Global Nazarene Communications Network Global News Summary -
Volume 1402 - Friday, 10 January 2014 - NTS elects Carla Sunberg president
Nazarene Theological Seminary elected Carla Sunberg as its 10th
president on January 3. Sunberg, the first woman president in the school's
history, was elected on the first ballot and accepted the election. She assumes
duties as NTS president immediately.
The election came as the culmination of significant discussion
by the NTS Board of Trustees about a reinvention of the seminary to create a
new and sustainable ministry model and a much sharper focus on preparing
pastors for the future of the church.
"This decision by the Board of Trustees is a bold statement
about our confidence in the future of the Seminary," said Jeren Rowell,
chair of the Board of Trustees. "Dr. Sunberg is an experienced leader with
the academic and ministry credentials necessary to lead NTS in preparing the
next generation of pastors to lead the Church in joining God's redemptive
mission in this world."
Sunberg was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in 2004 in
Moscow on the Russia North District. She and her husband, Chuck, were pioneer
missionaries for the denomination to the former Soviet Union, living in Moscow
for 13 years. She served as director of compassionate ministries and later as
director of theological education on the Commonwealth of Independent States
Field.
In 2005, the Sunbergs returned to the U.S. and pastored at Grace
Point Church of the Nazarene in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Carla served as
pastor of evangelism and discipleship. In 2011, she and Chuck accepted a call
to serve as co-district superintendents for East Ohio.
"With her experience in leading the educational system in
the Commonwealth of Independent States Field and the depth of her theological
training in both America and Europe, Dr. Sunberg brings to Nazarene Theological
Seminary a fresh and broad perspective that will help her lead the institution
to a future of missional effectiveness and doctrinal coherence," said
Gustavo Crocker, Church of the Nazarene general superintendent and former
regional director for Eurasia.
Carla has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from MidAmerica
Nazarene University, a Master of Arts in theological studies from Nazarene
Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Philosophy in historical theology from
the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. In May 2012, she was awarded an
honorary Doctor of Divinity from Olivet Nazarene University.
She has a notable record of service to the church. Carla served
on the General Board, the governing board of the denomination; on the NTS Board
of Trustees; as Alumni Association president for NTS; as member and chairperson
of the USA/Canada Region's Nazarene Women Clergy Council; and as member of the
Church of the Nazarene's Pensions & Benefits USA board.
In addition, after serving on its board as the official
representative for the Church of the Nazarene, Carla also served as president
of Wesleyan-Holiness Women Clergy.
She is the co-author (with Gene Van Note) of Faxes from Russia
(Beacon Hill Press, 1996) and authored numerous articles for various church
publications. This spring, her book (co-written with Suzanne Burden and Jamie
Wright), Reclaiming Eve: The Identity and Calling of Women in the Kingdom of
God, will be released.
Carla is passionate about the integration of practical ministry
and theological education. She loves to teach and train leaders for the future
of the church and has served as adjunct faculty for a number of institutions.
She was born in Germany, the daughter of missionaries. Her heartfelt passion is
a life of holiness and service for the Lord.
Chuck and Carla are proud parents of two adult daughters,
Christa, who along with her husband, Iain Maciver, lives in England, and Cara,
who with her husband, Justin Shonamon, lives in Kansas City.
The Mission of Nazarene Theological Seminary, a graduate school
of theology in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, is to prepare women and men to
be faithful and effective ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to offer
itself as a theological resource in service to the Church of the Nazarene, its
sponsoring denomination, and the wider Christian Church. For more information,
visit nts.edu.--Nazarene Theological Seminary
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It's unanimous: General Assembly to return to Indianapolis
Hoosier hospitality will welcome global Nazarenes to Indiana
once again.
This week, the General Assembly Site Commission unanimously
chose Indianapolis, Indiana, as the site of the Church of the Nazarene's 2017
General Assembly.
This will be the sixth time Indianapolis has hosted the
denomination's quadrennial event — more than any other city. Most recently, the
Hoosier State hosted the 2013, 2005, and 2001 assemblies.
General Assembly is the "supreme doctrine-formulating,
lawmaking, and elective authority of the Church of the Nazarene" (Manual,
300). The Assembly, auxiliary conventions (Nazarene Missions International,
Nazarene Youth International, and Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries
International), and additional activities bring Nazarenes from every world
region together for a time of business, celebration, and worship.
Planning for the 2017 event was delayed by a resolution brought
to the 2013 General Assembly that could have lengthened the interval between
assemblies from four to five years. Ultimately, the decision was made to keep
the interval at four years.
Ten cities were examined for 2017, and two finalists chosen
based on space availability, dates, housing potential, and proximity to
Nazarene population centers.
"Indianapolis was one of two cities that met our criteria,
and it met our criteria better than any other," Wilson said.
While General Assembly is returning to a familiar place, the
event may not resemble its predecessors.
"Some ideas have emerged on ways to give a facelift to
General Assembly, making it more appealing to new Nazarenes and the younger
generation," Wilson said. "These ideas that have emerged could also
help us with funding for global delegates.
"The best place to utilize these ideas is the city of
Indianapolis."
The city has been notified of the church's decision.
"We are very excited about the city of Indianapolis; it
fits us well," Wilson said. "They are eager to have us come
back."
The Site Commission is already working in advance on the 2021
General Assembly.
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USA/Canada announces M15 dates, location
The USA/Canada Regional Office announced Kansas City, Missouri,
as the site for Mission 2015 (M15), the region's mid-quadrennial conference.
M15 is the denomination's largest gathering between general assemblies and will
take place February 9 through 11, 2015. The conference theme, "Honoring
the Past, Shaping the Future," will set the trajectory for the event.
