Values Conference Recordings

https://youtu.be/0ivDmpdIwMA

Dr. Jeff Stark

In 2022, Dr. James Hicks was commissioned by Nazarene Discipleship International to write a book comprising lessons on the Five Core Principles of NDI.  These Core Principles are vital keys from the new Bylaws recently adopted by NDI.  This workshop will introduce the book and give insights in teaching these Five Core Principles in different settings.  The Five Core Principles are: Fervent Prayer, Compassionate Outreach, Comprehensive Biblical Learning, Intentional Mentoring and Equipping, and Authentic Relationships.

The book entitled “Five Core Principles of the Discipleship Journey: Twenty-One Lessons for Small Groups” has been tested across the USA/Canada Region by Sunday School classes and small groups, as well as, through individual mentoring.

(Sponsored by NDI)

Dr. James R. Hicks has been involved in mentoring and teaching small groups in church settings for 40 plus years.  He graduated from Trevecca Nazarene College (University) followed by a M.Div. at Nazarene Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from Christian Theological Seminary.  His doctoral dissertation emphasized teaching theology through the dynamics of small groups.  His ministry in the last church he pastored extended over thirty-two years.  The church was in a large university setting with various ages including graduate students.  It was always a special joy for him to minister to those with no church background as well as those who had grown up in the church.

Now after thirty-two years, most of those disciples, especially from the early years, are ministering in other parts of the country.  Prayerfully ministering through discipleship, mentoring, and equipping has certainly been his greatest passion down through the years.

Whether you’re just beginning your journey as a worship leader or you’re a seasoned leader looking for a fresh strategy, you are invited to “Worship Leading 101.” Join us as we dig into the art and heart of worship leadership!

Rev. Jade Kravat has served on staff at Harvester Church of the Nazarene in St. Peters, MO since the fall of 2020 as the Worship Pastor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (2017, Worship Arts) and a Master of Organizational Leadership (2022), both from Trevecca Nazarene University, and she is currently pursuing ordination in the Church of the Nazarene. Prior to moving to Missouri, she served at various churches in the Nashville area in both staff and volunteer capacities. She is passionate about using music, Scripture, and liturgy to encourage the development of a relationship with Jesus.  

Jade is engaged to Chance, and they are busy planning their wedding, which is happening this summer! Her free time is usually occupied by reading a book, hunting for iced coffee, or looking at puppies on the Internet. 

Sarah Alvord de Salinas will share about what life is like in Peru, the challenges and joys one faces living in a different country and culture, and what God is doing through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Child Sponsorship, and the local Church in Peru.

(Sponsored by NMI)

Sarah Alvord de Salinas currently serves as the national coordinator for the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Child Sponsorship Program in Peru.

Sarah met her husband, Pedro Salinas Huaches, while she was studying Spanish in Quito, Ecuador, and they were married a few years later in Peru. While living in the United States, Sarah served as an English as a Second Language teacher for Cactus Nazarene Ministries Center and as the patient care coordinator for The Well Health Center in Cactus, TX. She also taught ESL in a public school in Illinois and continues teaching ESL online from Peru.

Sarah’s husband, Pedro, is currently a youth pastor in Tarapoto, Peru. Sarah and Pedro both enjoy music, playing sports, and eating Peruvian foods; but most importantly, they are both blessed by a loving Heavenly Father whom they want to serve with their lives.

There are lessons we all learn in becoming a skilled leader for various kinds of small groups.  This workshop is for both experienced and novice leaders.  Dr. James Hicks has taught small groups for over 40 years comprising of those with a church background and those who are entirely new to following God and being part of His Church.  He will share his experiences of how he was drawn into developing small groups,  how to start new groups, and will distinguish different types of groups.  He will also share some of the changes that take place as both leaders and groups grow, bond, and mature.

(Sponsored by NDI)

Dr. James R. Hicks has been involved in mentoring and teaching small groups in church settings for 40 plus years.  He graduated from Trevecca Nazarene College (University) followed by a M.Div. at Nazarene Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from Christian Theological Seminary.  His doctoral dissertation emphasized teaching theology through the dynamics of small groups.  His ministry in the last church he pastored extended over thirty-two years.  The church was in a large university setting with various ages including graduate students.  It was always a special joy for him to minister to those with no church background as well as those who had grown up in the church.  

