Cincinnati, Ohio
Ohio pastor's random acts of kindness go viral
Rob Westerman, pastor at Springdale Nazarene Church's campus in Norwood, Ohio, recently surprised 15 customers at a local grocery store by paying for their items.
Over the course of two hours, Westerman entered the store, paid for an individual's groceries, then quickly disappeared to do it again. Recipients included a woman who forgot her wallet, a man who was recently mugged, and a woman who bursts into tears when her $8 bill was paid.
Mike Lewis, Westerman's friend and the director of JesusPainter Ministries, recorded the interactions and uploaded the video to Facebook. As of Tuesday afternoon, the video had more than 25 million views and over 800,000 shares.
"The intent of the video wasn’t to go viral," Westerman said. "The idea behind it was that doing good is contagious."
The outing is not the church's first random act of kindness.
"We have this dollar bucket; people put $1, $2, $10, whatever they want in it and we go out and do things with it," Westerman said. "This is the first one we've recorded, though, because we wanted to show the congregation what it looks like."
The outreach was a chance for the congregation to be the light in a dark world.
"There have been some not-so-positive things going on in Cincinnati, so we just decided to be the change we want to see," Westerman said.
In addition to sharing a positive message, the video also allowed the church to build relationships in the community.
“We’ve had a chance to talk with people in the video,” Westerman said. “They sought us out after it was over, once our contact information started getting around.”
Hundreds of others have reached out to Westerman, Lewis, and the church.
"If we’re faithful, God will do amazing things," Westerman said. "God took $400 and spread His message literally around the world."
Over the course of two hours, Westerman entered the store, paid for an individual's groceries, then quickly disappeared to do it again. Recipients included a woman who forgot her wallet, a man who was recently mugged, and a woman who bursts into tears when her $8 bill was paid.
Mike Lewis, Westerman's friend and the director of JesusPainter Ministries, recorded the interactions and uploaded the video to Facebook. As of Tuesday afternoon, the video had more than 25 million views and over 800,000 shares.
"The intent of the video wasn’t to go viral," Westerman said. "The idea behind it was that doing good is contagious."
The outing is not the church's first random act of kindness.
"We have this dollar bucket; people put $1, $2, $10, whatever they want in it and we go out and do things with it," Westerman said. "This is the first one we've recorded, though, because we wanted to show the congregation what it looks like."
The outreach was a chance for the congregation to be the light in a dark world.
"There have been some not-so-positive things going on in Cincinnati, so we just decided to be the change we want to see," Westerman said.
In addition to sharing a positive message, the video also allowed the church to build relationships in the community.
“We’ve had a chance to talk with people in the video,” Westerman said. “They sought us out after it was over, once our contact information started getting around.”
Hundreds of others have reached out to Westerman, Lewis, and the church.
"If we’re faithful, God will do amazing things," Westerman said. "God took $400 and spread His message literally around the world."
Read more (Video)
Louisville, Kentucky
NYC 2015 responses show lives changed, challenged, calledIn the two weeks since youth returned from Nazarene Youth Conference 2015: Thy Kingdom Come, event organizers and staff members have received dozens of messages about the conference’s impact.
The quadrennial conference brings together thousands of USA/Canada Region high school students for five days of worship, discipleship, and community service. Louisville, Kentucky, hosted this year’s event from July 8 to 12. More than 6,000 youth from Nazarene churches attended, joined by about 1,000 youth leaders, sponsors, volunteers, and staff.
The USA/Canada Region’s Nazarene Youth International Office, led by coordinator Justin Pickard, produced the conference.
Pickard said a theme started to emerge from the many responses his office received.
“It hit me the week after [NYC] when I was just poring through these stories that people were telling me,” he said. “There were three words that I kept hearing come up again and again and again. We’re hearing stories of life change, challenge, and calling. I think it shows how impactful this was and how God’s presence and power made a difference.”
Students worship the Lord.
That impact extended far beyond conference participants.
“NYC isn’t just about the 6,000 or so students for a week in one city,” Pickard said. “There has to be a larger connection, a larger experience. We tried to connect the entire church, for the whole church to see this as not just an event, but a movement of the church that everybody could engage in.”
One of the main connection points was prayer. The NYC website featured a call to prayer video and a prayer wall, where anyone could pray for individual students.
“The call to prayer for the whole church was really impactful and helpful for people that didn’t even come to NYC to feel a part and engaged,” Pickard said.
Additional prayer initiatives included a prayer team led by Mickey Cox, bookmarks enclosed in district assembly packets, and prayer notes written by M15 participants.
Each student took a prayer note from the "Thy Kindom Come" sculpture.
“God honored our prayers and showed up in a powerful way,” Pickard said.
Worship, led by Harbour, also reinforced the “Thy Kingdom Come” theme, as did event production by PK Pictures. Both groups are made up of former NYC participants.
Live streaming and social media allowed parents, family, and friends to follow the event from home. Social media alone reached 300,000 people and the conference’s official hashtag, #nyc15lou, rose to the No. 1 trend on Instagram during the event.
Students left their mark on Louisville and the surrounding area through the Ministry With Others service projects and the Bundles of Hope infant-care supply donations.
Students paint blocks in a parking lot.
Pickard received positive feedback from venue employees at the KFC Yum! Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center, as well as from community leaders throughout Louisville.
“They were just amazed at the attitude, the respect, the service of the students all around the city,” Pickard said. “I thought to have that many people from venues and agencies suggest that this may have been the best youth event that they’ve ever seen held in the city spoke a lot to our students and leadership and the event as a whole.”
The event’s seven speakers — Rick Rigsby, Gabriel Salguero, Amena Brown, Mark Buchanan, the Skit Guys, David Busic, and Eric Samuel Timm — each focused on a specific word during their messages.
“David Busic did our message on Saturday night and our theme that night was ‘Call,’” Pickard said. “For each kid there were different things that spoke to them, but there was something about Saturday night and what happened there.”
Pickard said the intent of the evening was to emphasize that God calls everyone as believers, but asked the question, “What is God specifically calling you to do or to be?”
