Fullah family declared Ebola-free
Sierra Leone, Africa Region
James, his five children, and seven other family members were placed in quarantine after James' wife, Isatu, passed away in February from the Ebola virus. Two of the couple's daughters, ages 6 and 16, showed symptoms of the virus and were taken to a treatment center, where one daughter tested positive.
"After some weeks, Pastor Fullah became worried that he was not hearing any news about her," said Vidal Cole, Sierra Leone district superintendent. "He informed me and I worked with our leadership team to help to trace the girl. By the grace of God we were able to get in touch with some officials at the Ebola command center and quite recently we received news that she was recovering and doing well."
The second daughter tested negative and was released after a short stay.
"It was quite a scene in the community yesterday as Pastor Fullah's quarantine period was declared over and [the first daughter was] handed back over," Cole said. "The entire community burst out in praise and thanksgiving to God for what they considered a mighty and great deliverance from death. For the most part, whenever Ebola enters a family, it almost wipes out the entire family. In this case the people were very grateful to God for sparing the two girls who showed the signs and symptoms at a point, most especially [the daughter] who actually tested positive.
"On behalf of the Fullah family and the entire Sierra Leone District, I want to express our profound gratitude to you and the entire Nazarene family worldwide for your love, support, and prayers. We believe that if this family is rejoicing today, it is because of the prayers of our wonderful Nazarene family around the globe that kept believing and trusting the Lord for His divine intervention in this family."
James pastors the Amazing Grace Church of the Nazarene near Freetown.
To learn more about the church’s “21 and Free” campaign to minister to others living in quarantine or to support the Church of the Nazarene’s Ebola relief efforts, visit ncm.org/ebolarelief.Myanmar pioneer retires after 30 years
, Asia-Pacific Region
Born in Kalaymyo in 1944 to a Buddhist family, Seia accepted Christ as his personal Savior at 17. While this created quite a stir, it would eventually lead to his mother accepting Christ, followed by his entire family.
Seia travelled to Chennai (Madras), India, in 1964 to pursue further Christian education. While there, he read the book Why I am a Nazarene, which was his first introduction to the denomination's holiness message.
After returning to Myanmar in 1969, Robin worked for the Evangelical Fellowship of Burma for 12 years. He then followed the recommendation of John Stott from London and headed to Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, USA, where he studied until 1984.
“I will never forget Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene,” Seia said. “The first Sunday that I walked in the door, they welcomed me in an incredible way. There was a man there by the name of Dr. Herald King. Here I was, a foreign student, a stranger, but Dr. King picked me up every Sunday; he treated me like a son.”
In 1984, Robin returned to Myanmar and officially registered the Church of the Nazarene in cooperation with then Asia-Pacific Regional Director Donald D. Owens.
After 30 years of work, Seia's legacy includes 22 established churches, more than 2,000 members, and a Bible college.[Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region]First woman ordained in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, Eurasia Region
Kawshalya grew up on a tea estate where her parents worked hard each day to pick the small green leaves from the endless rows of tea bushes under the hot Sri Lankan sun. When she was 8 years old, a friend invited her to a Christian Sunday school, which was her first exposure to the gospel. By the time she was 11, she had been attending the Sunday school regularly and loved singing the songs and learning the stories about Jesus. At that point, she made the decision to accept Christ into her life and was baptized — the first Christian in her family.
Her mother noticed a significant — and positive — change in her daughter’s attitude and behavior and became interested to know what she was learning at the church. So she began to attend with her daughter.
The family moved to another village soon after.
Then came a time for heartbreak for Kawshalya’s family. Desiring to go abroad for work, her brother contracted with an agent who promised to match him with an overseas employer for a large sum of money. The family took out a loan to pay the agent, but the agent was a scam artist and ran off with the money.
Now burdened with a huge loan they could not pay back, the family had to sell their home and all their belongings. Kawshalya’s faith was shaken. She wondered why God had let this happen to her family. Her relationship with her brother was damaged.
