Roberto Hodgson's Reflections - May 2015 from the Multicultural Ministry of The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States
DR. ROBERTO HODGSON, MULTICULTURAL MINISTRIES DIRECTOR USA/CANADA
REFLECTION - Pentecost a Celebration of Diversity
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and come to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" (Acts 2:1-4).
What better time than Pentecost to show the disciples and the people who were there, God's intention to celebrate diversity and to reaffirm the blessing of distinct cultures and languages.
In that festivity there were many different nationalities and people who spoke different languages, much as exist today in the USA and Canada. God through the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit worked that wonderful miracle that enabled everybody to hear in their own language the wonder of God's love to all people.
I am currently reading a very insightful book “Leading Multicultural Teams” by Evelyn and Richard Hibbert. The Hibberts state: “The most compelling reason for us to appreciate diversity-especially cultural diversity-is God’s creation. God delights in diversity”.
We celebrate the blessing of having a rich diversity in our USA/Canada Nazarene family region with many people and language group congregations. Thank you for your leadership and ministry among your specific people group.
"And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Revelation 5:9).
SNAPSHOT
Statistics: Non-White/English Speaking
Congregations - 1,181 * Total Members - 99,966 * AVG Worship Attendence - 73,442
Percentage of non-White/English speaking - 23% *
*These statistics are based on churches/districts that identify their congregations as non-white/English speaking
Hispanic National Conference 2016
A planning committee met at GMC May 13 to plan the quadrennial Hispanic National conference scheduled for June 15-17, 2016 at Southern Nazarene University. The committee was comprised of Orlando Serrano, Western Latin American District Superintendent; Caleb Herrera, Texas Oklahoma District Superintendent; Samuel Flores, South Texas District Assistant; Mario Zani, Multicultural Literature/CNP Coordinator; and Roberto Hodgson, Multicultural Ministries Director. The theme of the conference will be:
- Honrando el pasado… Honoring the past
- Celebrando el presente . . . Celebrating the present
- Anticipando el futuro . . . Anticipating the future
There will be inspirational services at night, plenary sessions in the morning, and an array of workshops to address different topics on pastoral and lay leader ministries including a specific track to address the present and future of young people in our churches and how they can be engaged in the church’s mission of: “Making Christlikes Disciples in the Nations”. Save the dates…more information will be sent to all Hispanic/Latino congregations and posted on the web-site www.nazarenosuscan.org , closer to the time of the conference.
National Black Nazarene Conference 2016
A planning committee met at GMC May 19-21 to plan the 2016 National Black Nazarene Conference scheduled for July 27-31, 2016 at The Caribe Royale hotel in Orlando, Florida. The NBNC is extending a special invitation to Nazarene Multicultural churches to be a part of this conference. The committee was comprised of Rev. Charles Tillman, Black Ministries Facilitator, Rev. David Solomon, Eastern Region Representative, Rev’s Bill & Barbara Allen, Southeast Region Representatives, Janice Ballard, Cassandra Trotman and Dwayne Simpson. The theme of the conference will be: RENEW – REFRESH – REVIVE
There will be awe inspiring morning and evening sessions, and a host of workshops to address topics for clergy and laity that pertain to our theme. We will also have a special leadership track for pastors and other church leaders. Other speakers include: Rev. Dianne Adams, Meridian Fitkin’s COTN, Rev. John Wright, Detroit New Hope COTN, Rev. Lamar Davis, Los Angeles Grace COTN, Dr. Gabriel Salguero, New York Lamb’s COTN and Bishop Darryl Starnes, AME Zion Episcopal Church Mid-West District. Dr.’s Stan Toler, General Superintendent Emeritus, and Tom Nees, former GMC Mission Strategy Director, will serve as Super Workshop leaders. All Black and Multicultural Pastors and leaders are urged to attend with their churches. Early registration is $25 for adults, $15 for youth and free for those 12 and under. More information will be posted on our web-site,www.usacanadanazarene.org/blackministries after Labor Day 2015.
NAZARENE BIBLE COLLEGE
New Educational Opportunity to Ministerial Students
As you continue your ministry preparation, we would like to inform you that Nazarene Bible College and the USA/Canada Region's Multicultural Ministries Office, directed by Roberto Hodgson, have launched a new educational opportunity for you. The program will provide Church of the Nazarene ordination courses for ethnic students in the United States and Canada through Nazarene Bible College (NBC).
It is hoped that this new venture will incentivize the younger generation of various ethnicities toward ordination educational opportunities at NBC. The program is a multicultural collaboration to raise up a new generation of ethnic pastors.