“[Busic] just hit that message out of the park,” he said. That whole night was just really special.”
Students filled out response cards and many also used social media to share their experience.
A student takes notes during Session 6.
Eric Samuel Timm led the final service, held on Sunday morning with the theme “Go.”
“That Sunday morning message was a powerful commissioning,” Pickard said. “I’ve often said NYC can’t be a destination; it has to be a launching point. If we just look back on it fondly and say, ‘Remember when…’ but it doesn’t compel us forward to live the message, to flesh it out, then all it is is a faded memory, and I think that God desires for so much more.”
Organizers’ desire for students to “flesh out” the message carried over into other aspects of the event as part of an overarching effort to make it diverse, creative, and interactive.
“We didn’t want students to just be spectators at NYC, but we wanted them to really dig in and involve themselves,” Pickard said.
In place of the typical workshops, students spent 90 minutes in The Experience, a multisensory journey through the Lord’s Prayer. Six stations explored different section of the prayer. Activities included writing a letter to our Father and dissolving sins in water at the foot of a cross.
A student drops their note into the water.
“We say it by rote, and sometimes those things that you just do by rote maybe lose a bit of meaning, so we felt like this maybe this would bring a fresh perspective and life to the Lord’s Prayer for students,” Pickard said.
Pickard hopes students left with a deeper understanding of the kingdom of God.
“Thy Kingdom Come — we hope — has becomes more than just a prayer,” Pickard said. “I think Eric Samuel Timm said it something like this: that this moment becomes a prelude to a lifestyle. That’s what we’re aiming at – for ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ to not just be this rote prayer, but to become our lifestyle, how we live, how we impact our families, churches, community, and world.”For more information about the conference, visit nyc2015.com. For photos from the event, see the NYC 2015 Facebook page. For archived sessions, visit the NYC YouTube page.
NYC 2015 responses show lives changed, challenged, calledIn the two weeks since youth returned from Nazarene Youth Conference 2015: Thy Kingdom Come, event organizers and staff members have received dozens of messages about the conference’s impact.
The quadrennial conference brings together thousands of USA/Canada Region high school students for five days of worship, discipleship, and community service. Louisville, Kentucky, hosted this year’s event from July 8 to 12. More than 6,000 youth from Nazarene churches attended, joined by about 1,000 youth leaders, sponsors, volunteers, and staff.
The USA/Canada Region’s Nazarene Youth International Office, led by coordinator Justin Pickard, produced the conference.
Pickard said a theme started to emerge from the many responses his office received.
“It hit me the week after [NYC] when I was just poring through these stories that people were telling me,” he said. “There were three words that I kept hearing come up again and again and again. We’re hearing stories of life change, challenge, and calling. I think it shows how impactful this was and how God’s presence and power made a difference.”
Students worship the Lord.
That impact extended far beyond conference participants.
“NYC isn’t just about the 6,000 or so students for a week in one city,” Pickard said. “There has to be a larger connection, a larger experience. We tried to connect the entire church, for the whole church to see this as not just an event, but a movement of the church that everybody could engage in.”
One of the main connection points was prayer. The NYC website featured a call to prayer video and a prayer wall, where anyone could pray for individual students.
“The call to prayer for the whole church was really impactful and helpful for people that didn’t even come to NYC to feel a part and engaged,” Pickard said.
Additional prayer initiatives included a prayer team led by Mickey Cox, bookmarks enclosed in district assembly packets, and prayer notes written by M15 participants.
Each student took a prayer note from the "Thy Kindom Come" sculpture.
“God honored our prayers and showed up in a powerful way,” Pickard said.
Worship, led by Harbour, also reinforced the “Thy Kingdom Come” theme, as did event production by PK Pictures. Both groups are made up of former NYC participants.
Live streaming and social media allowed parents, family, and friends to follow the event from home. Social media alone reached 300,000 people and the conference’s official hashtag, #nyc15lou, rose to the No. 1 trend on Instagram during the event.
Students left their mark on Louisville and the surrounding area through the Ministry With Others service projects and the Bundles of Hope infant-care supply donations.
Students paint blocks in a parking lot.
Pickard received positive feedback from venue employees at the KFC Yum! Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center, as well as from community leaders throughout Louisville.
“They were just amazed at the attitude, the respect, the service of the students all around the city,” Pickard said. “I thought to have that many people from venues and agencies suggest that this may have been the best youth event that they’ve ever seen held in the city spoke a lot to our students and leadership and the event as a whole.”
The event’s seven speakers — Rick Rigsby, Gabriel Salguero, Amena Brown, Mark Buchanan, the Skit Guys, David Busic, and Eric Samuel Timm — each focused on a specific word during their messages.
“David Busic did our message on Saturday night and our theme that night was ‘Call,’” Pickard said. “For each kid there were different things that spoke to them, but there was something about Saturday night and what happened there.”
Pickard said the intent of the evening was to emphasize that God calls everyone as believers, but asked the question, “What is God specifically calling you to do or to be?”
“[Busic] just hit that message out of the park,” he said. That whole night was just really special.”
Students filled out response cards and many also used social media to share their experience.
A student takes notes during Session 6.
Eric Samuel Timm led the final service, held on Sunday morning with the theme “Go.”
“That Sunday morning message was a powerful commissioning,” Pickard said. “I’ve often said NYC can’t be a destination; it has to be a launching point. If we just look back on it fondly and say, ‘Remember when…’ but it doesn’t compel us forward to live the message, to flesh it out, then all it is is a faded memory, and I think that God desires for so much more.”
Organizers’ desire for students to “flesh out” the message carried over into other aspects of the event as part of an overarching effort to make it diverse, creative, and interactive.
“We didn’t want students to just be spectators at NYC, but we wanted them to really dig in and involve themselves,” Pickard said.
In place of the typical workshops, students spent 90 minutes in The Experience, a multisensory journey through the Lord’s Prayer. Six stations explored different section of the prayer. Activities included writing a letter to our Father and dissolving sins in water at the foot of a cross.
A student drops their note into the water.
“We say it by rote, and sometimes those things that you just do by rote maybe lose a bit of meaning, so we felt like this maybe this would bring a fresh perspective and life to the Lord’s Prayer for students,” Pickard said.
