Do You Want To Build A...
Recognizing her unworthiness, and the acceptance of Jesus, her tears fell as she washed Jesus' feet. Drying them with her own hair, she poured out all that she had, an alabaster jar of perfume, to show her love and appreciation.
The Alabaster Offering goes toward the purchase of land and construction of churches, schools, medical facilities and homes for missionaries and national workers. We give this offering to show our gratitude for all that Jesus has done for us. Giving from a heart full of love, pouring out what we have for Him. Alabaster Resources are Here.
In This Issue:
New Section - Editor's Top Pics from around the Globe!
Nazarene News from Around the Globe.
Leadership - 7 Ways To Help Your Organization Stand Out.
Regional Praise Reports and Prayer Requests!
Praise Report - Nazarene Families Explaining Their Faith!
Missionary Doctor Shares Her Passion for the Mission.
God Answers Daughter's Prayer in Creative Access Area.
Myanmar Nazarenes Answering the Call to Go...
Freedom Sunday - Churches Stand United!
Nazarene.org Has a Brand New Look!...Check It Out!
Exciting Opportunity to Join the WMC-AP Team.
Ministry Partners Are Needed - Please Answer The Call!
Editor's TOP PICKS from around the globe!
Preaching through an Interpreter?
Learn some great points for effectively communicating your message through an interpreter.
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My Pastoral Call and its Confirmation.
Pastor Steve Burton from Dianella Church of the Nazarene In Australia shares his Pastoral Call...and its Confirmation.
Deadly Ebola virus on rise again.
MVNU announces new name for historic Curtis Inn.
SNU President honored as one of Oklahoma's top CEOs.
South Africa pastor draws from gang experience to minister in community.
Eurasia regional director bids farewell to Himmelwrights.
Extreme Nazarene Missions holds second annual leadership summit.
Churches to stand united against human trafficking on Freedom Sunday.
Slogans that awakened the Church: God is a missionary God.
Churches invited to participate in World Evangelism Fund Easter Offering.
General Board of Superintendents publishes Nazarene Essentials.
District Superintendent publishes Lenten devotional for churches.
Global praise reports and prayer requests.
GMC employment opportunities.
In Memoriam
Leadership Moment with Dr. Stan Toler
7 PRINCIPLES FOR CRISIS MANAGEMENTNo one expects a train derailment, but it happens. The wheels leave the track and everyone on board feels the shaking, and sometimes become casualties. Derailment isn't limited to trains, however. Every organization has either gone through, is going through, or will go through a crisis time-a time when the wheels either leave the track, or come off completely.
I'd like to share some important principles for dealing with those times, whether it involves the whole organization, the leadership team, or an individual team member. The leader is on high alert. Something needs to be done and said-and right away. In a medical context, there is a "golden hour"-a time when the actions of responders result in the greatest chance of recovery. Any delay can be disastrous.
The leader also has a golden hour, which is not necessarily measured in minutes or seconds, but is crucial to dealing with the crisis. Then, learned methods are put into action. What's the action plan?
First, be calm.
Take a deep breath, gather the facts, and separate the granite from the gossip. What is the crisis? Who is involved? What is the immediate and long term impact? Analyze the problem thoroughly and form the action steps carefully.
Second, be in command.
Second, be in command.
Leadership is about leading in rough seas or smooth. Rough seas demand the captain to take charge. That's you. Be authoritative. Let your team know that you are taking the necessary steps-and then take them.
Third, be kind.
Third, be kind.
When a tiger is on the loose, making it angry is not going to make it more agreeable. Your approach to the crisis will be character-revealing. Storming into the situation will just make more waves. Tough love knows when to line it up or lay it on the line. First, line it up with a confidential meeting. Then put out the "appetizer" of kindness. A soothed tiger is easier to approach.
Fourth, be considerate.
Fourth, be considerate.
What are the mitigating factors? Leadership in a crisis is determining the philosophical "bookends"-the present, in between the past and the future. Your immediate job is detective work. Find out what brought the person, team, or organization to this point. What was the fuse? Who lit it? How can it be extinguished?
Fifth, be constructive.
Fifth, be constructive.
You have an opportunity to make a person, team, or organization better positioned for the future. Think about the salvage before the demolition. The persons involved are on the ledge of bitterness or "better-ness."
