Tag: Nazarene

  • To There & Back Again

    To There & Back Again

    Dear Praying Friend—

    August is now almost over and three weeks ago my son and I returned from a 47 day, 3500+-mile trip. Whew! Lots of driving! And five different flights —in six different states. Joy was spread. Wonder shared. His truth proclaimed. We saw many hearts come to know Christ. And many recommitments, too! In the last six weeks I’ve ministered with:

    Trevecca Community Church, Nashville, TN
    Real Life Community Church, Portage, IN
    First Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, AL
    Lake Forest Ranch, Macon, MS
    First Baptist Church, Lesterville, MO
    South Missouri Baptist Camp, Van Buren, MO
    Philadelphia Nazarene District Children’s Camp, Stevens, PA
    Grace Church, Columbia, TN
    North/East Texas District, Scottsville, TX
    People Of Faith Church, Children’s Lighthouse, Winter Garden, FL

    Here’s what Pastor Scott Marshall, from Real Life Community Church in Portage, Indiana said about our family outreach event:

    There several extraordinary things happening in the work of this ministry! Let me share with you a couple of them:

    As of July first, New Dimensions has brought under our ministry umbrella FaithKidz. Faithkidz was started by long-time friend and mentor, Steve Pennington. Steve has had a stellar record on staff as children’s pastor at Saddleback Church (California) and Highland Park Church (Florida) and is currently at Trevecca Community Church in Nashville. FaithKidz creates and develops curriculum for children. AND is actively training the next generation of Children’s Ministry Leaders. A recent report from faith research company, Barna, stated:

    “Fewer churches emphasize and equip people for evangelism these days, and the results are obvious and undeniable. The implications of ignoring gospel outreach – especially among children, who are the most receptive audience to the gospel – are enormous. All the ‘church growth’ strategies in the world cannot compensate for the absence of an authentic transmission of the good news of what Jesus Christ has done for humanity.” (source: Barna.org)

    At our core, NDE is all about partnering with churches to reach communities. Much of our mission is aimed at families and children. Bringing FaithKidz into our fold allows us to go deeper, build larger and proclaim stronger the Good News! Steve is the director of the FaithKidz project with NDE. Thanks to Trevecca Community Church and Jones Legacy Foundation in Nashville for financially supporting this endeavor!

    You are a vital part of this ministry. In case you don’t know, this is not a “big ministry” operation. We have less than 100 people a year that financially give to this work. I believe that God has directed me to build toward 200 in 2020. If we had 100 more folks that would stand by this work at least once-a-year…I believe we could be so much more effective! Would you join in me praying that by the end of 2020 we’d have an additional 100 supporters?

    Please continue to lift up this work in your daily prayers!

    Sharing His Wonder,

    Scott Humston

    If you’d like to learn more about how you can be a vital part of this ministry please go here.

  • How To Eat An Elephant.

    How To Eat An Elephant.

    You’ve probably heard the illustration about a man eating an elephant; How would it be possible? In a way that should be a challenge to every Christian … he ate it one-bite-at-a-time. Eventually, you would have consumed the entire elephant.

    What in the world has this to do with Christians or with Satan’s attacks on Christianity? A great deal … by example! We as followers of Christ are facing problems which are seemingly much more challenging that eating an elephant.

    It seems as if the powers of Satan are about to overwhelm the world. Television, the movies, and the internet seem to be in a race to see if they can outdo the pornography that was actually illegal just a couple of decades ago. Immoral and illegal activity seems to be the expected norm among some political, business, and religious leaders alike. The quest for power and the quick dollar appear to be the most important goals of almost every American.

    Crime, mostly drug-related, is becoming so prevalent that many are afraid to venture beyond their neighborhood and some are fearful of leaving their own home … yet most of us are not even safe there! Countries are falling to Godless Communism in our own hemisphere, and militant Islam is sweeping much of the rest of the world and Americans are enamored with our own prosperity and a false sense of governmental protection!

    How is the Christian to cope with the political, personal and spiritual complexion of the world which seems to be the darkest and most overwhelming in all history?

    VERY SIMPLY … ONE-BITE-AT-A-TIME!

