God’s kingdom is here. Join us as we celebrate the kingdom and learn what it means for us, the church, to be its instrument.
Saturday, May 19
9:30am-4:30pm
First Christian Church, Florissant
2890 Patterson Rd., Florissant 63031
The Values Conference is a Missouri District Church of the Nazarene event that aims to equip leaders and volunteers from every local church to carry out the values of worship, discipleship, leadership development, community connection, and multiplication.
Follow the Conference at Facebook/Missouri District Values Conference
REGISTRATION
Online registration is open until May 7 and is $15 for adults and $10 for children, birth-6th grade.
Walk-up registration is $20 for adults and $15 for children.
All registrations include a box lunch.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
8:30-9:30am Pre-Registration Check-In & Walk-up Registration
9:30-11am Opening Session with Rev. Michaele LaVigne
11:15am-12:15pm Workshop Session I
12:15-1:30pm Lunch
1:30-2:30pm Workshop Session II
2:45-3:45pm Workshop Session III
4:00-4:30pm Closing Session with Dr. Mike Palmer & Communion
8:30am – 4:30pm Exhibit & Ministry Booths Open
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Rev. Michaele LaVigne
Rev. Michaele LaVigne serves as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at 8th Street Church of the Nazarene, in Oklahoma City, OK. Born and raised in Ohio, Michaele was 12 when her father planted a church outside his hometown of Youngstown. From that early age she developed a passion and appreciation for church planting, and during college she and her husband, Brent, helped begin West Side Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon, Ohio. After graduation, she served there as an associate pastor for four years. In 2009 Brent and Michaele embarked on a year of volunteer missionary service in Swaziland, serving as liaisons between American and Swazi leaders in a number of organizations and compassionate ministry projects. Upon returning to the States, Michaele served for five years on staff at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene as discipleship pastor. In 2014, she and others from Bethany First Church began work to plant a new congregation in Midtown, Oklahoma City. The church launched in November 2015, and recently finished restoring an old Methodist church that became their permanent home on Easter of this year. 8th Street Church of the Nazarene is a beautiful, diverse, and passionate congregation in the middle of Oklahoma City. Michaele has a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Ministries, a Master’s of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary, and is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Michaele is also the proud mother of Austin, 4, and Galilee, 1.
Rev. LaVigne will also be presenting two workshops.
WORKSHOPS
SESSION 1
Learning to Walk with Jesus | Rev. Michaele LaVigne
Jesus invites us to walk with him as he shares his “easy yoke” with us. But knowing a lot about Jesus does not necessarily help us know how to recognize his presence, hear his voice, or discern his guidance. So how do we learn to do life with Jesus, instead of just learning about Jesus? While sharing some of her own journey, Pastor Michaele will invite us into new avenues of relationship with Jesus as we explore some of the oldest spiritual disciplines in the Christian Church.
Rev. Michaele LaVigne serves as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at 8th Street Church of the Nazarene, in Oklahoma City, OK. Born and raised in Ohio, Michaele was 12 when her father planted a church outside his hometown of Youngstown. From that early age she developed a passion and appreciation for church planting, and during college she and her husband, Brent, helped begin West Side Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon, Ohio. After graduation, she served there as an associate pastor for four years. In 2009 Brent and Michaele embarked on a year of volunteer missionary service in Swaziland, serving as liaisons between American and Swazi leaders in a number of organizations and compassionate ministry projects. Upon returning to the States, Michaele served for five years on staff at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene as discipleship pastor. In 2014, she and others from Bethany First Church began work to plant a new congregation in Midtown, Oklahoma City. The church launched in November 2015, and recently finished restoring an old Methodist church in that became their permanent home on Easter of this year. 8th Street Church of the Nazarene is a beautiful, diverse, and passionate congregation in the middle of Oklahoma City. Michaele has a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Ministries, a Master’s of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary, and is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Michaele is also the proud mother of Austin, 4, and Galilee, 1.