Sixth, be collaborative.
Sixth, be collaborative.
Do you need a "solutions team?" Who can be utilized to bring some sense to the nonsense? What outsourcing could be of help? Then, from the platform of confidentiality and trust, form the crisis intervention team.
Finally, be cautious.
Finally, be cautious.
This is a litigious age. Make sure you consider the legal and ethical consequences of your proposed actions. How will you protect the rights of persons involved and still bring them to "organizational justice?"
Management consultant, Andy Gilman, said, "The secret of crisis management is not good vs. bad, it's preventing the bad from getting worse."
Whether or not you can get the train back on the track will depend on the circumstances. But, at least give it a try; if it doesn't work, you can always salvage the wheels.[Stan Toler]
Follow this link to Stan Toler's Leadership Website.
Share The Story!
Asia-Pacific Region
Prayer Requested for Papua New Guinea.
Prayer Requested for Father of Missionary in Papua New Guinea. - Update.
Multiple Prayer Requests from SE Asia Field - Praise Updates.
Pray for family of Nazarene pastor that passed away in traffic accident Feb 6.
Pray for the ministry team across Southeast Asia!
Persecuted Church prayer request.
Most Up-to-Date Prayer Requests & Praise Reports for the Global Church - Prayer Mobilization Line.
Urgent Prayer Request For Nazarenes in Sensitive Area - Updated Praise Report!
Sealands Field
On February 18th, a global prayer request was issued on behalf of Nazarene families in a sensitive area on the Asia-Pacific Region. They were being asked to give an account of their faith.
Within just hours, a tsunami of prayer was developing around the Globe! In the first 24 hours after requesting prayer, more than 13,000 people had been engaged through the Asia-Pacific Region Channels. NCN News reported more than 2,000 engagements, made in less than 2 hours after requesting prayer.
God has moved in response to your prayers. The situation isn't resolved yet, but progress is being made!
Updates will be posted here.
"I Love that No Two Days Are The Same..." Medical Missionary Shares Her Heart for the Mission!
Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, Papua New Guinea
Management consultant, Andy Gilman, said, "The secret of crisis management is not good vs. bad, it's preventing the bad from getting worse."
Whether or not you can get the train back on the track will depend on the circumstances. But, at least give it a try; if it doesn't work, you can always salvage the wheels.[Stan Toler]
Follow this link to Stan Toler's Leadership Website.
Share The Story!
Prayer Requested for Papua New Guinea.
Prayer Requested for Father of Missionary in Papua New Guinea. - Update.
Multiple Prayer Requests from SE Asia Field - Praise Updates.
Pray for family of Nazarene pastor that passed away in traffic accident Feb 6.
Pray for the ministry team across Southeast Asia!
Persecuted Church prayer request.
Most Up-to-Date Prayer Requests & Praise Reports for the Global Church - Prayer Mobilization Line.
Urgent Prayer Request For Nazarenes in Sensitive Area - Updated Praise Report!
Sealands Field
Click Image for Latest Updates
We serve a God who answers prayer!On February 18th, a global prayer request was issued on behalf of Nazarene families in a sensitive area on the Asia-Pacific Region. They were being asked to give an account of their faith.
Within just hours, a tsunami of prayer was developing around the Globe! In the first 24 hours after requesting prayer, more than 13,000 people had been engaged through the Asia-Pacific Region Channels. NCN News reported more than 2,000 engagements, made in less than 2 hours after requesting prayer.
God has moved in response to your prayers. The situation isn't resolved yet, but progress is being made!
Updates will be posted here.
"I Love that No Two Days Are The Same..." Medical Missionary Shares Her Heart for the Mission!
Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, Papua New Guinea
Dr. Erin Meier searches to find the right words to share with those back home what she loves about being a doctor at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital.
The incredible scope of experiences that our medical teams face in just one day is mind boggling.
Follow this link for a heart warming and inspirational look into the lives of medical missionaries who are serving as the tangible hands and feet of Christ deep in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Take Me there...
“I LOVE THAT NO TWO DAYS ARE THE SAME…” MEDICAL MISSIONARY SHARES HER HEART FOR THE MISSION!
Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, Papua New Guinea: Dr. Erin Meier has just returned to Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea, after being on home assignment. She shares here insights of coming back to the Highlands.