At this low point in her life she met a Nazarene pastor from a neighboring village. He was visiting their small settlement to plant a new church there.
“The pastor assured her that God is able to fill her with joy and happiness; even though materially she lost everything, God is able to fill her life,” Jothi said she told him. “She thought she can start afresh. She put her faith more in God and began a new life in Christ, in trusting Him.”
Her new hope in the face of a hopeless situation was a great testimony to her family. Through her renewed commitment, she was able to lead her mother to Christ.
She also began to sense that God was not only consoling and comforting her through this time of loss, but that He may be calling her to become a full-time evangelist.
Around this time, as is traditional, her parents wanted to find her a good husband from among their relatives, and they picked out a young man they felt would treat their daughter well. When she learned about the planned match, she wanted to ensure she would have a Christian husband. So she shared about Jesus with him and also led him to Christ. The couple were married.
Early in Kawshalya’s marriage, the Nazarene pastor who had discipled her as a teenager began to invest in her calling to ministry. He enlisted her to join him in planting a new church in a nearby location. After they gathered a small group of new believers, he turned over the church-type mission to her so she could get leadership experience. Her husband and mother also supported her work.
“She discovered this is a church who gives equal opportunity for men and women to be involved in the gospel,” Jothi said. “She felt this is like her home; she can work and associate with the other pastors even though she’s a woman.”
In a male-dominated society, it was a new experience for her. She decided to enroll in South Asia Nazarene Bible College in 2011. When she arrived for her first class, “she was very much surprised there were other ladies who worked in child development centers and JESUS Film ministries to come into the course of study. That gave her more confidence,” Jothi said.
During Kawshalya’s three years in the Course of Study — a Nazarene system of 25 or more courses designed to prepare clergy for ministry — she became the leader of a JESUS Film team. In that role, she led a team of people who visited targeted locations to screen a film about the life of Jesus to people who likely had never heard of Jesus or the gospel before. Through watching the film, many people accepted Christ into their lives. Then she and her team gathered them into small groups that pursued ongoing discipleship in their new faith, eventually forming new churches. She has also pastored one church throughout her studies.
But ministry has not been her only challenge. Last year, Kawshalya’s husband was involved in a bicycle accident and was hospitalized with serious injuries. The family thought for a time that he wouldn’t survive. For six months he has been recovering and thus unable to work or help care for their son.
Kawshalya had to balance caring for her husband, raising their child, earning an income, keeping up with her ministry, and continuing full-time in the course of study through SANBC. Her joyful attitude in the midst of such difficulties impressed everyone, Jothi said.
“Her difficult situation in no way tempered her faith in God or diverted her attention from completing the course of study,” he said. “Now her goal for the future is to empower more and more women to actively participate in the ministry in our church. She already has mentored and sent one girl from her church to enroll in SANBC. Her goal is to send one to two women each year. She mentors and encourages them to go forward in ministry, to reach more and more women in the rural areas here in Sri Lanka.”
Jothi said that Kawshalya has been partly responsible for a significant increase in women enrolled in SANBC.
“This year we have about 54 new students enrolled in Sri Lanka, and about 15 to 20 percent were women students. It’s an increase. In the beginning, the ladies don’t know that they can enroll in ministry. When we say we want to embrace all, God has equally created all people, that is making people to respond and come. I think the Nazarene church is a kind of open door, a church that encourages more women."[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]BGS appoints interim superintendent for Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Lewis follows Rob McDonald, who recently resigned to plant a church near Waco, Texas. Lewis' appointment is effective April 15, and he will continue in the position until a new superintendent is appointed and in place.
Currently interim pastor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Northview Community Church of the Nazarene, Lewis previously served as superintendent of the Kentucky and Northern Michigan districts. He also led churches in Tennessee, New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, Ohio, and Arkansas and taught at Trevecca Nazarene University.
