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The Northwest District, which is comprised of Eastern Washington, the panhandle of Idaho, and a small portion of Northeast Oregon, met for three and a half days at the Spokane, Washington, Convention Center for Celebrating Generations. This is the second annual event of its kind on this 105 year old district, combining district assembly, missions, Nazarene Youth International (NYI), and children's activities.
Close to 1,000 people registered to participate in worship, business, and over 50 workshop sessions. The opening service, Wednesday evening, highlighted the theme, "Telling Today's Faith Stories." Ron Alexander, pastor of 100 year old Walla Walla, Washington, Amazing Grace Church of the Nazarene, spoke of the refocus this church has experienced for two years and how the Lord has been blessing them with significant salvation experiences.
Story Point Church of the Nazarene - the youngest church on the district, having been organized for one year - participated with Pastor Dan Martin telling the stories of eight members. Each person brought a glass of water to the platform while their testimony was given. This was symbolic of the Living Water received through faith in Jesus Christ that then flows out to others. As a final moment of worship, a young man saved from a life of drugs and crime knelt on the platform and was baptized with this water. Nina G. Gunter, general superintendent in jurisdiction, closed the evening with a call to bridge the generations in ministry and outreach. Scores of people came forward for a time of prayer.
Thursday was dedicated to the business of the assembly. Randy Craker, superintendent, gave his report. Faith stories were given from every pastor via video. Seventy two congregations and two NewStarts were celebrated and every pastor, associate, and spouse was prayed over. The evening service was full of pageantry and passion as eight ministers were ordained: five men and three women.
Friday morning was the Festival of Missions, taking care of the district's Nazarene Missions International (NMI) business and providing inspiration for living out the mission "To Make Christlike Disciples in the Nations." Workshops were offered on both Thursday and Friday afternoons.
The NYI and NMI assemblies came together on Friday evening. Several hundred teens joined the celebration mixing with the older folk for worship led by Resurrection, a teen worship band from St. Maries, Idaho, in addition to Kala Johnston, District NYI President Jason Johnston's wife.
Juliao Matsinhe, himself a product of missions in Mozambique, brought the message encouraging young people to take the authority vested in them by Jesus Christ for ministry and challenging the older generations to allow partnership in ministry with the young. The evening closed with generations mingling together as family to receive communion at several areas around the large room.
All the while, children were participating in their own mission festival, talent, and Bible Quizzing events scattered over the days and evenings.
Saturday morning began with a message from Pasadena First Church's Scott Daniels, "It's A.D. 30 All Over Again." NYI held their business session and workshops continued. Presenters included Gunter, Northwest Nazarene University religion professors Diane Leclerc and Jay Akkerman, district pastors, and laity. Gathering for one final plenary service, Daniels spoke from the book of Jonah, sending the people out with the question on their hearts, which is on the heart of God, "Should I not be concerned about this great city?" God is blessing the cities and small towns of the Northwest District. The mission is being accomplished - equipping missional congregations to transform their communities.
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