Revival Through Wesleyan Small Group Formation | Dr. Kevin M. Watson
Did you know that Wesley believed that the practice of gathering together in small groups was key to Wesleyans continuing to have the “form and power” of godliness? This workshop discusses the central role of small group formation in John Wesley’s theology of discipleship and its crucial role in the contemporary church’s pursuit of revival.
Dr. Kevin M. Watson is Assistant Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. His research interests focus on Christian formation and discipleship from a Wesleyan perspective, particularly communal formation, Wesleyan/Methodist Christianity, the history of early Methodism, American Methodism, common misunderstandings of the Wesleyan tradition, and current events in The United Methodist Church. In addition to writing articles for both scholarly and popular publications, Watson is the author of three books: Pursuing Social Holiness: The Band Meeting in Wesley’s Thought and Popular Methodist Practice (Oxford, 2014); The Class Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience (Seedbed, 2014); and A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley’s General Rules as a Model for Christian Living (Discipleship Resources, 2009).
Change Agents in a Changing World | Rev. Brooklyn Lindsey
You feel like your life is too complicated to make a difference, your world to unpredictable. But there is a way to make a difference by developing habits that weave love and compassion into everything you do. Learn how to make a big impact by taking small steps together.
Rev. Brooklyn Lindsey is a wife, mom, an international speaker and writer. She has served as a youth ministry pastor for two decades and recently planted a church with her husband in Lakeland Florida. She is the founder of The Justice Movement, a global youth community that creates educational resources and events to empower churches and youth to do compassionate works of justice together. She is an entrepeneur who loves Jesus, oils, and rose chai lattes. Her family lives in Lakeland, FL where they like being outside as with their neighbors enjoy life together. www.brooklynlindsey.com @brooklynlindsey @somoschurch @lemonlimeallthethyme @thejustmove
Passing on the Family Business | Rev. Margaret Tyler
The Deuteronomy 6 life beckons us to pass faith along in all that we do. In this workshop we will think together about what it looks like to nurture a culture of intergenerational philosophy and the ways in which worshippers of all ages (birth to the grave) may participate in and contribute both inside and outside the walls of the Church.
Rev. Margaret Tyler is a wife, mother, teacher and grandma who is also privileged to serve as KC District Children’s Pastor and adjunct professor at Mid-America Nazarene University. Both venues create space for her to participate in resourcing children’s leaders as well as shaping the lives of young ministers who are responding to the call of Christ.
What Are You Aiming For? | Rev. Michael Davis
If you aren’t sure then you’re guaranteed to miss. Ministry requires not just action but purposeful and intentional action. Michael will dive into focusing on a vision and being able to succeed.
Pastor Michael Davis is the pastor of Anchored Hope Church in Troy, MO. Pastor Michael planted Anchored Hope four years ago. Their vision is to make disciples by bringing the Kingdom to light in the community of Troy. Pastor Michael leads the multiplication value on the Missouri district. He and his wife Kate were married in 2010 and they have two children, Olivia and Brayden.
iHeartMission | Rev. Kim Purl
NMI President, Kim Purl, shares her heart for Missouri District missions for 2018-19. Latest info in NMI will be discussed and guidance for your missions ministry setting. Local NMI leaders are welcome with questions so we can find solutions together.
Rev. Kim Purl is Missouri District NMI President and serves as Associate Pastor at Wright City, MO Church of the Nazarene with her husband, Joe, where they are enjoying a diverse ministry in a rural setting. Joe and Kim have four children.
SESSION 2
Worship as Spiritual Formation | Rev. Michaele LaVigne
What if discipleship didn’t happen in addition to Sunday’s service- but was built into it? This was the question Pastor Michaele and others asked as they began the work of starting a brand new church. She will share about the distinctive and intentional aspects of weekly worship at 8th Street Church, and how the other weekly activities flow from Sunday worship. The workshop is designed to help you and your congregation think creatively and strategically about worship as a formative experience for your people.
