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‘The Naz’ sets a great example by appealing to teens The Brighton Nazarene Church celebrated its 40th birthday over the weekend. The church, which has grown over the years from 30 to more than 750 members, has done so in large part by reaching out to area youth. The outreach has paid off, both for the church and the youth, and it’s a model that other churches can learn from. “The Naz”, as the youngsters call it, is just west of Brighton on Brighton Road in Genoa Township, across from Brighton High School. When the Brighton Nazarene Church began in 1968, it had about 30 people who met in a building at Brighton’s Mill Pond. The building, which was also used by the Boy Scouts and the Livingston Players, was later demolished. In the early 1970’s, the church built its own building at a former gravel pit on Ethel boulevard in Brighton Township that is now the Brighton Montessori School. The church moved to its present location in 1990, and since that time, it has undergone numerous additions, including a gymnasium in 1995 and a new 1,000-person sanctuary in 2004. Then the church decided to go all out to appeal to youngsters. In 1998, the church built an outdoor skate park that regularly drew 350 kids on Friday nights. In 2001, church members raised $200,000 to build an indoor skate park that has attracted 5,000 kids. The deal is that youth can use the skate park for free if they attend a regular church service or a special service called “skate church”, a 30-minute session focused on God and being a better person. Otherwise, it’s $5. The church also recently created The Naz Diner and a game room, which features four high-definition flat screen televisions that are equipped with Xbox video game consoles. There’s a gym for shooting hoops and playing volleyball, and the church is setting up a multimedia area for youth presentations. The results have been wonderful, for both the church and its young people. On a typical youth worship night 130-150 young people attend. The Rev. Ben Walls is proud that his church provides a haven for youth, especially those facing troubles—such as drugs, alcohol and dealing with family problems. “We believe that’s what a church should do,” Walls said for a story in Friday’s Daily Press & Argus. “Reach out to those who are lost on a road.” In addition to the Naz’s 40th Anniversary, Walls is also celebrating 20 years at the church. His leadership is evident in the growth of the church and the success of its youth outreach mission. Walls has tremendous faith in the young. Some adults expressed concerns in 1998 when the church opened its outdoor skate park in the parking lot on Friday nights. Those nights had a “carnival atmosphere,” with 350 young people turning up to skate, socialize and fix cars. Some were church members, but others were not. There were youths with tattoos, and teenagers blasting music from their cars. Adult volunteers learned to connect with the teenagers, and Walls said it was clear that if you respect the kids, they’ll respect you. He recalled no significant problems. Walls has received offers to move to other churches, but he’s always declined. “I like what’s going on here,” he said. “As long as we’re progressing and seeing growth, this is the place I want to be.” The community is a better place for having both Walls and the Brighton Nazarene Church in it. SOURCE: May 20, 2008 Livingston County Daily Press & Argus Congratulations 2008 Olivet Graduates Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Bachelor of Social Work
Campmeeting Poster now available for Download!
THANK YOU TO ALL PASTORS WHO REPORT ON TIME EACH MONTH April 2008 SDMI Reporting Results First Zone to fully report for the first time: Thumb Zone; an UPSET! Way to go, Thumb Zone!! May 2008 SDMI Reporting Results Detroit East Zone came in first with all churches fully reporting for the month of May!!! Way to go, Detroit East!! Children's Quizzing Schedule for 2007-2008
Quizzing results are posted online at: http://www.emdnaz.org/children_quizzing.php
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$220 donation = 1 square of roofing OUR GOAL: $2600.00 VBS is coming to the Mission June 16-19. Please be in prayer for the volunteers from East Flint Church as they minister to the kids and adults of the surrounding neighborhood.
God bless!
