¸  Traverse City Church Plant “The Harbor” will soon be starting

¸  Charlevoix ministry with Brian & Wendy Sheets

¸  Pastoral votes at Breckenridge, Coleman, Dighton, Greenville, Lake Ann Woodside, Remus 
    Trinity and Sault Ste. Marie

¸  Walkerville with Rev. Rich Thomas as interim pastor and later in search for a pastor and

    Midland Trinity as Pastor Dave & Joann Willett are retiring and in pastoral search

¸  Health of pastors and families in our district.  Health cost was extremely high the past three months  

¸  United Stewardship, Education and District Budget’s paid.  Local church and district financial situations as

     economy is experiencing difficulties

 

DS TOM’S UPCOMING SCHEDULE

April 2- Meet with IWU students

April 3 & 4 - Indiana Wesleyan University Board of Trustee mtg

April 4&5 – Whispering Pines Build Trails

April 5 – Manatial De Vida FUNraiser at White Lake Wesleyan

April 6 – Brekenridge pastor vote – Wayne & Becky Boughan

April 8 – District Insurance Meeting in Midland

April 8,9 & 10 – District Insurance Meetings

April 11- District Board of Administration mtg at Fremont

April 12 – Family Camp Board Mtg

April 13am  Lake Ann Woodside pastor vote – Roger & Michele Sian

April 13pm – Edgetts – Dan & Becky Miller

April 17 – Parent Church Training with Dr. Wayne Schmidt at Coleman

April 18-19 – New Bridge Coalition mtg in Mackinaw

April 19 – Whispering Pines Camp & Conference Center Workday

April 20 – Sault Ste Marie – pastor vote Chad & Samantha McDonald  - Jonny & Jaclyn TenEyck

April 23pm – Brockway

April 24 – Michigan Missionary Church District Conference in Livonia

April 25-26 – District Women’s Retreat

April 26 – Whispering Pines Camp & Conference Center Workday

April 27 – Remus Trinity pastor vote – D. Charles & Connie Bellinger

 

Peace, praise and proclamation of our Lord and Savior!  Glory to Jesus!

 

DS Tom

 

“TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH GOD’S LIGHT IN NORTH MICHIGAN