Now after thirty-two years, most of those disciples, especially from the early years, are ministering in other parts of the country.  Prayerfully ministering through discipleship, mentoring, and equipping has certainly been his greatest passion down through the years.

Do you feel complacent? Are you feeling stuck? In this session, we will discuss how to reignite a hunger for the things of God, knowing that only He can satisfy.

(Sponsored by NYI)

Shane Lima is the Lead Pastor of Ambassadors Church of the Nazarene in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Shane is passionate about connecting people of all ages to the transforming power of the Gospel. He and his wife Alynne have been married for 8 years, and have one son. Shane is a fourth generation pastor, a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. The Boston Celtics, a cup of coffee, The Office reruns, and time with family are a few of his favorite things.

In this session Hugh Halter will share what it looks and feels like to develop and deploy your children into mission instead of just providing and protecting them from the world.  Hugh will share four ways to disciple your children to stand against the cultural tides while they stand for the king and his kingdom.

Hugh Halter has been a consistent missional voice having authored such books as The Tangible Kingdom, AND..the gathered and scattered church, FLESH and this year he released The Righteous Brood and Brave Cities. Hugh loves to help churches move consumers into missionaries and he lives locally in Alton Illinois leading his third church plant. 

Extreme Love Ministries (ELM) is working in Cambodia to prevent and end human trafficking in a variety of ways. Come and hear how relationships and education are the first step in keeping children safe and establishing thriving families!

(Sponsored by NMI)

Emma Wright is serving as an English teacher for Extreme Love Ministries (ELM) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. ELM works to end human trafficking in a variety of ways, including preventing it before it can start. Emma teaches students in the Education Empowerment Program, which sponsors children in poor communities to attend school so they can get an education. English classes are one way to prepare these students to get a good job in the future, so they won’t be at risk!

After graduating from university, Emma moved to Cambodia, where she has lived and worked for six years (previously teaching at a university and then at a children’s home). She loves being able to teach English, as well as about Jesus Christ, through English classes. Her hope is for these students to not only have a brighter future but also know the One who created them and loves them!

(Sponsored by NDI)

Nanette Ward is a 2008 founding member of the Stop Human Trafficking Coalition of Central Missouri. She has been an active volunteer for the past 15+ years, several of those serving on the board of directors. As a day-to-day volunteer, Nanette conducts community presentations and trainings, engages in advocacy for and provides direct support to victims and survivors, and collaborates with service providers, law enforcement, and many other entities in the fight against human trafficking.

What gifts  do you have? What situations have you encountered in life?  What strengths and weaknesses do you bring to the table?Let’s imagine what God can do with the cards you’ve been dealt.

(Sponsored by NYI)

Shane Lima is the Lead Pastor of Ambassadors Church of the Nazarene in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Shane is passionate about connecting people of all ages to the transforming power of the Gospel. He and his wife Alynne have been married for 8 years, and have one son. Shane is a fourth generation pastor, a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. The Boston Celtics, a cup of coffee, The Office reruns, and time with family are a few of his favorite things.

In this session, we will explore what it means to see the church as a city we build within the cities we live in or what we call Brave Cities. This session will include equipping for the following:

• The Theology of church as a city on a hill
• The opportunity apostolic and prophetic enterprise avails a new economy and new mission
• The 6 elements required to build a kingdom ecosystem
• The new church rhythms and structures that hold the kingdom ecosystem together

Hugh Halter has been a consistent missional voice having authored such books as The Tangible Kingdom, AND..the gathered and scattered church, FLESH and this year he released The Righteous Brood and Brave Cities. Hugh loves to help churches move consumers into missionaries and he lives locally in Alton Illinois leading his third church plant. 

