My Preaching Notes

So blessed, Saturday night, to begin the first of 8 revivals I currently have slated on the Philadelphia District Church of the  Nazarene. The Lord’s favor is such a gift. I am humbled to be here at West Chester Church of the Nazarene. Expecting a wonderful weekend overflowing with The realized presence of The One Called Wonderful — Jesus. 

My “preaching” notes for Saturday night (didn’t use ‘em all because God gave some surprise inspiraion not planned as He always does...)

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love.

Pastor Kerry Willis 

What Jesus Wants

In the last seven words of His High Priestly Prayer, we hear what Jesus really wants. Talk about unity. Talk about intimacy. This is it. And since Pentecost happened, it is also our inheritance. Let’s want what Jesus wants. What He wants is surely what we need!(Read the seven words at the very end, below.)

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Love for Enemies

In reading from Luke 6:27-31 (NRSV), I am reminded of the strong command Jesus spoke about “love for enemies”...

(27) But I say to you that listen: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (28) bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. (29) If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. (30) Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. (31) Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Jesus, Your words are so undeniably amazing. Help us to love — even our enemies — with Your love, and guide us always to live by Your Golden Rule in all our relationships — doing to others as we would have them do to us. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen. 

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

“God Requires No Great Matters of Us...”

The beautiful book of deep devotion to God titled “The Practice of the Presence of God” was written years ago by the humble “Brother Lawrence”. The words therein speak to me every time I read them. 

Today, especially, the wise words penned by Brother Lawrence speak peace and release to my total being. I share His words with you, now: 

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love.

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Unable to Pray? Pray Anyway.

Somedays, if I am honest, I “feel” so totally unable to even pray, yes, not even close to sensing strength when it comes to calling on Holy God. Today, has been one of those days. Because of a hectic schedule this month, energy-wise, it seems I have been dealt a measure of numbness. Lathargy — a lack of energy and enthusiasm — may be the closer words to describe what I am attempting to convey.

It’s part of the Christian life, I suppose. Mostly, my present state has to do with low, human emotions. During seasons like this, I am so glad feelings are not the gauge for true faith. Feelings are feelings. Faith is faith. Never confuse feelings with faith. If our feelings didn’t waver, there probably wouldn’t really even be a need for faith?

In the year 2000, July 5, to be exact, my Dad’s shrimp trawler burned at the dock. It was not a total loss, but still very huge. The boat would need to be rebuilt from the hull up. That very day I rushed to the coast of North Carolina to be with Dad during his grief. 

It was during my Dad’s low season that I learned a life-lesson as I overheard my Dad telling the Lord: “If I never ‘feel’ Your presence again on this earth, I’m still going to tell someone everyday how very great You are!” Dad didn’t let His emotional, physical, and mental numbness keep Him from praying, spiritually. His feelings put his faith on trial, nevertheless, his faith prevailed. 

So, on my somedays, like today, even though I “feel” unable to pray, I pray anyway. Faith is the victory. My victory. 

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Weekend Worship in Snapshots

I had a wonderful weekend of worship. Here are some weekend snapshots I now share...

Kim and her husband in KC, Friday 

Give us your eyes, JESUS. 

With Pastor Joses, Center City Philadelphia, Saturday 

The queen of feeding Philadelphia

Two precious hearts of compassion, Pastors Chantal and Joses. 

23rd Annual Gospelrama 

Food for the hungry 

Both said: “We are brothers — both are really African Americans.

 

Jesus was seeking Russell Hart through me, Saturday. A new name written down in glory. “Russell’s!” Humbled. 

Take me to The King!

I met “Billy Penn.” 

Philadelphia Nazarene district thanked for partnership 

Pastor Joses preached “Go and sin no more.” 

Philly architecture 

The City of Brotherly Love

Christ or Crisis

 

Stainglass Royersford Church of the Nazarene 

Dave Duncan’s words at worshiptime, Sunday

Praise Him 🎸 

Now Jesus seeks the lost through us, His sanctuaries. 

Jesus values each individual. 

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Saturday’s Soul

One question I like to ask believers is: “Can you tell me the name of the last person you led to Jesus?” There is no greater joy than to see the lights come on in the eyes of someone leaving darkness. 

I had that opportunity Saturday in inner-city Philadelphia as I partenred with one of our compassionate ministries there, Word in Action. Below you will see a copy of what I sent to some of my district superintendent colleagues and yes, the face of Saturday’s soul — Russell Hart. Praise Jesus! 

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love.

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Vision Equals Burden

The Imperials — back in the day — sang a song that had these lyrics in it: “Give me the eyes of Your Spirit, Your heart of compassion to know. Wherever You may lead me. Lord of the harvest I’ll go.“

Truly, God‘s word tells us in Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” When I was a local pastor, not all that long ago, my title was “vision pastor“. I am positive many people did not know the true meaning of that title. I used the word “vision” as a synonym for the word “burden.” Unless we see the lostness of this world through the eyes of Jesus, we will fail miserably at ministry.