Rev. Michaele LaVigne serves as Pastor of Spiritual Formation at 8th Street Church of the Nazarene, in Oklahoma City, OK. Born and raised in Ohio, Michaele was 12 when her father planted a church outside his hometown of Youngstown. From that early age she developed a passion and appreciation for church planting, and during college she and her husband, Brent, helped begin West Side Church of the Nazarene in Mount Vernon, Ohio. After graduation, she served there as an associate pastor for four years. In 2009 Brent and Michaele embarked on a year of volunteer missionary service in Swaziland, serving as liaisons between American and Swazi leaders in a number of organizations and compassionate ministry projects. Upon returning to the States, Michaele served for five years on staff at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene as discipleship pastor. In 2014, she and others from Bethany First Church began work to plant a new congregation in Midtown, Oklahoma City. The church launched in November 2015, and recently finished restoring an old Methodist church in that became their permanent home on Easter of this year. 8th Street Church of the Nazarene is a beautiful, diverse, and passionate congregation in the middle of Oklahoma City. Michaele has a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Ministries, a Master’s of Divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary, and is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Michaele is also the proud mother of Austin, 4, and Galilee, 1.
Discipleship Through Community Connection | Ms. Jessica Hill, Moderator
A critical and often ignored part of making disciples is intentional service to our communities. Opportunities exist for churches, Sunday school classes or small groups to minister to and serve others through partnerships with local municipal and social service agencies. In this session, a panel made up of district pastors and their community partners will discuss how to forge connections that glorify the Kingdom and the impact these connections have on the discipleship process.
Ms. Jessica Hill is the Executive Director of the Safe House for Women in Cape Girardeau, Mo., a nonprofit agency serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Jessica holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Oral Roberts University and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Truman State University. She and her husband Jason, the pastor of Cape Church of the Nazarene, have two children, Jacob and Caitlin.
How to Have a Great Conversation | Rev. Brooklyn Lindsey
There’s an art to group talk, come to learn about how to have better conversations with those you lead and those you serve.
Rev. Brooklyn Lindsey is a wife, mom, an international speaker and writer. She has served as a youth ministry pastor for two decades and recently planted a church with her husband in Lakeland Florida. She is the founder of The Justice Movement, a global youth community that creates educational resources and events to empower churches and youth to do compassionate works of justice together. She is an entrepeneur who loves Jesus, oils, and rose chai lattes. Her family lives in Lakeland, FL where they like being outside as with their neighbors enjoy life together. www.brooklynlindsey.com @brooklynlindsey @somoschurch @lemonlimeallthethyme @thejustmove
Extreme Nazarene | Ms. Kirby Schuler
Extreme Nazarene is a dynamic church planting missions ministry focused on young adults and their desire to explore the God-call in a cross cultural, evangelistic context. Discover the meaning of a God-call to ministry and mission, and how to explore your calling through Extreme Nazarene discipleship and church planting ministries.
Ms. Kirby Schuler is the Mobilization and Short Term Coordinator for Extreme Nazarene, a global church planting missions ministry for young adults. Kirby lives in Nampa, ID. Follow her blog: https://culturallyadventurousaltruist.wordpress.com/
Ministry on the Margins: Poverty and the Basics of the Christian Faith | Pastor Jake Austin
In our bipartisan world, it can feel like a daunting task to discern how Christians should live in the world but not of it. We have many choices for action or inaction. Become a moral political majority? Bury our heads in the sand? Retreat to the hills? Live in fear or apathy?
Our call as Christians, even our very salvation, may be wrapped up in the least of these and the response of our Lord and the ancient church to their plight. Come explore the basics of the Christian faith and how our lives in Christ, not merely our words, must become good news to the poor and powerless in our midst.