This workshop shares all about Nazarene missions. It focuses on Nazarene missions’ opportunities, where missionaries serve, qualities of a missionary, and how to become a missionary. This workshop also discusses the wide variety of ways God calls people to missions, and the wide variety of ways people serve in missions. Nazarene missionaries can serve as graphic designers, doctors, teachers, finance managers, pastors, and even in ministries like badminton! In attending this workshop you’ll be invited to imagine how God is moving in Nazarene missions!

(Sponsored by NMI)

Rachel Best currently serves as the Young Adult Mobilization Coordinator for Global Missions, the Church of the Nazarene. Rachel grew up very involved in missions, with her family moving to Alaska in late high school to do ministry. Through college she served with a global organization that fought human trafficking, and spent her summers abroad, most notably in Ukraine. After college she became a urban church planter in the US until she became a coordinator with Global Missions. Rachel creates research, events, resources, and relationships to help young adults, and any interested Nazarene, develop and pursue a call to missions in the Nazarene church. Rachel loves Jesus, coffee, and the Kansas City Chiefs.”

Jesus has called us friends.  In fact, he makes a really big deal about that in Scripture.  And yet… in the church we don’t seem to recognize friendship as a fundamental model for how to do ministry.  This workshop seeks to renew the commitment to authentic friendship as fundamental to how we preach salvation, do ministry, and model the church.

Pastors Brett & Tara Smith have been in ministry for 20 years in various capacities, and have served churches in Arizona, California, Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, and Papua New Guinea. They have two great teenagers, Miles and Macey.  Tara loves playing games, reading, and generally engaging in shenanigans and hijinks.  Brett’s favorite place to be is outside in the woods or on a mountain, but preferably both.  Together, they love serving the church through the lens that Jesus offered:  as the people of God, we are to become genuine friends to one another, caring in ways that can’t help but overflow into the lives of our neighbors.  This culture of hospitality creates disciples of boundless love who reach into every corner of the world.

The whole Church carries the Blessing of discipling children.  Can we stand out — for Good at home, school, and in our community of faith? Yes!

There’s no denying the world is vastly different than the way we grew up,, but we are not without hope.  We need each other as our children face a culture desperately trying to influence them down an unhealthy path regarding their faith and identity.

Teaching children Christian values that encourage and equip them to stand up and stand out as uniquely different and divinely called in today’s world is the calling of all Christians.  Parents and local church leaders, let’s gather and discuss how we can intentionally equip, encourage, and spiritually invest in our children, so they stand out for Good in the world around them.

(Sponsored by NDI)

Ms. Kalyn Vogelmann resides in West Chester, OH (suburb of Cincinnati).  She attended Mt. Vernon Nazarene University and majored in Elementary Education.  It was there where she met her husband Robb and, upon graduation, began fulfilling her call as a first-grade teacher.  They have four children, Claire 21-a junior at MVNU, Robby 20-a sophomore at MVNU, Andy 17, and Abby 13.

Currently, Kalyn serves as the volunteer leader for the Southwest Ohio District Women’s Discipleship Ministry called THRiVE.  Kalyn is also the director for Nazarene Women’s Discipleship & Ministry for NDI in USA/Canada. She has led women’s conferences in Haiti & Guatamala, speaks at various retreats, and serves as the junior high girl’s connection group leader on Sunday mornings at her church.  Kalyn and her husband also facilitate a small group in the home for friends in their community. Over the last several years in these lay ministry roles, she has sensed God calling her to more ministry. In May 2023 she will graduate with a Masters of Divinity in Missional Leadership from Northwest Nazarene University.

Kalyn desires all women to THRiVE in their journey with the Lord and to share with them the ‘secret’ to thriving. “And the secret is this: Chfrist in you, the hope of Glory.” Colossians 1:27

How do I fit into the mission of God and spreading his Word?  What do I have to offer? I wasn’t called to preach, how could God possibly use me? Come discover how you too play a vital role in the mission of God where you are and exactly how you are today.

