This week in the Church of the Nazarene...
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Global Ministry Center
Denomination to host Compassion ConferenceThe Church of the Nazarene, through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, is hosting a global Compassion Conference July 14-16, 2016. Compassion Conference is a global event designed to bring together church and regional leaders alongside learners and practitioners to equip churches for holistic, transformational ministry.
The conference, which will be held at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, USA, will feature speakers, theological reflection, working group collaboration, and in-depth capacity building workshops.
“Compassion is at the heart of who the church was a hundred years ago,” said Larry Bollinger, international director of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. “This conference will inspire the church and help Nazarenes build capacity for the next hundred years.”
The conference theme, “Living in the Margins,” recognizes the local church’s role to acknowledge and address the needs in its community in Jesus’ name.
“‘Living in the Margins’ is about going into the places where we meet Jesus among the least of these,” Bollinger said.
The three-day conference will address topics such as holistic child development, community development, disaster preparedness and response, conflict mitigation, and human trafficking. Workshops will delve into issues in ways that equip churches to address needs in a variety of cultural contexts in all six Church of the Nazarene world regions.
Pre-conference sessions will also be available, and any group within the church is encouraged to take advantage of the conference space to host meetings for their leaders or create their own pre-conference workshops.
Compassion Conference is designed for anyone interested in mobilizing the church to live out Christ’s compassion and create change in a local context — church and regional leaders, compassionate ministry leaders and practitioners, Christian nonprofit leaders and practitioners, pastors, scholars, theologians, and students.
Early bird pricing is available through December 31, 2015. Student pricing is offered, and group rates are available.
For more information or to register for the conference, visit compassionconference.com.
Questions regarding the conference, including group rates and pre-conference space, can be sent toinfo@ncm.org.[Nazarene Compassionate Ministries]
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Shelbyville, Tennessee
Hugging all nations: Tennessee pastor finds purpose as Tyson chaplainRon Dewitt, a reserved and humble man, is visibly self-conscious as an interview subject.
"I can't say I was looking forward to this," he says, "I'm not too comfortable talking about myself and what I do. I'd much rather be out there doing it instead of talking about it."
Although reluctant, Dewitt is inviting and kind as he discusses his pastoral duties, community outreach, and Tyson ministry.
"I have to have some ministry beyond the four walls of the church," Dewitt says.
New outreach
His opportunity to do just that came almost 14 years ago from Tyson Foods.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Dewitt and his church, the First Church of the Nazarene, looked to begin a Hispanic ministry. Dewitt says it was around that time that he was contacted to be part of Tyson Foods' chaplaincy program.
"I felt like this was a great opportunity to minister to the Hispanic population," Dewitt said.
Dewitt and another local pastor, David Carerra, began to serve as on-site chaplains for the processing plant employees.
Listening ear
According to the Tyson Foods website, "Faith-friendly is in our culture at Tyson Foods. Most of our team members come to work with spiritual commitments. Here at Tyson Foods, these faith and spiritual commitments are valued and respected.
"The chaplains provide compassionate pastoral care and ministry to team members and their families, regardless of their religious or spiritual affiliation or beliefs."
Emotional work
"They want us to minister to the emotional and spiritual side of the team members," Dewitt says.
He uses a hypothetical, though not unlikely, situation to illustrate his point.
"For example," Dewitt begins, "a guy could be getting ready for work, and his wife could say to him, 'Go ahead and go into work, but when you get home, me and the kids won't be here.'
"Well, if the guy doesn't go into work, he'll lose his job. So when he comes in, he's a basket-case. The supervisor will see that and ask if he wants to talk to a chaplain. We talk to them, pray with them, and listen to them."
Prayer-centered
When asked what being a chaplain is like, Dewitt replies, "A lot of our ministry centers around prayer. When I go in, I'll have 10 or more people asking me to pray for them."
The chaplains at Tyson minister to all ethnicities, nationalities, and faiths — and Dewitt has the stories to prove it.
"We're there to help regardless of faiths," Dewitt says. "We have Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Coptic Christians, Catholics, Protestants, and non-believers.
"Truthfully, I do exactly over at Tyson what I do over here [at the church]. I just may be ministering and praying with a Buddhist or a Muslim."
The widow's tale
One memorable encounter with a Muslim woman is prominent in Dewitt's mind, and he begins to tell a tale of loss, heartbreak, and friendship in spite of differing faiths.
"One day someone came to me and said, 'Brother Ron, are you aware we have a Somalian lady whose husband just died?' I said, 'No, I wasn't,' and I went to find her. I found her in the break room and sat down beside her."
Dewitt explains how he had to take great care with her due to the tenets of the Muslim faith prohibiting male and female touching of any kind.
Words of comfort
"She could speak some broken English, so I used gestures and small words to communicate with her."
Dewitt inquired about her husband, and the woman pulled a piece of paper from inside her robes.
"It was a form letter from Somalia," Dewitt explains. "It had her name at the top and her husband's name at the bottom, and all it said was that her husband was dead — no details, no explanations."
Dewitt goes on to tell more of the woman's story.
"During the Somalian unrest, she was a refugee," he says. "She was beaten and raped again and again."
He then explains how she was brought to the U.S. by a Christian group whose purpose is refugee relocation. Dewitt holds up four fingers in succession and counts as he says, "She has a child in Russia, one in Somalia, one in the Sudan, and one in Kenya. Her kids are scattered; her husband is dead — and her story is only one of many I've seen at Tyson."
Friendships forged
Dewitt shakes his head sadly. He makes a "praying" gesture with his hands to show how he asked if he could pray with her.
"She said, 'Oh, please, oh please,' and I told her, 'I pray in Jesus' name,' because she's Muslim, but she said, 'That's good, that's good.' So I prayed with her."
'You're my brother'
"That's been about four or five years ago, and now we're great friends," says Dewitt. "When she comes in to work, she will ask how I am. She knows my daughter, Lori, is in New Zealand, and she always takes the time to ask about my family."
Dewitt learned the Somalian word for "friend," and one day used it in conversation with her.
"I told her, 'You're my saaxiib.'"
The widowed woman shook her head at Dewitt. He recalls her words with his hand over his heart, "She told me, 'No, no you're not saaxiib. You're my brother.'" Dewitt grins broadly and says, " So, you see, we've been able to form a lot of neat relationships."