Pickard hopes students left with a deeper understanding of the kingdom of God.
“Thy Kingdom Come — we hope — has becomes more than just a prayer,” Pickard said. “I think Eric Samuel Timm said it something like this: that this moment becomes a prelude to a lifestyle. That’s what we’re aiming at – for ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ to not just be this rote prayer, but to become our lifestyle, how we live, how we impact our families, churches, community, and world.”For more information about the conference, visit nyc2015.com. For photos from the event, see the NYC 2015 Facebook page. For archived sessions, visit the NYC YouTube page.
Read more
Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Texas pastor killed in motorcycle accidentFacebook photo.
Kevin Sneed, pastor of the Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Journey Church of the Nazarene, was killed in a motorcycle accident Tuesday evening. He was 46.
Citing authorities and the Texas Highway Patrol, KLTV reported Sneed was traveling on I-30 in Titus County when his Harley Davidson motorcycle veered off the road and hit a cable barrier. Sneed was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sneed began serving at the Dallas District’s Mt. Pleasant Journey Church as an interim pastor in July 2014. He was named the full-time pastor in November.
"He was a visionary with an infectious laugh, and a dedicated man of God," said Dallas District Superintendent Curtis Lewis.
Sneed previously served at Texarkana First Church in Texas, Kendallville Cross Pointe Family Church of the Nazarene (Indiana), Pueblo Belmont (Colorado), Oakwood (Illinois), and Shelbyville (Illinois).
He was born in 1969 to Lawrence Ray and Paula Barttonen Sneed. Sneed attended Olivet Nazarene University.
His wife, Angela Ball, a son, Lucas Allen, and a daughter, Abby Noel, survive him. His parents preceded him in death.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 31, at Bates-Cooper-Sloan Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 1, at the Bates-Cooper-Sloan Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sneed Children Scholarship Fund at any Red River Credit Union in Texarkana.
An online registry is available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com.Prayer is requested for the Sneed and Mt. Pleasant Journey Church families.
Mt. Pleasant, Texas
Texas pastor killed in motorcycle accidentFacebook photo.
Kevin Sneed, pastor of the Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Journey Church of the Nazarene, was killed in a motorcycle accident Tuesday evening. He was 46.
Citing authorities and the Texas Highway Patrol, KLTV reported Sneed was traveling on I-30 in Titus County when his Harley Davidson motorcycle veered off the road and hit a cable barrier. Sneed was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sneed began serving at the Dallas District’s Mt. Pleasant Journey Church as an interim pastor in July 2014. He was named the full-time pastor in November.
"He was a visionary with an infectious laugh, and a dedicated man of God," said Dallas District Superintendent Curtis Lewis.
Sneed previously served at Texarkana First Church in Texas, Kendallville Cross Pointe Family Church of the Nazarene (Indiana), Pueblo Belmont (Colorado), Oakwood (Illinois), and Shelbyville (Illinois).
He was born in 1969 to Lawrence Ray and Paula Barttonen Sneed. Sneed attended Olivet Nazarene University.
His wife, Angela Ball, a son, Lucas Allen, and a daughter, Abby Noel, survive him. His parents preceded him in death.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 31, at Bates-Cooper-Sloan Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 1, at the Bates-Cooper-Sloan Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sneed Children Scholarship Fund at any Red River Credit Union in Texarkana.
An online registry is available at batescoopersloanfuneralhome.com.Prayer is requested for the Sneed and Mt. Pleasant Journey Church families.
Read more
Kuan Tu Li, Taiwan
Taiwan leaders gather at Church Growth ConferenceTodd Aebischer presents at a workshop with the help of a translator.
More than 50 pastors and leaders convened on the campus of Taiwan Nazarene Theological College July 14 to 16 for the first Church Growth Conference in recent history.
The three-day event featured workshops on church planting, Nazarene Missions International, and communicating Christ through modern media, in addition to sessions of corporate praise, worship, and prayer.
“There is definitely a spirit of revival beginning to blow through the church in Taiwan,” said Todd Aebischer, regional communications coordinator and one of the presenters. “The excitement of the leadership towards expanding the church for the mission of reaching the lost is evident.”
Aebischer also visited churches during his trip.
“During our 10-day visit to Taiwan, we had the opportunity to visit 18 churches, [from] churches on the upper floors of high-rise buildings in downtown Taipei to churches tucked into the mountain regions of the far south of the country," he said. "There is a hunger for new vision and methods of taking the gospel to those who have never heard of the hope and peace found through Jesus Christ.”[Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region]
Kuan Tu Li, Taiwan
Taiwan leaders gather at Church Growth ConferenceTodd Aebischer presents at a workshop with the help of a translator.
More than 50 pastors and leaders convened on the campus of Taiwan Nazarene Theological College July 14 to 16 for the first Church Growth Conference in recent history.
The three-day event featured workshops on church planting, Nazarene Missions International, and communicating Christ through modern media, in addition to sessions of corporate praise, worship, and prayer.
“There is definitely a spirit of revival beginning to blow through the church in Taiwan,” said Todd Aebischer, regional communications coordinator and one of the presenters. “The excitement of the leadership towards expanding the church for the mission of reaching the lost is evident.”
Aebischer also visited churches during his trip.
“During our 10-day visit to Taiwan, we had the opportunity to visit 18 churches, [from] churches on the upper floors of high-rise buildings in downtown Taipei to churches tucked into the mountain regions of the far south of the country," he said. "There is a hunger for new vision and methods of taking the gospel to those who have never heard of the hope and peace found through Jesus Christ.”[Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region]
Read more
Global IT team helps connect, resource NazarenesThe Global Mission IT team, a group of technology experts stationed around the globe, is making it easier than ever for Nazarenes to connect with others in ministry and access resources that were previously out of reach.
The Florida District is using the Global Mission video conference system to help leaders connect no matter where they are.