One of the questions people often asked while I was home was, “What is your favorite part about being a missionary physician?” The best answer I could give… “I like the variety of what I get to see and do everyday.”
I enjoy attending to patients in the hospital, in the clinic, in the Emergency Room, delivering babies, doing procedures, C-sections, and more. I love that no two days are the same because each patient has their own unique set of problems that I get to be a part of helping, whether they are physical or spiritual problems.
The incredible scope of experiences that our medical teams face in just one day is mind boggling.
Follow this link for a heart warming and inspirational look into the lives of medical missionaries who are serving as the tangible hands and feet of Christ deep in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Take Me there...
“I LOVE THAT NO TWO DAYS ARE THE SAME…” MEDICAL MISSIONARY SHARES HER HEART FOR THE MISSION!
Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, Papua New Guinea: Dr. Erin Meier has just returned to Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea, after being on home assignment. She shares here insights of coming back to the Highlands.
One of the questions people often asked while I was home was, “What is your favorite part about being a missionary physician?” The best answer I could give… “I like the variety of what I get to see and do everyday.”
I enjoy attending to patients in the hospital, in the clinic, in the Emergency Room, delivering babies, doing procedures, C-sections, and more. I love that no two days are the same because each patient has their own unique set of problems that I get to be a part of helping, whether they are physical or spiritual problems.
One of my patients – Maggie.
In the last two weeks, I have been back on the medical ward and my patients have had HIV, TB, terminal cancer, strokes, and COPDjust to name a few. Some of them we are helping to get better and back home, others we are scratching our heads trying to figure out medically what is happening, but praising God as they continue to improve clinically. Maggie is one of those patients with a medical condition that I am still trying to sort out. I am not sure what is wrong with her, but Praise God, she is getting better and as she does, her smile is getting bigger and bigger. Hopefully, she will be able to go home soon.
Children injured in accidents with cars is all too common.
As one patient leaves my room and the next one walks toward my open door, I never know just what I will be facing. In just one day I saw patients who had liver cancer, fractures, infection of the bone and muscle, diarrhea, cervical cancer, back pain,arthritis, leukemia, HIV, pneumonia, seizures, high blood pressure, tuberculosis and more. The variety makes it interesting, challenging, and keeps me on my toes as far as my clinical skills and knowledge.
Dr. Jim sews up a wound.
The Emergency Room also offers lots of variety from procedures like suturing and draining of fluid from lungs or abdomens, to treating children hit by cars, to adults with seizures or strokes.Yesterday, while treating a child, Dr. Jim walked in and asked if he could help. I took him up on his offer, but stopped and quietly thanked God that Jim is here, that he is back in PNG, back serving and working at Kudjip after going home last summer and having heart surgery.
Dr. Jim Undergoes Open Heart Surgery
When Jim got on that plane last summer, I wasn’t sure I would see him back in PNG again. But we serve a God who answers prayer, and who made it possible for Jim to return. I am so thankful that I have the chance to work and serve with him again. Jim may have had surgery to repair his heart, but having a big heart for the people of Papua New Guinea sure hasn’t changed!
Click this link for more stories from Dr. Meier. —- Regional Communications Coordinator’s Note —
During my visit to Papua New Guinea last year, I quickly observed that from the Pharmacy to Central Supply, the Chaplains to Custodians, Nurses to infrastructure engineers and teachers, there was a tremendous heart and passion to touch lives for Christ and the Kingdom.
As I interviewed one patient at the hospital, I asked why he would travel hours and hours, passing other medical outposts, to come to Kudjip? His answer was immediate, “Because they really care for people here!” Kudjip is a beacon of God’s light in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Thank you for your continued prayer and partnership for Nazarene Health Ministries!
If you are a doctor and would like more information on how you could answer God’s call to medical missions, fill out the contact form below.
Answered Prayer...Nothing Is Impossible for God!
A City in a sensitive area of the Asia-Pacific Region
When Jim got on that plane last summer, I wasn’t sure I would see him back in PNG again. But we serve a God who answers prayer, and who made it possible for Jim to return. I am so thankful that I have the chance to work and serve with him again. Jim may have had surgery to repair his heart, but having a big heart for the people of Papua New Guinea sure hasn’t changed!