World view from home
Participating as a workplace chaplain has changed Dewitt's perspectives and ministry.
"Without this ministry," Dewitt says, "I'd be a different pastor, and in all honesty, I'd be much less effective.
"Being outside the box has changed me for the better, and it's changed the church. I've realized how segregated I was. I've become much more compassionate; much more sympathetic. It's a neat thing, and something a lot of other pastors will never get to experience."
The unique experience Dewitt refers to is the opportunity to speak and minister to many faiths and nationalities. Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Somalian, Egyptian, and Nepalese employees all make up the team at Tyson, and Dewitt listens to and ministers to them all.
"I get to travel the world and never leave town!" quips Dewitt.
To give examples, Dewitt tells of a few interactions with people from around the world.
"We have a lot of Nepalese people," Dewitt says, "and they had that earthquake recently. I spent time ministering to them.
"We have a lot of Egyptians that are Coptic Christians. They are here because in Cairo, they are abused and murdered [for their faith.]"
As is his norm, Dewitt always takes time to engage them.
"When they come in, I ask them, 'Do you love Jesus?' and they all hold up their arms and say, 'Yes! We love Jesus!'"
Positively providential
Two mornings a week, Dewitt is at Tyson. He stands at the time clock greeting employees as they clock in. Dewitt shakes hands, inquires about their daily life, and hugs the employees.
"I told someone the other night that my ministry at Tyson is a hugging ministry," Dewitt said. "I just want to start their day positively."
The positive presence is not going unnoticed by Tyson. One morning while Dewitt was greeting the employees with care, the senior vice president of operations happened to be there watching the whole thing.
Dewitt says the man turned to him and asked if he did this every day. "Every day that I'm here, I do." Dewitt replied.
Unbeknownst to Dewitt, the man wrote to CEO Donnie Smith and told him how Dewitt greets the employees.
The next thing Dewitt knew, the CEO himself called the Shelbyville processing plant asking to participate in the daily ritual. Smith, a Tennessee native, and his wife came to Tyson and joined in the daily "meet and greet."
After seeing for himself the impact chaplains had, he sent the idea to all the other chicken processing plants for their chaplains to implement.
WWJD
"This Tyson ministry takes it to a whole other level in reaching the unchurched," Dewitt says. "There are several at Tyson who do attend church, but many don't and they have no minister they can talk to when they need guidance."
Since Dewitt is the only pastor many employees know, he has presided over many weddings and funerals for the Tyson employees.
Dewitt is proud to be a part of the lives of the Tyson employees and feels he is doing what Jesus himself would do.
"I tell people all the time, 'If Jesus were to show up in Shelbyville, there's a good chance he'd show up at Tyson.'"
A growing flock
In addition to his duties at Tyson, Dewitt stays busy at the First Church of the Nazarene. The church — which Dewitt has been senior pastor of for 24 years — is currently experiencing an upswing in attendance and has added a new worship center and remodeled the old one.
Dewitt is all too happy to give a tour of the new facilities.
The old building has been repurposed as the pre-school area and youth service building.
Wild West buildings make up "Holy Ghost Town," the backdrop for many puppet shows and skits from talented youth leaders. Dewitt shows how the old stage has been enclosed to create the new children's church area.
Everything in the new children's area is brightly colored. The two end wall of the rectangular room are painted in a yellow chevron pattern and primary colored bins sit on shelves.
Dewitt tells how the children's church has been growing.
"This age group of younger kids is just exploding in the church," Dewitt says. "They just outgrew their old room."
All of the youth ministers and teachers are volunteers from the congregation, as well as the choir director and worship leader.
"We only have two full-time positions," Dewitt says, "me and our office manager. Everything else is done through volunteers."
"We had two services on Sundays for 10 years before we built the new building," Dewitt says from behind the pulpit. "So, we're really glad to have this new building to worship in."
Dewitt spreads his arms out, smiles, and says, "This is the most fun church in the world to preach in."
Helping the homeless
In the immediate community, Dewitt is active on the board of CROSS ministries — Shelbyville's homeless shelter.
"People don't realize we need a homeless shelter in town," Dewitt says, "but if you sat here and listened to the conversations our office has with people on the phone, you'd see the need."
"People are always asking for help — help with their electric bill, groceries, things like that. Some people call and ask, 'Is there any way y'all can put me up for a night in a hotel? I don't have a place to stay.' So, the need is great, even in our small town."
Dewitt tells of how community members have come through with donations for the homeless shelter.
"One thing I say to people all the time is how generous our community is. We're not a rich community, but we're a generous one."
Community shepherd
When asked what he considers his role to be, he thinks for a few seconds before answering.
"I'm a shepherd," he says with finality. "I tend to the sheep in the community — in these walls and out in the city."
Dewitt turns out the lights in the empty church building and walks across the parking lot.
It is a hot summer day, but he stands in the sun and asks caring questions. Questions that are indicative of his compassionate heart for the community.
Although Dewitt's life revolves around faith and beliefs, one thing is absolutely positive: Dewitt is certainly not chicken about sharing his faith, love, and his ministry of hugs.[Republished with permission from the Shelbyville Times-Gazette]
Shelbyville, Tennessee
Hugging all nations: Tennessee pastor finds purpose as Tyson chaplainRon Dewitt, a reserved and humble man, is visibly self-conscious as an interview subject.
"I can't say I was looking forward to this," he says, "I'm not too comfortable talking about myself and what I do. I'd much rather be out there doing it instead of talking about it."
Although reluctant, Dewitt is inviting and kind as he discusses his pastoral duties, community outreach, and Tyson ministry.
"I have to have some ministry beyond the four walls of the church," Dewitt says.
New outreach
His opportunity to do just that came almost 14 years ago from Tyson Foods.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Dewitt and his church, the First Church of the Nazarene, looked to begin a Hispanic ministry. Dewitt says it was around that time that he was contacted to be part of Tyson Foods' chaplaincy program.
"I felt like this was a great opportunity to minister to the Hispanic population," Dewitt said.
Dewitt and another local pastor, David Carerra, began to serve as on-site chaplains for the processing plant employees.