“The system allows us to meet literally face-to-face with the pastors and leaders of the district without spending additional ministry dollars and without them having to travel multiple hours, wasting their valuable time on the road,” said Mary Egidio, office administrator for the Florida District. We’ve met with MAC (Mission Area Coordinators) or advisory board leaders who were out of the country at the time, who were riding in the car on vacation, who were home recovering from surgery, or who were sitting on their back porch. We would have missed the valuable input and insights from these individuals had they not been able to attend under normal circumstances.”
The software is also freeing up ministry dollars.
“Our MACs meet twice a month,” Egidio said. “These pastors are from all over the district — one is seven and a half hours away, the other nearly 10 hours away. For one of these pastors to come to a recent District Advisory Board meeting that was held at Kidz Camp, the cost to the district was over $450. For one meeting, for one person!”
In addition to assisting leaders with regularly scheduled meetings, video conferencing can even bring together people who have never met.
“One of our smaller, older congregations is now in a pastoral transition,” Egidio said. “We plan to use the system to help them interview potential pastoral candidates, without the expense of them having to fly a minister to Florida for an interview. This broadens the range of their choices. We’re excited that an older congregation is willing to use such technology and confident that the quality of the experience will be valuable to them in at least starting the selection process.”
In addition to helping people meet, video conferencing also helps educate ministers and leaders.
James feels called to serve in ministry and has been attempting to complete the Course of Study material for several years, but couldn’t find a format that worked for him. The closest Nazarene pastor who could mentor him is more than two hours away, and James can't relocate because of his job.
Through technology, James is able to take classes and meet with other students and pastors in the Course of Study program at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, which utilizes the Global Mission video conferencing system.
One day, as class was wrapping up and students were preparing to disconnect, James opened his microphone and asked to make a comment. As he wiped away some tears and cleared his throat, he thanked the class for the opportunity to talk about the doctrine of holiness over the past five weeks. Because of his remote location, he rarely has a chance to talk about holiness and he treasured the moments that this course brought him.
James is just one example of the hundreds of students who are preparing for ministry through video conference-based classes around the world.
“Our mission as a church is to make Christlike disciples in the nations,” said Brad Firestone, Global Mission IT coordinator. “We believe that God is calling people from all over the world to minister in their communities, sharing God's love and forgiveness with those around them. That means we need to do everything we can to help prepare these leaders to serve, no matter where in the world they are located.”
Global Mission and the International Board of Education are committed to providing video conferencing and other forms of online education that allow for teaching and training regardless of location, nationality, and changing political situations.
In order to meet the growing demands for this type of connection, technology-oriented Work & Witness teams are sent to schools and offices around the world. These teams work to make sure these tools are as accessible and effective as possible. For more information about joining a team, send an email to IWant2Help@globalnaz.org.
Global IT team helps connect, resource NazarenesThe Global Mission IT team, a group of technology experts stationed around the globe, is making it easier than ever for Nazarenes to connect with others in ministry and access resources that were previously out of reach.
The Florida District is using the Global Mission video conference system to help leaders connect no matter where they are.
“The system allows us to meet literally face-to-face with the pastors and leaders of the district without spending additional ministry dollars and without them having to travel multiple hours, wasting their valuable time on the road,” said Mary Egidio, office administrator for the Florida District. We’ve met with MAC (Mission Area Coordinators) or advisory board leaders who were out of the country at the time, who were riding in the car on vacation, who were home recovering from surgery, or who were sitting on their back porch. We would have missed the valuable input and insights from these individuals had they not been able to attend under normal circumstances.”
The software is also freeing up ministry dollars.
“Our MACs meet twice a month,” Egidio said. “These pastors are from all over the district — one is seven and a half hours away, the other nearly 10 hours away. For one of these pastors to come to a recent District Advisory Board meeting that was held at Kidz Camp, the cost to the district was over $450. For one meeting, for one person!”
In addition to assisting leaders with regularly scheduled meetings, video conferencing can even bring together people who have never met.
“One of our smaller, older congregations is now in a pastoral transition,” Egidio said. “We plan to use the system to help them interview potential pastoral candidates, without the expense of them having to fly a minister to Florida for an interview. This broadens the range of their choices. We’re excited that an older congregation is willing to use such technology and confident that the quality of the experience will be valuable to them in at least starting the selection process.”
In addition to helping people meet, video conferencing also helps educate ministers and leaders.
James feels called to serve in ministry and has been attempting to complete the Course of Study material for several years, but couldn’t find a format that worked for him. The closest Nazarene pastor who could mentor him is more than two hours away, and James can't relocate because of his job.
Through technology, James is able to take classes and meet with other students and pastors in the Course of Study program at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, which utilizes the Global Mission video conferencing system.
One day, as class was wrapping up and students were preparing to disconnect, James opened his microphone and asked to make a comment. As he wiped away some tears and cleared his throat, he thanked the class for the opportunity to talk about the doctrine of holiness over the past five weeks. Because of his remote location, he rarely has a chance to talk about holiness and he treasured the moments that this course brought him.
James is just one example of the hundreds of students who are preparing for ministry through video conference-based classes around the world.
“Our mission as a church is to make Christlike disciples in the nations,” said Brad Firestone, Global Mission IT coordinator. “We believe that God is calling people from all over the world to minister in their communities, sharing God's love and forgiveness with those around them. That means we need to do everything we can to help prepare these leaders to serve, no matter where in the world they are located.”
Global Mission and the International Board of Education are committed to providing video conferencing and other forms of online education that allow for teaching and training regardless of location, nationality, and changing political situations.
In order to meet the growing demands for this type of connection, technology-oriented Work & Witness teams are sent to schools and offices around the world. These teams work to make sure these tools are as accessible and effective as possible. For more information about joining a team, send an email to IWant2Help@globalnaz.org.
Read more
Subscribe to NCN News
Facebook
Twitter
Contact
Africa
Flags of the Nations: BeninThe national flag of Benin consists of two horizontal yellow and red bands on the fly side and a green vertical band at the hoist. The yellow and green allude to the northern savannas and palm groves located in the south of the country, while the red symbolizes the blood shed by those who fought for Dahomey. The yellow, green, and red are also the Pan-African colors.
Since September 1, 2009, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center (GMC) proudly flies a flag each week 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: Benin
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Benin in 1998.