Today, my heart is torn and burdened for broken people and lost souls. Down along the North Carolina coastline, many of my friends and family are still suffering from the aftermath of hurricane Florence. I wish I could be there, but I am not omnipresent. My two brothers are focused there, and so I pray for them as they are able to go and to give attention to this great need. Please pray that they will have favor.

I am personally on my way to inner-city Philadelphia. How my heart cries out for this city. So many lost and lonely and broken people live in the city of brotherly love. Recently, Philadelphia was named as #1 on a list of our 10 largest USA cities when it comes to poverty. I have been entrusted, in part, to lead the distribution of hope and holiness to a seemingly hopeless people. Please pray that I will have favor in this holy endeavor. Pray that the churches I oversee will rise up together to help save this great city.

This morning, as I departed early for Philadelphia, I sensed that the great burden for eternal souls in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey has surely rolled onto my heart. With that burden, surely the Lord will give me His vision, yes, “the eyes of His Spirit and His heart of compassion to know.”

I pray the Lord will give favor to our inner-city ministry, Word in Action, as they lead the proclamation and the demonstration of the gospel on and around the steps of Philadelphia’s City Hall all day long. Kevin Griffin, my connections minister, and I, plan to be there for the last three hours. We will be present to help shoulder the glorious burden and to pray on the premises — as we stand on the promises — for those who are leading this holy event.

https://youtu.be/VOkm0aLnXso

As I left for Philadelphia this morning, the Lord put his promise in the sky for a brief moment. A young farmer’s son pointed the rainbow out to me in the sky. And a child shall lead them.

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Inductive Preaching — “Othering!”

In Bible College, Dr. Stephen Borger, my Inductive Preaching professor gave me permission to preach like Jesus did — to tell stories. Inductive Preaching is perhaps more about instinct than investigation. Inductive Preaching often asks a question at the beginning of the message and answers it at the conclusion. 

One great communicator I learned from in that class was Fred Craddock. Though I never met him, his personal style of communicating validated my preferred own style. 

Enjoy this “message”. It’s just over 5 minutes but unforgettable...

. https://youtu.be/9tWNnp-8XTo

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love.

Pastor Kerry Willlis 

“Four Winds Forecast” Sept. 19, 2018

This was my message to the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene, Wednesday... 

“Four Winds Forecast” — Pastor Kerry

September 19, 2018

Greetings in the Glorious Name of Jesus, The Nazarene: 

Hello “MY” Philadelphia District:

It’s a Wednesday morning in Kansas City as I write to you. I’m here at the Nazarene Global Ministry Center with nine other rookie district superintendents learning how to be more effective at our calling. Pray for us. Pray for me. 

Before entering the first learning session today, I greeted our General Superintendent in jurisdiction, Dr. David Busic, in the hallway. His genuine inquiry about how things are going on the Philadelphia District touched me deeply. He kindly invited me to breakfast for Friday. I am anticipating leaving here more like Jesus simply because I will get to break bread with him. I hope to encourage him as well. 

Recently, I was thinking about my new position as overseer of the local Nazarene churches in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Specifically, I was asking myself: “What is the most difficult reality about my new position?” I didn’t have to think very long at all. The answer was obvious. The most difficult reality about my new position is that I cannot be with all of “my people” every week.

As a local pastor, I took for granted that I got to be with ALL of  “my people” every week of the year. I have now given “my people” — at the local church I pastored — over to their new pastor, so they are no longer “my people” (as a pastor). So guess who “my people” are now? You are! It’s all true! If you are a part of the Philadelphia District, you are now “my people” and the fact that I cannot physically be with ALL of you, “my people”, every week, is the most difficult reality about my new position. It’s because I am a pastor, and a pastor is really all I know to be. And as a pastor, I care about “my people” and being PRESENT with “my people” — “MY” Philadelphia District. 

Of course, I understand that I am not, neither do I expect to be, omnipresent. I cannot be with all of “my people” all of the time. However, I plan on offering multiple opportunities for us to be together as often as possible. I do hope to come and come again to where you are as often as possible. This is my joy description. I also hope as often as possible, to see you come to the places I will invite you, so we can fellowship as people who belong to Jesus, The Nazarene, and to one another, as Nazarenes. 

Let me share with you some upcoming opportunities happening. I hope you will consider coming to where I’ll be so we can encourage one another together. Why? Because I truly believe PRESENCE MATTERS MOST!

* Saturday, Sept. 29, 2pm-4pm 

West Chester Church of the Nazarene

Familiar Grounds — Bread • Cup • Friendship Gathering (Pastors, Elders

& District Licensed Ministers)

Pastor Owen White, leader/host pastor

(Lifelong Learning Credits available) 

* Monday, Oct. 8, 9am-1pm 

Fairview Village Church of the Nazarene 

PCDC Gathering (Pastors Career Development Center) — First of 7 sessions.