Listening ear
According to the Tyson Foods website, "Faith-friendly is in our culture at Tyson Foods. Most of our team members come to work with spiritual commitments. Here at Tyson Foods, these faith and spiritual commitments are valued and respected.
"The chaplains provide compassionate pastoral care and ministry to team members and their families, regardless of their religious or spiritual affiliation or beliefs."
Emotional work
"They want us to minister to the emotional and spiritual side of the team members," Dewitt says.
He uses a hypothetical, though not unlikely, situation to illustrate his point.
"For example," Dewitt begins, "a guy could be getting ready for work, and his wife could say to him, 'Go ahead and go into work, but when you get home, me and the kids won't be here.'
"Well, if the guy doesn't go into work, he'll lose his job. So when he comes in, he's a basket-case. The supervisor will see that and ask if he wants to talk to a chaplain. We talk to them, pray with them, and listen to them."
Prayer-centered
When asked what being a chaplain is like, Dewitt replies, "A lot of our ministry centers around prayer. When I go in, I'll have 10 or more people asking me to pray for them."
The chaplains at Tyson minister to all ethnicities, nationalities, and faiths — and Dewitt has the stories to prove it.
"We're there to help regardless of faiths," Dewitt says. "We have Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Coptic Christians, Catholics, Protestants, and non-believers.
"Truthfully, I do exactly over at Tyson what I do over here [at the church]. I just may be ministering and praying with a Buddhist or a Muslim."
The widow's tale
One memorable encounter with a Muslim woman is prominent in Dewitt's mind, and he begins to tell a tale of loss, heartbreak, and friendship in spite of differing faiths.
"One day someone came to me and said, 'Brother Ron, are you aware we have a Somalian lady whose husband just died?' I said, 'No, I wasn't,' and I went to find her. I found her in the break room and sat down beside her."
Dewitt explains how he had to take great care with her due to the tenets of the Muslim faith prohibiting male and female touching of any kind.
Words of comfort
"She could speak some broken English, so I used gestures and small words to communicate with her."
Dewitt inquired about her husband, and the woman pulled a piece of paper from inside her robes.
"It was a form letter from Somalia," Dewitt explains. "It had her name at the top and her husband's name at the bottom, and all it said was that her husband was dead — no details, no explanations."
Dewitt goes on to tell more of the woman's story.
"During the Somalian unrest, she was a refugee," he says. "She was beaten and raped again and again."
He then explains how she was brought to the U.S. by a Christian group whose purpose is refugee relocation. Dewitt holds up four fingers in succession and counts as he says, "She has a child in Russia, one in Somalia, one in the Sudan, and one in Kenya. Her kids are scattered; her husband is dead — and her story is only one of many I've seen at Tyson."
Friendships forged
Dewitt shakes his head sadly. He makes a "praying" gesture with his hands to show how he asked if he could pray with her.
"She said, 'Oh, please, oh please,' and I told her, 'I pray in Jesus' name,' because she's Muslim, but she said, 'That's good, that's good.' So I prayed with her."
'You're my brother'
"That's been about four or five years ago, and now we're great friends," says Dewitt. "When she comes in to work, she will ask how I am. She knows my daughter, Lori, is in New Zealand, and she always takes the time to ask about my family."
Dewitt learned the Somalian word for "friend," and one day used it in conversation with her.
"I told her, 'You're my saaxiib.'"
The widowed woman shook her head at Dewitt. He recalls her words with his hand over his heart, "She told me, 'No, no you're not saaxiib. You're my brother.'" Dewitt grins broadly and says, " So, you see, we've been able to form a lot of neat relationships."
World view from home
Participating as a workplace chaplain has changed Dewitt's perspectives and ministry.
"Without this ministry," Dewitt says, "I'd be a different pastor, and in all honesty, I'd be much less effective.
"Being outside the box has changed me for the better, and it's changed the church. I've realized how segregated I was. I've become much more compassionate; much more sympathetic. It's a neat thing, and something a lot of other pastors will never get to experience."
The unique experience Dewitt refers to is the opportunity to speak and minister to many faiths and nationalities. Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Somalian, Egyptian, and Nepalese employees all make up the team at Tyson, and Dewitt listens to and ministers to them all.
"I get to travel the world and never leave town!" quips Dewitt.
To give examples, Dewitt tells of a few interactions with people from around the world.
"We have a lot of Nepalese people," Dewitt says, "and they had that earthquake recently. I spent time ministering to them.
"We have a lot of Egyptians that are Coptic Christians. They are here because in Cairo, they are abused and murdered [for their faith.]"
As is his norm, Dewitt always takes time to engage them.
"When they come in, I ask them, 'Do you love Jesus?' and they all hold up their arms and say, 'Yes! We love Jesus!'"
Positively providential
Two mornings a week, Dewitt is at Tyson. He stands at the time clock greeting employees as they clock in. Dewitt shakes hands, inquires about their daily life, and hugs the employees.
"I told someone the other night that my ministry at Tyson is a hugging ministry," Dewitt said. "I just want to start their day positively."
The positive presence is not going unnoticed by Tyson. One morning while Dewitt was greeting the employees with care, the senior vice president of operations happened to be there watching the whole thing.
Dewitt says the man turned to him and asked if he did this every day. "Every day that I'm here, I do." Dewitt replied.
Unbeknownst to Dewitt, the man wrote to CEO Donnie Smith and told him how Dewitt greets the employees.
The next thing Dewitt knew, the CEO himself called the Shelbyville processing plant asking to participate in the daily ritual. Smith, a Tennessee native, and his wife came to Tyson and joined in the daily "meet and greet."
After seeing for himself the impact chaplains had, he sent the idea to all the other chicken processing plants for their chaplains to implement.
WWJD
"This Tyson ministry takes it to a whole other level in reaching the unchurched," Dewitt says. "There are several at Tyson who do attend church, but many don't and they have no minister they can talk to when they need guidance."
Since Dewitt is the only pastor many employees know, he has presided over many weddings and funerals for the Tyson employees.
Dewitt is proud to be a part of the lives of the Tyson employees and feels he is doing what Jesus himself would do.
"I tell people all the time, 'If Jesus were to show up in Shelbyville, there's a good chance he'd show up at Tyson.'"