Benin had a population of 10,160,556 in 2014. That same year, Benin reported 1,118 Churches of the Nazarene, 884 of which had been officially organized. Benin has 49,922 total members.
Located on the Africa Region, Benin has three 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.
Subscribe to NCN News Facebook Twitter ContactAfrica
Flags of the Nations: BeninThe national flag of Benin consists of two horizontal yellow and red bands on the fly side and a green vertical band at the hoist. The yellow and green allude to the northern savannas and palm groves located in the south of the country, while the red symbolizes the blood shed by those who fought for Dahomey. The yellow, green, and red are also the Pan-African colors.
Since September 1, 2009, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center (GMC) proudly flies a flag each week 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: Benin
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Benin in 1998.
Benin had a population of 10,160,556 in 2014. That same year, Benin reported 1,118 Churches of the Nazarene, 884 of which had been officially organized. Benin has 49,922 total members.
Located on the Africa Region, Benin has three 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.
Read more
USA/Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Manitoba ministry center grieves loss of staff memberFacebook photo.
Siloam Mission staff member Oanh Pham was involved in a fatal pedestrian motor vehicle accident Thursday morning while on her way to work. She was 33.
Pham, who leaves behind an 18-month-old daughter, has been a member of the Winnipeg, Manitoba, Nazarene Compassionate Ministry Center’s family since October 2014 and a valuable part of its Volunteer Services support team. Working closely with staff, volunteers, and those using Siloam’s services, Pham had built strong, long lasting relationships enriching the lives of all those she touched.
A release from the center stated the entire Siloam community is deeply saddened by the news of Pham’s passing and is coming together in support and prayer to grieve her loss while celebrating the beauty of her life and indelible contribution.
“It is difficult to fully express our sorrow,” said Acting Executive Director Garry Corbett. “We have lost a part of our family. Each one of us feels that sudden, aching emptiness. But even more so, we are heart-broken for her family. Our prayers, our condolences, and our love are fully directed to them, to bring them comfort in the face of such tragedy.”
A connecting point between the compassionate and Winnipeg’s less fortunate, Siloam Mission is a Christian humanitarian organization that alleviates hardships and provides opportunities for change for those affected by homelessness.[Siloam Mission.]
USA/Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Manitoba ministry center grieves loss of staff memberFacebook photo.
Siloam Mission staff member Oanh Pham was involved in a fatal pedestrian motor vehicle accident Thursday morning while on her way to work. She was 33.
Pham, who leaves behind an 18-month-old daughter, has been a member of the Winnipeg, Manitoba, Nazarene Compassionate Ministry Center’s family since October 2014 and a valuable part of its Volunteer Services support team. Working closely with staff, volunteers, and those using Siloam’s services, Pham had built strong, long lasting relationships enriching the lives of all those she touched.
A release from the center stated the entire Siloam community is deeply saddened by the news of Pham’s passing and is coming together in support and prayer to grieve her loss while celebrating the beauty of her life and indelible contribution.
“It is difficult to fully express our sorrow,” said Acting Executive Director Garry Corbett. “We have lost a part of our family. Each one of us feels that sudden, aching emptiness. But even more so, we are heart-broken for her family. Our prayers, our condolences, and our love are fully directed to them, to bring them comfort in the face of such tragedy.”
A connecting point between the compassionate and Winnipeg’s less fortunate, Siloam Mission is a Christian humanitarian organization that alleviates hardships and provides opportunities for change for those affected by homelessness.[Siloam Mission.]
Read more
Nashville, Tennessee
Trevecca’s graduate counseling programs accredited by CACREPThe Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) just announced the official accreditation of Trevecca’s three graduate counseling programs: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.), Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling (M.M.F. C/T.) and Counseling Education and Supervision (Ph.D.). CACREP is dedicated to providing leadership and promoting excellence in professional preparation through their accredited programs at various universities. While the graduate counseling programs have been accredited before, this is the first time they have been accredited by CACREP.
Trevecca began the accreditation process with CACREP four years ago. Peter Wilson, director and professor of graduate counseling, noticed many states are beginning to require that graduate counseling programs be CACREP accredited. While it is not yet required in the state of Tennessee, Wilson believes that it likely will be someday.
“I wanted Trevecca’s counseling program to be ahead of the curve,” he said. “The decision was made four years ago … to ensure the strength of the program and to encourage continued interest in our programs.”
Trevecca is only the third university in Tennessee to achieve CACREP accreditation for the Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision, but it is the first faith-based university in the state to receive it.
The process included the submission of a comprehensive program self-study, a visit in January 2015 by a peer review team, and corresponding follow-up reports. The university’s accreditation is extended through October 2017.
“It has been a time-consuming and difficult process, but the long-term benefits to the program have been worth the efforts required to achieve this milestone," Wilson said. "I am so pleased that our graduates will be in a better position to enter the professional work of counseling after graduation.”[Trevecca Nazarene University]
Nashville, Tennessee
Trevecca’s graduate counseling programs accredited by CACREPThe Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) just announced the official accreditation of Trevecca’s three graduate counseling programs: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (M.A.), Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling (M.M.F. C/T.) and Counseling Education and Supervision (Ph.D.). CACREP is dedicated to providing leadership and promoting excellence in professional preparation through their accredited programs at various universities. While the graduate counseling programs have been accredited before, this is the first time they have been accredited by CACREP.
Trevecca began the accreditation process with CACREP four years ago. Peter Wilson, director and professor of graduate counseling, noticed many states are beginning to require that graduate counseling programs be CACREP accredited. While it is not yet required in the state of Tennessee, Wilson believes that it likely will be someday.
“I wanted Trevecca’s counseling program to be ahead of the curve,” he said. “The decision was made four years ago … to ensure the strength of the program and to encourage continued interest in our programs.”
Trevecca is only the third university in Tennessee to achieve CACREP accreditation for the Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision, but it is the first faith-based university in the state to receive it.
The process included the submission of a comprehensive program self-study, a visit in January 2015 by a peer review team, and corresponding follow-up reports. The university’s accreditation is extended through October 2017.