Pastor Dave Bennett, leader/host pastor

(Lifelong Learning Credits available) 

* Sunday, Dec. 16, 4:30pm-6:30pm 

Ephrata Grace Point Church of the Nazarene (Pastors, Associates, Retirees, District Leadership & Spouses)

Christmas Celebration Dinner Concert

Pastor Kerry/Kim Willis, leading/hosting

I have also been personally invited to preach Revival Services/Seasons of Spiritual Renewal on these dates and at these churches. If you can be present, you are welcome. (Please contact local pastor for exact meeting schedule:)

* Sept. 29-Oct. 1, West Chester, PA 

* Oct. 6-8, Pitman, NJ

* Oct. 30-November. 1, Williamsport, PA

* Nov. 4, Crossroads, Lewisburg, PA

* Nov. 10-11, Bethlehem Promised Land

* Dec. 8-11, Faith Pointe, Allentown, PA

* Mar. 17, Burlington, NJ (added later today)

* Mar. 23-25, Pennsville, NJ

* May 17-19, New Holland, PA (added later today) 

Complete PCDC Schedule (Pastors Career Development Center). All sessions are Monday meetings 9am-1pm at Fairview Village. It’s going to be great!

* Oct. 8, 2018

* Nov. 5, 2018

* Jan. 7, 2019

* Feb. 4, 2019

* Mar. 11, 2019

* Apr. 1, 2019

* June 3, 2019

(Lifelong Learning Credits available)

MAKE NOTE: THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAS MOVED. NEW ADDRESS:

Location:

Philadelphia District 

Church of the Nazarene

 445 Washington Street

Royersford, PA. 19468

Mailing:

Philadelphia District 

Church of the Nazarene 

PO Box 259

Royersford, PA. 19468 

A Recent Good News Report from Pastor Donna Sarog at Collingdale:

“We had our Baptism and Annual Church Picnic at the Chesapeake. Three adults and a nine year old boy went down and came up anew. Max, the nine year old, started by yelling his testimony, ‘I LOVE JESUS’, oh so very loud. Heaven came down!”

My Prayer: “Lord, as our inheritance give us the lost!” — pk and “My People”

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love. 

Pastor Kerry Willis

District Superintendent

Philadelphia District 

Church of the Nazarene

Please Connect to my heart and life and vision as you desire. 

Available Connections:

Blog: romanstenfifteen.blogspot.com

Twitter: @PastorKerryW

Instagram: bluegoose220

www.PhilaNaz.org (Being Updated)

“Thus says the Lord God; ‘Come from the FOUR WINDS, O breath, and breathe on these corpses that they may live!’” Ezekiel 37:9b NET  

Humble Talent

Humble talent deeply moves me, no matter where I see it. It breaks my heart when people suffer with self-esteem, wrongly thinking they are not good enough.  

This “secular” clip touched my heart. In fact, it made me cry tender tears of joy. Happiness is helping others know they are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. 

People who desire affirmation but cannot see how wonderfully God created them, need to be told. Let’s be among those who help people to see themselves for the beautiful creations of God that they really are.

Enjoy. ❤️ 

https://youtu.be/IChJ6eO3k48

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Philemon 1:3-7

This passage was once sent to me by one of my Jesus-like, Middle Eastern, pastor, friends. He said it was a portion of God’s Word that reminded him of me. So humbling. I pray it can still be said of my life and can always be said of my life...

Presence Matters Most!

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love. 

Pastor Kerry Willis 

Vacation for Inspiration

At times I am sure people wonder why my wife, Kim and I, almost always prefer coastal settings for our down time? It’s a fair question. Besides the obvious reason that we were both pretty much raised where the waves meet the shore, the main reason is perhaps less obvious. When on vacation, the number one thing we both need is inspiration. And we are most inspired in the midst of nautical surroundings. 

Think about it this way. Have you ever noticed how much of our spiritual music — traditional hymns and contemporary songs — rely on stories related to the sea? I can name a few: “Anchored in Jesus”, “Rescue the Perishing”, “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning”, “Jesus Savior, Pilot Me”, “The Old Ship of Zion”, “Love Lifted Me”, “The Anchor Holds”, “My Lighthouse”, “Oceans”, and the list goes on and on. Well, that pretty much explains why we choose seaside inspiration for nearly every vacation. 

Speaking of inspiration near the shore, here are some photos from the final two days of our latest getaway to the Cape Henlopen and Lewes, Delaware coastline.

These photos speak to me mostly about “hope for lost souls.” It should be obvious why.

Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse in sunset.

Harbor of Safe Refuge Lighthouse, The Point, Cape Henlopen, Delaware. 

Lewes, DE to Cape May, NJ Ferry, Harbor of Safe Refuge Lighthouse. 

Inspiration. 

Distant light. 

The Shore at Cape Henlopen, DE.

The pathway to light.

Red Sky at Night, Sailors Delight. Delaware.

Lightship at Life Saving Station. 

Old Life Saving Row Boat.

Light in Lightship. 

U.S. Lifesaving Station at Lewes, Delaware. 

Flower on property. 

Old lifesaving boat. 

Lifesaving cart. 

Ropes and Block. 

Lifesaving boat shed. 

Interior light. 

Lightship named “Overfalls.”

Love that #2. Definition for “inspiration”. WOW! Indeed, inspiration can give us new breath, renewed life. 

Presence Matters Most.

That is... Presence. Unity. Souls. Love. 

Pastor Kerry Willis