Multicultural Ministries of the Nazarene Global Ministries Center in Kansas City, Missouri, will provide scholarships for the Ministerial Preparation Program at Nazarene Bible College to any ethnic students preparing for ordination. The normal cost per ordination class is $125, but will be reduced to $90 per class with the scholarship. All classes are offered in English and are available either online or at our beautiful campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Ethnic students may contact Admissions at Nazarene Bible College by calling 719-884-5060 or by sending an inquiry to: info@nbc.edu.
David M. Church, PhD
Vice President of Enrollment Management
Nazarene Bible College
BIA UPDATE
There are 4 BIA accredited and recognized Nazarene Immigration Resource Centers to date.
Connexion Empowerment Center – Orlando, FL
Christian Culture Community – Iowa City, IA
LifeBridge Community Alliance – Phoenix, AZ
Wenatchee Missio Dei – Wenatchee, WA
There are 2 sites seeking recognition that had submitted their paperwork for BIA and it is pending review -
First Church of the Nazarene – Medford, Oregon
Greater Boston Nazarene Compassionate Ministry Center – Mattapan, MA
Mountainside Communion, Monrovia, CA
Miami Bethany, Miami, FL
CONGRATULATIONS TO HAND IN HAND, MISSIO DEI IN RECEIVING FEDERAL APPROVAL
Wenatchee, WA. May 8, 2015. Hand in Hand, Missio Dei of Wenatchee, a 501c3 non-profit organization, announces that it has been granted Federal Approval to operate as a recognized site by the BIA (Board of Immigration Appeals) on April23, 2015. The BIA offers qualified non-profit organizations and individuals accreditation to practice immigration law in a limited capacity by helping immigrants assess their immigration status and eligibility for citizenship, filling the appropriate forms, assistance in filing documents with the appropriate agency, representing them before the Department of Homeland Security and follow up support through the entire process. It is critical that the region’s immigrant population connect with legal services from licensed attorneys or BIA accredited Representatives.
Along with the recognition of Hand in Hand, Missio Dei, three individuals have also been federally accredited to directly offer legal services. The team is led by Thom Nees; Executive Director, Norma Gallegos; Citizenship Coordinator, and Edith Zavala; Case Work Coordinator, who will continue this work that generously serves immigrants in our region.
A dedicated group of volunteers and advocates have served the immigrant population for several years but this work was formalized in early 2013 in conjunction with Mission Dei Church the Nazarene of Wenatchee in partnership with World Relief (WR) of Spokane. Over the past two years, Hand in Hand has provided education, information and legal services for well over a thousand individuals in the community under the legal auspices of World Relief of Spokane. The program focuses in serving immigrants in NCW buy walking with them hand in hand through intimidating process required to address their unique immigration status issues.
In Washington State there are approximately 180,000 legal permanent residents who currently meet the basic eligibility requirements to become US Citizens. "This comes as an outstanding opportunity for many leaders in different industries in our region to be involved with Hand in Hand as we assist immigrants to embrace and realize the American Dream." Said Gustavo Montoya, Board President. "The program engages their students and clients by emphasizing and demonstrating that US Citizenship creates more integration for many immigrants and offers the opportunity to give back which makes us a more connected and resilient community."
Contact: Thom Nees, Director of Hand in Hand, Missio Dei 18 N. Mission Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 630-4438 or Email: thom@handinhandmd.org
EVENTS - JUNE and JULY 2015
June 26 - 27, 2015 - Portuguese Ministries Conference, Brockton, MA Nova Alianca
For more information contact Rev. Benedito Monteiro at bcmonteiro11@gmail.com
July 16 - 19, 2015 - Samoan Conference USA/Canada
Clarion Hotel Anaheim Resort - Anaheim, CA
For more information contact Rev. Taulima Oge at taulimapoto@yahoo.com
July 16 - 18, 2015 - African Nazarene Minister’s Conference USA/Canada
Location of Conference – Mid America Nazarene University
Register online at http://www.usacanadaregion.org/african-ministries
For more information contact multi@nazarene.org
July 16 - 19, 2015 - Haitian National Nazarene Convention
"Se Preparere pour Proclmer or Equip to Proclaim"
New Jerusalem COTN
2431 Church Ave., Brooklyn NY
Contact Rev. Pascal Permis at pascase7@aol.com
July 17 - 19, 2015 - Black Ministries SE Regional Fellowship, Birmingham, Alabama
For more information contact Bill Allen at cfcnaz.bill@att.net
July 23 - 25, 2015 - Native American Ministries Conference, Bethany First COTN
For more information contact John Nells at jrnells07@gmail.com
August 28 - 30, 2015 - Black Ministries Zone 4 Labor Day Celebration -
Location - Lexington, Kentucky
Everyone is invited to attend whether you are on or off the zone. It will be a blessed weekend!