A growing flock
In addition to his duties at Tyson, Dewitt stays busy at the First Church of the Nazarene. The church — which Dewitt has been senior pastor of for 24 years — is currently experiencing an upswing in attendance and has added a new worship center and remodeled the old one.
Dewitt is all too happy to give a tour of the new facilities.
The old building has been repurposed as the pre-school area and youth service building.
Wild West buildings make up "Holy Ghost Town," the backdrop for many puppet shows and skits from talented youth leaders. Dewitt shows how the old stage has been enclosed to create the new children's church area.
Everything in the new children's area is brightly colored. The two end wall of the rectangular room are painted in a yellow chevron pattern and primary colored bins sit on shelves.
Dewitt tells how the children's church has been growing.
"This age group of younger kids is just exploding in the church," Dewitt says. "They just outgrew their old room."
All of the youth ministers and teachers are volunteers from the congregation, as well as the choir director and worship leader.
"We only have two full-time positions," Dewitt says, "me and our office manager. Everything else is done through volunteers."
"We had two services on Sundays for 10 years before we built the new building," Dewitt says from behind the pulpit. "So, we're really glad to have this new building to worship in."
Dewitt spreads his arms out, smiles, and says, "This is the most fun church in the world to preach in."
Helping the homeless
In the immediate community, Dewitt is active on the board of CROSS ministries — Shelbyville's homeless shelter.
"People don't realize we need a homeless shelter in town," Dewitt says, "but if you sat here and listened to the conversations our office has with people on the phone, you'd see the need."
"People are always asking for help — help with their electric bill, groceries, things like that. Some people call and ask, 'Is there any way y'all can put me up for a night in a hotel? I don't have a place to stay.' So, the need is great, even in our small town."
Dewitt tells of how community members have come through with donations for the homeless shelter.
"One thing I say to people all the time is how generous our community is. We're not a rich community, but we're a generous one."
Community shepherd
When asked what he considers his role to be, he thinks for a few seconds before answering.
"I'm a shepherd," he says with finality. "I tend to the sheep in the community — in these walls and out in the city."
Dewitt turns out the lights in the empty church building and walks across the parking lot.
It is a hot summer day, but he stands in the sun and asks caring questions. Questions that are indicative of his compassionate heart for the community.
Although Dewitt's life revolves around faith and beliefs, one thing is absolutely positive: Dewitt is certainly not chicken about sharing his faith, love, and his ministry of hugs.[Republished with permission from the Shelbyville Times-Gazette]
Read more
Nairobi, Kenya
Missionaries reach east Africa refugees through training, literatureErmias and Mulu Choliye (left) lead refugee ministries in east Africa. Designer Uwizeya Marie Clementine (right) teaches refugee women marketable skills, such as bead work.
Ethiopian missionaries Ermias Mekuria and Mulu Meseret Choliye, who recently moved to Nairobi, Kenya, are ministering to refugees in east Africa through compassion and support.
Ermias oversees an Internet radio program that reaches listeners in six east African languages. The radio programs are produced by volunteers, including refugees who are being trained in radio production. Ministers from local churches in Nairobi volunteer to provide content for the 20-minute programs, which run twice a week.
The messages reach listeners in some areas where missionary work would not be welcomed. In areas where one can't preach the gospel over the radio, presenters speak into people's lives by addressing topics such as family and marriage, Ermias said.
The Choliyes also help lead a women's Bible study and handiwork group at Central Church of the Nazarene in Nairobi. The group is a place where refugees from several countries gather to learn about Christianity and to gain skills making craftwork, such as beaded jewelry and purses, which can be sold at local markets.
Church member Uwizeya Marie Clementine, a professional jewelry maker and fashion designer, teaches the beadwork class at Central Church. In the next session, the women will learn about sewing.
In addition, Ermias and Mulu reach out to refugees is through distributing holiness booklets and literature twice a year in two major east African languages. The most recently published booklet features testimonies from the women's group and an anti-human trafficking article, which includes personal stories from victims in Nairobi.
Kenya is home to more than 550,000 refugees. The aim of the East African refugee ministry, according to Ermias and Mulu, is "to spread the message of holiness, the hope of Africa, and the salvation gospel of Jesus Christ around the refugee and immigrant communities of Kenya and beyond."[Church of the Nazarene Africa Region via Out of Africa]
Nairobi, Kenya
Missionaries reach east Africa refugees through training, literatureErmias and Mulu Choliye (left) lead refugee ministries in east Africa. Designer Uwizeya Marie Clementine (right) teaches refugee women marketable skills, such as bead work.
Ethiopian missionaries Ermias Mekuria and Mulu Meseret Choliye, who recently moved to Nairobi, Kenya, are ministering to refugees in east Africa through compassion and support.
Ermias oversees an Internet radio program that reaches listeners in six east African languages. The radio programs are produced by volunteers, including refugees who are being trained in radio production. Ministers from local churches in Nairobi volunteer to provide content for the 20-minute programs, which run twice a week.
The messages reach listeners in some areas where missionary work would not be welcomed. In areas where one can't preach the gospel over the radio, presenters speak into people's lives by addressing topics such as family and marriage, Ermias said.
The Choliyes also help lead a women's Bible study and handiwork group at Central Church of the Nazarene in Nairobi. The group is a place where refugees from several countries gather to learn about Christianity and to gain skills making craftwork, such as beaded jewelry and purses, which can be sold at local markets.
Church member Uwizeya Marie Clementine, a professional jewelry maker and fashion designer, teaches the beadwork class at Central Church. In the next session, the women will learn about sewing.
In addition, Ermias and Mulu reach out to refugees is through distributing holiness booklets and literature twice a year in two major east African languages. The most recently published booklet features testimonies from the women's group and an anti-human trafficking article, which includes personal stories from victims in Nairobi.
Kenya is home to more than 550,000 refugees. The aim of the East African refugee ministry, according to Ermias and Mulu, is "to spread the message of holiness, the hope of Africa, and the salvation gospel of Jesus Christ around the refugee and immigrant communities of Kenya and beyond."[Church of the Nazarene Africa Region via Out of Africa]
Read more
Carthage, Missouri
Alabama North District Superintendent BJ Garber rememberedB. J. Garber, retired superintendent for the Alabama North District, passed away July 24.
