Welcome, New Pastor

One way for district missions leaders to start a relationship with new pastors

At a district Nazarene Missions International convention in Oklahoma, we welcomed each pastor who had arrived on the district after the previous year's district convention with a sack full of little gifts. Even with all the items listed below, the total cost per sack (including the sack) was very little. Almost all the items were purchased in large grocery stores or at Walmart. The darts were purchased in a sporting goods store. The bi-lingual stickers were leftovers from a Nazarene Missions Team promotion.

Only a couple of the items listed below relate specifically to Oklahoma. With very little adaptation, this idea could be used on any district.

Note to be included in sack

Welcome to our district

  1. Wal-Mart Smiley face car aerial ball with a cowboy hat
    Welcome to Oklahoma
  2. Big Red brand gum
    Oklahoma is famous for its college football. One nickname for the OU team is "Big Red."
  3. God First - Primero Dios sticker
    Rev. 7:9: "I looked and saw a great crowd no man could number from every tribe, people, tongue and language . . ."
  4. Dart
    Aim high with your local missions goals. And remember, there are still unreached people groups in the world with which no denomination or miossions organization has yet engaged.
  5. Package of Lifesavers
    Jesus said, "Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."
  6. Extra brand gum
    All World Evangelism Fund overpayments go to open new world areas.
  7. Automotive fuse
    Sometimes, leaders get frustrated or even discouraged. So, when you blow your fuse, here's a replacement.
  8. Planters brand nuts or sunflower seeds
    We're planting churches among every unreached people group that we can.
  9. Island Twists Kool-Aid
    A reminder of our work in the South Pacific and in the Caribbean
  10. Yeast packet
    Jesus said, "I am the bread of life."
  11. Small candle
    Jesus said, "You are the light of the world."
  12. Fake $100 bill
    Be 100% in participating in world mission emphases and offerings
  13. Tombstone brand beef stick
    A reminder of all those people going out into eternity every day
  14. One Ferrero Rocher chocolate
    A reminder of our work in Italy, Switzerland, and other chocolate-producing countries
  15. Packet of Good Earth China Black tea
    A reminder of our work in Asia
  16. Abra-CaBubble bubble gum
    A reminder of all those spirit worshipers who hope to keep evil spirits appeased by using incantations such as "Abracadabra"

    -- Howard Culbertson,

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