For more contact information contact Rev. Robert Hunter at Roberth210@aol.com
September 17 - 19, 2015 - Ethnic Student Leadership Development Initiative
Global Ministry Center - Lenexa, KS
For more information contact Multicultural Ministries at multi@nazarene.org
September 28 - October 1, 2015 - Korean Ministerial Conference USA/Canada, Chicago First Korean
For more information contact Rev. Stephen Lee at slee4j@sbcglobal.net
CALL FOR PRAYER
Rev. Sokurt Suos and Family in the death of Sokurt's mother
Rev. Junior Sorzano's mother who has been in and out of the hospital
Rev. Augustus Sealy who was shot putting out flags on Memorial Day
Upcoming Events
Please e-mail multi@nazarene.org to submit additional prayer requests
Multicultural Ministries vision is to encourage the development of strategy and initiative to reach the USA/Canada mission field through the visionary leadership of the ethnic facilitators, and their strategy committees.
___________________________________
National Black Nazarene Conference 2016
A planning committee met at GMC May 19-21 to plan the 2016 National Black Nazarene Conference scheduled for July 27-31, 2016 at The Caribe Royale hotel in Orlando, Florida. The NBNC is extending a special invitation to Nazarene Multicultural churches to be a part of this conference. The committee was comprised of Rev. Charles Tillman, Black Ministries Facilitator, Rev. David Solomon, Eastern Region Representative, Rev’s Bill & Barbara Allen, Southeast Region Representatives, Janice Ballard, Cassandra Trotman and Dwayne Simpson. The theme of the conference will be: RENEW – REFRESH – REVIVE
There will be awe inspiring morning and evening sessions, and a host of workshops to address topics for clergy and laity that pertain to our theme. We will also have a special leadership track for pastors and other church leaders. Other speakers include: Rev. Dianne Adams, Meridian Fitkin’s COTN, Rev. John Wright, Detroit New Hope COTN, Rev. Lamar Davis, Los Angeles Grace COTN, Dr. Gabriel Salguero, New York Lamb’s COTN and Bishop Darryl Starnes, AME Zion Episcopal Church Mid-West District. Dr.’s Stan Toler, General Superintendent Emeritus, and Tom Nees, former GMC Mission Strategy Director, will serve as Super Workshop leaders. All Black and Multicultural Pastors and leaders are urged to attend with their churches. Early registration is $25 for adults, $15 for youth and free for those 12 and under. More information will be posted on our web-site,www.usacanadanazarene.org/blackministries after Labor Day 2015.
NAZARENE BIBLE COLLEGE
New Educational Opportunity to Ministerial Students
As you continue your ministry preparation, we would like to inform you that Nazarene Bible College and the USA/Canada Region's Multicultural Ministries Office, directed by Roberto Hodgson, have launched a new educational opportunity for you. The program will provide Church of the Nazarene ordination courses for ethnic students in the United States and Canada through Nazarene Bible College (NBC).
It is hoped that this new venture will incentivize the younger generation of various ethnicities toward ordination educational opportunities at NBC. The program is a multicultural collaboration to raise up a new generation of ethnic pastors.
Multicultural Ministries of the Nazarene Global Ministries Center in Kansas City, Missouri, will provide scholarships for the Ministerial Preparation Program at Nazarene Bible College to any ethnic students preparing for ordination. The normal cost per ordination class is $125, but will be reduced to $90 per class with the scholarship. All classes are offered in English and are available either online or at our beautiful campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Ethnic students may contact Admissions at Nazarene Bible College by calling 719-884-5060 or by sending an inquiry to: info@nbc.edu.
David M. Church, PhD
Vice President of Enrollment Management
Nazarene Bible College
BIA UPDATE
There are 4 BIA accredited and recognized Nazarene Immigration Resource Centers to date.
