REFLECTIONS
D.S. Steve Ottley
Lessons from a Cattle Farm
I recently had the opportunity to attend a conference sponsored and facilitated by our USA/Canada Region Office. I flew into Orlando and traveled the rest of the journey by car to Gainesville, Florida. It was a nice drive through the countryside. At one point I passed a cattle farm with wide open fields; cattle were grazing on the lush grass, it was a beautiful scene.
The scene took my mind back to two different things. As a boy, I traveled the highway passing many similar cattle farms on our way to district events in Belize. So, there was a bit of nostalgia as I drove along the Florida turnpike. It also took my mind to a Scripture I’ve been meditating on recently. I preached at our Toronto Good Shepherd Church a couple Sundays ago and seeing it was one week removed from Good Shepherd Sunday on the Christian Calendar, I couldn’t resist preaching from the Gospel of John, chapter 10. Verse 11 was my springboard text.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
A few days later as I was reading through the entirety of Chapter 10 again, I was drawn to verse 9.
Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures.
What a great Scripture! It’s the picture of freedom and provision we have in Christ. It spoke to me profoundly as the Holy Spirit reminded me of what the Good Shepherd’s sacrifice provided. The Good Shepherd became the perfect, spotless Lamb of God, who laid down His life for the forgiveness of sin and the cleansing of SIN. Jesus’ sacrifice provides – present and continuous – freedom to live a life not dominated by the forces of a sinful nature that was corrupted by the fall way back in Eden, but to feast in the lush green pastures of God’s grace, empower by the Holy Spirit to live a victorious life over SIN.
Thank God for cattle farms and a mind that wanders from one thing to another as I drive long distances. May the Holy Spirit encourage you as He did me, in reminding you of God’s freedom and provision in Christ.
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D.S. PICTURES OF THE MONTH
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D.S. Steve Ottley, meets with Toronto Kennedy Road Church Board to plan for Pastoral Transition.
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Pastor Belkis Fernandez
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Woodbridge Worship Team
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Prayer for leaders who are being mentored by Pastor Belkis
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D.S. Steve Ottley
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Children singing "O CANADA"
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Worship Team
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Congregational Singing
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D.S. Steve Ottley brings greetings on behalf of the district
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Pastors Pedro Julio and Belkis honouring the wife of the founding pastor of Emmanuel Spanish, Pastor Rafael Moreno
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National Director, Dr. Ian Fitzpatrick sharing the message
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Pastor Pedro Julio Fernandez
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Congratulations to Pastor Trudy White on her retirement.
She has faithfully pastored at Toronto Rosewood Church as Associate Pastor, and at Markham Village Church as the Lead Pastor. Markham Village Church and Richmond Hill Solid Rock Church has officially merged and Pastor Tina Pitamber is the Lead Pastor of the merged congregation.
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WORSHIP TEAM
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Pastor Tina Pitamber
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Cindy Stavropoulos
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Pastor Nick Stavropoulos, Lead Pastor of Rosewood Church.
Rosewood Church planted Markham Village Church in the 1980’s.
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Pastor Trudy White’s Family: Laura (daughter), Eric (husband), Pastor Trudy and Logan (grandson), Tory (daughter in law), Joel (son)
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National Director, Dr. Ian Fitzpatrick
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D.S. Steve Ottley
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Pastor Trudy White
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TORONTO GOOD SHEPHERD HAITIAN
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Worship Team
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D.S. Steve Ottley
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Pastor Noel Luckner
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Welcome, greeting time
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Brantford Worship Team
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Pat and D.S. Steve Ottley
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Pastor Andrew Brown.
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Pastors gather for Plenary Session
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D.S. Ottley giving the morning devotion
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National Director, Dr. Ian Fitzpatrick sharing the National Vision for the
Church of the Nazarene, Canada
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Pastor Belkis Fernandez and Pastor Donna Wilson sharing about our
Cuba Partnership
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Pastor Carrie Tweedle sharing about our partnership with
Truth North Aboriginal Ministry.
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BREAKOUT SESSIONS ON FIVE TOPICS
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Effective Prayer Ministry
Pastor Pedro Fernandez/Pastor Abraham Alberto
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Online Ministry Loving your Community
Pastor Danny Moreno Pastor Jason Brown
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Compassionate Ministry
Rev. Elaine Bumstead
Yara Cristales
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Ministering to Children
Pastor Lena Mortley
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We have become aware of a need to assist several Iranian refugee families.
