Oskaloosa Church of the Nazarene

African Children’s Choir

binnsa — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:06:52 +0000

The exciting, talented, world-renowned African Children’s Choir will be performing a FREE live concert at George Daily Community Auditorium on Saturday evening, October 30 at 6:30 PM. A love offering will be received.

A second concert will be held on Sunday morning, October 31 at 10:30 AM here at Oskaloosa First Church of the Nazarene.

Everyone is encouraged to join us for this tremendously inspirational concert experience!

The African Children’s Choir

The mission of the African Children’s Choir is to help Africa’s most vulnerable children today, so they can help Africa tomorrow. With a focus on education, the Choir is currently caring for several thousand underprivileged children throughout Africa. These are children who could have lost all hope, but have overcome their circumstances and now are making a positive impact on society.

The African Children’s Choir has been working with the most vulnerable children in Africa for 23 years, raising awareness of the plight of Africa’s orphaned and abandoned, but also showing the beauty, dignity and potential of each African child. They perform throughout the world bringing hope and joy to everyone they meet. They are a voice for the millions of children suffering in Africa.

What Is Their Concert Like?

The children melt the hearts of audiences with their charming smiles, beautiful voices and lively African songs and dances. The program features well-loved children’s songs, traditional spirituals and contemporary tunes. Nearly every performance is concluded with a thunderous standing ovation. In spite of the tragedy that has marred their young lives, the children are radiant with hope, musically gifted and wonderfully entertaining.

Where Have They Performed?

The African Children’s Choir has performed thousands of community concerts around the world and has been welcomed for special performances at such places as the United Nations, the White House and Capitol Hill. Other venues to host the African Children’s Choir include Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Garden, and Carnegie Hall.

The Choir has appeared on nearly every major television network in the United States, on “Jay Leno” “Good Morning America”, “Ellen”, and “American Idol” alongside the likes of Wyclef Jean, Josh Groban, the Gaither Vocal Band and Michael W. Smith.

What Is The Purpose Of The Tour?

The primary goal of the African Children’s Choir is to raise awareness of the need of destitute and orphaned children in Africa and to raise funds for continued development and support of the African Children’s Choir Programs. The Choir’s international educational endeavor provides unique training for the children. Once Choir members have completed a concert tour, they will return to their homelands with the tools necessary for bettering their future.

Join us at OFCN on October 31st for this
world-class concert of HOPE!

Iowa District Youth Camp

adaml — Sun, 02 May 2010 15:10:11 +0000

Go to this website for more information on Iowa District Youth Camp, which is being held at Fun In the Son at Table Rock Lake, MO.

Fun In The Sun Information

Children’s Camp Information

adaml — Sun, 02 May 2010 14:56:54 +0000

Go to this site for information regarding the upcoming camp for kids this summer…

Iowa Nazarene Camp Information

Monthly Ladies Fellowship Night

mattsont — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 15:16:01 +0000

New Event for Ladies

There will be a new fellowship opportunity for ladies on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 p.m. in the Stable, beginning May 18th. This will be a “craft night”…you bring your own craft.

Don’t have a craft? No problem, just come and fellowship!

The Helping Hands Ministry

adama — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 16:23:23 +0000

The Helping Hands Ministry offers assistance to those with special needs. Top priority is aiding those within the Oskaloosa Church of the Nazarene family. However, resources are also available for local families and transients who need emergency assistance.

Family needs may include:

transportation to and from church
grocery shopping
medical appointments
home repairs
meals
household moving assistance

Helping Hand’s Volunteers offer resources of time and equipment for specific projects. Donations of resources (ie. time, equipment, finances) are welcomed. Individuals may contact the church office at 641.673.3417 to volunteer. Monetary gifts may be made to the Oskaloosa Church of the Nazarene Helping Hands at 1215 3rd AVE E, Oskaloosa, IA 52577.

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the leasee of these brothers of mine, you did it for me.” Matthew 25:40

Crisis Kits are a Success!

adama — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 15:35:47 +0000

Over 50 people showed up at the Worship Center to put together Crisis Care Kits and also participate in a soup supper to benefit the Iowa Christian Culture Community located in Iowa City. Organizers stated they originally wanted to put together 50 of the Crisis Care Kits so they we extremely pleased to have the volunteers put together in excess of 120 kits!