Lewis earned a Bachelor of Arts from Trevecca Nazarene College (now University), a Bachelor of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Trinity Lutheran Seminary.
Curt and his wife, Patsy, reside in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
NTS announces line-up for 2015 Preachers Conference
Kansas City, Missouri
“This year’s event will include sermons and presentations centered on the theme of Local Flavor: Preaching in Context,” said Jesse Middendorf, executive director of the NTS Center for Pastoral Leadership. “'Going local' has gained popularity around our country in recent years. So for this year’s Preachers Conference, we thought it would be exciting, as well as enriching, to work with this concept of local flavor as it applies to the vibrant and diverse expressions of our church in a variety of local contexts.”
Preachers this year will be Daron Brown, Shawna Songer Gaines, Brent Hofen, Albert Hung, Javier and Annette Mondragan, Phil Stout, and Althea Taylor. This line-up represents a wide range of settings, including a multi-campus church, a modern-day Mayberry, and a church in the heart of New York City. These pastors have each been asked to preach a sermon as they would in their own local context and then reflect with our panelists and audience members on why that sermon was important for their congregation to hear. Preachers and panelists will also reflect together on their local church setting, demographics, and worship style, as well as respond to questions about preparation, study habits, preaching mentors, and resources used.
Panelists include Steve Estep, Rose Brower Young, Susan Carole, Janine Metcalf, Jerry Porter, and Mario Zani. Marvin Jones will be the worship leader for this year’s conference.To view pictures and biographical information on all the conference preachers and panelists, as well as to view additional conference information, vist the conference website at nts.edu/2015-preach-conf.
“At NTS, we are committed to preparing pastors and leaders for the future of the Church,” said NTS President Carla Sunberg. “But we are just as committed to resourcing and providing continuing education for those active in ministry today. Our annual Preachers Conference provides an incredible venue in which ministers can be challenged and renewed, and fellowship with colleagues.”
There is an early bird registration fee of $79 available for all who register by April 30; after this date, registration goes up to $99. Reservations can be made online at nts.edu/15-preach-conf.
Stay up to date on plans for the 2015 NTS Preachers Conference by joining the NTS mailing list. [Nazarene Theological Seminary]Additional NCNNews.com Stories This Week
Regional News
AfricaUK Nazarene helps Ebola patients in West Africa
West Africa
"The moral imperative to try and help people less fortunate than us isn’t something I really question; it’s kind of a given," he said. "For me, the question is, how do I do that effectively in the situation that I find myself in?"
Last summer and fall when the Ebola outbreak in West Africa dominated European news headlines, Jackson wanted to do something to help. He learned of the clinical trial that would be taking place at the start of this year in Liberia and asked to join. With permission and support from his workplace and his wife and family, Jackson embarked for the seven-week mission.
Every day, in the sweltering heat, he and his colleagues dressed in the multi-layered, full-cover suits they were required to wear to protect them from contracting the highly contagious Ebola virus from their patients.
Together with the local nurses, the team Jackson was working with would invite patients to participate in the clinical trial and explain what it would mean for them to do so. Those who agreed to the parameters would receive the treatment.
After about five weeks in Monrovia, Liberia, the team moved to Sierra Leone, where there were more patients, and concluded their time after two and a half weeks there.
Working in intensive care centers in the U.K., Jackson is well acquainted with death.
“Most of the patients referred to me in the U.K. are because they’re dying and the question is, can I offer something to prevent and reverse that,” he said.
He continued to see death while in Liberia. He remembers three teenagers who were admitted at the same time to his treatment center. All three had been orphaned when their parents died from Ebola; while grieving the loss of their parents, each of them had at least one sibling contract the disease, enter the treatment center, and then pass away.
Now it was their turn.
“You could see the fear in their eyes, as well as that they were still grieving for their parents and their family,” he said. “They were so worried that would happen to them as well. Of the three I’m thinking about, one recovered and two died.”