After being declared a mission field in 1997, the U.S. and
Canada became one of six global regions in the Church of the Nazarene in 2009.
"As opposed to being the 'sending church,' we now are
considering what it means to be a region in the Church of the Nazarene,"
said Bob Broadbooks, USA/Canada regional director. "At M15, we are asking
local, district, and regional leaders to help us cast a missional future for
our region. I pray this event will help bring forth the insights, practices,
and innovations needed to enable transformational ministry across the United
States and Canada."
In 1906, Phineas Bresee, the denomination's co-founder,
clarified the vision for early Nazarenes when he said: "Our church is
preeminently a missionary church. It knows no difference between home and
foreign fields — in these days all fields are near."
Broadbooks indicated that this viewpoint would inspire the
planning and execution of M15.
"Bresee's conviction is even truer now than in his
day," he said. "The USA and Canada has become more culturally
diverse, pluralistic, and multicultural as a result of immigration and other
social trends. M15 will focus on the ways mission and ministry must change in
order to reach people for Christ across our region."
The region's five strategic priorities — leadership development,
church renewal, theological identity, missional outreach, and new church
development — will also drive plenary, mega-seminars, and workshop sessions.
"These priorities continue to shape how we think and do
ministry across our region," Broadbooks said.
Organizers believe M15 will stand apart from past events due to
a larger focus on laity and lay ministry. The recent inclusion of Sunday School
and Discipleship Ministries International staff into the USA/Canada Regional
Office will help in considering how to enable laity to play a larger role
across the region and its ministries.
A conference website with information on registration, speakers,
workshops, and registration costs is forthcoming. Currently, the M15 Facebook
page page will provide the most up-to-date information that is available.
For information on publicizing M15, please contact Conference
Marketing Coordinator Bryon McLaughlin at bmclaughlin@nazarene.org. Other M15
questions may be directed to Event Coordinator Loretta Cloud at
lcloud@nazarene.org.--Church of the Nazarene USA/Canada Region
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Marangu receives award at Global Peace Convention
Africa Nazarene University Vice Chancellor Leah T. Marangu was
recently recognized at the 5th Global Peace Convention, held in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Marangu was one of several global lifetime achievers recognized
for their work for humanity. She received the Leadership in Strengthening
Families Award for her role as an educator in advancing the welfare of the
family as the primary social institution and supporting responsible parenting,
strong marriage, and a healthy nurturing environment for children. Also noted
was her role as a chairperson of the Character and Creativity Initiative
Council in Kenya.
The Global Peace Convention, organized by the Global Peace
Foundation in honor of individuals and organizations whose exemplary efforts
have substantially improved the lives of others, was watched by delegates from
more than 40 countries.
According to the Global Peace Foundation, Marangu became the
first Kenyan woman to lead a university in 1996 when she was appointed ANU vice
chancellor. She previously served as a professor at several universities,
including Brigham Young University and Kenyetta University.--Church of the
Nazarene Africa Region via Out of Africa
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Nazarene Research Services releases stats on 30-year world area
growth
Nazarene Research Services released a new report this week that
explores world area growth over the 30 years between 1983 and 2013.
During this period, Church of the Nazarene membership grew from
650,000 full members to more than 2 million. The number of world areas that
provided annual reports increased from 70 to 140.
Prior to 1983, denominational membership was reported in terms
of district members instead of individual church members. Since some districts
span multiple countries, researchers could more accurately calculate world area
membership upon receiving individual church reports.
"For years, we have been excited to hear of the great
Nazarene growth in other countries such as Mozambique and Brazil," said
Dale Jones, director of Nazarene Research Services. "With less fanfare,
the United States has also grown by well over 100 thousand members during the last
30 years."
The chart below expresses the top 10 world areas in net gain of
full members over the past 30 years.
http://www.nph.com/nphweb/media/umedia/HQ1/NCN/201401/WorldAreaGrowth3.png
The Church of the Nazarene uses "world area" to
describe countries and areas that are a part of a country, but may be known by
a different name. More than 20 of the denomination's 159 world areas fall into
this category, such as Guam, a U.S. territory on the Asia-Pacific Region.--Nazarene
Research Services
*World areas officially entered after 1983
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BGS 2014-2015 Jurisdictional Assignments
The Board of General Superintendents jurisdictional assignments
from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2015 are as follows:
Note: Jurisdiction of North American districts assigned by
education zones
David W. Graves, Chair of the Board of General Superintendents
Global Ministry Center
USA/Canada
MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, Kansas, USA
Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho, USA
Eugénio R. Duarte
Africa Region
USA/Canada
Southern Nazarene University, Bethany, Oklahoma, USA
Nazarene Bible College, Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Jerry D. Porter
South America Region
USA/Canada
Ambrose University College, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinois, USA
J. K. Warrick
Eurasia Region
USA/Canada
Eastern Nazarene College, Quincy, Massachusetts, USA
Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Mount Vernon, Ohio, USA
David A. Busic
Asia-Pacific Region
USA/Canada
Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California, USA
Gustavo A. Crocker
Mesoamerica Region
USA/Canada
Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Nazarene Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
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Additional NCNNews.com Stories This Week
Regional News
Africa
Ask the missionary: Most pressing need
Madagascar, Africa Region
Courtesy of Engage magazine
Rachelle "Shelley" Miller is a missionary who serves
with her husband, Ronald, on the Africa Region. She recently spoke with Global
Mission's Engage magazine about her experience as a missionary in a new
culture.