“It has been a time-consuming and difficult process, but the long-term benefits to the program have been worth the efforts required to achieve this milestone," Wilson said. "I am so pleased that our graduates will be in a better position to enter the professional work of counseling after graduation.”[Trevecca Nazarene University]
In MemoriamThe following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received July 27-31, 2015.
Richard Baker, 77, of Charleston, West Virginia, passed away July 25. He was a retired minister and evangelist, serving in West Virginia and Georgia. He is survived by his wife, Edith Baker.
Donald Cannon, 83, of Bethany, Oklahoma, passed away July 29. He was a retired minister and evangelist, serving in Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his wife, Annetta Cannon, in 2007.
John Evans, 92, of Summerfield, Florida, passed away July 21. He was a retired minister, serving in Vermont and Maine. He was preceded in death by his wife, Katherine Evans, in 2013.
Joan Gorman, 87, of Calgary, Alberta, passed away July 21. She was the wife of retired minister and evangelist Hugh Gorman, who served in the United Kingdom, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
Sandra Hinkston, 62, of Mendota, Illinois, passed away July 21. She was a member of Mendota Church of the Nazarene, where she served on the church board, cleaned, and helped with children's programs. She also received a Distinguished Service Award. Sandra is survived by her husband, Pete Hinkston.
Oanh Pham, 33, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, passed away July 30. She was a staff member at Siloam Mission, a Nazarene compassionate ministry center. (story)
Helen Roberson, 103, of Portland, Oregon, passed away July 26. She was the widow of retired minister Glenn Roberson, who served in California and Arizona.
Kevin Sneed, 46, of Texarkana, Texas, passed away July 28. He was the pastor of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Journey Church of the Nazarene. He is survived by his wife, Angela Ball Sneed. (story)
Ruby Walters, 81, of Lucedale, Mississippi, passed away July 24. She was a retired minister, serving in Mississippi. She is survived by her husband, Elvin Walters.
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
Read more
Global Ministry Center
Board of General Superintendents to create COO position at Global Ministry CenterAs follow-up to a recommendation from the Commission on the Nazarene Future (SR - 757) and as a result of additional internal study, the Board of General Superintendents (BGS) voted to hire a chief operating officer (COO) for the Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, Kansas, USA.
This decision is an executive action taken by the BGS and does not require legislative approval.
“The new COO position is designed to free the general superintendents from non-ecclesiastical, administrative responsibilities that can better be carried out by someone with corporate experience,” according to BGS Chair, David W. Graves.
“With the expansion of the Church of the Nazarene, including membership and districts, the BGS needs to be focused on the roles and responsibilities assigned it by the Manual,” Graves added.
As part of the due diligence process, the BGS looked carefully at other denominations to see how they have approached this executive concept. Faith groups larger and smaller than the Church of the Nazarene are moving in the direction of freeing up time in order for the elected spiritual leaders to be in the field as much as possible.
Tommy Thomas and Laura Coverstone, executive recruiters of JobfitMatters, are working with the BGS on this search. Candidates may be found in one of the following environments:
Graves added, “We are eager to see how God works to provide the woman or man of His calling to work with us at the Global Ministry Center.” [Board of General Superintendents]
Global Ministry Center
Board of General Superintendents to create COO position at Global Ministry CenterAs follow-up to a recommendation from the Commission on the Nazarene Future (SR - 757) and as a result of additional internal study, the Board of General Superintendents (BGS) voted to hire a chief operating officer (COO) for the Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, Kansas, USA.
This decision is an executive action taken by the BGS and does not require legislative approval.
“The new COO position is designed to free the general superintendents from non-ecclesiastical, administrative responsibilities that can better be carried out by someone with corporate experience,” according to BGS Chair, David W. Graves.
“With the expansion of the Church of the Nazarene, including membership and districts, the BGS needs to be focused on the roles and responsibilities assigned it by the Manual,” Graves added.
As part of the due diligence process, the BGS looked carefully at other denominations to see how they have approached this executive concept. Faith groups larger and smaller than the Church of the Nazarene are moving in the direction of freeing up time in order for the elected spiritual leaders to be in the field as much as possible.
Tommy Thomas and Laura Coverstone, executive recruiters of JobfitMatters, are working with the BGS on this search. Candidates may be found in one of the following environments:
- An executive pastor or senior staff member from a large church with multiple sites and services
- An executive who has spent his/her life in the private sector, providing leadership to complex organizations
- An executive director or senior staff member of a dynamic not-for-profit organization
- A senior administrator from higher education
Graves added, “We are eager to see how God works to provide the woman or man of His calling to work with us at the Global Ministry Center.” [Board of General Superintendents]
Read more
Human Resources
GMC employment opportunitiesPeople are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 159 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email bsikes@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
Information Technology — Software Developer (Full-time)
Office: General Secretary's Office
Ministry: Information Technology
Title: Software Developer
Description: Responsibilities for this position include facilitating the ministry of the Global Ministry Center through the analysis, design, implementation, and support of software solutions. (Full-time position)
Global Mission Personnel — Temporary (Full-time)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Global Mission Personnel
Title: Temporary
Description: Responsibilities for this position include assisting with administration of missionaries and volunteers, research projects, and assisting Mobilization with various tasks relating to application, screening, and training of volunteers and/or candidates. (Full-time position)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Child Sponorship Administrative Assistant (Part-time temporary)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Child Sponsorship Administrative Assistant
Description: Responsibilities for this position include processing child sponsorship mail, sponsorships, NCM mailings, and child sponsorship packets. (Temporary, 20 hrs/wk)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Child Sponsorship Field Specialist (Full-time temporary)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Child Sponsorship Field Specialist
Description: Responsibilities for this position include processing letters for child sponsorship, generating child sponsorship reports, and dealing with daily duties involving online databases and reports.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Computer Programming Coordinator (Full-time)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Computer Programming Coordinator
Description: Responsibilities for this position include leading NCM's development team in developing and maintaining NCM's Web applications, systems, and websites. (Full-time position)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Donor Strategist (Full-time)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Donor Strategist
Description: Responsibilities for this position include managing the research, design, content, and production of NCM materials for information, promotion, and education, including donor/sponsor cultivation and communication. (Full-time position)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Donor Relations Administrative Assistant (Full-time temporary)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Donor Relations Administrative Assistant
Description: Responsibilities for this position include processing child sponsorship mail, sponsorships, process monies, email/mail profiles and statements, child sponsorship reports, and donor service issues. (Full-time temporary)
Pensions and Benefits — Administrative Assistant (Full-time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Pensions and Benefits
Title: Administrative Assistant
Description: Responsibilities for this position include leading/managing special and cyclical projects primarily within the Benefits Services Area (BSA), providing administrative assistance to the administrative director and other staff-level positions, coordinating the education/training priorities of internal staff as well as plan participants, ensuring that the appropriate resources and support are provided to complete assigned projects, and processing customer service inquiries as needed. (Full-time position)
To obtain additional information, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Location of our Positions
The GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 159 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
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. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
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 8:00 to 4:30 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.