Jackson learned that those who survive Ebola do not face a trouble-free future. First, they continue to have physical problems even after they’ve fully recovered, such as ongoing stomach pain, partial paralysis, and other problems.
Additionally, survivors have been stigmatized in the culture, as those around them are afraid they can still contract the disease from the survivor.
While he was separated from his family and culture for seven weeks, involved in an emotionally intense and demanding situation, Jackson said that the support not only of his workplace, but also the prayers of his local Nazarene church and family made him feel he could focus on the task at hand.
“That was quite a powerful emotion,” he said. “I think it helps you realize it’s not all about what you’re doing, the excitement you’re having, the egocentric way you can see aid work, but realizing there’ve got to be so many people in the background who may not be able to go themselves but can still provide that support to enable other people to go.”[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]Flags of the Nations: Nigeria
This week: Nigeria
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Nigeria in 1977.
Nigeria had a population of 177,155,754 in 2014. That same year, Nigeria reported 70 Churches of the Nazarene, 49 of which had been officially organized. Nigeria has 8,016 total members.
Nigeria is on the Africa Region. It has two Phase 2 districts.
For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = 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.
Eurasia
Eastern Mediterranean Field Conference: For such a time as this
With the Middle East in a state of upheaval and the relatively few Nazarene churches trying to help thousands of the region’s million refugees from war-torn areas, the pastors and lay leaders who gathered March 18 to 21 were aware of their need for unity, shared goals, and working together as they never have been before.
“Teamwork is important, and I need to establish a team from this group, from different churches, countries and backgrounds, but we need to hold the same vision,” said Khalil Halaseh, a longtime pastor in Jordan and new strategy coordinator for the field, which also includes the Holy Land, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, and two secure access countries.
Halaseh called the conference so he could put into motion his four-part plan for the field, starting with developing leaders, who will go on to the second point of making disciples; the disciples move the plan to the third point of starting cell groups, which eventually will mature into the final part of the plan to plant new churches.
The conference of Nazarene leaders was blended into a John Maxwell EQUIP leadership training event that attracted more than 100 leaders from various denominations in Jordan. Halaseh has been an EQUIP trainer and organizer in Jordan for several years; he is stepping down from this responsibility as he takes up the field’s leadership role, replacing the retiring Lindell Browning, who has led the field for more than 30 years.
During several conference sessions, the Nazarene leaders and pastors were invited to stand and share their thoughts or challenges in their ministry. One man said, “God is shaking the field because he wants to awaken the church.”
Another man said that half of his congregation had immigrated because of violence and threats to them as Christians, and he wondered if they should close the church or if he should immigrate, too.
Halaseh cited the historical situation of Israel in the Old Testament biblical book of Nehemiah, when Jerusalem lay in ruins because it had been invaded and sacked by the Babylonians and the Hebrew people had been forcibly removed to Babylon for a generation. Nehemiah, the cup-bearer to the new king of the Persians, had it in his heart to return to Jerusalem with the captives and rebuild the city and its gates. Halaseh compared the story to the situation today in the Middle East.
“The field is broken down and the gates are burned,” he told the group. “What is happening in the field is not because of politics. The Lord wants the field to be one in unity. It is time for us to put weaknesses and broken relationships of the past behind.”
Lo’ay Jawabreh, a pastor at the Jabal Amman Church, said he was struck by the fact that Halaseh focused on Nehemiah.
“January through March this year, the focus [in our church] was on Nehemiah. This is encouraging for me.”
Jawabreh said that he was glad the conference made space for thinking together about the field’s goals and next steps.
Samir Nazha, a volunteer chairman on the board of the Nazarene schools in Jordan, said it was a pleasure to be part of the conference, “because I can know all the people from the Middle East, so we can know what they are doing and sometimes we learn from them and maybe they learn from us.”