Question: What do you believe is the most pressing need in the
mission field today? -- Jimmy Claros
When I first read this question, my mind was really racing. What
are our most pressing needs? We are surrounded by great physical needs,
particularly in Third World countries — clean water, education, human
trafficking, etc. Even in Westernized and "wealthy" countries there
are needs, but they differ greatly from our needs in the Third World. However,
I think that there is one thing that really underlies all things and is
probably the major need no matter where your mission field is — whether it's in
Africa, Asia, South America, or the USA.
In my opinion, the greatest and most pressing need we have on
the mission field today is making Christlike disciples. It is the mission of
the Church of the Nazarene: [to] "Make Christlike Disciples in the
Nations." Here in Madagascar, we talk about it all the time. It's also our
mission for Madagascar: Making Christlike disciples in Madagascar and beyond.
The question is, is it really happening? I would wager to say that it probably
is not.
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.
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Church seeks participants for Rwanda Work & Witness trip
Members of Nampa, Idaho, First Church of the Nazarene will soon
prepare to embark on a two-week Work and Witness trip to Rwanda.
While there, the team will build a chapel for a church orphan
ministry in the city of Gisenyi that serves more than 800 children. In addition
to the work portion of the trip, the team will have evangelism opportunities
through a JESUS film showing.
The trip dates are March 3 through 18 and the approximate cost
is US$2,400. Participants will also spend a day sight-seeing in Istanbul,
including experiencing a safari.
Interested participants should apply as soon as possible.
For an online application, visit the Nampa First church website.
Questions can be directed to Dan Dillon at fourdillon@cableone.net.--Work and
Witness Mobilization
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Asia-Pacific
APNTS installs Im as president
Im, Seung An was installed as the sixth president of
Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary on January 7 in an inaugural service
held in the seminary's Cobb Worship Center.
Im served as president of Korea Nazarene University — the Church
of the Nazarene's largest university — from 2005 to 2012. Prior to being
elected KNU president, Im served the school in various capacities, including
chaplain, director of planning, academic dean, dean of the Theological
Seminary, director of the Development Office, and vice president.
Im holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Drew University
(1994), a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Yale University Divinity School
(1993), and graduated from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1987 with a Master
of Divinity. Prior to his pursuit of education in the U.S., Im received degrees
from Korea Nazarene Bible College and Soong-Sil University, where he received a
Master of Arts in 1982.
In addition to educational pursuits, Im pastored the Eden Church
of the Nazarene in New York and the Namseoul Church of the Nazarene in Korea.
He was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in 1988.
The co-author of Theology of John Wesley: Historical
Enlightenment, he has also published numerous scholarly articles and presented
many lectures and papers.
His wife, Seoh, Jae Sun, is a scholar of Chinese literature and
they have two daughters, Young Shin and Young Gyung.--Church of the Nazarene
Asia-Pacific Region
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Busic visits Asia-Pacific Region for first time as jurisdictional
GS
General Superintendent David A. Busic and his wife, Christi,
arrived in Manila, Philippines, on January 3 for their first visit to the
Asia-Pacific Region.
The week gave David Busic an opportunity to meet leaders from
across the region and witness first-hand the strategy, passion, and vision of
the regional team. His busy week began on Saturday morning with a time of
regional briefing from Regional Director Mark Louw, field strategy
coordinators, and ministry coordinators.
Another important aspect of the trip was the annual Board of
Trustees meeting for Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary, held January 6
to 8, and the inauguration ceremonies for Im, Seung An, who was installed as
the 6th president of APNTS on January 7.
Though almost every hour was scheduled with meetings, the Busics
were able to visit the Rowenas Community Development Project (RCDP), a visit
they stated was "truly a highlight" of their trip to the Philippines.
The RCDP is an outreach envisioned by faculty and students at
APNTS as a strategy to go "beyond the walls" to reach those who are
hurting. The Rowenas community, which is home to nearly 3,000 individuals, is
literally built up against the outer wall of the seminary. The outreach started
as a project to alleviate dengue fever but has grown to include community
restrooms, a small pharmacy, health center, children's community center, fresh
water projects, an organized church, and a child sponsorship program through
which more than 130 students currently sponsored.
Busic began his duties as jurisdictional general superintendent
for the Asia-Pacific Region on January 1.--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific
Region
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Eurasia
Büsingen International church initiates Christmas food program
Büsingen, Switzerland, International Church of the Nazarene has
a long tradition of helping people in need across the Eurasia Region. This
Christmas season, the church reached out a little closer to home.
Earlier in the month, the church collected items for needy
families in Romania. While talking about the parcels to Romania during a
monthly prayer meeting, congregation members began to discuss local needs and
their responsibility to neighbors in their own village.
One of the people in the prayer meeting that night was Robbie
Blattner.
"In our church we send, every year at Christmas, food
parcels to countries in the East, so shouldn't we also consider giving food to
the needy on our own doorstep?" he said.
With that in mind, a few individuals at the prayer meeting put
their heads together and initiated a feeding program for needy church members
and other people in the community.
After discussing it further and formulating a plan, church
Nazarene Missions International president Dorothea Güting presented the need to
the congregation. Members responded generously and gave names of people who
were in need.
"It was our prayer to find the right people," Güting
said. "It turned out that only one recipient is in the church; the others
are from the community. We have seven people who received gifts; five are food
parcels and two other packages will go to people in an old peoples' home. Apart
from the food, there is a calendar and a candle and a greeting card in each
parcel and a flower for the old people."
One nursing home resident expressed their appreciation for the
package.
"As a child, I spent 10 years in a church orphanage and I
was treated so badly most of the time that I am in tears even today when I
think of it," they said. "So your parcel is a positive token of a
church helping! Thank you!"
On a recent delivery trip to the senior citizen home,
congregation members Judy Radcliff and Manuela Khan couldn't find one of the
people to whom they were supposed to deliver a package, but felt drawn to
another room. As they entered, they met an older woman. They presented her with
the gift from the church and were invited to stay a few moments. The woman
explained that she had been depressed over the past days due to the passing of
her brother and didn't have anyone with whom she could talk. Radcliff and Khan
shared Christ with her that day and invited her to church and told her they
would be praying for her.
"Our prayers to find the right people were definitely
answered," Güting said.
The participants agree that this should not be just a seasonal
event, but continue throughout the year. They hope and pray that the
congregation will continue to not only see the need, but also meet the need.
As Blattner said, "Compassionate ministry begins at
home."
Related: Roma families in Bulgaria receive Christmas parcels--Church
of the Nazarene Eurasia Region
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Mesoamerica
GMC Flags of the Nations: Guyana
Since September 1, 2009, each week the Church of the Nazarene's
Global Ministry Center (GMC) proudly flies a flag of one of the many nations in
which the denomination is present in ministry. Leaders were invited to send a
national flag to be flown at the GMC alongside the flag of the United States*.
The national flags rotate weekly, and photos of them raised are sent to the
church leaders of that country.
This week: Guyana
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Guyana in 1946.
Guyana had a population of 739,903 in 2013. That same year,
Guyana reported 48 Churches of the Nazarene, 47 of which were officially
organized. Guyana has 4,232 total members.
Guyana has one Phase 2 district and one Phase 3 district. It is
a part of the Mesoamerica Region.
Previous flags featured:
Argentina Dominican
Republic Liberia
Aruba Ecuador Mali
Belize Equatorial Guinea Nicaragua
Benin Ethiopia Niger
Bolivia France Nigeria
Brazil Gabon Paraguay
Burkina Faso Germany Peru
Cameroon Ghana Senegal
Canada Guam Sierra Leone
Cape Verde Guinea South Africa
Chile Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Conakry Suriname
Swaziland
Colombia Guyana
Haiti Togo
United Kingdom
Côte d'Ivoire Ireland Uruguay
Cuba Italy Venezuela
NOTE: Some countries cannot be represented in this project in
order to maintain security of those working there.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three
poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the
GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of
Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the
Church of the Nazarene.
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USA/Canada
How does a minister determine the fair market value of a home?
Is money spent for Work and Witness trips tax deductible? Is the cost of taking
a new church family to lunch a legitimate business expense?
Inquiries like these are all too familiar to ministers and
church treasurers. These and a variety of related questions are answered in the
latest editions of Reporting Procedures for Congregations and Preparing Tax
Returns for Clergy. These easy-to-use resources are filled with information
prepared by church tax specialists Dan Busby, J. Michael Martin, and John Van
Drunen of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
The guides are designed to simplify the unique tax concerns
faced by churches and pastors — matters that even paid preparers may not be
aware of. In particular, the guide for clergy includes two examples of
completed returns.
Normally $10 each, the resources are free through the Church of
the Nazarene's accreditation agency, ECFA.
"Dan Busby and his staff devote their lives to the
promotion of best financial practices in the church," said Don Walter,
director of Pensions and Benefits USA. "Their knowledge of clergy tax
issues, combined with their desire to see the church function with candor and
integrity, make them ideal sources for the information in these guides.”
Reporting Procedures for Congregations and Preparing Tax Returns
for Clergy may be accessed here.--Pensions and Benefits USA
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Stewardship Ministries recognizes churches for faithful giving
Stewardship Ministries announced this week that Indianapolis,
Indiana, Southwest Church of the Nazarene and Lexington, Kentucky, Lafayette
Church of the Nazarene will be recognized as Golden Stewardship Honor Roll
churches for 50 years of faithful giving to the Church of the Nazarene. This
honor is presented to churches that both meet their giving goals and give at
least 10 percent of their income toward global missions for 50 consecutive
years.
USA/Canada Region churches that faithfully meet giving goals are
annually recognized by Stewardship Ministries. Churches that meet their goals
receive the World Evangelism recognition, while churches that give an
additional 10 percent or more of their income to missions are recognized with
the Mission 10 honor. This generous giving provides for the financial needs of
Nazarene missions worldwide. However, the opportunity to celebrate a giving
record of 50 years is a special one. Currently, just over a dozen churches on
the USA/Canada Region hold giving records of this caliber dating back a half a
century or more.
"Giving is a form of worship — giving back to God what has
always been His," said Mark Lail, director of Stewardship Ministries.
"Giving at this level for 50 years is an outstanding legacy of worship.
These churches are examples of faithfulness I hope we'll all follow."
The churches will receive plaques commemorating their giving
records and at upcoming district events.--Stewardship Ministries
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Moving Ministers: December 2013
Compiled by the General Secretary's Office from district
reports, Moving Ministers is a monthly listing of Nazarene ministers in new
assignments on the USA/Canada Region.
Roles included in the latest report are pastor and pastoral
service. Entries were received from December 1 to December 31, 2013.
To view the December report, click here.
Moving Ministers from 12/1/2013 to 12/31/2013
Name From
To
Rev. Melissa H Aaron Pastoral Service Pastor on 11/3/2013
Mobile First Robertsdale
Mobile AL Robertsdale
AL
Rev. Byron W. Brown Pastor
Pastor on 11/3/2013
Port Arthur Covenant Huntsville Southeast
Port Arthur TX Huntsville AL
Rev. William B. Coker Jr. Unassigned Pastor on 10/21/2013
Tennessee Powhatan
Point
Nashville TN Powhatan Point OH
Rev. Chad Arlen Current Pastor Pastor
on 1/12/2014
Living Hope Canton
First
Centerville
OH Canton OH
Rev. Edwin Matteüs de Jong Pastor Pastor on 12/3/2013
Frankfurt-Barnabas Rotterdam
Frankfurt (Bonames) 3084 NA Rotterdam
Germany Netherlands
Rev. K. Jane Fulks Unassigned Pastor
on 1/8/2014
South Central
Ohio The Gathering
Grove City OH Columbus OH
Rev. Juan J
Garcia Pastoral Service Pastoral Service
on 12/12/2013
University One Hope Community
Kent OH Columbus OH
Rev. Michael
T. Gatkek Pastor Pastoral Service
on 11/3/2013
Southern Sudan Christian
Mission Amarillo First
Portland ME Amarillo
TX
Rev. Wes
Hershberger Pastor Pastoral
Service on 11/1/2013
Lowell Grandview
First
Lowell MI Grandview WA
Rev. Amanda
Hewitt Pastoral Service Pastoral Service
on 12/13/2013
Arlington First Lantana Community Fellowship
Arlington TX Bartonville
TX
Rev. James R. Hofmann Sr. Pastoral Service Pastor on 9/22/2013
York New
Life Fort Madison Living Hope
York NE Fort
Madison IA
Rev. Gerald F.
"J.J." James Pastor Pastoral Service on 12/16/2013
Temple First Ridgefield
Temple TX Ridgefield WA
Rev. B. Todd
Joyner Pastoral Service Pastoral Service on 12/5/2013
Edgewood Breakpoint Molalla
Edgewood NM Molalla OR
Rev. Charles F. Legg Pastor Pastor on 1/12/2014
Chestertown Mexico
Chestertown
MD Mexico MO
Rev. Steven A. Legg Pastoral Service Student on 1/12/2014
Chestertown Missouri
Chestertown MD Saint Louis MO
Rev. Rebecca F. McCoy
Pastoral Service Pastor on 11/1/2013
Dover Mountain Grove Chapel Sallisaw
Dover PA Sallisaw OK
Rev. Philip M.
Michaels Unassigned Pastoral Service on 10/1/2013
Northeastern Indiana Durand
Marion IN Durand MI
Rev. A. Blake Mohling Pastor Pastor
on 12/8/2013
Clinton Montgomery
Capital City
Clinton OK Montgomery
AL
Rev. Erika C. Perry Pastoral Service Pastoral Service on
11/3/2013
Homedale Mountain View Salem First
Wilder ID Salem
OR
Rev. G. Riley Powell Pastor Pastor
on 11/3/2013
Marion First Raleigh
First
Marion OH Garner
NC
Rev. Dale W. Schaeffer Pastor Pastor
on 12/8/2013
BridgeWay Community Medford First
Pekin IL Medford
OR
Rev. Zachary S. Spoon Pastoral Service Pastoral Service on
11/18/2013
West Carrollton Reynoldsburg
West Carrollton OH Reynoldsburg OH
Rev. John D. Stetson Pastoral Service Pastor on 9/8/2013
Norwalk New
Paltz
Norwalk CT New
Paltz NY
Rev. Ricky C. Swiger Pastor Pastor
on 9/22/2013
Woodsfield Leavittsburg
First
Woodsfield OH Leavittsburg OH
For previous reports, see nazarene.org.
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Nazarenes in the News
Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles
featuring Nazarene churches or church members.
Services go on after car crashes into Pennsylvania church
York, Pennsylvania
(York Daily Record, January 6) The word "patience" was
tacked to the wall, in a column, right beside a hole that a vehicle left
Thursday after it smashed through the outside wall at Stillmeadow Church of the
Nazarene in York.
"We all need to be patient," the Rev. Kent Vandervort
said, looking at the hole, which had been covered with a black tarp.
Vandervort said it might take about a month and $15,000 before
the wall would be fixed.
The pastor of the church at 350 Chestnut St. said he was called
just after 7 a.m. Thursday after someone had crashed into the church and ran
from the scene.
When he arrived at the church, Vandervort said, he found a large
hole in the building where police said a Mazda had previously been. The car had
damaged an emergency door and wiped out a wall to the children's ministry room,
Vandervort said.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Oregon church 'pays it forward'
Medford, Oregon
(Mail Tribune, December 28) As the new guy in town, one Medford
pastor honored the true meaning of "paying it forward" when he
brought a concept of helping others from his church in Illinois to his new home
at Medford Church of the Nazarene.
Lead pastor Dale Schaeffer, who recently moved to the Rogue
Valley, filled 900 envelopes with between $2 and $50 and gave them to church
members two weeks ago.
The plan? Pray about ways to bless someone in the community and
report back on the chosen deed.
All told, the church provided about $3,500 towards the effort.
The envelopes of money were coupled with a month's worth of
"challenge" texts that suggested things ranging from cooking a meal
for a neighbor to paying for a stranger's gas or buying someone coffee on a
cold day.
"We reminded people that they have been blessed and to go
and be a blessing," Schaeffer said. "We wanted to tangibly remind
people of that this Christmas so we did a reverse offering and asked members to
use them to be a blessing to someone else.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Florida church Christmas walk-thru attended by 30,000
Lakeland, Florida
(NCN News submissions) Highland Park Church of the Nazarene in
Lakeland, Florida, completed its 8th annual Lights of Lakeland Christmas
walk-thru experience with a record attendance of over 30,000 guests. Over the
past eight years, the church grew the event from the corner of the church
parking lot to a 200,000 sq. foot walk-thru experience with over 500 volunteers
serving guests over six nights each December.
The mission of this large event is clear.
"Each year, our staff and volunteers come together and
coordinate Lights of Lakeland to reach as many people as possible with a
message of hope found in the birth of Christ, in a non-threatening way,"
said Brett Rickey, lead pastor at Highland Park Church. "We saw a huge
need in the community during the Christmas season that other churches in our
area would not be able to meet. Over these past few years, our entire church
has come together each December to serve not only our local community, but also
those within the entire region of central Florida who attend with their
families."
For the rest of the story, click here.
Oregon church dogged by arson hopes to rebuild
Arlington, Oregon
(Corvallis Gazette-Times, December 24) The Nazarene church
building in the Columbia River town of Arlington was hit twice by arson fires
this year, and now church leaders are calling for a spirit of forgiveness and
for rebuilding.
The congregation was nearly finished with repairs from the first
fire, in July, when the second fire broke out Nov. 12. It left the building a
blackened heap of rubble.
Authorities have made no arrests. The first arson blaze was one
of four suspicious fires in the community of about 600 people within weeks of
each other.
The church was built in 1899 and was the oldest building in
downtown Arlington. It was used by Baptists before the Church of the Nazarene
bought it for $1 in 1921, the East Oregonian reported.
Sunday services are now held in the youth center, behind the
church site.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Tennessee church looks forward to new home in new year
Nashville, Tennessee
(NewsChannel5.com, December 25) One Middle Tennessee church
spent this Christmas looking forward to a new place to call home after a fire
destroyed their old church nearly a year ago.
Pastor Bryan Russell of the Bell Road Church of the Nazarene
said they plan to break ground on a new church at the same location in about
three weeks.
In January, a short in an electric heater caused a fire that
burned down the church.
Since then their membership has grown while using a temporary
church for worship.
The pastor said the fire has taught his congregation to focus on
the things they have rather than the things they don't.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Olivet grad finds purpose after car crash
Bourbonnais, Illinois
(Fox News, December 31) Happenstance often has a way of turning
a life upside down -- and so it was with Colleen Mason.
...
"I grew up singing -- everywhere and all the time,"
the 32-year-old mother of three said, deftly alternating young daughters on her
lap in their modest Bourbonnais, Ill., apartment. "My grandfather was a
singer on a local California TV and radio station. My mom sings and plays the
piano, and I was always in the choir and in shows in high school.
"I just thought, 'Why would I do anything else?'
"God had gifted me."
Her faith -- and the chance at a near-free college education --
pointed Colleen's passion for singing to nearby Olivet Nazarene University, a
small Christian school about an hour south of Chicago, where her father was the
baseball coach.
But what we plan to do in life often is sidetracked by what life
has planned for us.
"February 12, 1999," Colleen said, "It was my
senior year of high school. I was in the traveling choir, in a car with three
others and we were on our way to sing in Reddick, Ill.," a tiny village of
just a couple of hundred people not far from Colleen's hometown.
"We hit black ice," she said. The rest is a blur.
For the rest of the story about the Olivet Nazarene University
alumna, click here.
Stories to share? Send them to submitnews@ncnnews.com.--Compiled
by NCN News
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Global Ministry Center
News
In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and
leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received
December 23, 2013 - January 10, 2014.
Carol (Andress) Baker, 67, of Eaton Rapids, Michigan, passed
away on January 4. She was the wife of retired minister Wilfred Baker Jr., who
served in Michigan.
Philip Batten, 63, of Crestline, Ohio, passed away on January 8.
He was a minister, serving in Ohio. He is survived by his wife, DeltaBatten.
Lester Clark, 84, of Piqua, Ohio, passed away on December 29. He
was a retired minister, serving in Ohio. He was preceded in death by his first
wife, Doris (Felver) Clark, in 2007 and is is survived by his second wife,
Doris (Fenema) Clark.
Fred Clem, 85, of Keystone Heights, Florida, passed away on
December 28. He was a retired minister, serving in Florida and Indiana. He was
preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy (Nash) Clem, who passed away in June.
Bernice Denham, 81, of Redding, California, passed away on
January 1. She was the wife of retired minister Robert Denham Sr., who served
in Washington, Alaska, and California.
Gladys Mantombi Dlamini of Siteki, Swaziland, passed away on
December 26. She pastored Maphatsindvuku Church of the Nazarene.
Darrell Dunigan Sr., 73, of Worthington, Indiana, passed away on
December 31. He was a retired minister, serving in Ohio and Indiana. He is
survived by his wife, Judy (Sears) Dunigan.
Coralee (German) Green, 91, of Allen, Oklahoma, passed away on
December 26. She was a missionary, serving in Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico.
She was preceded in death by her husband, retired minister and missionary
Elward Green, who served in Kansas, Oklahoma, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico.
Elward Green passed away in 2005.
Gregory Hostutler, 54, of Oak Hill, West Virginia, passed away
on January 4. He was a minister, serving in West Virginia and Kentucky. He is
survived by his wife, Patricia Hostutler.
Ted Hughes, 82, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away on December
27. He was a retired minister and missionary, serving in California, Montana,
Wyoming, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Chile, and Ecuador. He is survived
by his wife, Mima Hughes. (story)
Ridgeley Ireland Jr., 74, of La Verne, California, passed away
on December 31. He was a minister, serving in California and Oregon. He is
survived by his wife, Barbara Ireland.
S. Wayne Keith, 60, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away on
December 25. He was a minister and chaplain, serving in Texas.
P. L. Liddell, 88, of Howell, Michigan, passed away on December
28. He was a minister and evangelist, serving in Michigan, Colorado,
Pennsylvania, and Iowa. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred June
Liddell, who passed away in 1994.
Lorna (Allen) Littrell, 92, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, passed
away on December 20. She was the widow of ordained elder Vernon Littrell, who
passed away in 1969.
Garner "Gary" Pozgay, 66, of Port Angeles, Washington,
passed away on December 17. He was a minister, serving in North Dakota. He is
survived by his wife, Penny Pozgay.
John Price, 85, of Enid, Oklahoma, passed away on December 28.
He was a retired minister and evangelist, serving in Arkansas. He is survived
by his wife, Yvonnie "Bonnie" (Rowland) Price.
Deborah Runion, 55, of Quincy, Massachusetts, passed away on
December 13. She was a minister, serving in Connecticut, New York, and
Massachusetts.
Calvin Sutterfield, 85, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away
on January 6. He was a retired minister, serving in Oklahoma and Texas. He was
preceded in death by his first wife, Charline Sutterfield, and is survived by
his second wife, Rachel Sutterfield.
Gordon Wickersham, 87, of Bourbonnais, Illinois, passed away on
December 27. He was a retired minister and educator, serving in Texas, Illinois,
Indiana, and Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife, Marva (Davis) Wickersham.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the
"Passings" section on ncnnews.com by clicking here.
Note: Please join with us in prayer for the families who have
lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local
online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a
minister or church leader, send to submitnews@ncnnews.com.--Compiled by NCN
News
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Global Ministry Center employment opportunities
The following positions are available at the Church of the
Nazarene's Global Ministry Center:
Global Ministry Center Media — Video Production Manager
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Program Assistant/Social
Media Community Manager (Part-time)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Computer Programming
Coordinator
USA/Canada Nazarene Youth International — Program Assistants (2)
Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the Global Ministry Center is the
administrative, mission, and service hub for the denomination's ministries in
159 world areas. All GMC positions report to this location. For contact
information, click on one of the job titles listed above.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal
employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national
origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, sex, or veteran
status. The Global Ministry Center is an "at will" employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian
Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is
required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are
smoke, alcohol, and drug free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many
employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we
regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those
individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best
match the requirements of the open position for which the application was
submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an
application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be
considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumes are not necessary
for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level
positions. Resumes may be submitted by mail.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application forms may be requested by calling (913) 577-0500, or
obtained in person from Human Resources at the Church of the Nazarene Global
Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas, 66220, Monday
through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 Central Time. Completed applications may be
mailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office at the same address.
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Global praise reports and prayer requests
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News,
Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners include:
PRAISES
JESUS Film - India
"The village people are all farmers and of another
belief," said a team leader in India. "We met with the head of the
village who agreed for us to contact a good number of people. He has now become
a ministry leader. We are following up with him and praying with him.
JESUS Film - Liberia
"When we reached one government camp, they were very glad
to see us with the equipment," said a team member in Liberia. "After
the showing, several came and told us, 'We are glad you brought Jesus to us. We
have learned a lot from the JESUS film, and have come to believe that Jesus is
in charge of our lives.' One man, Jonah, gave his life to Christ and is
allowing his home to be used as a place for the new church, which he
leads."
JESUS Film - Peru
"Women of God are brave and risk their lives for
Christ," observes a school teacher in Peru. "The leader lives far
away from us, yet is very faithful in attending our house studies. She is
always looking for God's ways. Seeing her faithfulness causes me to reflect and
want to be an example of living a life pleasing to God."
PRAYER REQUESTS
Tropical Cyclone Ian
Tropical Cyclone Ian has been building for several days in the
South Pacific. The storm is now considered a Category 1 Typhoon with winds of
161 kph (100 mph). Prayer is requested for Nazarene ministries in Tonga and
Fiji.
MORE...
For more global concerns and continued requests, see the NMI
Prayer Mobilization Line by clicking here or JESUS Film Harvest Partners by
clicking here.
To share additional praises or prayer requests, please use the
comment section below or see the Prayer Mobilization Line's Facebook page.
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Collegiate News
NNU Learning Commons takes shape
Where an empty field once stood, Northwest Nazarene University's
Leah Peterson Learning Commons continues to progress from concrete foundation
to steel frame.
A crane is currently setting the steel girders in place that
will become the frame for the new building, incorporating NNU's current
two-story John E. Riley Library for a comprehensive 56,635 square foot
facility.
The multifunctional Learning Commons will house the library's
traditional book and periodical collections and a variety of spaces, including
group study rooms, a quiet reading room, a study space with secured 24/7
access, and individual and collaborative computer workstations designed to
address different learning needs. The Learning Commons will also accommodate
the university's network data center and academic services units, including
Academic Advising and Testing, Academic Support Center, E-learning Services,
Information Technology, Technology and Media Resources, and University
Archives. Also housed in the commons will be the Center for Innovation in
Teaching and Learning, which will focus on preparing future teachers for the
21st century, training of current teachers (PK-college professors) and
administrators, and equipping NNU faculty to bring technology into their
teaching.
The Learning Commons is scheduled for completion in fall 2014.
Follow the construction by viewing a live camera feed at
nnu.edu/learningcommons.--Northwest Nazarene University
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SNU awards 410 certificates at Winter Commencement
Southern Nazarene University's 2013 Winter Commencement marked
the accomplishment of many students as the university 410 awarded certificates.
While inclement weather during the December 7 ceremony did not
put a damper on the graduates' friends and family, it did create the need for
the university's first video commencement speech. Communications expert and
strategist Russ Bredholt was unable to attend the ceremony in person and
prepared a video instead.
"I was relieved we were able to have Commencement,"
said Melanie Kyzer, SNU provost. "Due to the weather, our first objective
was for the safety for those participating. We have a Commencement Committee
that includes a variety of campus offices who plan and carry out all
Commencement activities and they did a wonderful job once again. Our thanks
goes to this group for their hard work."
Watch the Winter Commencement free online at snulive.com or Bredholt's
speech at medialibrary.nazarene.org.--Southern Nazarene University
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SNU students gain educational experience on 2014 Holy Land tour
More than a dozen Southern Nazarene University students and
alumni are traveling the Holy Land with School of Theology and Ministry
Professor Marty Michelson for the first two weeks of 2014. The tour includes
religious sites and points of ancient history in Israel, Jordan, and Palestine.
Highlights of the journey, based on the previous four trips
Michelson led for SNU, will include a boating experience on the Sea of Galilee,
an opportunity to be baptized or recommit to baptism at the Jordan River, and
visiting the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem. Each day of the aggressive
itinerary, travel participants will experience the social and geographical
realities of stories from the Old and New Testament related to multiple sites,
including cities like Jerusalem, Nazareth, and the region where the Israelites
settled and where Joshua, David, and Solomon led the people.
"SNU students took a semester-long course in the Fall of
2013, which set the stage for all that they get to experience now in the Holy
Land," said Melany Kyzer, vice president for Academic Affairs.
Jen Duckwall, Michelle Madden, Kaylyn Messer, and Laura Waggoner
are seniors in the School of Theology and Ministry who took the course. Each
day these students, along with other SNU graduates and partners in travel, will
learn about history in the context of the actual places where the history took
place. In addition, participants will have opportunities to meet local
Christians, Jews, and Muslims from both Israel and Palestine and spend personal
time on walks in towns where Jesus ministered and was tempted in the
wilderness.
More than 30 students and alumni have traveled with SNU on
similar sponsored trips in the past decade. Michelson has spent more than 100
days in the region, teaching travel groups or Church of the Nazarene pastors
from areas such as Syria and Iraq. Michelson noted that he enjoys teaching the
course and taking people to Israel because their lives are transformed as a
result of their experience in the region.
"I have no doubt that this trip shapes and forms each
student to be a better preacher, for a lifetime," Michelson said.
Hal Cauthron, chair of the School of Theology and Ministry,
requested prayer for the participants.
"We welcome your thoughtful prayers for safe travel and
meaningful learning for all of us until we return," he said.
For more information about future travel tours, which have taken
place every three years, contact Michelson at mmichelson@snu.edu.--Southern
Nazarene University
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Trevecca presents annual president's report
Trevecca Nazarene University and released its annual president's
report for 2013 on behalf of Dan Boone this week.
Using the theme "Trevecca is a Christian university in the
heart of Nashville," this summary of the year 2013 focused on four aspects
of Trevecca in 2013, aspects represented in the key words of that theme:
Trevecca's distinctive Christian character, examples of original student
research in the university, the way Trevecca meets human needs (heart), and the
ways that Trevecca is a part of Nashville.
Using an introduction by President Boone, photographs of campus
events of 2013, statistics (in the form of infographics), and text, this
publication gives readers an overview of the previous year in the life and
history of Trevecca. It also includes a summary of the university's annual
financial report. This publication was mailed to Trevecca donors, alumni, and
others.
http://issuu.com/trevecca/docs/2013presidentsreport
The 2013 report can be viewed here.--Trevecca Nazarene
University
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NCN Sports
Olivet's Andrew Muzljakovich garners gridiron honors
Olivet Nazarene University football placekicker Andrew
Muzljakovich — a senior majoring in engineering from Vicksburg, Michigan —
capped off his season and career with his selection to the 25-man 2013 American
Football Coaches Association-NAIA All-America First Team. This is his first
selection to the All-America team, and he is the first Tiger named to the
distinction since Jeremy Robinson in 2007.
The American Football Coaches Association has selected an
All-America team each year since 1945 and currently chooses teams in all five
of its divisions. These teams are the only ones chosen exclusively by the men
who know the players the best — the coaches themselves.
During the 2013 season, Muzljakovich started all 11 games and
finished second on the team in scoring with 58 points. He had 13 made field
goals (13-17) with a career-long of 49 yards against St. Francis (Illinois) on
September 7. He converted all 19 PATs. He had 43 kickoffs for 2,674 yards (62.2
avg.) and 25 touchbacks. He finished with 59 punts for 2,443 yards (41.4 avg.)
and a long of 64 yards.
Muzljakovich was named the Mid-States Football Association's
(MSFA) Midwest League Special Teams Player of the Week four times during the
season, finishing with nine such honors in his college career. He finished
first in the league in punting, second in kickoff coverage (39.9), second on
field goal percentage (.765), and first in PATS (1.000).
He was also a MSFA Midwest League First Team Offense selection
as a placekicker and honorable mention selection as a punter. He finished his
career fourth all-time for the Tigers in punting yards (4,924) and scoring
(198).
In addition to these honors, Muzljakovich helped the Red Nation
team win the 4th Annual National Bowl Game on December 8 with a final score of
40-26. He was named the Overall Special Teams MVP, scoring eight points and
making a 56-yard field goal, setting a new National Bowl record.
He finished that game making 2-for-4 field goals and 2-of-3
PATs. He had eight kickoffs for an average of 59 yards and two touchbacks. He
also punted three times for 145 yards, good for a 48.3 average.
"Andrew really stepped up his game this year," said
Brian Fish, head coach for Olivet Tigers' football. "He's always had a
strong leg, and he became a lot more consistent this year. On his long-range
field goals, he had exceptional percentages beyond 40 yards. We're going to
help make sure that his name is known in various professional leagues. He's
obviously the best placekicker in the NAIA."--Olivet Nazarene University
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Contact us:
Nazarene Communications Network
17001 Prairie Star Parkway
Lenexa, KS 66220 United States
Voice: (913) 577-0562
Fax: (913) 577-0857
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