Pastor Jake Austin is a recovering sinner, the lead pastor of All Saints & Sinners Church, and founder of Shower to the People, a nonprofit organization that provides free mobile hygiene services to people experiencing poverty. He lives with his wife Bethany, their three kids, and a Pug, in the Dutchtown Neighborhood of St. Louis, MO. (allsaintsandsinners.org) (showertothepeople.net)
Engaging and Equipping Leaders | Rev. Jeremiah Wood
Every church has leaders who are waiting to be discovered and released to serve in the area of their strengths. The question is, “How do we discover these leaders and equip them with the tools they need to lead well in their strengths?” During this session you will receive practical applications and ideas for how to develop an environment within your church that engages and equips leaders towards a shared vision and mission.
Rev. Jeremiah Wood received his call to ministry in the 8th grade. After high school, he continued his education at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe Kansas. He has been in full time ministry for the last 12 years and has served in many roles such as youth pastor, worship leader, High School Bible teacher and associate pastor. Jeremiah lives in Wichita where he is planting PAX City Church. He has assisted in planting and growing nearly a dozen new churches over the last three years. He also regularly participates in training other leaders through DCPI as a Master Trainer and is the co-founder of the Vibrant Network. Jeremiah is the honored husband of his wife Rena and has four beautiful children, Kali, Landi, Zaiden, and LaKota.
SESSION 3
Multiplication Through Marriage Ministry | Pastors Ken and Beverly Jenkins
In this session we’ll discuss utilizing marriage ministry as a tool to empower the membership to be an influence in community. Topics covered will include: Overcoming the fear of using broken people to impart healing; Discipling couples through counseling: At the root of all marriage issues is sin; and Building a winning team for an active & consistent marriage ministry.
Pastors Ken and Beverly Jenkins have been married 23 years. They have a beautiful blended family which includes four wonderful children; ages 34, 31, 21, and 12 years old, 3 boys and 1 girl. They were ordained together under the leadership of their Pastor; Pastor Emeritus, Louis Shelton of Union Tabernacle Church, where they served faithfully as Youth pastors and ministers of the church. They now continue their work together as Pastors of Refuge & Restoration Church and founders of BIMR (Building Intimacy Marriage Retreats), a comprehensive marriage ministry. The ministry serves a vast number of married, single, and engaged clients across the globe; through retreats, small groups, conferences, seminars, and workshops on a continual basis. For several years Ken and Beverly have hosted a radio program to help couples and singles address issues they often are afraid to discuss openly. The show, Real Marriage Real Talk airs on demand via iHeart Radio, W4CY.com, KXEN 1010, as well as via the Nation’s leading Christian resource retailer, Family Christian Bookstore’s platform, iDisciple. Ken and Beverly are unconventional in their methods, not unlike shock therapy- Just kidding! In truth, they both believe that getting to the heart of every issue starts and ends with Transparency, Godly Counsel, and Total Investment in the Marriage. They utilize biblical marriage education tools to help strengthen, sustain, and sometimes recreate desirable relationships. They have faith that every marriage can work, and work well. Even the worst cases have a chance if Christ is allowed to get involved. They believe strongly in marriage and have their own personal story to verify this as truth. Both Ken and Beverly are PREP Certified professionals as well as engineers of their very own couples curriculum, MAP (Marriage Accountability Plan).
Becoming an Outreach Church | Pastor Jesse Quiroz
This workshop is designed for pastors and church leaders to learn and take action together in mobilizing their churches for greater community impact as well as creating a culture within your congregation that truly makes every person feel welcomed and a part, no matter their background.
Pastor Jesse Quiroz is the founding pastor of Journey Church, who in 2009, opened its church doors to broken and hurting people in need of a relationship with Christ. Today, they have grown to 750 people inside of a community of 12,000. The mission and vision of Journey is to seek powerful and innovative ways to serve the needs of their community. Jesse is a graduate of Valor Christian College in Columbus, Ohio. He, and his wife Missy have three children and reside in Troy, Missouri.
A Biblical Call to Duty | Pastor Doug West
There is more to this world than what is seen by the eye. Join Doug in exploring the world outside of our vision and entering the realm of spiritual warfare. There is a battle for our souls going on all the time and we need to know how be armed and ready for the fight.
Pastor Doug West pastors the First Church of the Nazarene in Dexter, MO. He has served in pastoral ministry in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Missouri. He has taught pastors in M.I.T. (Ministers in Training) modules, and taught rock drum technique to high school students. Doug has written three books and is currently working on two more.
John Wesley’s Audacious Optimism of Grace | Dr. Kevin M. Watson
Towards the end of his life, John Wesley wrote that the doctrine of entire sanctification was “the grand depositum” that God had given to the people called Methodists. Wesley believed that preaching and teaching this doctrine was the reason that the Methodist movement was brought to life and continued to be God-breathed. This workshop discusses Wesley’s audacious optimism of God’s grace and its ongoing relevance for the 21st century church.
Dr. Kevin M. Watson is Assistant Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. His research interests focus on Christian formation and discipleship from a Wesleyan perspective, particularly communal formation, Wesleyan/Methodist Christianity, the history of early Methodism, American Methodism, common misunderstandings of the Wesleyan tradition, and current events in The United Methodist Church. In addition to writing articles for both scholarly and popular publications, Watson is the author of three books: Pursuing Social Holiness: The Band Meeting in Wesley’s Thought and Popular Methodist Practice (Oxford, 2014); The Class Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience (Seedbed, 2014); and A Blueprint for Discipleship: Wesley’s General Rules as a Model for Christian Living (Discipleship Resources, 2009).
Building Teams: How to Identify & Place Volunteers in Their “Sweet Spot” | Rev. Jeremiah Wood
Many leaders and pastors are looking for practical ideas on how to grow a ministry volunteer team from the ground up. Every ministry of the church, including outreach, youth, children, worship, first impressions, or discipleship has the need for volunteers. During this session you will learn about recruiting strategies and systems and processes that will help you identify new potential leaders and volunteers in order to uncover their commitment level, strengths and passion for the shared vision and mission of your church.
Rev. Jeremiah Wood received his call to ministry in the 8th grade. After high school, he continued his education at MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe Kansas. He has been in full time ministry for the last 12 years and has served in many roles such as youth pastor, worship leader, High School Bible teacher and associate pastor. Jeremiah lives in Wichita where he is planting PAX City Church. He has assisted in planting and growing nearly a dozen new churches over the last three years. He also regularly participates in training other leaders through DCPI as a Master Trainer and is the co-founder of the Vibrant Network. Jeremiah is the honored husband of his wife Rena and has four beautiful children, Kali, Landi, Zaiden, and LaKota.
Loving Our Muslim Neighbors | Rev. Lindell & Kay Browning
What is often seen as a crisis of refugees displaced across the Middle East and Europe is seen by the church as a God-given opportunity.
Lindell and Kay Browning have served in the Middle East since 1979. They have recently moved back to the USA and until Jan. 1, 2015 served as Field Strategy Coordinator of the Eastern Mediterranean field and make frequent trips back. The have lived in Jerusalem, Israel, in Amman Jordan, Nazareth, and Bethlehem. Lindell as the Field Strategy Coordinator for the Eastern Mediterranean oversaw the ministry in Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey and some Creative Access countries. Kay was the administrative assistant, financial manager for the Field Office and also taught English as a Second Language. They are both graduates of Olivet Nazarene University. Lindell graduated from Nazarene Theological Seminary with a M.Div. and Kay received her MA from Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University.). Olivet Nazarene University conferred both with honorary doctorates in May 2014. They have raised four children in the Middle East and now have ten grandchildren.
HOTEL
A group rate of $109 has been contracted with Homewood Suites St. Louis Westport.
To make your reservation, call Kara at 314.736.4731 and tell her you are with the Missouri District Church of the Nazarene; or you may use this reservation link.
PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
Promotional Slide – Standard Definition
Promotional Slide – High Definition/Wide Screen