Pastor Andrew Salameh, the district superintendent for Lebanon, said, “I think this is very important, this is our first meeting with Khalil. It was good to hear from him his vision and passion and heart. I felt from his first introduction that he’s looking forward to our working together, and we can be more united and plant more churches and not be distracted. Although the Middle East is not stable, we believe God has called us for such a time like this, to make a difference.”
Maryam, a pastor’s wife in Egypt, said that for the past five years she and her husband have been praying for unity with the other Nazarenes on the field, because they have felt alone in their ministry.
Another pastor, echoing the conference’s theme that they were put in the field by God for this time in history, said, “It is now an open door. We don’t need to have a worship service and then go home. We need to go out to the community.”[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
Mesoamerica
Newly formed Mexico Field begins restructuring
Guadalajara, Mexico
Participants from across the country made it clear that there aren’t two Mexicos, two visions, or two churches.
"Today we have all recognized that we are one church in Mexico, with a history that gives permanence in time," said one participant.
Some challenges for the new field include moving from a stage of ministerial stagnation to a stage of ministerial development, from a crisis of expansion and growth to a time of consolidation and support of new generations, and finding a holy way to integrate into the community.
During the meetings, participants demonstred a commitment to raise the fallen, unreservedly forgive, combine strategy, and define a single course to serve Christ as if it were their last day on earth.
Mexico Field Strategy Coordinator Jorge Cordova Valencia said he greatly appreciates the support and participation of Ararat Church of the Nazarene Pastor Hiram Vega, who provided a methodological approach to the workshops. Cordova was also thankful for the assistance of pastors, coordinators, district superintendents, and others.
“May the coming times be more fruitful and transformative results of a Mexican society that needs to receive what the Church of the Nazarene can and is able to give: Jesus as Lord of their lives,” Valencia said.[Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region]South America
Brazil Lodrina District elects new superintendent
Gilbert De Oliveira E Silva was elected as superintendent of the Brazil Lodrina District on the first ballot with 83 percent. read more
USA/Canada
Moving Ministers: March 2015
Roles included in the latest report are pastor and pastoral service. Entries were received from March 1 to March 31, 2015.
To view the March report, click here.Rev. Andrew M. Bays from Pastoral Service Mount Vernon First Mount Vernon OH to Pastoral Service on 6/1/2015 Lima Community Lima OH
Rev. Andrew M. Bays from Pastoral Service Mount Vernon First Mount Vernon OH to Pastoral Service on 6/1/2015 Lima Community Lima OH Rev. Andrew S. Cook from Student Missouri Bridgeton MO Pastoral Service on 12/1/2014 to Kansas City Central Lenexa KS
Rev. Matthew R. Elless from Pastoral Service Kankakee Eastridge Kankakee IL to Pastor on 1/25/2015 Pathway of Hope Kokomo IN
Rev. Juan Carlos Garcia from Unassigned Chicago Central Norridge IL to Pastor on 2/27/2015 Elgin Elgin IL
Rev. Nickolas D. Gebhart from Pastoral Service Zion Community Bloomington IN to Pastoral Service on 2/1/2015 Connecting Point Denair CA
Rev. George Hassman from Unassigned Prairie Lakes Fergus Falls MN to Pastoral Service on 11/30/2014 New Life Queen Creek AZ
Rev. Nathanael J. Hunter from Pastoral Service Nampa Fairview Nampa ID to Pastoral Service on 3/1/2015 Saginaw Valley Saginaw MI
Rev. Dustin J. Johnson from Pastoral Service Murrieta Gateway Murrieta CA to Pastoral Service on 3/1/2015 Lufkin First Lufkin TX