The kits, filled with hygiene and first aid products, will be moved to Des Moines and then eventually a distribution center for the Nazarene Relief Shipments were they will ultimately be distributed across the globe to help with disaster relief efforts. Thanks to everyone who donated time, money, and supplies to help make this such a success!

Children’s Bible Quizzing

morrisj — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:55:20 +0000

Children’s Bible Quizzing

Children’s Quizzing is a six-year Bible study program with a competition element, designed for school-age children. The Bible study has been created for children 6 to 12 years old or in school grades 1-6.

Children register for participation and begin the yearly study at the end of each summer. The program continues through March of the next year, culminating with at least two competitive opportunities.

In Children’s Bible Quizzing, the kids compete against themselves individually. The competition is not team-based and everyone can be a winner. The real focus of the quizzing program is to develop a love for and better understanding of God’s Word.

For the 2010 – 2011 Season, our kids are studying and quizzing the books of I and II Samuel.

Seeking Hosts for Community Emphasis

Osky Naz — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 00:46:48 +0000

If you haven’t heard, we are preparing to move into the 40 Days of Community emphasis starting October 11th. Currently, we are seeking people to host to facilitate and host groups of 10-12 people. These groups can be hosted in your home or at the church depending on your needs. The job is simple and anyone can do it. You will be given the materials as well as some training. You can choose the time you meet as well as recruit group members…of course, we would like to have some non church people in your groups as well.

For more information please contact Bob Hammann rhammann@arrowquick.com or call at 641-626-3306. You can sign up at the CommUNITY center at the rear of the Sanctuary before and after service.

Dedication Service held

Osky Naz — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:15:50 +0000

Sunday June 7th, over 300 people gathered at Gateway drive and Hwy 92 in a temporary tent for a dedication service. Oskaloosa First Church of the Nazarene’s church building was destroyed in a fire over three years ago. In the coming months groundbreaking will begin as the new Church will be erected on this property.

The Church met in a tent for the morning

The weather was a bit rainy in the morning before services began. Churchgoers parked at Walmart and were shuttled over to the tent. The service included worship music lead by Pastor Tim McIntire. The church also received 7 new members, all teens from the youth group. Larry Dean from InJoy services, the churches capital campaign manager, was on hand for the service as well. Dean challenged the church to be thankful for the land that God provided for us to be a beacon to the community.

Pastor Dave brought the morning message.

Pastor Dave Childers brought a message challenging the church to reflect on its heritage and to be thankful for the provisions God has provided. However, the real challenge from Pastor Childers was to meet the needs of the community now. Childers made it clear that building a church won’t bring people to Christ. It will take an active church body dedicated to reaching others at a personal level and meeting their needs that will build the kingdom.
The service concluded with a short dedication ceremony. The board was present and participated as well as the churchgoers present.

The final event included a dinner under the tent. Fortunately, the weather held out and was actually sunny for a good portion of the service. Boxed lunches were handed out. It was a wonderful morning celebrating a wonderful event.

A bit of our history

Osky Naz — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 00:17:11 +0000

“And I will do better unto you than at your beginnings.”
Ezekiel 36:11

During the month of April, 1914, District Superintendent Rev. E.A. Clark rented a vacant store building and secured the services of I.G. Martin of Chicago as evangelist. Rev. L. Milton Williams came a few weeks later and organized the church with 41 members on April 13, 1914. The revival continued and 30 more names were added for a total of 71 charter members.

The members worshipped in many places: the Holiness Mission, private homes, an upper room in the court house, the Y.M.C.A., the old “Last Chance” building (formerly a saloon), and the Baptist Mission.

Property was secured at the corner of Third Avenue East and South 2nd Street and on September 10, 1914 ground was broken for the first church building. The lot was purchased for $2,750 and a 50’ x 70’ building was constructed for $12,000.

In the fall of 1948, during the ministry of Rev. Harvey C. Miller, a new entrance was added to the church building. A rededication service was held on January 16, 1949 with General Superintendent Hardy C. Powers presiding.