There are 3 families that one of our Nazarene pastors in the Netherlands has been working with. All from Iran and their lives are in danger. Some are living in Turkey and face deportation regularly. They all have UN status, which means they are ready to leave but just need sponsors.
1. There is 1 family with 2 children in elementary school. One parent is
a pastor the other in business
2. A brother and sister in their 30’s.
3. A couple and the wife is expecting a baby. One is a pastor and the wife an international women's ministry leader.
If you and your church are interested in exploring assisting, please contact the District Office and we will connect you with the pastor in the Netherlands.
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Creating a Culture of Call Conference
The USA/Canada Region sponsored and facilitated a one day conference on Creating a Culture of Call. It focused on the importance and ways of developing an environment in the local church where people are sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s call for Lay and Clergy Ministry. We are planning to bring this conference to Canada Central District in 2024.
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Rev. Mark Bane - USACanada Region
Director of Evangelism and New Church Development
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Rev. Kevin MacDonald - Pastor, Phoenix City, Alabama
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Rev. Kevin Jack - Pastor, Highland Park, Florida
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Rev. Shawn Siegfried - Pastor, Kansas City First
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Are you, or is someone you know called to ministry? The DMTC is a great place to explore aspects of Christian ministry and to gain a strong foundation for ministry in the church and in the world. Courses are open to those pursuing a vocational call to ministry and to those who simply want to have more knowledge and skills for serving God in their local churches and communities.
For information about our program and upcoming courses please visit our website and follow us on social media.
https://www.districtministrytrainingcentre.ca/
Facebook @canadacentralnazarenedmtc
Instagram @canadacentraldmtc
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Reverend Donna Wilson
District NMI President
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Save the Date - NMI District Rally - Thurs June 29/23 - Keynote speakers: GS Dr. David and Christi Busic!
“Good News From the Church - What is Happening in the Church of the Nazarene Globally!”
Don’t miss this exciting evening, before District Assembly begin. We can not wait to see all our district friends in person!
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NMI annual church forms will be sent out by email. Pastors and/or NMI leaders, please return them to Esther Boodhoo esm8boodhoo@rogers.com. by MAY 29
IMPORTANT - NMI membership = church membership numbers - Please help us with recording this number correctly for Lenexa KS!!
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Dr. Ruben and Dr. Monica Fernandez : Costa Rica. Our Missionary family for 2022/23! Care & Connection (LINKS)
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Ruben and Monica are both ordained elders and they have two grown children, Juan and Andres.
For more information, go to: https://give.nazarene.org/pledge/rubenfernandez
If you would like to send a note of encouragement, please write to: rfernandez@mesoamericare
(For monetary gifts, send to the National Church of Canada,
marked Links-Fernandez).
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Marg Stahlbaum - District Youth Director
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DISTRICT YOUTH RETREAT, 2023
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Speaker - Allison Springer
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Youth worship, led by Alain and Hanna Morales
(Oakville Generations Church)
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Adult Sponsor's
Meeting, led by NYI President, Marg Stahlbaum
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NYC Update
NYC'23 is less than 4 months away and we are so excited! Marg Stahlbaum and I had the opportunity to head down to Tampa Bay, Florida for the Leadership Conference and check out all the amazing things the youth will be doing.
It was wonderful to be a part of the prayers over the locations the youth will be at for worship and to connect with other leaders from all over North America.
We are blessed to have so many things come together while we were there and see the ways God will be working in the city and in the youth.
There will be an information meeting scheduled soon for the parents of those attending as well as one for the youth.
More details to follow.
- Allison Coates, NYC'23 Coordinator
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NDI NAZARENE DISCIPLESHIP INTERNATIONAL
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Ladies Retreat is back!
We need your help sharing this with your friends and church.
Please visit ndicentral.ca/renew for promotional resources and details!
Hope to see you there!