(Sponsored by NYI)

Brad Cluff  is the Youth and College Age Pastor at Connection Pointe Church of the Nazarene in Lincoln, Nebraska.  He and his wife, Karlie, have been married for five years and have a Siberian Husky named Luka.  Brad is passionate about building God’s Kingdom and raising up the next generation of leaders.  In his free time he enjoys watching and playing sports, especially basketball and golf.

We will look at how we can approach missions as equitable partners, learners, and teamwork.  We will also share a sneak peek at what is new and where Work & Witness is going for the next 50 years!

(Sponsored by NMI)

Stephen and Anne Sickle have served with Global Missions in the Church of the Nazarene since 2009.  They started the adventure on the Mesoamerica Region as Work and Witness coordinators, living first in Costa Rica and then in Mexico.  They returned to the USA in 2019 to join the Global Missions team at the Global Ministry Center.  Now Stephen is the Work and Witness and Partnerships coordinator while Anne serves in the Global Missions Administration.

The Sickels have seen firsthand how God uses his beautiful Church to save a hurting world.  It has has been their joy and privilege to have a small part in mobilizing Nazarenes from many cultures and backgrounds to serve their God shoulder to shoulder.

The Sickel crew includes three ornery kids: Micah (10), Elizabeth (8), and Levi (8). They spend a lot of their time together, reading, fishing, making s’mores, and discussing weather, planes, and princesses.

This workshop will equip ministry leaders with how to prepare for the future using planned giving. Churches, schools, and other organizations often overlook ways of giving that can create sustainable structure. An entire generation of faithful Nazarenes will pass away in the coming decade, and they want to invest their resources in the Church. In this workshop, you’ll explore new ways to fund the future of your church’s ministry.

Mark Lail, President of the Church of the Nazarene Foundation, has served at the Nazarene Foundation since March 2012. He previously served as the Director of Stewardship Ministries for the Church of the Nazarene, Inc. He is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary and also holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Mark also served as a pastor for over 22 years, leading Nazarene churches in New York and Ohio. Under Mark’s leadership the Foundation stewards over $140 million in assets and distributes over $10 million to ministry every year. Mark and his wife Ruth live in Ottawa, Kansas, and have five daughters and six grandchildren.

Contemporary models for evangelism most churches use come to us from Baptist and Non-denominational churches.  But what if the Church of the Nazarene is being called to offer a unique mode of evangelism that flows naturally from our theology of prevenient grace?  This workshop teaches a distinctly Wesleyan model of evangelism in which love is both the strategy and the goal.

Pastor Brett and Tara have been in ministry for 20 years in various capacities, and have served churches in Arizona, California, Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, and Papua New Guinea. They have two great teenagers, Miles and Macey.  Tara loves playing games, reading, and generally engaging in shenanigans and hijinks.  Brett’s favorite place to be is outside in the woods or on a mountain, but preferably both.  Together, they love serving the church through the lens that Jesus offered:  as the people of God, we are to become genuine friends to one another, caring in ways that can’t help but overflow into the lives of our neighbors.  This culture of hospitality creates disciples of boundless love who reach into every corner of the world.

In this workshop we will talk about modern day hurdles to discipleship and how the Spark Discipleship Process has worked to help churches create paths to overcome many of those obstacles. Several churches of various sizes have implemented Spark successfully over the last decade and are seeing a fresh movement of discipleship in their local setting.

(Sponsored by NDI)

Rev. Michael Downs, the founder of Spark, will be sharing in-person encouragement and practical tools to help you create a church-wide discipleship movement.

Discover how your life experiences are relevant and useful to the mission of God. Each experience in our life can and will be used by God to reach others. Dive into the ways that God has worked in your life and how expressing this to others is important.  Develop your personal testimony story.

(Sponsored by NYI)

Brad Cluff  is the Youth and College Age Pastor at Connection Pointe Church of the Nazarene in Lincoln, Nebraska.  He and his wife, Karlie, have been married for five years and have a Siberian Husky named Luka.  Brad is passionate about building God’s Kingdom and raising up the next generation of leaders.  In his free time he enjoys watching and playing sports, especially basketball and golf.