Under the leadership of Rev. T.T. McCord, a plot of ground at Third Avenue East and South 11th was purchased. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on May 18, 1957 under the direction of District Superintendent Gene E. Phillips. Because the people had a mind for work, the 42’ x 99’ sanctuary with a 36’ x 84’ educational wing and full basement with air conditioning was built by volunteer labor. The dedication service was held on May 25, 1958 one year after the groundbreaking. General Superintendent G.B. Williamson was the special speaker at this dedication service.

Rev. Aleck Ulmet arrived in November 1960 after Rev. T.T. McCord had been appointed District Superintendent of the Louisiana District. Plans were soon drawn up for the parsonage and fellowship hall (now called “The Stable”). This building was completed by volunteer labor and dedicated on June 24, 1962. A second parsonage for our Associate Pastor was also constructed by volunteer labor on our church grounds just east of the parsonage.

May 1967 marked the arrival of Rev. Jim Diehl as our pastor. God and Country – patriotic services in the city park, NO GREATER LOVE presentations in the Junior High School, overflow crowds for revivals with the Speer Family Singers – these and many more exciting events kept the church on the march for Christ.

With the arrival of Rev. Gary Allen Henecke in December of 1973, the church’s marching orders were received in a message entitled “I Will Build My Church”.

More land was purchased, old houses were moved or torn down. A mighty group of volunteer workers were on the scene. God continued to bless and the Sanctuary building began to take shape.

In 1976, we moved into our new “Home of Hope” seating 1,000 in the sanctuary and 1,200 in Sunday School.

Rev. Jim Bearden led our congregation in building a Christian Life Center which was completed debt-free. The Christian Life Center was constructed in 1982-83. The structure measures 90’ x 120’ and is complete with a full-size carpeted gym, kitchen, Sunday School classrooms and offices.

Rev. Eugene Frame led us in a debt-retirement program so as we celebrated our 75th Anniversary, we could also rejoice in the fact that our buildings were debt-free.

Under the direction of Rev. Lenny Wisehart (1989-1994) several improvements were made. The parsonage at 2403 Ridgeway Avenue was purchased. After years of prayer, the opportunity came open to purchase the old Walker Olds property.

Rev. J.D. Bailey served as pastor from 1994-1996 and was untiring in his efforts to lead us to higher ground.

Rev. Gary F. Smith arrived as senior pastor in May of 1997. Under his leadership OFCN birthed a new vision for the future.

Rev. Michael B. Blankenship came to be our pastor starting on Sunday, August 31,2003. Rev. Susan E. Blankenship also accepted the call to serve as our Minister of Worship Ministries.

Early in 2004 Pastor Blankenship led our church celebrating its 90th anniversary.
The theme of the celebration was: “Oskaloosa 1st Nazarene Church: Celebrating 90 years of Heritage, Hope, Holiness, Help and New Horizons”. During the 5-week celebration our church invited four former pastors back for the first four weekends. On consecutive weekends we were able to celebrate God’s blessings to our church during the pastoral ministries of Dr. Jim Diehl, Dr. Jim Bearden, Dr. Gary Henecke and Rev. Lenny Wisehart. On the 5th weekend Pastor Blankenship challenged our congregation to go onto New Horizons as we seek to take the message of Holiness, Hope and Help to those in Oskaloosa, Mahaska County and southern Iowa.

It was during this time that the Church Board and staff developed the purpose, mission, values and goal statements that you find in this website. The purpose, mission and values that were revealed during this time are the driving factors for First Church today.

On January 21, 2006, a devastating fire took all of McCord Hall and the entire Sanctuary of First Church. During this time, First Church was without a pastor and had extended a call to Rev. Dave Childers to become the senior pastor. The day after the fire, Rev. Childers accepted the call to become the senior pastor of First Church at this crucial time.

In quick fashion, a team of staff were brought together to help lead the church during this major time of transition. Together, along with the leadership of the church board and several other leadership teams within the church, First Church is endeavoring on a mission that includes the building of a new building, possible relocation, as well as new ministries that match the heartfelt needs of those in the community of Oskaloosa.