Garber was one of seven children born to Thelma Bowman and Lester Garber Sr. He married his childhood sweetheart, Glenna Dell Barr, on November 28, 1948, while attending Bethany-Peniel College (now Southern Nazarene University). After graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, he attended Nazarene Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Arts (1954) and Doctor of Ministry (1989).
B. J. pastored five Nazarene churches in Texas and Missouri before he was appointed the first superintendent of the Alabama North District. He planted 25 churches on the district from 1983 to 1997. While serving as district superintendent, B. J. was awarded an honorary doctorate from Trevecca Nazarene College (now University).
His other leadership positions in the Church of the Nazarene included district Nazarene Young Peoples Society (now NYI) president and district Sunday school chairman, as well as trustee for MidAmerica Nazarene University, Trevecca Nazarene College, and Nazarene Bible College. B. J. also served in missions, traveling to Dominica and Barbados with Work & Witness teams and volunteering as a professor at Africa Nazarene University in Kenya for a semester in 1999.
B. J. is survived by his wife, Glenna, four children, grandchildren, great-granddaughters, brothers and sisters, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral was held at Carthage First Church of the Nazarene on Friday, July 31.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Joplin District Church of the Nazarene Church Planting Fund or School of Ministry or the Carthage First Church of the Nazarene Mission Trip Fund in care of Knell Mortuary, 308 W. Chestnut, Carthage, MO 64836.
Carthage, Missouri
Alabama North District Superintendent BJ Garber rememberedB. J. Garber, retired superintendent for the Alabama North District, passed away July 24.
Garber was one of seven children born to Thelma Bowman and Lester Garber Sr. He married his childhood sweetheart, Glenna Dell Barr, on November 28, 1948, while attending Bethany-Peniel College (now Southern Nazarene University). After graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion, he attended Nazarene Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Arts (1954) and Doctor of Ministry (1989).
B. J. pastored five Nazarene churches in Texas and Missouri before he was appointed the first superintendent of the Alabama North District. He planted 25 churches on the district from 1983 to 1997. While serving as district superintendent, B. J. was awarded an honorary doctorate from Trevecca Nazarene College (now University).
His other leadership positions in the Church of the Nazarene included district Nazarene Young Peoples Society (now NYI) president and district Sunday school chairman, as well as trustee for MidAmerica Nazarene University, Trevecca Nazarene College, and Nazarene Bible College. B. J. also served in missions, traveling to Dominica and Barbados with Work & Witness teams and volunteering as a professor at Africa Nazarene University in Kenya for a semester in 1999.
B. J. is survived by his wife, Glenna, four children, grandchildren, great-granddaughters, brothers and sisters, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral was held at Carthage First Church of the Nazarene on Friday, July 31.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Joplin District Church of the Nazarene Church Planting Fund or School of Ministry or the Carthage First Church of the Nazarene Mission Trip Fund in care of Knell Mortuary, 308 W. Chestnut, Carthage, MO 64836.
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San Diego, California
PLNU mourns loss of GL ForwardAfter a brief illness, Point Loma Nazarene University professor, colleague, and friend G. L. Forward passed away August 4 in San Diego. He was 63.
Forward was known for his love of old Humphrey Bogart movies, murder mysteries, and trips to the mountains — especially Big Bear. A self-described "hopeful cynic," he is remembered by the PLNU community for his love of teaching and care for his management and organizational communication students.
The memorial service for Forward is scheduled for 2 p.m. August 15 at
Crill Performance Hall
Cooper Music Center
Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, California 92106 United States
A reception will immediately follow the service on the Cooper Portico.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family wish to direct donations to the Dr. G. L. Forward Memorial Fund, created to directly benefit his students at PLNU.
To give by mail, make checks payable to PLNU and reference Dr. G. L. Forward Memorial Fund in the memo. Send to
PLNU Office of University Advancement
3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, California 92106 United States
Visit pointloma.edu/giving and select “Other Designation.” Reference “Dr. G. L. Forward Memorial Fund” with your contribution.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family in care of
Kathleen Czech
Communication & Theatre
Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, California 92106 United States[Point Loma Nazarene University]
San Diego, California
PLNU mourns loss of GL ForwardAfter a brief illness, Point Loma Nazarene University professor, colleague, and friend G. L. Forward passed away August 4 in San Diego. He was 63.
Forward was known for his love of old Humphrey Bogart movies, murder mysteries, and trips to the mountains — especially Big Bear. A self-described "hopeful cynic," he is remembered by the PLNU community for his love of teaching and care for his management and organizational communication students.
The memorial service for Forward is scheduled for 2 p.m. August 15 at
Crill Performance Hall
Cooper Music Center
Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, California 92106 United States
A reception will immediately follow the service on the Cooper Portico.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family wish to direct donations to the Dr. G. L. Forward Memorial Fund, created to directly benefit his students at PLNU.
To give by mail, make checks payable to PLNU and reference Dr. G. L. Forward Memorial Fund in the memo. Send to
PLNU Office of University Advancement
3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, California 92106 United States
Visit pointloma.edu/giving and select “Other Designation.” Reference “Dr. G. L. Forward Memorial Fund” with your contribution.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family in care of
Kathleen Czech
Communication & Theatre
Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Drive
San Diego, California 92106 United States[Point Loma Nazarene University]
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Africa
ANU encourages innovation during Impact Week
Nairobi, Kenya
Africa Nazarene University’s Business School and Computer Science Department, in collaboration with Kirche in Aktion, hosted Impact Week July 21 through 25 at its main campus in Nairobi. Themed “Creating Impact through Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” the event presented a new forum that sought to empower innovation and entrepreneurial thinking through methods of design thinking.
Moderated by a team of 20 experts and coaches in design thinking, participants were offered guided sessions on five core fields of innovation including healthcare, education, finance, transportation and mobility, and agriculture and food. The participants, drawn from innovators, academia, industry entrepreneurs, and students, were exposed to models that combine different tools to support innovation and facilitate the process of discovering viable business strategies that can convert into customer value and market opportunities.
In her speech, Africa Nazarene University Vice Chancellor Leah Marangu emphasized the importance of universities as a key outlet of budding innovations and entrepreneurships and their role in economic development. She urged the forum’s participants to embrace the opportunities presented by the Impact Week to execute their innovative skills to solve societal problems that particularly ail the African continent.