In times of uncertainty, we need to understand the power and value of leverage. How do we mobilize people of faith to do his will? Partner with schools differently, partner with people differently, and partner with our communities differently. What are those small actions that will yield great results? A single seed can multiply and bring forth fruit, so the question is, “What giant stone is standing in your way?” In this workshop, participants will learn the value and importance of leverage and how to apply it to your life and ministry areas.

Ms. Pam Harris is a champion for God’s Kingdom. She believes in the power of encouragement and believes that everyone was created for God’s purpose.

She is a consultant with the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative which is a 15-month leadership initiative that equips Urban Youth Leaders with state-of-the-art faith-based leadership training. She is a City Liaison and Coach. She currently serves on the Board of UniteKC, a racial healing and racial reconciliation movement that seeks to bring unity to the Greater Metropolitan area of Kansas City.

She has spoken and facilitated on a variety of different platforms including national women’s conferences, minister wives conferences, lady day programs and women’s leadership programs.  She loves uplifting, inspiring and encouraging the people of God to be the best they can be for the glory of God.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas, a master’s degree from Avila University, a college advising certification, and most recently received a Certified Public Manager certification. She hopes to one day pursue a doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership and Management to better serve her church and greater community.

She is the wife of Dr. Artrell Harris, minister of the Roswell Church in Kansas City, KS, and together they have one daughter. Pam is passionate about the community and helping individuals achieve spiritual and emotional wholeness and wellness. Both in word and deed, she pushes individuals to be naturally and spiritually healthy and inspires them to fulfill the call that God has on their lives.

Pam’s favorite saying is simple: Your LIFE has Impact, Your STORY is Important, Your DREAMS Count, Your VOICE Matters because you were born to make a difference and impact the world for the cause of Christ.

One in three women will experience sexual assault or domestic violence at some point in their lives.  How can we as Christians respond to this growing concern?  Our Nazarene Manual states that the church should refrain from and advocate against sexual violence and marital abuse.  In this session, we will discuss the warning signs of abusive relationships and the challenges victims encounter, and learn how effectively to support and minister to survivors, both within our congregations and within our communities.

(Sponsored by NMI)

Jessica Hill is the Executive Director of the Safe House of Southeast Missouri, a non-profit domestic violence services agency located in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  She is also a member of the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence Board of Directors.  Since joining the Missouri District in 2010, she has served as the chair of the District Women’s Council and as secretary of the SDMI (now NDI) Council.  Jessica has a bachelor’s degree from Truman State University and a master’s degree in non-profit management from Oral Roberts University.  She and her husband Jason, who is Senior Pastor of Cape Church of the Nazarene, have two children: Jacob and Caitlin.

Worship is all about presenting our gifts to the Lord, the very best of our possessions. When it comes to giving in the local church, many generous Nazarenes miss out on the creative ways that they can offer their resources back to the Lord. Learn how your ministry can receive non‐cash gifts such as stock, real estate, cybercurrency, collectibles,  businesses, precious metals and gifts from retirement accounts.

Mark Lail, President of the Church of the Nazarene Foundation, has served at the Nazarene Foundation since March 2012. He previously served as the Director of Stewardship Ministries for the Church of the Nazarene, Inc. He is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary and also holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Mark also served as a pastor for over 22 years, leading Nazarene churches in New York and Ohio. Under Mark’s leadership the Foundation stewards over $140 million in assets and distributes over $10 million to ministry every year. Mark and his wife Ruth live in Ottawa, Kansas, and have five daughters and six grandchildren.

Unfortunately, safety and security are becoming more and more of an issue in our society.  It is important to keep your congregation as safe as possible.  This seminar will share valuable information on starting and developing a safety team at your local church.

Rev. Jim Chapman is the lead pastor at O’Fallon New Life.  He is a graduate of St. Louis Christian College. Jim has been in ministry for over 20 years, with a portion of that time being his own speaking ministry.  Jim and his wife, Jennifer, have two boys, Tyler and Hunter.  He is a fan of the Cardinals, Quicktrip, and the Florida Gators football.

