Greetings and a Belated Happy Fourth!

I trust you enjoyed a wonderful 4^th of July filled with fun, excitement, and even some fireworks.  My 4^th began with two races (10K at 7:00 and then a 5K at 8:00).  I was a bit tired afterwards, as I made my way down to Casa Robles to enjoy the gathering there with the retired missionaries.  As for me… it was a quiet 4th.  Leslie was asked last year to lead in the music at a Family Camp up north, so she is gone for the week.

Yesterday was quite hot in the valleys… and as I left the area to go up north to El Morro for a meeting, I watched the thermometer in my car change drastically.  There was a 44 degrees difference from Santa Clarita at 106˚to Los Osos at 62˚.   And this morning when I went out for my early morning run, it was still in the upper 70s.  It is summer time!

ENCOURAGEMENT:  SUMMER IN THE PSALMS  Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.  But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.  For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong.  They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. (Psalm 73:1-5)  Boy, oh boy, oh boy!  Satan really knows how to get one down, doesn’t he?  Asaph, when writing this psalm, must have really been down in the pits as he tried to be good… tried to do good… tried to do all that was required… and as he did, he looked around and saw so many others… people who didn’t have a care about anything…except themselves.  And it was so easy for him to lose sight of the real purpose in life as he began to focus on others.  

The devil knows when… where… and just how to attack.  He tried it on Jesus, not once, but multiple times, and in different locations.  He is relentless.  I am convinced that he knows that all he needs to do is distract us.  He’ll look for any reason to get our attention off the Lord so that we can see how “much fun” others are having.  And for a moment, Asaph bit it hook… line… and sinker.  

Thankfully, by the end of the psalm, Asaph got it all figured out.  His eyes returned to the Lord, his refuge and hope.  

DISTRICT MATTERS:  We will all be together in just a little while… DISTRICT CONVENTIONS & ASSEMBLY begins on Wednesday night, July 12 at 7:00PM.  Both Thursday and Friday mornings we’ll start at 8:30AM.  The Ordination Service will be at 7:00PM on Thursday, July 13.  I hope to see you at PazNaz!

• Elysian Park:  Please be in prayer for Pastor Alejandro Castillejos as he is recovering from surgery and recuperating very slowly.  I was asked to step in for him last Sunday, and enjoyed my time with our brothers and sisters in the church. 

•  District Licensed Ministers:  Please pass along the word, that I would like all District Licensed Ministers to be present at the Ordination Service on Thursday, July 13, at 7:00PM… and sitting up towards the front.  My plan is to recognize you during the service.  Thanks! 

• District Office:  Following some very busy weeks, gearing up for District Assembly, we plan to slow things down a bit in the District Office following the assembly next week.  The office staff will be in and out the week of July 17-21.  So please call to make sure someone is in the office before you head on over there.  (626) 446-7300 

• DCPI Training:  For all who are interested… there will be training taking place at Casa Robles the week following District Assembly for planting new works.  It will all begin on Thursday, July 20 at 8:30AM.  Please see the attachment which explains everything.  I would love to see you there.

 These are great and busy days for us all.  I love you and I hope to see you next week as we join together for District Assembly.  See you soon…

Building Bridges,  

Greg Garman

Los Angeles District Superintendent

Church of the Nazarene

Greetings from Indianapolis and the Final Day of General Assembly!

Leslie and I have just checked out of the hotel… but we are still in the lobby awaiting the time to pass so we can head on over to the airport and return home.  We’ve been gone a long time and we are ready and eager to be back in L.A.  However, let me say this:  I am rejoicing and so very pleased to leave Indianapolis with a sense that God is with His Church.  I could not be more proud than I am right now to belong to what I believe to be the greatest church and denomination… The Church of the Nazarene!

ENCOURAGEMENT:  SUMMER IN THE PSALMS… As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me.  Evening, morning and noon I call out in distress, and He hears my voice… Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.  (Psalm 55:16 & 22)  Over the past two weeks, while attending the many meetings, plenary sessions, and worship services, we have heard countless stories of God’s faithful and watchful eye on His Global Church.  Though, we have lost certain members and leaders in these past four years… some through martyrdom… others through natural death, the Lord has been gracious and faithful to lead His church.  Through tragedy and difficulties… we have had the privilege to see the way He has helped us to hold true to the theme of making Christ-like disciples in the nations. 

 These past two weeks I have thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with members and global leaders who know what it is like to experience distress.  Yet, through every difficulty, they are teaching me to cast all their cares on the King of kings and the Lord of lords.  The Lord is not only sustaining us but He is growing us in the Holy Spirit.  As we fellowshipped with leaders from Papua New Guinea, or from Sudan… I nearly wept to see and hear how God provides.  I listened to reports from Rwanda and Guatemala as we shared around the meal table… giving thanks to God for His provisions in life.  I can’t tell you how much of a blessing it has been to reconnect also with leaders from Ecuador and Peru… for God is alive and moving everywhere the church is planted.  

May we all… each one of us… be so committed to Him, that we will cast our cares on Him DAILY… because He will not only sustain us but He WILL grow us!  He will grow His church not just globally… but on the Los Angeles District as well.  To God be the Glory!

 GENERAL ASSEMBLY REPORT:  I don’t really need to continue sharing how grateful I am for you… for His Church… for the reports shared here in Indy these past few days… but I am MORE AND MORE GRATEFUL to the Lord for the Church of the Nazarene.  May I share these photos with you to convey a little bit of what He is doing around our world!  Last night we had the final worship service where the two most recently elected General Superintendents were installed… and what a joy to be present!  Our two newest Generals are: Dr. Fili Chambo (from Mozambique) and Dr. Carla Sunberg (MK from Germany, former missionary, and NTS President).  They join the team of now six General Superintendents:  Dr. Eugenio Duarte, Dr. David Graves, Dr. David Busic, and Dr. Gustavo Crocker.  A true picture of a global church!  

I look forward to seeing all of you in less than 2 weeks as we come together for the Los Angeles District Assembly.  We will have Dr. Eugenio Duarte with us once again, as our presiding G.S.  Please be in prayer for the business to be conducted at the assembly, as well as our Ordination Service on Thursday night, July 13, and for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on us. 

 Don’t forget to be in prayer for the camps taking place at Granite Ridges these next three weeks.  These are great days to be in active ministry for Jesus Christ!  I love you and will see you soon…

Building Bridges,

Greg Garman

Los Angeles District Superintendent

Church of the Nazarene