Rev. Jeremy L. Kramer from Pastor Harmon Memorial Erwin TN to Pastor on 12/1/2014 Knoxville South Knoxville TN
Rev. Gilbert O. Leigh from Unassigned Chicago Central Norridge IL to Pastor on 2/27/2015 New World Christian Ministries Chicago IL
Rev. Jayme M. Lenker from Pastoral Service Pasadena First Pasadena CA to Pastoral Service on 3/9/2015 Gig Harbor Gig Harbor WA
Rev. Caleb L. Miles from Pastoral Service Batesville Batesville AR to Pastor on 3/8/2015 Clarksville New Hope Clarksville AR
Rev. Craig P. Moore from Pastoral Service Hendersonville First Hendersonville NC to Pastor on 11/30/2014 Fairmont Central Fairmont WV
Rev. M. Alan Mortimer from Unassigned Intermountain Nampa ID to Pastor on 3/1/2015 La Grande La Grande OR
Rev. Steven J. Myers from Pastor Manhattan Manhattan KS to Pastor on 11/3/2014 Sparrow Specialty Coffee Ministries Manhattan KS
Rev. Jason R. O'Neal from Unassigned Kansas Wichita KS to Pastor on 11/1/2014 Lewistown Bonanza Hills Lewistown MT
Rev. Ronald A. Panos from Unassigned Chicago Central Norridge IL to Pastor on 2/27/2015 Bridgeway of Bensenville Ministry Bensenville IL
Rev. David E. Perez from Pastor Casa Grande Camino al Cielo Casa Grande AZ to Pastor on 2/8/2015 Passaic Spanish Passaic NJ
Rev. Janette Platter from Pastoral Service Liberty Liberty MO to Student on 3/18/2015 Dallas Nevada TX
Rev. Jason K. Powers from Pastoral Service East Valley Apache Junction AZ to Pastor on 3/8/2015 Gainesville Eastside Gainesville TX
Rev. Scott S. Riemer from Pastoral Service Yorba Linda Faith Community Yorba Linda CA to Pastor on 12/22/2014 Buena Park Crescent Avenue Family Ministries Buena Park CA
Rev. Reed Sapp from Student Southwestern Ohio West Chester OH to Pastoral Service on 6/1/2015 Monroe Monroe MI
Rev. Thomas G. Shaw from Unassigned Nebraska Lincoln NE to Pastor on 3/1/2015 Sioux Falls Reach Sioux Falls SD
Rev. Jim R. Slaughfrom ter Pastor Arkansas City Arkansas City KS to Pastor on 2/22/2015 Sallisaw Sallisaw OK
Rev. Ray A. Stark from Pastor Allentown FaithPointe Schnecksville PA to Pastor on 3/1/2015 Hermitage Gentle Shepherd Hermitage PA
Rev. Elizabeth Zimmerman from Student Northwest Spokane WA to Pastoral Service on 2/15/2015 Oakdale Family Oakdale CA
For previous reports, see usacanadanazarene.org.
Global Ministry Center News
In Memoriam
Lee Elzey, 78, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away March 30. He was a retired minister, serving in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas. He is survived by his wife, Wanda Elzey.
Warren MacEachern, 91, of Tyrone, Pennsylvania, passed away March 30. He was a retired minister andevangelist, serving in Pennsylvania. He is survived by his wife, Freda (McVicker) MacEachern.
Paul McBride Sr., 77, of Olympia, Washington, passed away March 13. He was a retired minister, serving in Washington and Arizona. He is survived by his wife, chaplain Luann (Lester) McBride, who serves on the Washington Pacific District.
Dewey Nickels, 87, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away March 31. He was a retired minister and evangelist, serving in Illinois, Nebraska, Texas, and Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife, Dorotha Nickels.
Richard "Rick" Pettit, 61, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed away March 30. He was the husband of evangelist Elaine Pettit, who serves on the Michigan District.
Helen (Sinn) Rode, 94, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away March 19. She was the widow of retired minister Charles Young, who served in Illinois and Indiana. Charles Young passed away in 1991. She was also preceded in death by her second husband, Samuel Rode.
Glenn Thorne, 86, of Sebring, Ohio, passed away March 26. He was a Nazarene layman who served on several boards, including the Board of Trustees at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. He is survived by his wife, Shirlee (Bias) Thorne.
Errol Webb, 73, of Andover, Minnesota, passed away March 28. He was a retired minister, serving in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Webb.
Paul Wiggins, 79, of Cheraw, South Carolina, passed away April 1. He was a retired minister, serving in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Wiggins.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section 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 news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]
GMC employment opportunities
Business Center — Front Desk Receptionist
The receptionist will answer phones, greet guests, and handle other front desk tasks and clerical work as assigned.
Financial Services — Administrative Assistant
This position works under the direction of the general treasurer, primarily providing administrative and clerical support.
General Secretary’s Office — Administrative Assistant
This position will provide programming for an online registration program called C-Vent. The person in this position will fulfill a wide variety of duties and is crucial to the success of event planning for the GMC. This position will also serve as part of the General Assembly event staff. Exact duties will be assigned depending on candidates strengths, skills, and experience.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Computer Programming Coordinator
The person in this position will lead NCM's development team in developing and maintaining NCM's Web applications, systems, and websites.
Stewardship Ministries — Copywriting Intern (Summer temporary)
This position supplements fulfillment of the constant writing needs of Stewardship Ministries for Web, social media, and print publications in pursuit of developing holistic, generous disciples. This position works with all members of the Stewardship Ministries team to create and edit copy that accurately depicts and complements the purpose of each project. In addition to copywriting, duties include customer service, social media engagement, and minimum data entry.
About
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. To obtain additional information, please call (913) 577-0500 and ask for Human Resources or email bsikes@nazarene.org.
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 theopen 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, emailing bsikes@nazarene.org, 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 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.
For more information, see the GMC's Human Resources page by clicking here.
Resources
NCN News now part of Nazarene.org Global Ministry Center
NCN News, the official news service of the Church of the Nazarene, is now part of the newly redesignednazarene.org website at nazarene.org/news. The transition strengthens the Church of the Nazarene’s Web presence and provides it with more dynamic content.
Nazarene.org was re-launched earlier this year to provide both visitors and longtime Nazarenes a more user-friendly, streamlined, and mobile-friendly online resource. The majority of NCN News visits now come from mobile devices and the previous, independently located site was originally designed for desktop users.
Readers going to ncnnews.com will be automatically redirected to nazarene.org/news.
Both new sites were developed by the Asia-Pacific Church of the Nazarene Communications Office.
For more information, questions, or to submit stories, email news@nazarene.org.
JFHP reports more than 70 million evangelistic contacts
JESUS Film Harvest Partners teams recently reported 70,186,759 evangelistic contacts . These contacts, which span 18 years and 138 countries, are reported when a person attends an evangelistic presentation and is counted by JFHP ministry leaders.
In many cultures, people who have no understanding of Jesus return to these presentations multiple times before they make a decision for Christ. Each time they return, it is counted as another evangelistic contact.
JFHP teams show the JESUS film in all three versions (classic, Magdalena — women’s version, and children’s) in the same village over the course of a month in order to evangelize the community, disciple people, and start a preaching point. Contacts are made, people move toward a life-changing decision, and the Body of Christ is established in one more place on earth.
The following testimony reveals how the process occurs:
My name is Michael. I am a police officer in Sierra Leone, residing in a community where the JESUS film was shown. When I heard about the film, I felt a deep conviction within me to watch this film. As a result, I watched all four days it was shown. I was deeply touched as Jesus spoke on the issue of bribery.
Honestly, as a police officer, I know accepting bribes is wrong. The truth is I live with bribery each and every day of my life. It is the main way by which I survive and meet the financial needs of my family. My salary is small. I don’t know another way to make extra money . People willingly give me bribes to help them with their problems in my office. They are brought in for different reasons. I help them get around their matters even when they are guilty. When I do this, I make good money .
