November 14 Newsletter

Greetings from Pastor Donovan

Shalom Church!

I am Pastor Donovan and I would like to tell you all a little about myself. I grew up in a Baptist church (I hope you will forgive me for that) and was saved at the age of seven. I had a lot of head knowledge of God, but not a lot of heart knowledge of Him. My dad joined the Army in 2005 and we joined him in Texas at what is now Fort Cavazos in 2007. My mom found the Nazarene church when my dad was deployed in 2009-2010. We lived there until 2012. We moved to Fort Polk, LA and this is where I had my prodigal son years between 2012-2016 when I was living for myself and only reaped destruction in my life. We moved back in 2014-2015 and I was still living for myself.

By the grace and mercy of God, He plucked me out of the situation I placed myself in. My wife, Danni, was starting to get into church and we began as church friends, trying to get our lives on track. After a few services at the church she was attending I invited her to the Killeen Church of the Nazarene. It was our church home until being called to Hill Country. We got married on April 15, 2017.

We both sensed a call into ministry and I was given the opportunity to go to school for it and volunteer/help lead a children's department in Killeen. Danni is currently in classes now for ministry, and has not only been an amazing support for me, but an invaluable resource when it comes to anything related to children. In 2021-22 we were given the opportunity to be the full-time ministers to the children at Killeen Nazarene. We accepted it and have been faithfully following God in all things.

Danni and I have two amazing children: Emersyn, who is 7, and Ezekiel, who is 4. We also foster a baby boy named Kai, who is 1. We have 3 dogs, the first named Yoda, who is a chihuahua and thinks he's something big. Kyber is a Texas heeler and sweet as can be with the energy to match. Then there is our rescue dog Stella who is a mix of what we think is greyhound and heeler of some sort, who is also super sweet. She thinks she is a small dog and wants to be in your lap.

We are extremely excited for what God has in store for the church. I am beyond blessed that God will allow me to see the way He moves through this time of renewal, growth, and comissional work in the church and in the surrounding community. God has great things in store for us! I encourage you to be faithful and obedient to His will, and there will be nothing that is impossible with God. — Pastor Donovan

November 17: Let's Fill the House!

Pastor Donovan's first Sunday is this Sunday, Nov. 17. Let's plan on a "full house!" We will take communion together on that first Sunday. We will also have an All-Church Potluck so everyone will have an opportunity to visit with the McMahan family following worship.

Prayer Requests

Branden Escamilla (Carl & Deborah Rackleys' son-in-law) had a quadruple bypass on Monday. He is doing well and may be able to go home tomorrow (Nov. 15). Please pray for continued healing.
Caroline Hedman as she is facing surgery Nov. 19 for the cyst on her neck.
Bruce and Donna McElvaine as they get ready to serve with Samaritan's Purse in North Carolina.
Pat Wilson as she faces future surgery.
Pastor Donovan and Danni as they move to their new home in Cedar Park.
Our church board as they work with Pastor Donovan during this time of transition.
Pastor Jim and Susan as they prepare for their future ministry evangelism.
Revival for our country and God's guidance and protection for our leaders.

Samaritan's Purse Ministries

We are involved with SPM in two ways:

We are participating in Operation Christmas Child. For more information go to this link. It will lead you to a page that gives you all the information you need. You can use a typical teen/adult-size shoe box as a container. We need them at church by November 17, so there's no time to lose. Ask Sandra Arnold for more information.
Our own Bruce and Donna McElvaine have volunteered to serve for a week in N. Carolina to assist hurricane victims. They are going at their own expense. Cover them with your prayers, and let us also consider a love offering to help them with their travel expenses.

Discipleship Class

Want to know more about being involved in an intensive discipleship development course for the next 13-15 weeks? Give Patty Lefner a call at 512-716-9474. This can be a life-changing experience that will propel your spiritual growth to new depths and insights. You will never regret the time and investment in such an endeavor. You will experience a personal revival!