BUSINESS:

Here are important steps to prepare you for the business portion of District Advance:

1. BEFORE THE EVENT: Download the Florida District app (see picture) from your device’s App or Play Store. Look for our blue dot cross icon. Select the language of your choice when you set up your account on the app.

   Links to Florida District App: APP STORE PLAY STORE

2. READ UP: Yes, you have homework to do! Please review the various reports (see links below or on the APP) that will be presented in the Business Sessions. Delegates will be voting to adopt or receive these reports by a yes/no vote or show of hand during the business. You may want to print them off and bring them to the event.

3. BE AN INFORMED VOTER: Delegates will also be voting on a number of ballots to fill vacancies on district boards and committees. Ballot information is available in the links below. The ballots will be open from the start of business on Friday, May 15 until Saturday at 9:30 am, so you have time to vote at your leisure. READ FURTHER FOR IMPORTANT VOTING INFORMATION

4. VOTING will take place on you phone or tablet through Election Runner, a web-based program. A link to the ballots will be released after the ballots are approved.

5. DELEGATES TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Delegates will also be voting for delegates to represent Team Florida at the Global Nazarene General Assembly in 2027 and the Global Nazarene Missions International General Convention.

6. HELP YOUR FRIENDS!: If you have fellow delegates that are not quite as tech-savvy as you, PLEASE help them to access this information and download the app.

7. PLAN TO STAY: You’ll want to be there for the Friday evening Celebration Service (7 PM), and the Saturday afternoon Celebration of Ministry Service (4:30 -7:30 PM) These are both an integral part of the whole event.

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE at Lakeland Church for the One in the Main Campus lobby:

1. CHECK IN: District Advance begins at 12:30 on Friday afternoon, but we will begin checking in delegates at 10 AM so they have time for lunch. (see SCHEDULE) BUT, our volunteers while be glad to check you in WHENEVER your arrive, either Friday or Saturday.

   • YOUR DELEGATE ID: you will receive a name badge and your UNIQUE delegate/voter ID at check-in, which will enable you to VOTE. Your name will be listed under your church’s name, by city — ex: Jacksonville University Blvd, or Orlando Center Pointe.

   • BE NICE! We are expecting nearly 700 delegates and guests, and our volunteers will be working as efficiently as they can. Your patience and grace will be appreciated.

2. MEAL TICKETS: Pre-registration for meals is necessary (deadline April 24). We will have a MEAL TICKET table in the lobby.

   • For individual meal orders — your ticket(s) will be in an envelope marked with your name

   • For church meal orders — the tickets for the group will be in an envelope with the CHURCH NAME. Please make sure the person picking up the tickets has a list of who gets what.

3. MEALS: NEW: Friday lunch will take place on the Main Campus - we will have inside and OUTSIDE eating areas. Friday Dinner and Saturday Lunch will be in the FAMILY MINISTRIES BUILDING (FMB), across the road from the Main Campus. We will have limited shuttles available for transport over to the FMB.

4. TRANSLATION SERVICES: NEW: Translation for Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole will be available through Live Voice mobile app. Please have the app downloaded in advance. Translation will be received through your phone. You will need to bring your own earbuds or headphones and a portable charger. OR CLICK HERE for information

5. WHAT ABOUT MY KIDS? If you pre-registered your children for Kids Advance (deadline April 24), their event begins Friday AFTER LUNCH in the Family Ministries Building — and moves to the Main Campus Kids Area for the Friday evening service through Saturday. See schedule here: LINK

6. THE MAIN EVENT: all business and worship sessions will take place in the Sanctuary in the Main Campus. For information about our speakers for 2026 District Advance, visit HERE

7. WIFI? Yes, we will have wi-fi and will let you know any details for connection that day. Because so many people will be accessing the service, please use your phone’s 5G signal when possible.

8. LOOK AROUND: The lobby area will have tables with displays and information from Trevecca, the Nazarene Foundation, District NYI (Youth), District NMI (Missions), Kids Ministries, and more! Church for the ONE has also expanded their cafe area — check it out!

9. WORKSHOPS & NETWORKING LUNCHES!! Multiple workshops and Networking Lunches will be available throughout the weekend, and will take place on the Main Campus and SMB. Check out the WORKSHOP & NETWORKING LUNCH SCHEDULE to plan ahead. Maps and printed schedules will be available in the lobby.

LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS! (Some reports are subject to change prior to assembly)

Advance vs Assembly — we use the term District Advance for this event, but the body of delegates is referred to as the District Assembly!

Dr. Carla Sunberg, our Jurisdictional General Superintendent, will be chairing the business portions of District Advance. She is one of six General Superintendents, and was elected to that role in 2017 at the Nazarene General Assembly. To learn more about Dr. Sunberg, click here

The following links (in blue) will take you to the various reports related to the business of District Advance. Action on most of these reports will be taken by a yes/no voice vote or a show of hands, with the exception of the ballots. This business with be spread out over the two days of District Advance. Per Robert’s Rules of Order, only delegates may ask questions, propose amendments, or vote on these reports.

2026 Assembly Organization Report — this report outlines specific details about those assisting with the business, the schedule, etc.

2026 District Ministerial Studies Report — this report shows those enrolled in the ministry preparation Course of Study and their progress. We have over 100 students enrolled in the Course of Study!

2026 Ministerial Credentials Report - this is a report from the District Board of Ministry with details related to the various ministers on the Florida District, transfers in and out of the district, new, renewed, and removed ministerial credentials, and recommendations for ordination. Did you know our district has jurisdiction over nearly 450 district-licensed or ordained ministers? One of the largest in the USA/Canada Region.

2026 Nominations Committee Report — this report explains the process used for nominations, as well as the nominations of the committee for the various ballots. A survey is sent out to pastors each year for recommendations these positions. The work of this committee establishes the ballots to be presented to the assembly.

General Assembly Nominations Report - this report explains the process used for the nominations, as well as those nominated.

2026 Ballot Information — please review this information for details on the ballot and those nominated. A ballot for Nazarene Missions International (NMI) as prepared by the District NMI Council, is also included. PLEASE REVIEW THIS INFORMATION as not all of this information will be on the actual ballot on your mobile device.

2026 GA Ballot Information - please review this information for details on the ballot and those nominated.

2026 District Advisory Board Report — The District Advisory Board (DAB) is made up of ordained ministers and laypeople who serve as advisors to the District Superintendent in matters of business related to the Florida District, in accordance with the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.

2026 District Finance Committee — this committee, appointed by the DAB, makes recommendations to local congregations in matters of business, finance, pastoral care and compensation, and district and denominational apportionments. The report also contains a proposed District Operating Budget for 2025-26.

2025-26 District Treasurer’s Report — this report provides a snapshot of the financial health of the Florida District, and the financial activity of the past fiscal year. Our thanks goes to our great District Treasurer, Mrs. Mindy Rickey!

YOU’VE GOT THIS! You’re all ready for a GREAT District Advance 2026. Looking forward to seeing you there! Questions (after reading all of this)? Contact Mary at mary@floridanaz.com