Rev. Rowland you and Judy will be missed! 1986-2004
AS THE DAYS QUICKLY SLIP AWAY THE CONGREGATION OF NEW
CASTLE FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE WISHES TO EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST
GRATITUDE AND THANKS TO PASTOR TERRY ROWLAND AND HIS FAMILY FOR 18
EXCEPTIONAL YEARS OF SERVICE. YOU HAVE CHALLENGED US AND ENCOURAGED US.
YOU HAVE PRAYED BOTH WITH US AND FOR US. YOU HAVE LAUGHED WITH US AND
CRIED WITH US. YOU HAVE HELPED US TO FIND HEALING AND HOPE. YOU HAVE LED
US TO CHRIST AS WELL AS HELPED US TO FIND A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO HIM.
YOU HAVE GIVEN US NEW INSIGHTS INTO GOD’S WORD . YOU HAVE SHARED IN OUR
FAMILIES’ TRIUMPHS AND LOSSES; OUR DREAMS AND OUR FRUSTRATIONS. YOU HAVE
SUPPORTED US DURING ILLNESSES AND STRUGGLES AND THE DAILY DIFFICULTIES
THAT CAN AT TIMES BE SO OVERWHELMING. YOU HAVE MARRIED US AND DEDICATED
OUR CHILDREN TO GOD. YOU HAVE SAT WITH US AT THE BEDSIDES OF THOSE WE
HOLD DEAR AND YOU HAVE LED THE CELEBRATIONS OF OUR LOVED ONES AS THEY
HAVE ENTERED HEAVEN. YOU HAVE HELPED TO STRENGTHEN THE FOUNDATION OF
THIS CHURCH AND WE WILL FOREVER BE INDEBTED TO YOU. WE WISH YOU ALL
GOD’S GREATEST BLESSINGS AS YOU BEGIN THIS NEW UNDERTAKING. KNOW THAT
YOU WILL HAVE A LOVING CHURCH PRAYING FOR YOU AND THAT THOUGHTS OF YOU
WILL BRING SMILES AND JOY.
THANK YOU TERRY, JUDY, TOBY, SKIPPER, AND PENNY FOR SHARING YOUR LIVES
AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO GOD WITH US. BEST WISHES ALWAYS!
OUR LOVE AND DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO YOU ALL, YOU FAMILY IN CHRIST- NEW
CASTLE FIRST CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE.
‘It’s a God thing’ for Rev. Terry Rowland and wife, Judy
By Sandy Moore STAFF REPORTER: Courier-Times
Many things have changed for the Rev. Terry Rowland and his wife, Judy, in the 18 years they have lived and ministered in New Castle at the First Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Rowland’s hair has turned from black to gray, the Rowland children have grown up and left the nest and the church family has witnessed a notable increase in membership. Rev. Rowland has been appointed South East Oklahoma District Superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene.
He will oversee 42 churches in Oklahoma and help place pastors in the south east district and help counsel them. The First Church of the Nazarene will host a reception for the Rowland's from 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 at the church fellowship hall. The church family is flying in all of the Rowland’s children for the event. The community and friends are invited to the open house. “Our children have grown up in this church and community,” said Rev. Rowland. “New Castle has become home where we raised our families. The church family has been loving and caring. We have also enjoyed the school system — our kids have all been into sports at New Castle Chrysler High School. ”The Rowland children, Toby, Skipper and Penny, all graduated from New Castle Chrysler High School. Toby and Skipper graduated from Southern Nazarene University and at present, Penny is still enrolled there. According to Rev. Rowland, he will be traveling from church to church in his new position as superintendent. He will maintain an office in his home and Judy will be his secretary. Although Judy Rowland has made New Castle her home for the past 18 years, she will be actually moving to the place of her roots. Judy was born in Bethany, Okla., and grew up in the area. It was in Oklahoma, that she first met Terry and the couple fell in love and married. “I will be moving near my family and I am really happy about that,” said Judy. “Toby is a sports broadcaster for a CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City and Skipper is in a MD, PHD program at Oklahoma University. Penny is a junior at Southern Nazarene University. “Judy related her love for the church family and community of New Castle. “Eight years ago, I was diagnosed with uterine and ovarian cancer and the most blessed thing happened to me here in New Castle. My church family literally prayed me through to wellness,” said Judy. “Eight years later, I am cancer free. ”Rev. Rowland was appointed by the church’s governing body to the district in Oklahoma. “It’s a God thing,” he said. “I did not request the district, but I received a call to see if I would be interested in the position. I will be a pastor to pastors and not have an actual congregation to oversee. We will also oversee a large Nazarene camp ground and camp activities. ”Within one week of the appointment, the Rowland's had traveled to Oklahoma to accept the position, purchased a home in Oklahoma and within two weeks they had sold their home in New Castle. The Rowland's described the miraculous chain of events that followed their appointment once again as “It’s a God thing.”
Pastor Rowland's Great News and Adventure
From Dr. Ted Lee
Dr. Rowland accepts District
Superintendent position on Southeast Oklahoma District
August 24, 2004
Indianapolis District family and friends, On Wednesday, August 18, I received a phone call from Pastor Terry Rowland of New Castle First Church. He informed me that the night before General Superintendent Dr. Talmadge Johnson had met with the Southeast Oklahoma District Advisory Council and submitted Pastor Rowland's name to become the district superintendent. The vote of the Advisory Council was unanimous. When Pastor Rowland called me to give me the news, we were both in shock. I assured him that Mrs. Lee and I would be praying for him and Judy as they sought God's will. On Friday afternoon, August 20, I received a phone call from General Superintendent Johnson informing me that Pastor Rowland had just called him and had accepted the appointment. Pastor Rowland and his family have been a part of our district for nearly two decades. He has been a superior pastor at New Castle First Church, and that congregation loves the Rowland's dearly. He also has been a leader on our district. He has served for 11 years on the District Advisory Board, has served as District NYI President, been a member of the Board of Credentials and numerous other committees. He has been a "team player" in every sense of the word. The Rowland's have strong roots in Oklahoma. Terry and Judy are both graduates of Southern Nazarene University, their two sons have both graduated from Southern and their daughter Penny is a student there now. Mrs. Rowland grew up in Bethany, Oklahoma where her parents still live as well as one of her siblings. The exact date for the Rowland's to begin their new assignment in Oklahoma is not yet determined. The entire Indianapolis District family is proud of them, congratulate them and will miss them greatly. Let us be praying for the Rowland's as they begin this new chapter in their lives, and let us pray for the wonderful congregation at New Castle First Church as they grieve the loss of their beloved pastor who impacted their lives in such a positive manner.