Countdown to Converts

One Hope Wesleyan in Decatur reported a new convert this week. With Pastor Mike McNamer reporting in for One Hope we now have 14 churches with converts for the district year. We have now completed 4 months of the district year. Fourteen (14) churches represent 56% of the district.

Network Lay Training Event

DeKalb Wesleyan was the host for our 1st lay training event for the district year. Two networks Northwest and Chicagoland joined together for this event. The following churches had participants. Oak Lawn; Palm Tree; DeKalb Vida Nueva; Chicago Hoyne Ave.; Heritage; Wheaton; and DeKalb. The DeKalb worship team led by Bob Abel directed the group in our worship time and was joined by special guest musician Steve Abel. With almost 40 persons in attendance the training event had positive results along with good group interaction. The theme for the day focused on The Building People Strategy.

Two bonus sessions were offered. A Ladies Ministry forum was conducted by Sue Barnwell - District Director of Wesleyan Women and a session for men featured a discussion on Leadership.

Special thanks to the following pastors who were able to attend - Pastors Steve Abel; Joe Blasczyk; Steve Wright; Rodrigo Azofeifa; George Gutierrez; Josh Howard and Dean Pierce. Also thanks to Pastor Josh who is the Chicagoland Network chairman.

Broadview - Pastors Installation

The Broadview congregation celebrated this past Sunday as they participated in the installation of their new co-pastors. Pastor Mike and Pastor Lexa Ennis were installed this past Sunday. Pastors Mike and Lexa are excited to serve the Broadview congregation and to become a part of the Illinois District. The Ennis family along with their son Ephraim moved to Illinois from Missouri where he just graduated from the Nazarene seminary and where the couple co-pastored a church in the Tri-State District.

The congregation has enthusiastically welcomed their new pastors and their adorable son. Pastor Lexa led our worship time assisted on this Sunday by Pastor Mike on the drums and harmonica. In case you haven't caught on yet, Pastors Mike and Lexa are husband and wife. The Ennis family are awaiting a new addition to the family and are excited to announce that their son Ephraim will be joined by a baby sister in early January.

Please remember to pray for our newest pastoral couple the Ennis family and the Broadview congregation.

Church News

Oak Lawn becomes an Angel Food Church

Pastor Steve Wright announced recently that the Oak Lawn church has joined forces with Angel Food Ministries. Pastor Med Bailie and several team members recently underwent training to serve as an Angel Food distribution church.

Angel Food is a partnership that provides families with access to affordable food for as little as $30, which will feed a family of 4 for a week. The box of food has an approximate value of $60.

Oak Lawn joins Urbana as a distribution church. The Decatur church has also had some involvement with Angel Food.

Congratulations to Oak Lawn for putting holy living into social action.

Wheaton - Pastor Josh Howard

Pastor Josh Howard reports that they launched their Haiti rebuild project this past week. Their first response was $160 and Pastor Josh says their goal is $1,500.  Wheaton joins 6 other district churches who have reported their commitment to building 2 temporary worship centers. For more information on your churches involvement contact District Global Partners Director Eric Mills at 309-788-2030 or email eric.mills@heritageqc.com.

Bridgeport - Pastor Dale Munsell

Pastor Dale reports a child received Christ this past Sunday. She is a foster child being cared for by a family in the church. It is wonderful that God placed this 8 year old in a place where she would have the opportunity to know Christ as her Savior.

Clifton - Pastor Daniel Shipton

The LBA of the Clifton church approved a new volunteer position for their Seniors Ministry. The position will involve visitation to shut-ins, nursing home and seniors. The church is also committed to the Haiti project. (see article below).

District News

 Haiti Project Update - 7 Churches Reporting

As you may know the Illinois District has committed to raise funds to construct two temporary places of worship. Thus far we have heard from 7 churches in the commitments to raise a minimum of $15 per person in morning worship.

Those churches are: 1) Heritage - paid in full; 2) Princeton - fund raising complete; 3) Galesburg - fund raising ongoing; 4) Oblong - fund raising to begin soon; 5) Fairfield - fundraising began with VBS; 6) Wheaton; 7) Clifton - will begin fund raising in October

For us to reach the goal of 2 units it will take all 25 churches lifting the load.

The Journal of Social Holiness

Each month the IDWC Social Action committee publishes an e-news letter called, "The Journal of Social Holiness.: This publication is intended to offer a contemporary reflection on Wesleyan theology, a helpful ministry resource to help mobilize your congregation for service, and an example of how our Wesleyan theology is put into practice. The IDWC Social Action committee welcomes individuals to submit items for publications that fit the following criteria:

• An article that reflects on the theology of John Wesley in the context of social action
• An example of how a ministry in your congregation reaches out to the community with manifestations of holy love
• A book, article, or resource you read that offers sound teaching on community engagement and involvement
• A prayer or personal testimony of how your congregation experienced holiness through service

If you have questions or would like to add an individual to our email distribution list, please email Rev. Kevin Wright at kevin@mpumc.org. God in peace to love and serve.

Men's Camp Out - Lake Shelbyville

The Southern Network sponsored a Men's Camp Out. A total of 22 men from Robinson and Bridgeport joined in the recreation, campfires, food and fellowship. Bridgeport barely edged out Robinson to win the "Cammo Cup." Worship time was led by the Robinson men. Speaker was Rev. Josh Bowlin who urged them to be "standup" men making their lives count. The Central Network had planned to participate, but were unable to this year. Next year's event is scheduled for the first weekend of August 2011.

Denominational News

 The Gathering - January 4-7, 2011 - Jacksonville, Florida

For more information got to http://www.wesleyan.org/gathering

The Illinois District has a limited number of scholarships. Apply NOW!

Prayer Request

Illinois District Church Planters Needed

Global Partners - Missionaries & MK's

Efren Olivares - Continues cancer treatments

Leonard Waller - Treatments for a mass on his esophagus. Showing positive results.

Patty Trent - Mother of Pastor Philip Trent who will be undergoing breast cancer treatments soon.

Lawrenceville - Pastoral search

Haiti District Project - To build 2 pole buildings for worship sites.

Pastor Dale Munsell's brother who lives in Kansas City is undergoing some physical needs.

Special needs for several of our pastoral families and their children.