2008 NYI Scholarship Information is now available Highest Call appearing near you!
eTidings is the email newsletter of the Eastern Michigan District Church of the Nazarene. For more information about our District, visit our website at www.emdnaz.org. You are receiving eTidings because you have subscribed to it either through our website or through a district function. If you would like to unsubscribe, please reply to this email or send a new email to etidings@emdnaz.org with the words "Unsubscribe eTidings" at the top of the message. |
Milton L. Bunker of Clio, age 91, was born January 7, 1917 to the late Ina Gladys (Butler) Bunker and Clyde Milton Bunker. He went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 23, 2008 at home with his daughter. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at Flint Central Church of the Nazarene with Rev. Stephen Anthony, District Superintendent of the Eastern Michigan District, Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Salvation Army. Milton grew up in Clio and attended the Clio Schools where he was active in sports, scouting and various school activities. Milton was converted in a church revival in June of 1938, and having accepted Christ as his personal savior, felt a call to the ministry. Rev. Milton Bunker had been actively involved in the Church of the Nazarene since 1938 and was currently a member of Flint Central Church. Prior to 1938, he had been active in the Clio, Methodist Protestant Church. He was united in marriage to Louise Bunker on September 8, 1939, in Flint, MI. Having completed his studies and preparation for the ministry, he took his first pastorate in the Church of the Nazarene in Millington, MI, and was ordained in 1943. His other pastorates included the Kenmore Church in Akron, OH, Austin Church in Chicago, IL and associate pastor at Flint Central Church of the Nazarene. Having been the highest ranking Eagle Scout in the Muscadawin Area Council, he was the cofounder of the World Wide Nazarene Caravan Program in the Church of the Nazarene, and became the first National Director. Surviving are daughter, Judy Armer of Clio; son, David Bunker and wife Katherine of West Dundee, IL; three grandsons, Scot Richards, Todd (Deanna) Richards, Bret Armer of California, formerly of Clio; one grand daughter, Amanda (Scott) Irps of Clifton, IL; five great-grandsons, Jeffrey of Shelby, Joshua of Shelby, Todd Jr. of Clio, Ethan of Clio and Ian of IL; several cousins, nieces and nephews; sister-in-law Lillian Mountain of Grand Rapids. Milton was preceded in death by his wife Louise in December 1996.
Janice Kay Ballard, 64, of Port Huron went home to be with the Lord May 7, 2008. She was born June 18, 1943 in Port Angeles, Washington to Norma (Cornwell) Heath and the late George Heath. Janice married David Ward Ballard on November 24, 1962. David, her high school sweetheart and husband of 45 years, preceded her in death on November 23, 2007. Janice was a graduate of Port Huron High School class of ’61 and Olivet Nazarene University. She worked for the Port Huron School District for 29 years as a Home Economics and English teacher, touching many lives. She served the Lord with her husband at Blue Water Church of the Nazarene in Marine City for 11 years. She ministered to the children of North Hills Church of the Nazarene and Port Huron First Church of the Nazarene for over 30 years as Youth Director and Children’s Pastor. Her talents were also sought outside of Port Huron as well, including serving as the Eastern Michigan District Children’s Ministries Director for many years. Her joy and expertise – whether practiced in a home economics class or in her dining room – was her hospitality. Be it family, friends, or strangers, she showered them with kindness. She touched people’s lives with the hope that they might come to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Her hobbies included doting on her grandchildren, whom she loved dearly, cooking, gardening, reading, traveling and watching the Detroit Tigers. She is survived by two daughters; Susan and John Zacharias of Spring Hill, Tennessee and Katy and Ray Burkett of Clyde; four grandchildren, Spencer and Katelyn Zacharias and Raven and Ian Burkett; her mother, Norma Heath; two brothers; Tom and Jan Heath and Dan and Pam Heath; three sisters, Karen and Larry Sanders, Susan Heath and Nancy and Larry Osborn; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Joan and Bernie Ellery, George and Joanne Loshaw, Marilyn and the late Bernie Palmateer, Jim and Donna Loshaw, Gary Loshaw, Fred and Julie Loshaw, Gail Loshaw, Carol Parker, Marjorie and Richard Lashbrook, Walt and Marlene Ballard, Robert and Cindy Ballard, Donna and Dan Smith, Bill and Jan Ballard, Paul Ballard, Woodrow Loshaw, John and Becky Loshaw, and the late Cindy Treadway; her mother-in-law, Althea Loshaw; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Port Huron First Church of the Nazarene.
Rev. Robert Moulding, former pastor of New Covenant Church and associate at Brighton Church, has accepted a call to pastor the Metropolitan Church. His first Sunday will be June 22nd.
Summer is always a busy time with vacations, VBS, family reunions, and the like. It's a favorite time of the year for many of us! At Eastside Mission, we have some projects that we'd like to get done during a relatively "slow" time of year for us. Please see our web site at: