Sikeston, Missouri - On September 1, 2015, Mr. Brad Aycock will join the West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church full-time as Director of New Church Development.
"I will deeply miss my family and friends here in Missouri. Only God could pull me away. I'm very honored and excited to be joining one of the leading states for strategic and innovative church growth in the country. West Ohio is the "point of the arrow" in this renewed movement that is beginning," stated Aycock.
"I have a passion to help change peoples' perception of Jesus by changing peoples' perception of the church - the hope of the world. I would like to thank God for this opportunity to be on a broader platform to help influence today's Church. I would also like to thank the many people who have helped to make me who I am," continued Aycock. "I wouldn't have this opportunity if it weren't for the many who have invested in the vision and selflessly made me look way better than I am."
Brad currently serves as Executive Pastor at First United Methodist Church (UMC) in Sikeston, Missouri, where he has played a key role in revitalizing that declining church into an active part of the community with a missionary focus on reaching people for Christ. As Director of New Church Development for the Conference, he will work with the bishop and cabinet to strategically identify new mission fields in West Ohio and partner with existing churches in developing satellite worshiping communities. Brad will also guide new United Methodist worshiping communities to move toward becoming chartered, outwardly-focused, financially sound and fruitful centers of worship.
"Brad comes to us after a extensive national search and a multi-layered interview process that included new church start pastors, conference leaders, the bishop and cabinet," stated Bishop Gregory V. Palmer. "He is a gifted, skilled cutting-edge leader in creating new places for new people. I am overjoyed that at last the people of the West Ohio Conference will have someone working full-time on new congregational development. We have been fortunate that Rev. Marcus Atha has been willing to do some of this work as a labor of love while serving full-time as a district superintendent.”
Brad received his Bachelor's degree at Southeast Missouri State University and his Master of Arts in Christian Leadership at Asbury Theological Seminary. Prior to coming to First UMC Sikeston in 2010, he served in key leadership roles as laity and staff at two Missouri Churches. He also has managed a successful consulting business since 1994. For the last three years, Brad has served as an annual guest trainer and prescription coach for West Ohio's Missional Church Consultation Initiative (MCCI), led by Rev. Sue Nilson Kibbey.
Brad and his wife, Ann, along with their two children will be relocating to central Ohio.
BAPTISTS, PENTECOSTALS & NON-DENOMINATIONAL CHURCHES JOIN IN HOSTING STODDARD COUNTY PRAYER CONFERENCE
Dexter, Missouri - The First Pentecostal Church of Dexter, Sweet Prospect General Baptist Church and Living Water Worship Center (LWWC) are joining together to host the Stoddard County Prayer Conference.
Pastor Jim Hook of LWWC said, “We are excited to have two other local churches help us host an event that we hope will compel other Christians to pray for those who need Christ in our community.”
He continued, “Ed Kleiman shared his testimony at our celebrate recovery meeting in May and his message of repentance and forgiveness is exactly what all of us need to hear. I invited him back for a Sunday service and the Lord worked things out for two other churches to help us host him for a two day session of teaching and prayer.”
Ed Kleiman, is a Messianic Jew who grew up in St. Louis. Ed is a full time minister, who God saved and redeemed from a life of drugs, alcohol, and sexual immorality at the age of 41. Ed grew up "worshipping & serving the god in the mirror" as he refers to it. From the age of sixteen to forty one he offered up daily sacrifices to this god; of drugs, alcohol, and sexual immorality. Then God granted him repentance, and eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, on October 23rd, 1994.
Ed’s change is the powerful testimony of what the Lord can do. As Ed would say; “Nothing less than sovereign power and irresistible grace would ever be sufficient for such a hell-deserving one as myself! Why should any soul despair when God saved a wretch like me?” Sweet Prospect Pastor Ray Rowland mentioned, “Ed’s candid and direct speaking style challenged our members to search their hearts and draw closer to God through prayer. His message of God’s grace and what He could do for our community through the prayers of His saints is exactly the kind of message Christians are in need of.”
Ed has shared his testimony on overcoming addictions to numerous church audiences all across America. Bryan Gentry the Stoddard County Celebrate Recover director said, “I can’t wait to hear Ed’s story again. He was brutally honest when telling about his addictions, but he shared the hope each of us has in Christ’s forgiveness when we ask for God’s help and repent of our sins. It was a moving testimony that had an inspiring effect on all who heard it.”
Ed has also ministered to thousands of people here in America and all over the world by leading prayer initiatives and teaching on prayer. Ed believes prayer continues to be a crucial, but often missing element in spiritual revivals. Since 1999 the Lord has been using Ed to preach on the importance of the local church, God's design for the family, and the call for missions, while always emphasizing the power, priority, and purposes of prayer.
To accomplish all these ministry goals Ed founded Small Cloud Ministries with the mission: To glorify God by spreading a zeal for Jesus Christ to all people as the infinite treasure of all of life and His cross as God’s focal point of His glory. More info can be found on Ed and his ministry at www.praybold.org
“Please pray for Ed’s visit to Stoddard County and ask God to move mightily so that Christians will begin to pray for those needing Christ in our community. Seeing three churches from different denominations join together for something like this is encouraging, and I’m thrilled to hear about how the Lord has used Ed’s ministry to rekindle a passion for Jesus Christ in our local churches, as well as many others throughout the United States. We ask you to join us in thanking God for what He will do during this prayer conference,” added First Pentecostal Church Pastor Jeff Wells.Rev. Kleiman will be in in Dexter July 11th & 12th and concluded by saying, “I am looking forward to spending time praying and teaching on the power of prayer with the people in Stoddard County. I trust the Lord will bless our time and renew a passion for Christ that will have a lasting impact on not only Christians in Stoddard County, but on everyone in the community.”
Who: International Missionary Ed Kleiman
What: Stoddard County Prayer Conference
When:
· Saturday Morning 9:00 a.m. Breakfast provided by the Church
· Saturday Evening 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Dinner provided by the Church
· Sunday Morning 10:45 a.m. – Ed’s Testimony
· Sunday Evening 6:00 p.m. -- Title: Our Hearts Desire & Prayer!
Where: Living Water Worship Center 18094 Hwy 25 Bloomfield, MO 63841
Dexter, Missouri - Embark on an icy expedition where kids overcome obstacles with God’s awesome power. Anchor kids in rock-solid Bible truths that will guide them through life’s challenges.
The First United Methodist Church will present “Everest” Conquering Challenges with God’s Mighty Power Bible School in July.
At Everest vacation Bible School, kids experience God’s World in surprising and unforgettable ways! Each day, leaders reinforce one simple Bible truth – which makes it easy for kids to remember and apply to real life.
This event is for children entering kindergarten in the fall thru children who have completed the 5th grade. Transportation is also available.
The dates for this event are Wednesday, July 22nd, Thursday, July 23rd, and Friday, July 24th from 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church is located at 501 South Walnut St. in Dexter. For more information please call (573) 624-3344.
Bernie, Missouri - Vacation Bible School will be June 24th – June 26th at First Baptist Church in Bernie. Times are from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The theme this year is “Journey Off the Map” (Unknown to us, known to Him) and there will be an exciting new adventure each evening.
Journey Off The Map takes your kids to uncharted territory where they will begin to understand that obedience to God can lead them beyond the expected. So, toss the map, stick close to your guide, and prepare to listen for God’s direction in this journey that is unknown to us, but known by Him.
Registration night will be Tuesday, June 23rd at 6:00 p.m. and there will be ice cream for all of the children who sign up.
Transportation will be also be provided for those who live in Bernie. Parent night is Friday from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. and refreshments will be served following the program.
Dexter, Missouri - Tuesday night marked the final night of packing snack bags for the Feed Christ's Children summer snack program.
Because of the large volunteer turn-out both last week and this, the scheduled third week of packing will not be needed.
This year marks the third summer for the food program, which began as a ministry outreach at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The program is under the direction of Tommy Horton, a member of FCC.
"Pastor challenged the Board of Elders to find a community project that would really make a difference," Horton explains. "Because of my work with the juvenile office and with the sheriff's office, I was aware of the need for a summer food program in the Dexter area. Our board took up the project, and the first summer we prepared 400 bags. The effort has expanded to include 15 churches, and this year we have packed 1800 bags for distribution in July."
The bags will be delivered to the Gospel Mission, and they will distribute them. Each bag contains a meat pasta microwavable entrée, microwavable mac and cheese, applesauce, pudding cup, juice, package of cheese and crackers or peanut butter and crackers, and a single serving box of raisins.
Churches and various organizations collect the foodstuffs and donate them to the summer food program.