    [bctt tweet=”God had a reason for placing you in the exact place where you are.” username=”scotthumston”]

    God had a reason for placing you in the exact place where you are. He had a purpose in permitting you to be exposed to the people, places, and problems you encounter daily. He wants you to handle your part, one-bite-at-a-time … in the power of the Holy Spirit! Faced with the enormity of these problems, some would feel completely overwhelmed with so much to be done, that consequently, they may do nothing. But taken one-bite-at-a-time, with the Lord’s help, we can work through almost all problems and projects. You “eat” your part of the problem, other Christians “eat” their part, I’ll “eat” my part… and the first thing you know the entire problem will be gone!

    Our God-ordained goal is to win the world to Christ. With things seemingly getting so bad, how can we possibly have any impact on such an overwhelming problem from our small corner of the world? Do it one-bite-at-a-time! You win your neighbor or family member to Christ, others win theirs, I’ll win mine … and soon we will have won the world to Jesus!

    It is precisely because so many of us fail to take care of our part that the world is in such a mess. People who have been won to Christ and appropriately discipled through a Bible preaching church, don’t rob their neighbors or sell drugs to children. If we haven’t done our part in winning to Christ those with whom we come in contact, we have no right to complain about how bad things are becoming. It is the “teamwork” of each Christian taking his one-bite-at-a-time that will win the world for our Christ!

    This same “teamwork” of one-bite-at-a-time is what has made it possible for this work to have recorded over 200,000 public decisions for Christ in these last 30 years through our events.

    Some have recommended this ministry, some have donated materials and services, some have shared wisdom and advice, a few have given financial help, and hopefully, all have prayed … each one doing what the Lord wants him to do to be a part of this evangelistic effort! These 200,000 certainly are affecting multiplied thousands of others for our Lord … family members, business associates, friends, neighbors!

    Sharing His Wonder,

  • I Haven’t Been Everywhere (man) or Meeting Johnny Cash

    I Haven’t Been Everywhere (man) or Meeting Johnny Cash

    Johnny Cash was quite the man. Born way before my time and passing away on my birthday, in September 2003 at the age of 71, he was an American Icon.  I became a Cash fan in the later stage of his life.  (During what some call the “American Recordings” era).

    I DID have the opportunity to meet him in the fall of 1991.  A friend was a roadie for David Copperfield.  I was waiting backstage at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, to get comped in the second show.  As I was waiting for my friend, Gary, here came Johnny, June and the rest of the family. I was in the dooway—they had to walk right by me…so, I stuck out my hand and said, “Mr. Cash, I love your work.” He responded with a strong handshake and a “Thank you, very much.” June politely nodded, and I was on cloud nine. When I got back to the dorm that evening, I explained to my roommate from Fort Lauderdale…”Guess who I met, tonight!” “David Copperfield” he replied. “No! Johnny Cash! I stated. “Who’s that?” was his reply. I went down the hall to tell someone else who might appreciate it more. I just wish there had been camera phones back then.

    John’s life is a redemption story. If you’re not familiar with it—or him, take some time and read about him, his sin, and his conversion to Christ; his fall and his redemption. I recommend this book.

    I haven’t been everywhere…yet. But I’ve been to a LOT of places. This year I’ve shared wonder with over 80,000 people in twelve states. New Dimensions has partnered with the following churches/ministries in 2017:

    State Road Community Church
    First Baptist, Sebring
    First Baptist, Mt. Dora
    Morning Star Friends Church
    Deland Church of the Nazarene
    First Baptist, Chiefland
    Maplewood Baptist Church
    Oak City Baptist Church
    Heritage Baptist Church
    First Baptist, Tucumcari
    Las Vegas First Nazarene
    Ridgeview Baptist Church
    Pablo Church of the Nazarene
    First Baptist, Fort McCoy
    Trinity Baptist Church
    Sonset Fellowship Church
    Estill Springs First
    Brentwood United Methodist
    Franklin United Methodist
    Woodmont Christian Church
    Chapel, Eglin AFB
    East Tennessee District Church of the Nazarene
    Arizona District Church of the Nazarene
    Virginia District Church of the Nazarene
    North Central Ohio District Church of the Nazarene

    Would you be praying about how we can impact even more people in even more places in 2018?

    To learn more about making a difference in this work, connect with me here or on social media.