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Upcoming D.S. Schedule
May 1 st – Interdenominational Church Health Meeting – Zoom
May 1 st – NDI Easter to Pentecost Prayer – Zoom
May 2 nd – May 3 rd – National Board Meeting – Zoom
May 6 th – NDI GROW Conference – Toronto Rosewood Church – Toronto
May 7 th – Toronto Good Shepherd Church Worship Service – Toronto
May 8 th – NDI Easter to Pentecost Prayer – Zoom
May 9 th – Ottawa Trinity Board Meeting – Zoom
May 10 th – The Sharing Place AGM – Zoom
May 11 th – District App Meeting – Zoom
May 12 th – May 13 th – Creating a Culture of Calling
– Gainesville City Lights Church of the Nazarene
May 14 th – Brantford Church Worship Service – Brantford
May 15 th – Newmarket Church Board Meeting – Zoom
May 16 th – District Bylaw Review Meeting – Zoom
May 16 th – Toronto Main Street Church Annual Meeting – Main Street Church
May 17 th – District Advisory Board Meeting – Zoom
May 17 th – Toronto Kennedy Road Church Board Meeting – Zoom
May 18 th – DMTC Board Meeting – Zoom
May 22 nd – NDI Easter to Pentecost Prayer – Zoom
May 23 rd – District Assembly Planning Meeting – Zoom
May 24 th – NYI Budget Meeting – Zoom
May 25 th – All Canada Pastor’s Meeting – Zoom
May 25 th – District Finance Committee Meeting – Zoom
May 28 th – Shelburne Grace Worship Service – Shelburne
May 30 th – District Secretary’s Meeting – District Office
May 31 st – GTA Missional Zone Pastor’s Gathering – Brampton
June 4 th – Toronto Rosewood Chinese Worship Service – Toronto
June 6 th – Wesley Studies Committee Meeting – Tyndale University
June 6 th – NMI Council Meeting – Zoom
June 8 th – Friday, June 16 th – General Assembly – Indianapolis, Indiana
June 22 nd – Monthly Pastor’s Gathering – Zoom
June 22 nd – NYI Council Meeting – Zoom
June 25 th – Lakeside Community Church Worship Service/Church
– Pastoral Relationship Review –Holland Landing
June 29 th – Friday, June 30 th – District Assembly and Conventions
July 5 th – DAB Meeting – New Member’s Orientation – District Office
July 11 th – Ministerial Studies Secretary’s Meeting – District Office
July 15 th – Toronto True Vine Church Worship Service – Rexdale |
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Be Sure to Click "View Entire Message" at the bottom of the email.
We don't want you to miss any of the district news!
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We love to hear what is happening in the churches of our district! If your church has pictures or news to submit for the next edition of IN THE LOOP, please send them in to support@centralnazarene.ca by the last Wednesday of the month! |
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Remember to visit our website at www.centralnazarene.ca. We will be keeping the calendar and site up to date, so please check there for information. If you have any questions or concerns about the website or newsletter, please contact support@centralnazarene.ca
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DISTRICT SCHEDULE
Updated May 1 st
Monday, May 1 st – NDI Easter to Pentecost Prayer – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 2 nd– Wednesday, May 3 rd – National Board Meeting
Saturday, May 6 th – NDI GROW Conference – Rosewood Church @ 9:00 a.m.
Monday, May 8 th – NDI Easter to Pentecost Prayer – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 10 th – The Sharing Place AGM – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
Monday, May 15 th– NDI Easter to Pentecost Prayer – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 17 th– District Advisory Board Meeting – Zoom @ 10:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 18 th – DMTC Board Meeting – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
Monday, May 22 nd– NDI Easter to Pentecost Prayer – Zoom @ 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 23 rd – District Assembly Planning Meeting – Zoom @ 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, May 24 th – NYI Budget Meeting – Zoom @ 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 25 th – All Canada Pastor’s Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Thursday, May 25 th – District Finance Committee Meeting – Zoom @ 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 31 st – GTA Missional Zone Pastor’s Gathering
– Brampton @ 11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, June 6 th – NMI Council Meeting – Zoom @ 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 9 th – Friday, June 16 th – General Assembly – Indianapolis, Indiana
Thursday, June 22 nd – Monthly Pastor’s Gathering – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Thursday, June 22 nd – NYI Council Meeting – Zoom @ 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 29 th – Friday, June 30 th – District Assembly and Conventions
Wednesday, July 5 th – DAB Meeting – New Member’s Orientation
– District Office @ 10:30 a.m.
Wednesday, July 5 th – Sunday, July 9 th – Nazarene Youth Conference
– Tampa Bay, Florida
Sunday, July 30 th – Sunday, August 6 th – Riverview Family Camp
Friday, July 15 th – Saturday, October 3 rd – District Superintendent’s Sabbatical
Thursday, July 27 th – All Canada Pastor’s Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Sunday, July 30 th – Sunday. August 6 th – Riverview Family Camp
Thursday, September 28 th – All Canada Pastor’s Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Saturday, October 14 th – NDI Board Meeting – Zoom @ 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 25 – Thursday, October 26 th
– National Board Executive Meeting
Thursday, November 30 th – All Canada Pastor’s Meeting – Zoom @ 12:00 Noon
Monday, August 11 th, 2025 – Thursday, August 14 th, 2025– PALCON
– Ambrose University |
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