Seventeen teams pitched their business ideas to a nine-judge bench composed of design thinking experts, industry practitioners, academia representatives, and entrepreneurs. Three teams secured an opportunity to have their winning ideas nurtured at ANU’s Innovation Center, which aims to incubate ideas and provide links and collaborative partnerships with investors in an effort to provide practical solutions to societal challenges.
The Impact Week concluded by awarding teams for their business ideas based on the following criteria: the prospective business impact of the idea; the business model; and customer validation (availability of market for the business idea and its potential to solve societal problems).
Marangu acknowledged the winners, advising them to invest their ideas into servant leadership to transform the world. She also recognized and thanked the German experts for their selfless service and relentless efforts to make a difference at Africa Nazarene University.[Africa Nazarene University]
Subscribe to NCN NewsFacebookTwitterContactAfrica
ANU encourages innovation during Impact Week
Nairobi, Kenya
Africa Nazarene University’s Business School and Computer Science Department, in collaboration with Kirche in Aktion, hosted Impact Week July 21 through 25 at its main campus in Nairobi. Themed “Creating Impact through Innovation and Entrepreneurship,” the event presented a new forum that sought to empower innovation and entrepreneurial thinking through methods of design thinking.
Moderated by a team of 20 experts and coaches in design thinking, participants were offered guided sessions on five core fields of innovation including healthcare, education, finance, transportation and mobility, and agriculture and food. The participants, drawn from innovators, academia, industry entrepreneurs, and students, were exposed to models that combine different tools to support innovation and facilitate the process of discovering viable business strategies that can convert into customer value and market opportunities.
In her speech, Africa Nazarene University Vice Chancellor Leah Marangu emphasized the importance of universities as a key outlet of budding innovations and entrepreneurships and their role in economic development. She urged the forum’s participants to embrace the opportunities presented by the Impact Week to execute their innovative skills to solve societal problems that particularly ail the African continent.
Seventeen teams pitched their business ideas to a nine-judge bench composed of design thinking experts, industry practitioners, academia representatives, and entrepreneurs. Three teams secured an opportunity to have their winning ideas nurtured at ANU’s Innovation Center, which aims to incubate ideas and provide links and collaborative partnerships with investors in an effort to provide practical solutions to societal challenges.
The Impact Week concluded by awarding teams for their business ideas based on the following criteria: the prospective business impact of the idea; the business model; and customer validation (availability of market for the business idea and its potential to solve societal problems).
Marangu acknowledged the winners, advising them to invest their ideas into servant leadership to transform the world. She also recognized and thanked the German experts for their selfless service and relentless efforts to make a difference at Africa Nazarene University.[Africa Nazarene University]
Read more
Mesoamerica
Young people put training into practice in Dominican Republic
Arismar, Dominican Republic
Nine young people from Mexico, Costa Rica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic recently participated in a 4x4 All Terrain event. The program began in January 2010 on the former Mexico North Field so young people could put their training into practice after attending a cross-cultural orientation. Participants focus on strengthening existing churches, new church plants, and new missions.
The event was held at the Arismar Church of the Nazarene. Young people performed various activities to impact the community, and as a result 22 people accepted Jesus, 11 began discipleship, and 132 children were reached in a Vacation Bible School.
Participants shared their stories:
“One sunny day we went out to visit. The temperature was high and after an hour I wanted to go home because we had walked a lot. However, at the end of the street a lady invited me into her house; the group was ahead and I was alone. A bit afraid, I walked into the house and suddenly while I was sharing the message of love, a heated argument between her and her husband began. I did not know what to do. However, God gave me wisdom and after a few minutes, both of them were there listening and at the end, the lady prayed with me as tears ran down her eyes. I thank God because He took me to the home to carry the message of the true love of Christ and bring hope to these families.“ -- Sonia Malvaez, Toluca, Mexico.
“During one of the afternoons, we went out to evangelize. We did not want to get lost, so the local girl suggested we return down the same street, but I insisted that we go to the end of the alley because there we would find a blessing. I shared with several people near the end of the street; two ladies were willing to listen to my message with the EvangeCube. At the end, when I was about to pray for them, one of them called a neighbor with problems on his leg so we could pray for him also. I prayed. At the end, when I opened my eyes, there were eight people around me and the man told me that his leg felt better and it no longer hurt. There was definitely a blessing at the end of the alley." -- Esteban Alcantara, Dominican Republic
“I went out to evangelize Thursday morning and found three young people … I talked to them, and although they did not accept Jesus, they told me to come back on Saturday and we did. That Saturday, there was a slightly larger group. I shared a reflection and prayed with them. We also invited them to the youth service that evening. To our blessing, they came to worship and the preacher shared his testimony and at the end made the invitation to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. The three of them came forward! We prayed with them, visited them, and hope they can now start their discipleship. Praise God, we are His instruments!" -- José Miguel Ramirez, Dominican Republic[Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region]
Mesoamerica
Young people put training into practice in Dominican Republic
Arismar, Dominican Republic
Nine young people from Mexico, Costa Rica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic recently participated in a 4x4 All Terrain event. The program began in January 2010 on the former Mexico North Field so young people could put their training into practice after attending a cross-cultural orientation. Participants focus on strengthening existing churches, new church plants, and new missions.
The event was held at the Arismar Church of the Nazarene. Young people performed various activities to impact the community, and as a result 22 people accepted Jesus, 11 began discipleship, and 132 children were reached in a Vacation Bible School.
Participants shared their stories:
“One sunny day we went out to visit. The temperature was high and after an hour I wanted to go home because we had walked a lot. However, at the end of the street a lady invited me into her house; the group was ahead and I was alone. A bit afraid, I walked into the house and suddenly while I was sharing the message of love, a heated argument between her and her husband began. I did not know what to do. However, God gave me wisdom and after a few minutes, both of them were there listening and at the end, the lady prayed with me as tears ran down her eyes. I thank God because He took me to the home to carry the message of the true love of Christ and bring hope to these families.“ -- Sonia Malvaez, Toluca, Mexico.
