LEADERSHIP UPDATE of the Southeast Region

Volume 4, Issue 6 July 2009

Pastors: Please distribute this to your delegates, leaders & congregation

“FROM RUTS to RADICALS”

Reports of RIPPING THE ROOF and CREATING NEW OPENINGS are coming in:

· A congregation is serving its community thru a medical clinic & finance classes

· One businessman has created a special blog site to share inspirational stories and faith resources to initiate spiritual discussions with professional contacts and friends

· Some members in a congregation are launching an off-site service, targeting non-churched people who won’t enter a church building

· An older congregation has decided to utilize FACEBOOK to connect better with youth.

· A woman is starting a MOMS IN TOUCH prayer group this fall (www.momsintouch.org)

· A congregation with blended music is assembling an additional, all contemporary band

· A church has linked with a school to distribute food backpacks to hungry students.

· An Anglo congregation is beginning ESL classes to serve their changing neighborhood

What about you? What new outreach are you doing? Keep challenging each other to get out of your ruts and try new things in order to bless someone who hasn’t yet been reached for Christ. Then make sure your congregation takes time to pray over and celebrate new openings that individuals and groups attempt. Remember to report to me your new openings, because we’re tracking our progress throughout the southeast region.

In the spirit of RIPPING in order to REACH others, I’d like to reprint Bishop David Roller’s recent newsletter article about our heritage as Free Methodists . . . .

Something that’s always bugged me about the FMC is we don’t have a clear origins story. “Origins story” is the telling of the passion that ignited a movement. But whenever I’ve told the story of how Free Methodism began, people’s eyes have glazed-over, rather than blazed-over. I’d start with “There were really 4 reasons for the birth of the FMC….” Then I’d talk about freedom of the Spirit, freedom of the slaves, free pews and . . . I can’t remember the 4^th, it’s probably the most important. Probably something about secret societies, which would inevitably segue the conversation in other directions.

Really, the Origin Story of the Free Methodist Church [can be described as the following] . . . “Not too far away and not too long ago a group of radical Christians chose to whole-heartedly follow Jesus rather than maintain their security in the hypocrisy of the established church. They gave up everything else to guard the integrity and intensity of their desire to please God with their lives. This integrity and intensity ignited a movement and the church flung out missionaries across the American frontier, quickly planting churches as they went.” . . . We are the children of those fruitful radicals. . . . . Now that’s an Origins Story!

Join me in continuing the legacy of living as whole-hearted RADICALS for Jesus.

Supt/ Darrel Riley

RE-LIVE the 2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE MESSAGES

· Each church has already, or will soon, receive an audio CD of messages by Bishop Roller & Supt. Darrel. Pastors: make copies for your leaders & members, and ask them to listen to it in the car while traveling to work, and at home as a family.

· A free DVD of the messages is also available for congregational viewing; contact Rileys.

OVERFLOW CONFERENCE 2010 COMING

All EAST conferences will meet with Bishop David Roller for a MEGA GATHERING in Orlando FL next April 22 – 24 at the Double Tree Inn at Universal. There will be NO individual Annual Conferences in 2010. Instead; all pastors, delegates and laity are encouraged to attend OVERFLOW to be inspired and equipped for “FM 3.0 style ministry.”

Start saving now: all fees are per person. On Line registration available soon.

Deadline Commuter, no lodging Includes Th & Fri Hotel:

Super Early Bird by Nov 15, 2009 $175.00 $275.00

Early Bird by Jan 31, 2010 $199.00 $299.00

Regular as of Feb 1, 2010 $225.00 $325.00

Children: $50 one child; $85: 2 or more children in family (ages 2 – 12 yrs)

PRAY THAT THESE PASTORS WILL LEAD THEIR CONGREGATIONS IN

“RIPPING THE ROOF” and CREATING NEW OPENINGS

Pray daily for the following churches. Send greetings to one another. When you are the prayer focus, please contact the Rileys to share your personal & church prayer requests.

