NOVEMBER 2005

NOVEMBER 2005

Editor: Robin Wagganer

Contents

Pastor Mike Lemont

The New Church in Soledad

Rev. Calhoun Visits Korea

Pastor Mike Lemont

from the Ceres, CA Courier, October 28

Mike Lemont, pastor of California's Ceres Valley View Church of the Nazarene for the past 15 years, died of cancer Monday, October 24 in Hughson, California. He was 54.

In February, Pastor Lemont took another church assignment and intended to move to Fortuna in Humboldt County when he was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer.

(Ed: The same week he was due to move to Fortuna was when they discovered the malignant brain tumor.)

Born September 10, 1951, Lemont was a native of Hood River, Oregon.

He leaves behind his wife, Penny; two daughters, Stephanie Cordeiro and Callie Johnson; his parents, Ernest and Rachel Lemont; his brother, Tim Lemont; his sister, Becky Bova; and two grandchildren.

Remembrances may be sent to the Alexander Cohen Hospice House, c/o Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356; or to the Church Planting Fund for Central California District Church of the Nazarene, 1640 W. Shaw Ave., Fresno, CA 93711.

The New Church in Soledad California

by Rev. Wilmer Guido, Hispanic Ministries

Soledad is a city located at about 35 miles south of Salinas, with a population of 13,000, 90% of which is of Hispanic origin. Most of the people in this area are farm workers.

The Church of the Nazarene Oasis have about three families, who live in this city. The city of Soledad is the very center of Monterey county and we were praying and planning to start a new church in Soledad. We will start on October 8 with the showing of the Jesus film. Families that we have from King City, 50 miles south of Salinas, from Greenfield, 45 miles south of Salinas, from Gonzales 20 miles south of Salinas will be supporting this event.

Rev. Leonel and Elvia Cruz with their children Isaac (8) and Jesua (3) who just arrived from Nicaragua, will be the ministers of this new church, and will be supported by Oasis and by the Norcal district.

Passing the Torch

by Rev. Tim King, Salinas

At the September 2005 meeting of your Sunday School Ministries Board, longtime District Children's Ministries Director, Gerry Hauser, passed the "ministry torch" to Carol Kibler.

Gerry has served as Norcal District Children's Director for 25 years and as a member of the Board for 31 years. Since her appointment by Grady Cantrell in 1980, Gerry began and directed Caravan Roundup (now Kid's Roundup).

In the early '90s she was part of the "God Called Commission" initiated by Clarence Kinzler. The purpose of this commission was to keep track of children who felt called to full-time ministry. When the Camps Board was dissolved the district, the area of children's camp fell into Gerry's lap, which was fine with her, since that is really her first love. She has been involved in some aspect of children's summer camps for nearly 50 years.

Gerry's love for her district family was expressed in many ways. She held many Sunday School and Caravan training seminars, was a resource consultant to countless pastors and lay leaders, and is a champion for children wherever she has opportunity.

Carol Kibler grew up on Norcal District. She was part of the many who attended the camps "back in the day" at Beulah Park in Santa Cruz. She attended Point Loma Nazarene College and obtained BS in Nursing. Carol works part time at Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto and still attends the church she grew up in, CrossRoads Community Church in Palo Alto. Carol is married to John, has a daughter Monica (9) and a son Austin (7).

Welcome Olivia!

Pastor Andy Satta (Papa), and Jacqui (Nana) from our Crescent City Church are the proud grandparents to Olivia Kate!

Olivia Kate was born on October 6th, weighing 6 lbs. 2 oz., and measuring 19 inches long. Her parents' are Kim and Tom Burruel. They live in Nampa, Idaho. Papa says, "she's a real tiny cutie and the first girl in our family tree in 25 years!" What a spoiled princess she will be! We all "welcome" the newest little Nazarene!

Mamer Ajak Update

Mamer Ajak is the young man from Sudan that spoke to our Youth and Mission service in May, 2003. He is known as one of the "Lost Boys of Sudan." Since he spoke to us, he has become a member of our Golden Gate Community Church as he is finishing his degree at Point Loma Nazarene University.

With the support of GGCC and others on our district, he was able to return to Africa after many years. He was reunited with his family that he had once thought were dead and also went to his home village. There he assessed needs and is planning to develop an education program with the help of friends. Continue to pray for this effort.

NMI Update

by Rev. John Wilcox, Santa Cruz

School Pal Paks another Compassionate Mission

School Pal Paks are the newest opportunity for our churches to help children and youth around the world. While school for us starts in August or September, many schools abroad start their new school year in January.

A Pal Pak provides two childe with the basic school supplies. This is what is needed per pak.

* 2 MEAD or Composition notebooks

* 1 package of 10-12 # 2 pencils

* 1 package of 10-12 black pens

* 2 pink erasers 2-3 " long

* 1 package of color pencils

* 1 pair of blunt nosed scissors

* Hand head pencil sharper

One box of 10 kits will serve 20 children. Anticipated cost is $10 per pak or $5.00 per child.

Send a check to General Treasurer for $10 per box that is sent. Paks are to be packed in a 12 by 12 by 12 box each pak in a gallon zip lock bag.

Send your school kit pak boxes to:

NCM, Relief Shipment

5300 Fawn Grove Road

Pylesville, MD 21132

Or if using Regular Mail:

NCM Relief Shipment

P.O. Box 117

Fawn Grove, PA. 17321

MPO = Mission Priority One!

This is the goal for every church to meet. What does it take:

* Praying for Missions

* Education the church people about missions

* Challenging our children and youth to participate in missions

* Giving to Missions

Each one is important to make missions the priority it needs to be in our local churches.

Thanksgiving and World Missions

An opportune time to think about all the "things" that God has given to us. How grateful are we for His provisions in our life. Whether we are rich or poor, the Lord has given to us this occasion to live and give to Him. In a couple of weeks your church will be taking the Thanksgiving offering for World Missions. Give something special to the Lord not just because there is an offering, but because you are truly thankful for the blessings you have been given.

Missionaries and Christmas

Have you sent your LINKS missionary a Christmas package yet? It is not too late if you do it in the next couple of weeks and send it by air. Remember them somehow, whether a package or a blitz of cards, or a gift of cash sent to the General Treasurer for them. Maybe you will choose to do all three, but please do something. Let them know that the Nor Cal Nazarenes appreciate all they do on the mission field.

Rev. Calhoun Visits Korea

I was privleged to visit Korea with Rev. and Mrs. Paul Chung and son Daniel from our Daly City Western Korean Church. Pastor Chung and I shared preaching opportunities in local churches, the Korea District Pastor's Retreat and to the student body of Korea Nazarene University. We were blessed to see the fruitful work.