So, I have a story, but what do I say?  How do I tell it?  I’m so shy!  I’ve never done this before.  Come practice compiling and sharing your story to become a stronger witness for the Lord. Gain confidence in knowing what to say and how to reach others for the Lord.

(Sponsored by NYI)

Brad Cluff  is the Youth and College Age Pastor at Connection Pointe Church of the Nazarene in Lincoln, Nebraska.  He and his wife, Karlie, have been married for five years and have a Siberian Husky named Luka.  Brad is passionate about building God’s Kingdom and raising up the next generation of leaders.  In his free time he enjoys watching and playing sports, especially basketball and golf.

The church’s gathered worship service, when constructed with intentionality, can be an encounter of grace in faith that forms participants in discipleship and empowers them for mission in their communities. This roundtable conversation will feature pastors, worship leaders, and lay leaders from across the district and will cover topics like corporate prayer and scripture reading, preaching and sermon planning, music and organizing music teams, administering the sacraments, and more!

Rev. Jason Hill has been the senior pastor of Cape Church of the Nazarene for the past 13 years and has served in pastoral ministry for 23 years.  Jason is currently finishing a Doctor of Ministry at Nazarene Theological Seminary with an emphasis on transformational discipleship in the small church. Jason currently serves the Missouri District on the Advisory Board, Credentials Board, and the Values Conference Team. He has been the Missouri District Clergy Representative to the Board of Trustees of MidAmerica Nazarene University since 2021. Jason and his wife, Jessica, have two kids – Jacob (19) and Caitlin (16). In his free time, he writes columns on the St. Louis Cardinals for Viva El Birdos.

Learn about JESUS Film Harvest Partners’ role in the Church of the Nazarene’s efforts in Evangelism, Discipleship and Church Planting and how you can get involved and help prepare the way alongside more than 5,000 Nazarene evangelists.

(Sponsored by NMI)

Daniel was born in San Jose, Costa Rica. He spent his childhood in Costa Rica, Mexico City, Mexico, and South Carolina, Unites States, and his family settled in Mexico for his teenage years.  It was there that he met his future wife, Julie. Daniel and Julie were married in 2009 and began residing in Oklahoma City.  The following year, Daniel began to work as a volunteer with the Evangelism and JESUS Film ministry in the Mesoamerica Region.  In 2012 God opened the doors for Daniel to serve as a missionary for the Church of the Nazarene assigned to the JESUS Film Harvest Partners global office in Olathe, Kansas.  For the past 10 years, he has helped to facilitate the work of over 1,190 teams of nationals around the world who work to share God’s love with the lost.  Daniel and Julie have three children: Abigail (6) and Samuel (2).

Gifts you would never consider could provide a sustainable future for your church’s ministry. Learn why it’s spiritually important and practical to ask for out-of-the-ordinary gifts from your congregation, as well as how the Nazarene Foundation can help you receive these gifts for ministry. Learn how to ask for legacy gifts and tap into available services through the Church of the Nazarene Foundation.

Mark Lail, President of the Church of the Nazarene Foundation, has served at the Nazarene Foundation since March 2012. He previously served as the Director of Stewardship Ministries for the Church of the Nazarene, Inc. He is a graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary and also holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. Mark also served as a pastor for over 22 years, leading Nazarene churches in New York and Ohio. Under Mark’s leadership the Foundation stewards over $140 million in assets and distributes over $10 million to ministry every year. Mark and his wife Ruth live in Ottawa, Kansas, and have five daughters and six grandchildren.

Pastor Brett and Pastor Tara have been in ministry for 20 years in various capacities, and have served churches in Arizona, California, Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois, and Papua New Guinea. They have two great teenagers, Miles and Macey.  Tara loves playing games, reading, and generally engaging in shenanigans and hijinks.  Brett’s favorite place to be is outside in the woods or on a mountain, but preferably both.  Together, they love serving the church through the lens that Jesus offered:  as the people of God, we are to become genuine friends to one another, caring in ways that can’t help but overflow into the lives of our neighbors.  This culture of hospitality creates disciples of boundless love who reach into every corner of the world.