As Jesus spoke on this matter, light was shed on my path. For the very first time, I saw bribery as something that was wrong. I realized I could not continue to make excuses about what I was doing. My heart was heavy because I knew a change was coming to my heart. I was not sure I was ready for it. I turned it over and over in my heart and mind until the fourth day. That night, I went forward during the altar call and surrendered my life to the Lord.
Please remember me in your prayers . I know it’s not going to be an easy change, but I want God to work in my life.
To learn more about the work of JESUS Film Harvest Partners, visit jfhp.org or call 913-663-5700.[JESUS Film Harvest Partners]
Photography etiquette: Know before you go Work & Witness leaders on the Asia-Pacific Region prepared the following guidelines about picture-taking on the region: read more
Collegiate News
MVNU announces new director of Alumni Relations Mount Vernon, Ohio
A 2002 MVNU Bachelor of Arts in Religion graduate, Keller previously served as director of Student Life since 2011. Prior to that he was director of Student Involvement and Accountability, resident assistant and later director, as well as having a number of roles in student ministry positions at the local church level.
“I am beyond excited to reconnect with our alumni and to meet some for the first time," Keller said. "I am committed to helping all of us who are MVNU alumni by providing information about alumni benefits and services, keeping us connected through alumni events and activities, and sharing all of our stories with one another and with our current students. Alumni are a vital part of the life of our MVNU community. They have lived our mission, shaped our identity, and written our story."
In addition to his MVNU undergraduate degree, Keller holds a Master of Arts in Missional Leadership from Northwest Nazarene University. Travis is married to Sarah (Baker, Class of 2003) and they have two children, Kyla and Vera. They reside in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Travis' new position is effective April 20.[Mount Vernon Nazarene University]NNU sets grand opening for Office of Veteran Services
Nampa, Idaho
The event will include remarks by NNU President David Alexander, Director of Veterans Services Bob Sanchez, and representatives from the NNU Student Veterans Club. After the ceremony, the public is invited to tour the new veterans’ center. Free parking will be provided; please follow the directional signs to the Student Center upon arriving on campus.
More than 70 students at NNU are veterans, members of the military, or military dependents — approximately 3 percent of the total student body — and that number is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
The NNU Office of Veterans Services is designed to support student veterans and military family members beyond the classroom while providing services that reinforce transition and improve retention. It is set up as a one-stop shop for student veterans who need help with G.I. benefits, transcripts, and other issues as they transition into college life.
“In 1946 my father was a freshman and lived in ‘Vetville’ on NNU’s campus, so NNU’s care for U.S. military is a part of my own family heritage," Alexander said. "I am delighted that we are now able to serve a new generation of U.S. military personnel through the Office of Veterans Services.”
The office will work closely with other campus departments, including Military Science, Student Services, and Enrollment and Marketing, to help veterans achieve their educational and employment goals. A mentor program involving veterans on the NNU faculty will also be established to provide student veterans withacademic advising.
“At Northwest Nazarene University, we’ve seen a growing number of military veterans taking advantage of the G.I. Bill to seek higher education,” Sanchez said. “We want to give them a welcoming, supportive environment to help ease their transition from military life to college and civilian life as they pursue their academic goals.”
The Office of Veterans Services will provide a place for student veterans to study, socialize with other veterans, and meet with academic advisors, tutors, and mentors. This space will also serve as a home base for the NNU Student Veterans Club. The club members are currently developing projects to unite university veterans with the local community and promote student involvement in the newly established Student Veterans Club.
“I am very excited for this grand opening because I believe the Office of Veterans Services will serve as a multipurpose center for veterans and civilian students alike,” said Brice Towne, a veteran and freshman nursing major from Nampa. “It’s a place where veterans can speak our minds and be with others who understand what we’ve been through. But I believe it will also provide a bridge to help civilian students learn more about vets, dispel misconceptions, and raise awareness of the advantages that student veterans bring to our community.”
For more information, contact Bob Sanchez, director of Veterans Services, at 208-467-8503 orrobertsanchez@nnu.edu.[Northwest Nazarene University]____________________________
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