JULY 2009	SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE	AL-GA or GCC CONFERENCE
June 28 – July 4	Miami, Hosanna Int’l Ministerios Pastor Javier Mendoza (Martha) hosannaministriesfmc@yahoo.es	Tucker, GA: Calvary Evangelical Center CP Pastor Serge Bonhomme (Ledia) Sbonhomme2003@yahoo.com
July 5 - 11	Miami, Melrose Spanish Pastor Jose Del Toro (Nancy) deltoroj@live.com	Deville, LA: Martha’s Chapel DL & Pastor Monty Bower (Jo) mlbower@suddenlink.net
July 12 - 18	Naples, Evangelical Haitian Pastor Joseph Cyprien (Carmene) 4616 Acadia Lane, Naples FL 34112 Iferdieu Rifin (CMC)	Deville, LA: New Hope FMC Pastor Fred Summers (Faye) frednfaye@suddenlink.net Stanley Paulk (CMC)
July 19 - 25	Nassau, Bahamas: Grace & Peace Wes. Pastor Henley Perry (Alma) Hperry2008@hotmail.com	Jonesville, LA: Oak Grove Pastor Ron Wyncoop (G.G.) rwyncoop@bellsouth.net
July 26 – Aug 1	Ocala, Bread of Life Pastor Kent Schroeder (Charlotte) 2000 NE 78^th St. Ocala FL 34479 Cara Sharich (CMC)	Monterey, LA: Acme: Pastor Wade & Cindy Robinson Chapel37chick@yahoo.com

AWESOME SUMMER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

SUMMER IN THE SON: One Day Practical Seminars at Asbury Seminary, Orlando

Pastors and Leaders - Enrich your ministry! Register for 1, 2 or all 3 seminars. Each are held from 9:00am – 4:00pm EST, lunch provided. Cost is $15 per workshop or $35 for all 3. For more information or to register, call 407-482-7500:

July 16: Creative Celebration of the Sacraments; led by Dr. Kandace Brooks

August 6: Learning to Speak Human: Preaching for 21^st Century Mission; Dr. Brian Russell

August 20: Mentoring – Leaving a Jesus-Shaped Legacy; led by Dr. Daryl Smith

WILLOW CREEK LEADERSHIP SUMMIT: August 6 - 7

“For your church to reach its redemptive, life-giving potential, it must be well led.” Bill Hybels

Go to www.willowcreek.com/summit for satellite locations throughout the USA. Rates increase throughout the summer so register ASAP. Those on the FL west coast may want to contact St. Pete: Cornerstone to participate as part of their group as a discounted rate.

PARTNER with our SOUTHEAST REGION MISSIONARIES:

Recent newsletters, blogs and support information on each family are available on-line at www.fmwm.org (then click on Missionaries tab). You can also email them:

Josh & Susy Fajardo (Spain) JFajardoM@aol.com

Congratulations! The Federation of Evangelical Churches in Spain has officially recognized the FMC there and has granted credentials to Josh.

Mike & Maria Long (Greece) Longmm@the.forthnet.gr

Daughters Gina & Christi, students at Spring Arbor Univ., will serve as guides & interpreters for a group of 37 youth from Greenville FMC in IL who are touring Greece & Bulgaria in July

Jack & Jeanne Munos (Haiti) haitiforchrist@yahoo.com

The Munoses request protective prayer for Haiti as hurricane season begins. The Cornerstone team that recently went to Haiti reported the great help our Super Bowl Sunday hunger offerings were; food shortages continue, with some people eating “mud pies”

AL-GA MISSION DISTRICT:

GA DISTRICT: There will be a District Pastor’s Mtg on Tuesday, July 7 at Christ Community Church in Columbus; 10am – noon, with lunch to follow.

AL DISTRICT: Pastoral Family Picnic on July 12 at Tannehill State Park (205-477-5711), 12632 Confederate Parkway in McCalla AL 35111. Bring side dishes & desserts to share; meat provided. Gather at the shelter house 3pm – dark. Hiking, games, food & fellowship.

AL: Huntsville: The Acts Church (formerly Acts Family Worship Center), led by Pastor Jeff Curry, has secured an 8,000 sq. ft. rental space. They anticipate an Aug 2 public launch Sunday. Keep this date in your prayers. If individuals or churches can help them purchase folding chairs @ $23/each in preparation for their launch, contact Jeff at 256-503-9436.

GA: Columbus: Youth Pastor Tom Jacobs will lead a teen team from Christ Community Church in Bulgaria the week of June 30 – July 8. Keep them in your prayers.

GA: Fayette Community Church: Pastor Greg Nitchman and family are settled into their residence at 100 N. Creek Trail, Jonesboro, GA 30238. Home: 770-719-3231, emails: Gregfcc@att.net and Jeannefcc@att.net.

GA: Tucker area: Haitian church planting pastor Serge Bonhomme & family will move to the Atlanta area as soon as rental housing can be secured. Pray for their search; contact Serge at sbonhomme2003@yahoo.com if you have any housing leads.

GULF COAST CONFERENCE:

GULF COAST had their first 2 day Annual Conference June 19 – 20, hosted by Edgewood FMC in Pineville. Martha’s Chapel in Deville organized a Saturday evening Tastes of Louisiana Potluck to welcome Bishop David & Yvonne Roller.

PINEVILLE, LA: Edgewood FMC welcomes Alex Bigger & wife Felicia (from E. Michigan Conf) as their new senior pastor. The Biggers arrived in Louisiana at the end of June. His first Sunday in the pulpit will be July 5. Welcome!

ADULT RETREAT: Adult Ministries is sponsoring an overnight retreat Oct 16 – 17 at The Wesley Center in Woodworth, LA. Theme: “Wholeness through Holiness.” Hotel quality lodging, 3 meals & all sessions for $80 / person. Reservations: contact Cindy Robinson.

SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE:

WELCOME NEW PASTORAL FAMILIES:

· HOLIDAY: Pastor Tommy Dennis, wife Stephanie, and children Emalynn (14), Noah (9) and Julieanna (8) who arrived in FL on June 15. Parsonage address: 5015 Darlington Rd. Holiday, FL 34690. Cell: 315-796-7298, tommysongs@tampabay.rr.com

· OCALA: Pastor Kent Schroeder began June 21 at Bread of Life FMC. Wife Charlotte & daughter Hannah will join him soon. The Schroeders are renting the Balzer home at 3018 NE 38^th St. Ocala FL 34479. Cell: 256-506-3994, Email: rev.kdavid@yahoo.com

· TAMPA: Celebration FMC will welcome Pastor Thad Roller and wife Nikki in mid-July. Parsonage address: 2315 W. Burke St., Tampa FL 33604, Email: thadroller@gmail.com

· Military Chaplain Mark Williams, wife Monica & 4 children (Madisyn, Abigail, Evan & Caleb) have transferred to Patrick AFB. Their new address is now 2500 Shoff Lane, Melbourne, FL 32940. Cell 509-599-3541. Email willmark@mwilliams.net.

OTHER ADDRESSES:

· Retiree Dick & Diane Keep: 1936 W. Dumplin Valley Rd., New Market TN 37820. Home: 865-397-5358. Email: kddkeep@aol.com

· Retiree Ed & Donna Pannell: Winward Lakes, 3706 Binnacle, Tampa FL 33611. Donna’s Cell: 813-748-3014, Email: detampa@tampabay.rr.com.

· New South Supt Ron & Tamra Balzer: 52 Cherry Springs Rd., McMinnville TN 37110, Home: 931-939-2612, Cell: 352-598-0138, Email: prb143@mfi.net

PREPARE FOR THESE FALL EVENTS:

SEPTEMBER REGIONAL TRAINING EVENT DATES & LOCATIONS:

Bring a copy of your May - August summer Trimester On Purpose Form for your DL:

· Sat, Sept 12: South FL Site at Miami: Melrose (Pastor Jose Del Toro),

Gather 9:30am, meeting 10am – lunch. Hispanic MEG Bd to meet afterwards

· Sat, Sept 19: West Coast Site at St Pete: Cornerstone (Sr. Pastor Rex Bullock)

Gather 9:30am, meeting 10am – lunch; District MEG Bd to meet afterwards

· Mon, Sept 21: Central FL Site at Orlando First. Supper at 6:30pm, meeting 7 – 9pm

MEN’S 2009 SAC RETREAT includes MEN AT THE CROSS Conference

October 9 – 11 is a block-buster weekend for men! SAC retreat men will attend the Men at the Cross Conference being held in the Sun Dome in Tampa (www.menatthecross.org) Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, then go to Avon Park Holiness Camp to spend Saturday late afternoon through Sunday morning. Cost for the Men at the Cross event, Saturday night lodging at Avon Park, & 2 meals there is $99/person.

· Pastors: get a discounted rate of $68 if you bring 2 or more men with you.

· Register with Michael Boyd at Cornerstone: 6745 38^th Ave North, St. Petersburg, FL 33710; office: 727-343-7747; cell: 727-224-3501. Ask for retreat brochures.

ALL - CONFERENCE OCTOBER GATHERING: “RIP FEST”

Reserve Friday - Saturday, October 23 & 24, on your calendar! Cornerstone in St. Pete will host “RIP FEST!” as we continue building upon our 09 Annual Conference theme of RIPPING THE ROOF. Keynote Speaker: J. R. Rushik, innovative church planter from Storehouse Church in PA. Bring your delegates, leaders, and all congregational members.