“During one of the afternoons, we went out to evangelize. We did not want to get lost, so the local girl suggested we return down the same street, but I insisted that we go to the end of the alley because there we would find a blessing. I shared with several people near the end of the street; two ladies were willing to listen to my message with the EvangeCube. At the end, when I was about to pray for them, one of them called a neighbor with problems on his leg so we could pray for him also. I prayed. At the end, when I opened my eyes, there were eight people around me and the man told me that his leg felt better and it no longer hurt. There was definitely a blessing at the end of the alley." -- Esteban Alcantara, Dominican Republic
“I went out to evangelize Thursday morning and found three young people … I talked to them, and although they did not accept Jesus, they told me to come back on Saturday and we did. That Saturday, there was a slightly larger group. I shared a reflection and prayed with them. We also invited them to the youth service that evening. To our blessing, they came to worship and the preacher shared his testimony and at the end made the invitation to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. The three of them came forward! We prayed with them, visited them, and hope they can now start their discipleship. Praise God, we are His instruments!" -- José Miguel Ramirez, Dominican Republic[Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region]
Read more
South America
Flags of the Nations: BrazilThe flag of Brazil is a blue disc depicting a starry sky spanned by a curved band inscribed with the national motto, within a gold rhombus, on a green field.
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: Brazil
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Brazil in 1958.
Brazil had a population of 202,656,788 in 2014. That same year, Brazil reported 610 Churches of the Nazarene, 520 of which had been officially organized. Brazil has 135,299 total members.
Located on the South America Region, Brazil has 10 Phase 3 districts, six Phase 2 districts, and three Phase 1 districts. For more information about the South America Region, visit samnaz.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.
South America
Flags of the Nations: BrazilThe flag of Brazil is a blue disc depicting a starry sky spanned by a curved band inscribed with the national motto, within a gold rhombus, on a green field.
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: Brazil
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Brazil in 1958.
Brazil had a population of 202,656,788 in 2014. That same year, Brazil reported 610 Churches of the Nazarene, 520 of which had been officially organized. Brazil has 135,299 total members.
Located on the South America Region, Brazil has 10 Phase 3 districts, six Phase 2 districts, and three Phase 1 districts. For more information about the South America Region, visit samnaz.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.
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Nampa, Idaho
NNU student team launches payload at NASA facilityAn inside view of the RockSat payload.
Northwest Nazarene University’s RockSat-X engineering team, in collaboration with Boise-based American Semiconductor, Inc. (ASI), launched an experimental payload on a sub-orbital sounding rocket to 100 miles above the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday. The payload parachuted down into the Atlantic, where it was recovered by ship and returned to the NNU research lab for post-flight data analysis by the team and their collaborators. The team is sponsored by ASI and the NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium. Engineering Manager Dale Wilson is serving as the team’s mentor from ASI.
The team’s goal is to test flexible analog-to-digital converter ICs developed by ASI, called FleXform-ADC. This team, led by senior engineering major Jameson Krueger, also includes senior physics major Paul Zukowski and sophomore engineering major Scott Thatcher. The team will also be testing electronics developed by another NNU engineering team, which is working on CubeSat designs with Made in Space, Inc.
The launch is the culmination of a project that began last September, which has been carried out under the mentorship of NNU engineering professors Dan Lawrence and Stephen Parke. Lawrence and the team worked closely with NASA and the other university teams involved at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia since August 3 in preparation for the launch.
ASI, the industry leader in flexible integrated circuits and flexible hybrid systems development as well as services provider to create flexible ICs, recently released the FleXform-ADC™ Flexible Hybrid Development Kit, providing everyone access to the same technology used by NNU on the RockSat-X. Users can fabricate sensors directly on the FleXform-ADC flexible circuit board or attach pre-fabricated sensors for a system-level demonstration. For more information about ASI, which supports all aspects of flexible design and processing, visit americansemi.com.
American Semiconductor is a registered trademark of American Semiconductor, Inc. FleXform, FleXform-ADC, FleX, Silicon-on-Polymer, FleX-ADC, FleX-MCU and FleX-IC are trademarks of American Semiconductor, Inc.[Northwest Nazarene University]
Nampa, Idaho
NNU student team launches payload at NASA facilityAn inside view of the RockSat payload.
Northwest Nazarene University’s RockSat-X engineering team, in collaboration with Boise-based American Semiconductor, Inc. (ASI), launched an experimental payload on a sub-orbital sounding rocket to 100 miles above the Atlantic Ocean on Tuesday. The payload parachuted down into the Atlantic, where it was recovered by ship and returned to the NNU research lab for post-flight data analysis by the team and their collaborators. The team is sponsored by ASI and the NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium. Engineering Manager Dale Wilson is serving as the team’s mentor from ASI.
The team’s goal is to test flexible analog-to-digital converter ICs developed by ASI, called FleXform-ADC. This team, led by senior engineering major Jameson Krueger, also includes senior physics major Paul Zukowski and sophomore engineering major Scott Thatcher. The team will also be testing electronics developed by another NNU engineering team, which is working on CubeSat designs with Made in Space, Inc.
The launch is the culmination of a project that began last September, which has been carried out under the mentorship of NNU engineering professors Dan Lawrence and Stephen Parke. Lawrence and the team worked closely with NASA and the other university teams involved at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia since August 3 in preparation for the launch.
ASI, the industry leader in flexible integrated circuits and flexible hybrid systems development as well as services provider to create flexible ICs, recently released the FleXform-ADC™ Flexible Hybrid Development Kit, providing everyone access to the same technology used by NNU on the RockSat-X. Users can fabricate sensors directly on the FleXform-ADC flexible circuit board or attach pre-fabricated sensors for a system-level demonstration. For more information about ASI, which supports all aspects of flexible design and processing, visit americansemi.com.
American Semiconductor is a registered trademark of American Semiconductor, Inc. FleXform, FleXform-ADC, FleX, Silicon-on-Polymer, FleX-ADC, FleX-MCU and FleX-IC are trademarks of American Semiconductor, Inc.[Northwest Nazarene University]
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Bethany, Oklahoma
SNU receives grant for LIFE programSouthern Nazarene University announced receipt of a fourth cycle of funding for the Leadership, Integrity, Friendship, Education (LIFE) Student Support Services (SSS) Program through the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO programs.