Connexion Empowerment Center – Orlando, FL
Christian Culture Community – Iowa City, IA
LifeBridge Community Alliance – Phoenix, AZ
Wenatchee Missio Dei – Wenatchee, WA
There are 2 sites seeking recognition that had submitted their paperwork for BIA and it is pending review -
First Church of the Nazarene – Medford, Oregon
Greater Boston Nazarene Compassionate Ministry Center – Mattapan, MA
Mountainside Communion, Monrovia, CA
Miami Bethany, Miami, FL
CONGRATULATIONS TO HAND IN HAND, MISSIO DEI IN RECEIVING FEDERAL APPROVAL
Wenatchee, WA. May 8, 2015. Hand in Hand, Missio Dei of Wenatchee, a 501c3 non-profit organization, announces that it has been granted Federal Approval to operate as a recognized site by the BIA (Board of Immigration Appeals) on April23, 2015. The BIA offers qualified non-profit organizations and individuals accreditation to practice immigration law in a limited capacity by helping immigrants assess their immigration status and eligibility for citizenship, filling the appropriate forms, assistance in filing documents with the appropriate agency, representing them before the Department of Homeland Security and follow up support through the entire process. It is critical that the region’s immigrant population connect with legal services from licensed attorneys or BIA accredited Representatives.
Along with the recognition of Hand in Hand, Missio Dei, three individuals have also been federally accredited to directly offer legal services. The team is led by Thom Nees; Executive Director, Norma Gallegos; Citizenship Coordinator, and Edith Zavala; Case Work Coordinator, who will continue this work that generously serves immigrants in our region.
A dedicated group of volunteers and advocates have served the immigrant population for several years but this work was formalized in early 2013 in conjunction with Mission Dei Church the Nazarene of Wenatchee in partnership with World Relief (WR) of Spokane. Over the past two years, Hand in Hand has provided education, information and legal services for well over a thousand individuals in the community under the legal auspices of World Relief of Spokane. The program focuses in serving immigrants in NCW buy walking with them hand in hand through intimidating process required to address their unique immigration status issues.
In Washington State there are approximately 180,000 legal permanent residents who currently meet the basic eligibility requirements to become US Citizens. "This comes as an outstanding opportunity for many leaders in different industries in our region to be involved with Hand in Hand as we assist immigrants to embrace and realize the American Dream." Said Gustavo Montoya, Board President. "The program engages their students and clients by emphasizing and demonstrating that US Citizenship creates more integration for many immigrants and offers the opportunity to give back which makes us a more connected and resilient community."
Contact: Thom Nees, Director of Hand in Hand, Missio Dei 18 N. Mission Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 630-4438 or Email: thom@handinhandmd.org
EVENTS - JUNE and JULY 2015
June 26 - 27, 2015 - Portuguese Ministries Conference, Brockton, MA Nova Alianca
For more information contact Rev. Benedito Monteiro at bcmonteiro11@gmail.com
July 16 - 19, 2015 - Samoan Conference USA/Canada
Clarion Hotel Anaheim Resort - Anaheim, CA
For more information contact Rev. Taulima Oge at taulimapoto@yahoo.com
July 16 - 18, 2015 - African Nazarene Minister’s Conference USA/Canada
Location of Conference – Mid America Nazarene University
Register online at http://www.usacanadaregion.org/african-ministries
For more information contact multi@nazarene.org
July 16 - 19, 2015 - Haitian National Nazarene Convention
"Se Preparere pour Proclmer or Equip to Proclaim"
New Jerusalem COTN
2431 Church Ave., Brooklyn NY
Contact Rev. Pascal Permis at pascase7@aol.com
July 17 - 19, 2015 - Black Ministries SE Regional Fellowship, Birmingham, Alabama
For more information contact Bill Allen at cfcnaz.bill@att.net
July 23 - 25, 2015 - Native American Ministries Conference, Bethany First COTN
For more information contact John Nells at jrnells07@gmail.com
August 28 - 30, 2015 - Black Ministries Zone 4 Labor Day Celebration -
Location - Lexington, Kentucky
Everyone is invited to attend whether you are on or off the zone. It will be a blessed weekend!
For more contact information contact Rev. Robert Hunter at Roberth210@aol.com
September 17 - 19, 2015 - Ethnic Student Leadership Development Initiative
Global Ministry Center - Lenexa, KS
For more information contact Multicultural Ministries at multi@nazarene.org
September 28 - October 1, 2015 - Korean Ministerial Conference USA/Canada, Chicago First Korean
For more information contact Rev. Stephen Lee at slee4j@sbcglobal.net
CALL FOR PRAYER
Rev. Sokurt Suos and Family in the death of Sokurt's mother
Rev. Junior Sorzano's mother who has been in and out of the hospital
Rev. Augustus Sealy who was shot putting out flags on Memorial Day
Upcoming Events
Please e-mail multi@nazarene.org to submit additional prayer requests
Multicultural Ministries vision is to encourage the development of strategy and initiative to reach the USA/Canada mission field through the visionary leadership of the ethnic facilitators, and their strategy committees.
___________________________________
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