Human Resources
GMC employment opportunitiesPeople are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 159 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email bsikes@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
Information Technology — Software Developer (Full-time)
Office: General Secretary's Office
Ministry: Information Technology
Title: Software Developer
Description: Responsibilities for this position include facilitating the ministry of the Global Ministry Center through the analysis, design, implementation, and support of software solutions. (Full-time position)
Global Mission Personnel — Temporary (Full-time)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Global Mission Personnel
Title: Temporary
Description: Responsibilities for this position include assisting with administration of missionaries and volunteers, research projects, and assisting Mobilization with various tasks relating to application, screening, and training of volunteers and/or candidates. (Full-time position)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Child Sponorship Administrative Assistant (Part-time temporary)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Child Sponsorship Administrative Assistant
Description: Responsibilities for this position include processing child sponsorship mail, sponsorships, NCM mailings, and child sponsorship packets. (Temporary, 20 hrs/wk)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Child Sponsorship Field Specialist (Full-time temporary)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Child Sponsorship Field Specialist
Description: Responsibilities for this position include processing letters for child sponsorship, generating child sponsorship reports, and dealing with daily duties involving online databases and reports.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Computer Programming Coordinator (Full-time)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Computer Programming Coordinator
Description: Responsibilities for this position include leading NCM's development team in developing and maintaining NCM's Web applications, systems, and websites. (Full-time position)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Donor Strategist (Full-time)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Donor Strategist
Description: Responsibilities for this position include managing the research, design, content, and production of NCM materials for information, promotion, and education, including donor/sponsor cultivation and communication. (Full-time position)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Donor Relations Administrative Assistant (Full-time temporary)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Title: Donor Relations Administrative Assistant
Description: Responsibilities for this position include processing child sponsorship mail, sponsorships, process monies, email/mail profiles and statements, child sponsorship reports, and donor service issues. (Full-time temporary)
Pensions and Benefits — Administrative Assistant (Full-time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Pensions and Benefits
Title: Administrative Assistant
Description: Responsibilities for this position include leading/managing special and cyclical projects primarily within the Benefits Services Area (BSA), providing administrative assistance to the administrative director and other staff-level positions, coordinating the education/training priorities of internal staff as well as plan participants, ensuring that the appropriate resources and support are provided to complete assigned projects, and processing customer service inquiries as needed. (Full-time position)
To obtain additional information, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Location of our Positions
The GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 159 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
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. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
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 8:00 to 4:30 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.
Read more
Kansas City, Missouri
NPH book ranked No. 1 on AmazonWhen James Costello was nearly killed in the 2013 bomb blast at the Boston Marathon, he asked a common question: “Why me?”
Later, while returning to health, Costello met and fell in love with one of his nurses—Krista D’Agostino. After the couple was engaged, Costello posted a photo of the engagement ring online, along with his comment, “I now realize why I was involved in the tragedy.”[Bannerjee, K. and Bloom, P. (2014, October 17.) "Does everything happen for a reason?" Retrieved from nytimes.com.]
Kansas City, Missouri
NPH book ranked No. 1 on AmazonWhen James Costello was nearly killed in the 2013 bomb blast at the Boston Marathon, he asked a common question: “Why me?”
Later, while returning to health, Costello met and fell in love with one of his nurses—Krista D’Agostino. After the couple was engaged, Costello posted a photo of the engagement ring online, along with his comment, “I now realize why I was involved in the tragedy.”[Bannerjee, K. and Bloom, P. (2014, October 17.) "Does everything happen for a reason?" Retrieved from nytimes.com.]
But good news aside, authors Rob Fringer and Jeff Lane take issue with Costello’s comment, as well as similar sentiments uttered every day by people trying to make sense of tragedy. In their new book from Beacon Hill Press Theology of Luck: Fate, Chaos, and Faith, Finger and Lane discuss the Wesleyan perspective that “God is not the sole shaper of events in human history.” In many ways, the authors answer difficult questions:
Theology of Luck helps Christians grapple with what we cannot understand about the world, and in the process we learn to embrace our role as participants in God’s loving and ongoing plan for the world.[Beacon Hill Press, Nazarene Publishing House]
- What kind of God initiates actions that awaken possibilities of evil?
- What kind of God does not seek to control everything?
- What kind of God refuses to dominate?
Theology of Luck helps Christians grapple with what we cannot understand about the world, and in the process we learn to embrace our role as participants in God’s loving and ongoing plan for the world.[Beacon Hill Press, Nazarene Publishing House]
Read more
Global praise reports and prayer requestsGlobal Ministry Center
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners include:
PRAISES
JESUS Film - Ecuador
"Our neighbor, Freddy, was a difficult person," said Nelly in Ecuador. "Freddy drank a lot and was not easy to get along with. We noticed an extraordinary change in his behavior. One day he came over and invited us to see a movie at his house. We accepted. As I watched the JESUS film, I started to feel something. I couldn't believe the Lord Jesus died for me and for my sins. When one of the leaders invited us to accept Christ, my husband and I made the decision to give our lives to Jesus. From that moment on, something happened in us! We live in a better way worshipping God and sharing His love.
