Announcing Our New Global NDI Director
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Jeff Spangler, NDI Administrative Director
We are so excited to announce the election of our new global NDI director, Dr. Sam Barber! The official notification went out on June 10th. Currently, Dr. Barber is serving as superintendent of the South Central Ohio District and is now in the process of transitioning into this new position. Sam met his wife, Jill, when they were students at Mount Vernon Nazarene College (now University) and their son, Ross, is engaged to be married in July. As you can imagine, they have a lot going on between now and the official start date of August 1st. Sam is a “preachers’ kid” and has been a pastor himself for more than 33 years. He has a passion for discipleship in the local church and in 2023 authored the book A People of Grace: Becoming Disciples Together. The book came out of a question he asked himself as a local pastor, “Where are the disciples?” This question has set the trajectory of his ministry and instilled a passion to take the Great Commission seriously. “I’m a huge fan of the Journey of Grace. I think the way it has been articulated, the way that it gathers up a Wesleyan framework and theology is very, very strong,” says Dr. Barber. He acknowledges that he has “big shoes to fill” following Dr. Scott Rainey but feels that God’s call is clear, and he looks forward to continuing this vision and working to help pastors mobilize the Journey of Grace framework in the local church.
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Dr. Sam Barber, Global NDI Director |
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Interview with Dr. Sam Barber
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Engaging in Authentic Relationships
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The core of our faith and life is to love God and love others. When an expert in the Law questioned Jesus regarding the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:35-40), Jesus’ reply is two-fold: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself.”
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| God Is Really Moving in the Realm of Disability Ministry!
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It has been a blessing to see the doors that have opened and the people who have come together to help make this ministry a reality. I thought it would be helpful to provide some updates about the ministry and ways that you can be involved. Praise God for a great response from district leadership! I look forward to hearing from more of our districts as we move forward.
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| Engaging in Men’s Ministries
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Making Summer Camps Important
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I know from personal experience that summer camps are transformative. At the age of 10, God met with me at a boys and girls camp in eastern Michigan. One Wednesday evening, I opened my life to God’s direction as I responded to the invitation to receive Christ as my personal Savior. At that same camp, I also said “Yes” to his invitation to serve as a minister in his church.
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Listening and Learning: The Joys of Teaching
Dr. Juanita Copley
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As part of a Department of Education grant, I was excited to spend my entire day with six classes of first graders and their teachers, modeling and sharing mathematics activities. As I opened the front door of Martin Elementary School, I was greeted by two first graders who ran down the hallway shouting, “The great BIG teacher is here. She’s got lots of stuff!”
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Reaching Out Is Making Disciples
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The Great Commission from Jesus to his Church has not changed. Reproducing Christlike disciples is our reason for existing as the people of God. Making disciples is the lifestyle that all Christians are called to. God calls us all today. He keeps telling us: “Come, follow me” (Mark 2:14). The call of the Lord is a call for all of life; it is a call for all people. But let us not forget the challenge that follows this invitation: He wants us to engage in the task of discipleship.
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Children’s Bible Quizzing
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We have just finished the Gospel of Matthew and the next book of the Bible we plan to study is Acts. What an exciting adventure! Students will read and learn new things about God, the church, and themselves as they focus on the 28 chapters of an exciting book of the Bible.
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Grab your friends and your life jackets and let’s go on a “River Rafting Adventure.” This year’s Vacation Bible School is sure to appeal to all ages of students as they follow Sammy and Bobby down the river.
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| The Holy Life Bible Series Is Now Available
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The Foundry Publishing’s Holy Life Bible Study Series is a practical discipleship tool for both new and seasoned Christians. Author Frank Moore takes readers on a journey that unpacks theological truths of faith in a way that is both inspirational and motivating.
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New District NDI Presidents Orientation
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Congratulations to all our newly elected district NDI presidents!
If you’re like most who have been elected to this position you are probably wondering, “Okay, so now what?” The good news is that you are not alone! Coming this September, the global NDI office is providing training for all our newly elected district NDI presidents.
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You can now find the Revelation Bible Study at DiscipleshipPlace.org. This resource is an in-depth study with rich insights that will give anyone a deeper understanding of Scripture.
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NDI at PALCON Matters Because of You
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Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI) is honored to be present at each of the three USA 2024 PALCONs. The opportunity to connect and network with you is always an honor our office does not take for granted.
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| NDI USA/Canada Leadership Conference (LC2024)
November 5-7, 2024
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Nazarene Discipleship International Leadership Conference LC2024 will be here soon! It will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our event begins on Tuesday evening, November 5, and continues through Thursday morning, November 7, 2024.
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