MNY Nazarene District (June 16, 2018)

May was an exciting month! I was invited to join the Metro NY district for preaching, evangelism, sharing, fellowship, and worship. This was my first visit to NY proper and the MNY district. The Nazarene church families there are alive and move in worship! A dear friend and sister was gracious enough to travel with me to many beautiful churches. Beautiful churches, meaning the precious people of the MNY district and communities. We attended eight service gatherings in two weekends. I experienced the New York pace of life on the weekends and the peaceful rest of the New York state countryside during the weeks.

I was able to join a variety of congregations from Caribbean, Spanish, to many others in diversity. In all church congregations I was graciously welcomed, lovingly encouraged, and prayed for. Thank you MNY district for your love from the heart and precious time that we were able to spend together. While in NY for three weeks, the Lord refreshed my soul and brought me out of my shell a bit :)

I found many young people receptive and hungry for deeper walks with the Lord! The churches are doing a lot of mission activity locally and globally. We spent time focusing on abiding in Christ and living courageously in faith. Many ages are actively a part of the local and global missional heart of God and Nazarene family. What an exciting place to be, though there are also challenges in ministry in the surrounding communities. We shared many times of prayer and laughter through our adventures.

One day I was walking with a dear sister and we met a man by the name of Rick. Through taking time to talk with him a bit, the Lord presented an opportunity to give hope, peace, and love that day! Rick began to open up about many loved ones who had passed on. As we listened he began to share deeply from his heart. (Friends, we had never met Rick before - we took a step of faith of being present and loving without fear or holding back.) After he had shared much of his story, we asked if we could pray for him. He said yes. I asked if there was anything additional that we could pray about with him... As we shared a time of prayer it was a sacred moment. Tears began to come down his face as the Peace of the Lord met his heart. I share this to give God all the praise and Glory. However, I share this also to say that a friend and I were simply walking and talking. With being attentive to the people around us we can get glimpses of God's perspective of love for His children and creation. Without taking a step of faith and meeting our new friend Rick, we never would have heard his beautiful heart stories. And we would have missed a divine appointment of being able to pray together. What a simple way to love another! Try it, take time this week to be attentive to someone around you. Ask if you can pray for them, take a step of faith without fear and see what God can do!

Perspective is important, God sees such a city in eyes of perfect Love. 

Please join in prayer for the MNY district 

• There are many opportunities for relational ministry across the district

• Transition of a new DS and they are entering exciting days of refreshed vision and unified revival among their churches

• Pray for the fire that is burning within many ages to be an active presence in their communities

• Please also pray for the obstacles and challenges of ministering in a city with many distractions that fill people's lives daily

• The Lord is at work and existing in exciting ways on this district - Praise God!

The Lord is breathing in beautiful ways in MNY! What a diverse district and taste of the colorfulness of heaven on earth :) Thank you for a wonderful time together MNY district!!