    To listen to Cash’s recording of I’ve been everywhere man, click here for the YouTube video.

    To see the list of cities I’ve ministered in this past year, keep scrolling.

    Sharing His Wonder,

     

     

    Scott

     

    FLORIDA
    Jacksonville, Vero Beach, Englewood, Navarre, Pace, Fellsmere, Lakeland, Gulf Breeze, Sarasota, Crestview, Sorrento, Kississimee, Sebring, Ocoee, Orlando, Coral Springs, Leesburg, Mount Dora, Deland, Tangerine, Chiefland, Groveland, Clermont, Eustis, Paisley, Tampa, Winter Garden, Melbourne, Pensacola, Sanford, North Port, Fort McCoy, Orange Park, St. Johns, Daytona Beach, Longwood, Apopka & Boynton Beach.

    SOUTH CAROLINA
    Lancaster, Prosperity, Newberry, Aiken, & Charleston

    OHIO
    North Royalton, Chardon, Ashland, & Wooster

    Georgia
    Atlanta

    Tennessee
    Maryville, Collierville, Alamo, Columbia, Brentwood, Donelson, Milan, Greenfield, Jackson, Kodak, Sevierville, Seymour, Memphis, Lawrenceburg, Nashville, Estill Springs, Franklin & Clarksville.

    North Carolina
    Yadkinville, & Oak City

    Arizona
    Prescott, Phoenix, Chandler & Sedona

    Virginia
    Buckingham & Ashburn,

    Nevada
    Las Vegas

    Arkansas
    Wynne

    New Mexico
    Tucumcari

    Montana
    Pablo, Ronan

     

     

  • 3 Steps To Overcoming Sorrow

    3 Steps To Overcoming Sorrow

    There are so many reasons and degrees of sorrow. Sorrow is almost certain at the death of a loved one…many have experienced this. But there are many other types of sorrow which carry varying degrees of emotional response on our part. The loss of a mate or relative through a divorce, through either permanent or temporary separation such as one going off to military service, off to school or to a new job.

    A permanent loss brings greater sorrow than if we know we will regain that loved one in the future.

    If you were to lose your reputation, it would bring sorrow. This could be over something extremely serious such as our business being ruined or even as small as someone making a critical remark to or about us. There are so many reasons for sorrow we could not name them all.

    Let’s just look at some ways to handle them.

    The first and most important principle for us to KNOW is that God is still on the throne and He never makes mistakes. Often our sorrow comes because we think we know what is best for ourselves and others rather than trusting God with the details.

    Romans 8:28 is eternally true when God says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

    Since we cannot know God’s total purpose for us or others, it is best to trust Him for His details.

    Secondly, we need to determine if the sorrow we are experiencing is because we are at fault. Did we do something immoral, did we mistreat someone, did we break one of the God’ laws … resulting in circumstances that bring us sorrow? If so, our first step is to admit it to God (confess it) and claim His forgiveness; “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)

    The next thing is to try to clear this up with the ones offended and take steps to ensure that this habit/practice/attitude is no longer in our lives.

    The third thing to do when faced with sorrow is to re-program our minds and emotions with praise to the Lord … what better time to think about this than Thanksgiving!

    [bctt tweet=”God has made us in such a way that we cannot experience more than one emotion at a time. If we are experiencing “praise and thanksgiving” for His goodness, then the emotion of sorrow is eliminated from our lives.” username=”scotthumston”]

    “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” (Psalm 34:1) “Praise the Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.” (Psalm 147:1)

    To experience God’s “pleasant” and “beautiful” emotions, give praise to Him!

    “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on THESE things …. and the God of peace WILL be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

    Sharing His Wonder,

  • Results from The Rocky Mountain Initiative

    Results from The Rocky Mountain Initiative

    Rocky Mountain Initiative

    For the Rocky Mountain District, Church of the Nazarene, Fall 2016 initiative, they wished to reach local schools— and partner with local churches for community impact. So, they reached out to New Dimensions Evangelism. The vision was to create a positive impact on schools–and bring in the lost to local churches. And to inspire local pastors with “what could be.”

    Two churches hosted the weekend outreach. Each of these churches averages about 120 in Sunday morning attendance.

    We presented 19 programs in a 10 day period.

    Click on the picture/link above to see the one page results.