From the Discipleship Pastor

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It has been a great year of spiritual growth here at the Albion Church of the Nazarene both for myself and for many of you! I want to thank all of you that have participated in making the body of Christ work in unity to care and minister to the adults and children of this congregation and the community.
Praise God for answered prayers! Here is a portion of last years 2017 report, “As I continue to answer God’s call and work toward the goal of becoming an ordained minister (prayerfully by 2018) I will continue to serve His church here unless I am called elsewhere. In Matthew 28: 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We receive instruction from Jesus which leads me to the subject of discipleship. I have been sensing a need for growth in discipleship training and developing discipleship groups within the church. It is my hope that with Gods leading we will begin to develop discipleship groups where we can grow in spiritual maturity and provide accountability with one another as well as continuing to fulfill the Great Commission as Jesus instructed us. Please join me in prayer and action as we seek to make disciples and grow as disciples.” This prayer has been answered and I ask you to continue to pray that discipleship will continue to grow and spill out into our communities!
The Discipleship group started with your Church Board and those that completed the first study received a blessing from God and an awesome illuminated pen! We currently have six discipleship groups happening, Praise the Lord! When completed these people will also be prepared to disciple others. Please let Rev. Wayne Hennen or Pastor Connie Young know if you would like to be contacted when the next opening is available. As Paul said to Timothy, “6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).
I have had many opportunities to serve in the church from preaching and teaching, to leading the first Discipleship group. I have also been co-leading The Daniel Plan group in Faith, Focus, Food, Fitness and Friendship. In addition to growing stronger in the Lord, we have lost over 140 pounds combined so far! I have missed worshiping here in Albion the last several weeks since I have been preaching at the Meadville Church of the Nazarene while they begin the search for a new minister. God continues to use new opportunities for training and growth. I cannot thank all of you enough for the opportunity to serve and grow as I follow God’s call to enter into full minister status. On April 13th (a Friday) the Pittsburgh District Ministry Board approved me to be recommended for ordination as an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. I invite you to attend the Ordination Ceremony on June 29, 2018 at Mount Chestnut Nazarene campground in Butler, PA. I also covet your prayers as I finish this journey and begin a new one.
Peace & Grace to you,
Pastor Connie Young