JESUS Film - Nicaragua
"My husband left me for another woman," said a woman in Nicaragua. "I planned to kill myself. I made all the arrangements, including giving my 8-month-old son to my mother. I had the pills in my hand when my brother came to visit me. He talked with me about Christ and convinced me to go see the JESUS film. As I watched, I felt a great need in my life. Each word Jesus spoke touched my heart. My heart was soft toward the Lord and I accepted Him as my Savior! My entire life changed. I am filled with joy. The Lord even returned my husband. He is now a follower of Christ, all thanks to the work of the JESUS Film team.
JESUS Film - Pakistan
"I was destroying my life," said Ilyas in Pakistan. "I used lots of drugs and experienced many hardships. Seeing the JESUS film has changed my life. I left all my old life behind and now follow Him."
PRAYER REQUESTS
Venezuela rains
Heavy rains are predicted in areas of Venezuela that are already saturated from recent storms. The Nazarene Holistic Ministry coordinator in Venezuela, Carlos Cordero, says that the current rains may be worse than previous storms and they will hamper recovery efforts.
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Rose Chatterjee
Prayer is requested for Rosemary "Rose" Chatterjee, who is dealing with health concerns, undergoing tests, and facing possible surgery. She is the wife of Amitava Chatterjee, superintendent of the Eastern India District.
Goodwin Chirwa
Drakensberg District Superintendent Goodwin Chirwa was taken to the Tintswalo hospital after complaining about pain and struggling to walk. The hospital then transferred him to the Medi-Clinic in Nelspruit for further observations and tests. The Drakensberg District is in South Africa.
Hugh Friberg
Retired missionary Hugh Friberg was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition resulting in a diagnosis of hemolytic anemia, along with an enlarged spleen. Hefty doses of prednisone seem to be bringing up the hemoglobin count. Hugh and Evelyn thank the global Nazarene family for your prayer support! Hugh and Evelyn Friberg served as missionaries to Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland.
Nancy Miller
Nancy Miller has been hospitalized in the northern Philippines. The doctors believe she is suffering from venous reflux, which means the valves in her leg veins are not working properly. Nancy and her husband, George, have been missionaries on the Asia-Pacific Region since 1989 and have served in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and now at Philippine Nazarene College in the northern Philippines.
Frances Vine
Retired missionary Frances Vine has been dealing with health issues for the past few months. Recently she was hospitalized in Southern California after suffering a fall that caused a subdural hematoma. She is alert and doing fairly well, but says her entire body hurts. Frances served in the Philippines for 23 years.
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..
Global praise reports and prayer requestsGlobal Ministry Center
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners include:
PRAISES
JESUS Film - Ecuador
"Our neighbor, Freddy, was a difficult person," said Nelly in Ecuador. "Freddy drank a lot and was not easy to get along with. We noticed an extraordinary change in his behavior. One day he came over and invited us to see a movie at his house. We accepted. As I watched the JESUS film, I started to feel something. I couldn't believe the Lord Jesus died for me and for my sins. When one of the leaders invited us to accept Christ, my husband and I made the decision to give our lives to Jesus. From that moment on, something happened in us! We live in a better way worshipping God and sharing His love.
JESUS Film - Nicaragua
"My husband left me for another woman," said a woman in Nicaragua. "I planned to kill myself. I made all the arrangements, including giving my 8-month-old son to my mother. I had the pills in my hand when my brother came to visit me. He talked with me about Christ and convinced me to go see the JESUS film. As I watched, I felt a great need in my life. Each word Jesus spoke touched my heart. My heart was soft toward the Lord and I accepted Him as my Savior! My entire life changed. I am filled with joy. The Lord even returned my husband. He is now a follower of Christ, all thanks to the work of the JESUS Film team.
JESUS Film - Pakistan
"I was destroying my life," said Ilyas in Pakistan. "I used lots of drugs and experienced many hardships. Seeing the JESUS film has changed my life. I left all my old life behind and now follow Him."
PRAYER REQUESTS
Venezuela rains
Heavy rains are predicted in areas of Venezuela that are already saturated from recent storms. The Nazarene Holistic Ministry coordinator in Venezuela, Carlos Cordero, says that the current rains may be worse than previous storms and they will hamper recovery efforts.
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Rose Chatterjee
Prayer is requested for Rosemary "Rose" Chatterjee, who is dealing with health concerns, undergoing tests, and facing possible surgery. She is the wife of Amitava Chatterjee, superintendent of the Eastern India District.
Goodwin Chirwa
Drakensberg District Superintendent Goodwin Chirwa was taken to the Tintswalo hospital after complaining about pain and struggling to walk. The hospital then transferred him to the Medi-Clinic in Nelspruit for further observations and tests. The Drakensberg District is in South Africa.
Hugh Friberg
Retired missionary Hugh Friberg was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition resulting in a diagnosis of hemolytic anemia, along with an enlarged spleen. Hefty doses of prednisone seem to be bringing up the hemoglobin count. Hugh and Evelyn thank the global Nazarene family for your prayer support! Hugh and Evelyn Friberg served as missionaries to Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland.
Nancy Miller
Nancy Miller has been hospitalized in the northern Philippines. The doctors believe she is suffering from venous reflux, which means the valves in her leg veins are not working properly. Nancy and her husband, George, have been missionaries on the Asia-Pacific Region since 1989 and have served in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and now at Philippine Nazarene College in the northern Philippines.
Frances Vine
Retired missionary Frances Vine has been dealing with health issues for the past few months. Recently she was hospitalized in Southern California after suffering a fall that caused a subdural hematoma. She is alert and doing fairly well, but says her entire body hurts. Frances served in the Philippines for 23 years.
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..
news@nazarene.org
Material created and owned by NCN News may be used for church newsletters and bulletins.
Nazarene Communication Network News · 17001 Prairie Star Parkway · Lenexa, Kansas 66220 · United States
____________________________
Material created and owned by NCN News may be used for church newsletters and bulletins.
Nazarene Communication Network News · 17001 Prairie Star Parkway · Lenexa, Kansas 66220 · United States
____________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment