Rejoicing in Southern California

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

As I write this note, there are centers of war, violence, and unrest across the world, throughout

the U.S., and even in our own region. In many ways, it feels like we are at a tipping point. So

why begin this communication with a scripture about rejoicing? Because that is who we are as

the children of God—we rejoice in the middle of trials and storms.

I rejoice in our recent district assembly. Over the last few days since assembly, I’ve received

comments about the anointed and joyful time we experienced together. I’ve even received

messages from people across the nation—people who weren’t there but heard about the joy

and power of what happened. We rejoice over the incredible reports and updates about the

Kingdom activity and fruitfulness of our Southern California Nazarene churches and ministries.

We rejoice over the moment when we finished early and our General Superintendent, Dr.

Sarmiento, called us into a time of prayer and praise. We won’t forget those prayers and

praises, as Nazarenes called out in both rejoicing and petition for God to use us to reach lost

and broken people. We rejoiced as Pastor Matt Palm led us in worship at the piano, lifting our

hearts in praise to the King!

We rejoiced in the ordination service, which was touched by the power of God, as we ordained

wonderful new pastors to ministry in the name of Jesus the Nazarene. We rejoiced in the

overflow of joy, the warm embraces, and the pictures of happy and joyful faces from those

ordained and their families.

We rejoiced in the clear unity and love for one another during this assembly. I’ve received

many comments about the evident spirit of love and unity. We lived out the scripture in John

13:34–35:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one

another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

One of our greatest evangelistic witnesses is our love, care, and encouragement for each

other. I saw it everywhere—beginning at the NMI convention on Friday and continuing into the

assembly on Saturday.

Finally, I rejoice in my fellow pastors and team members here on the SoCal Nazarene District.

Everywhere we go, we tell people what a great group of servant leaders we get to serve

alongside. You really are the best. Many of you have been tested—and have come through

refined by His Spirit. Together, we serve and call the lost and broken people of our region to

trust Christ with their lives.

What a great life! What a great ministry!

I say it again—REJOICE!

Shawn Siegfried

District Superintendent

Southern California District Church of the Nazarene