Click this link for more stories from Dr. Meier. —- Regional Communications Coordinator’s Note —
During my visit to Papua New Guinea last year, I quickly observed that from the Pharmacy to Central Supply, the Chaplains to Custodians, Nurses to infrastructure engineers and teachers, there was a tremendous heart and passion to touch lives for Christ and the Kingdom.
As I interviewed one patient at the hospital, I asked why he would travel hours and hours, passing other medical outposts, to come to Kudjip? His answer was immediate, “Because they really care for people here!” Kudjip is a beacon of God’s light in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Thank you for your continued prayer and partnership for Nazarene Health Ministries!
If you are a doctor and would like more information on how you could answer God’s call to medical missions, fill out the contact form below.
Answered Prayer...Nothing Is Impossible for God!
A City in a sensitive area of the Asia-Pacific Region
She followed the sound of the music through an open door and found an even bigger door open, a door that her mother could easily walk through, that had the potential to change her life!
Read how the prayers of a daughter were answered!
ANSWERED PRAYER…NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD!
A City in a sensitive area of the Asia-Pacific Region: Rachel (not her real name) was back today at our home fellowship after being gone for several weeks over the Christmas break. She shared the following praise today:
“My mom is not a believer, so I had been praying that she would find a church where she could learn more about God. We live in a small town and I did not know of any Christian churches or Bible studies so did not know how to help my mom.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”- Mark 9:23 (NIV)
“When I went home at Christmas, I continued to pray. One day when I was on the ground floor of our housing block I heard singing. I didn’t recognize the song, but it sounded very much like a worship song. I followed the singing until I came to an apartment. The door was open so I walked in and discovered a house church was right there in our housing block! When I got my mother and brought her to the group, she discovered that three of the ladies in the house church were former co-workers! What are the chances of that happening!
What an amazing answer to prayer. Our small town is around 5 million people. Now my mother is attending the home group and learning more about God.”
Let the Little Children Come to Me...Answering the Call To Take The Church Where It Has Not Yet Been!
Myanmar, Southeast Asia Field
Read how the prayers of a daughter were answered!
ANSWERED PRAYER…NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD!
A City in a sensitive area of the Asia-Pacific Region: Rachel (not her real name) was back today at our home fellowship after being gone for several weeks over the Christmas break. She shared the following praise today:
“My mom is not a believer, so I had been praying that she would find a church where she could learn more about God. We live in a small town and I did not know of any Christian churches or Bible studies so did not know how to help my mom.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”- Mark 9:23 (NIV)
“When I went home at Christmas, I continued to pray. One day when I was on the ground floor of our housing block I heard singing. I didn’t recognize the song, but it sounded very much like a worship song. I followed the singing until I came to an apartment. The door was open so I walked in and discovered a house church was right there in our housing block! When I got my mother and brought her to the group, she discovered that three of the ladies in the house church were former co-workers! What are the chances of that happening!
What an amazing answer to prayer. Our small town is around 5 million people. Now my mother is attending the home group and learning more about God.”
Let the Little Children Come to Me...Answering the Call To Take The Church Where It Has Not Yet Been!
Myanmar, Southeast Asia Field
In Mon State, Myanmar, Nazarenes are answering the call to take the Church where it has not yet been.
They are understanding that the response to our Lord's command to go into all the nations and make disciples (Matthew 28:19) requires a very intentional action. It is not enough to just observe as bystanders. They must go, do, and be!
See this great story of Christ followers intentionally living out the command to take the Gospel to the world. LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME…NAZARENES NURTURING THE CHURCH OF THE FUTURE.
Mon State, Myanmar, Southeast Asia Field: Less than 4% of the population of Myanmar (Burma) is considered Christian. Major dominant religions of this area of the world have been in place for centuries. But God is moving…and He is moving through local Christ followers / Nazarenes, who have a heart and passion to be the hands and feet of Christ.
They are understanding that the response to our Lord's command to go into all the nations and make disciples (Matthew 28:19) requires a very intentional action. It is not enough to just observe as bystanders. They must go, do, and be!
See this great story of Christ followers intentionally living out the command to take the Gospel to the world. LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME…NAZARENES NURTURING THE CHURCH OF THE FUTURE.
Mon State, Myanmar, Southeast Asia Field: Less than 4% of the population of Myanmar (Burma) is considered Christian. Major dominant religions of this area of the world have been in place for centuries. But God is moving…and He is moving through local Christ followers / Nazarenes, who have a heart and passion to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Burmese Nazarenes began reaching out to those living in Mon state in 2006. After 8 years of planting seeds, the harvest is beginning to take hold as there are now four organized churches and four more home churches in this area.
One of these Burmese Nazarenes answering the call to take the Gospel where it has not yet been is Pastora Ruth. Every Saturday Ruth travels to Ywar Tan Shey, a village in Mon State where she reaches out to more than 30 children in the area by providing Bible lessons, games for children, and various activities.
Another devoted Christian who goes to Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene had a burden for the children in her community. She prayed and shared her burden with her pastor. Stepping out in faith without any outside funding, they established another home children’s ministry. A place for nurturing thefuture of God’s church in this area.
One of these Burmese Nazarenes answering the call to take the Gospel where it has not yet been is Pastora Ruth. Every Saturday Ruth travels to Ywar Tan Shey, a village in Mon State where she reaches out to more than 30 children in the area by providing Bible lessons, games for children, and various activities.
Another devoted Christian who goes to Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene had a burden for the children in her community. She prayed and shared her burden with her pastor. Stepping out in faith without any outside funding, they established another home children’s ministry. A place for nurturing thefuture of God’s church in this area.
“I was very surprised and encouraged to visit two more houses of local Nazarene members where they too had opened their homes for children’s ministry,” shared Bill Kwon, team member in Myanmar. “All of these Christ followers have the same passion to reach out to children. God is blessing their homes and ministry. I am reminded of the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, with just five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:13-21). In Mon State, Jesus asked the local church members what they had. They gave what they had and God is surely blessing and multiplying.”
Would you please join us in prayer for these children’s ministries in Myanmar? Pray for God’s anointing power to:- Transform the lives of children in Mon State;
- Protect local workers in this area;
- Provide Godly partnerships that can multiply this ministry in the years to come.
Dr. Kwon will be in the United States from June 15th to July 30th, 2015.
Churches to Stand United Against Human Trafficking on Freedom Sunday!
Global
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?[Isaiah 58:6]
Please follow the below link to see how your church can participate in standing united against modern slavery!
This weekend...get involved...today!
Have you looked at the new Nazarene.org website on your phone? Try it now!
Global Ministry Center
Those of you that use the site regularly will be pleased with the modifications that make the site more intuitive and visually appealing.
The World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific Team was able to be a significant partner in this new look.
Check it out by clicking here!
Then tell your friends about it!Exciting Opportunity to Join Multi-National Media Team!
Manila, Philippines
* Passion, training and expertise in the area of web and mobile application development?
* Passion for the Lord and for sharing the Gospel across borders, boundaries, and barriers?
* A dream of working with a multi-national media center producing media projects for clients around the world?
* Desire for a cross-cultural experience in one of the megacities of the world?
* Interest in checking out a short-term missions assignment?
Then click here to read more about the incredible opportunities that could await you.
Opportunity for Partners to Become Involved!
Asia-Pacific Region
In a Region that has more than 7,105 spoken languages and 40% of the world's population, sharing the Gospel beyond political borders and across geographical and language barriers, can seem nearly impossible.
Papyrus Solar powered audio players allow us to share the Bible in some of the most difficult languages on earth!
Taking the gospel message and pastoral courses to those who have never learned to read.
In one location, young believers are taking these units, with the New Testament in the local language, into large housing complexes and loaning them out to elderly who have no access to audio versions of the Scripture.
We currently have need for more than 30 of these units, to be deployed in strategic locations across the Region.
The cost per unit is $75.00, but more than finances, we need prayer partners who will pray for the transformation of lives that are introduced to the Word!
"So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."[Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)]
Please Click this link to PARTNER now!
This newsletter is a ministry of your Asia-Pacific Regional Communications Office. Please submit questions or comments to: Regional Communications Coordinator
Connie Aebischer - Editor - Around the Region News
World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific
Ortigas Avenue Extension
Taytay, Rizal, Philippines
Around the Region is released each week on Saturday. If you have news to share, please forward to our office by Friday at noon (PHT).
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