“The TRIO programs are an extremely competitive process,” said Gwen Ladd Hackler, director of the Academic Grants Office. “SNU will receive $230,350 annually to total $1,151,750 over five years. These funds will extend the LIFE SSS program to 2021, constituting 20 years of TRIO support for SNU undergraduates.”
The LIFE SSS students from SNU are highly involved in campus student leadership, with current students serving as student government leaders, resident advisors, New Student Institute mentors, and tutors. LIFE students also participate in undergraduate research and the SNU Honors Program. Four LIFE graduates from this past year received full-ride scholarships to graduate school.
Southern Nazarene University’s LIFE SSS program serves 160 undergraduates (traditional and professional studies) each year. Services offered through the program include tutoring, advising, mentoring, and cultural events. There is a particular emphasis in the new grant on financial literacy, coaching, and college adjustment. The program is highly involved with the state, regional, and national TRIO community.[Southern Nazarene University]
Bethany, Oklahoma
SNU receives grant for LIFE programSouthern Nazarene University announced receipt of a fourth cycle of funding for the Leadership, Integrity, Friendship, Education (LIFE) Student Support Services (SSS) Program through the U.S. Department of Education’s TRIO programs.
“The TRIO programs are an extremely competitive process,” said Gwen Ladd Hackler, director of the Academic Grants Office. “SNU will receive $230,350 annually to total $1,151,750 over five years. These funds will extend the LIFE SSS program to 2021, constituting 20 years of TRIO support for SNU undergraduates.”
The LIFE SSS students from SNU are highly involved in campus student leadership, with current students serving as student government leaders, resident advisors, New Student Institute mentors, and tutors. LIFE students also participate in undergraduate research and the SNU Honors Program. Four LIFE graduates from this past year received full-ride scholarships to graduate school.
Southern Nazarene University’s LIFE SSS program serves 160 undergraduates (traditional and professional studies) each year. Services offered through the program include tutoring, advising, mentoring, and cultural events. There is a particular emphasis in the new grant on financial literacy, coaching, and college adjustment. The program is highly involved with the state, regional, and national TRIO community.[Southern Nazarene University]
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In MemoriamThe following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received August 10-14, 2015.
M. Elaine (Lantz) Anzalone, 74, of Independence, Missouri, passed away August 7. She was the widow of retired minister Ronald Anzalone, who served in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and Kansas. Ronald Anzalone passed away in 2011.
Jean Boyd, 88, of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, passed away May 31. She was the wife of retired minister and educator W. Warren Boyd, who served in British Columbia and Alberta.
Phyllis Clark, 84, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, passed away August 6. She was the widow of retired minister Milton Clark, who served in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Milton Clark passed away in 2000.
Quinta Devore, 89, of Buena Park, California, passed away June 27. She was the wife of retired minister Wayne Devore, who served in Kansas, Oklahoma, California, and Wyoming.
G. L. Forward, 63, of San Diego, California, passed away August 3. He was a professor at Point Loma Nazarene University. He is survived by his wife, Darlene Forward. (story)
B. J. Garber, 85, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away July 24. He was a retired minister, evangelist, and district superintendent, serving in Texas and Missouri and leading the Alabama North District. He is survived by his wife, Glenna Garber. (story)
Mervis Hendrix, 36, of Zambia passed away July 27. She was the wife of Chan'U Church of the Nazarene Pastor Sawahenga Hendrix, a Sunday school teacher, and chairwoman for the women's fellowship at the zone level. She is survived by her husband and seven children.
Fern Lammers, 94, of Glendora, California, passed away August 8. She was the widow of retired minister and chaplain Donald Lammers, who served in Minnesota and California. Donald Lammers passed away in 2002.
Garry Rush, 73, Osawatomie, Kansas, passed away August 10. He was a retired minister, serving in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Pyle) Rush.
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]
In MemoriamThe following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received August 10-14, 2015.
M. Elaine (Lantz) Anzalone, 74, of Independence, Missouri, passed away August 7. She was the widow of retired minister Ronald Anzalone, who served in Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, and Kansas. Ronald Anzalone passed away in 2011.
Jean Boyd, 88, of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, passed away May 31. She was the wife of retired minister and educator W. Warren Boyd, who served in British Columbia and Alberta.
Phyllis Clark, 84, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, passed away August 6. She was the widow of retired minister Milton Clark, who served in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. Milton Clark passed away in 2000.
Quinta Devore, 89, of Buena Park, California, passed away June 27. She was the wife of retired minister Wayne Devore, who served in Kansas, Oklahoma, California, and Wyoming.
G. L. Forward, 63, of San Diego, California, passed away August 3. He was a professor at Point Loma Nazarene University. He is survived by his wife, Darlene Forward. (story)
B. J. Garber, 85, of Carthage, Missouri, passed away July 24. He was a retired minister, evangelist, and district superintendent, serving in Texas and Missouri and leading the Alabama North District. He is survived by his wife, Glenna Garber. (story)
Mervis Hendrix, 36, of Zambia passed away July 27. She was the wife of Chan'U Church of the Nazarene Pastor Sawahenga Hendrix, a Sunday school teacher, and chairwoman for the women's fellowship at the zone level. She is survived by her husband and seven children.
Fern Lammers, 94, of Glendora, California, passed away August 8. She was the widow of retired minister and chaplain Donald Lammers, who served in Minnesota and California. Donald Lammers passed away in 2002.
Garry Rush, 73, Osawatomie, Kansas, passed away August 10. He was a retired minister, serving in Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, and Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Pyle) Rush.
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 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 - Benin
"A friend took me to see the JESUS film," said a young lady in Benin. "I felt God calling me and I did not hesitate to answer His call. I became full of joy and hope because my friend shared this life-changing experience with me. Also, I had worked hard to save money to start my own seamstress shop, but was never able to. The Lord provided the funds with a loan from this same friend. This was proof to me that God is there when we need mercy. He is the creator of heaven and earth and knows well our needs and requests."
JESUS Film - Haiti
"I want to share this amazing experience with my friends!" said a man in Haiti. "I am happy for the JESUS Film ministry and hope they will come back to our community again. It was a beautiful presentation and now I understand God accepts me into His family. I have become of child of God. One of the men, who made a decision to accept Christ, passed away several days later but we are confident now we will see him again someday."
JESUS Film - Kenya
"People were staring at us from a distance," reported a team member in Kenya. "When the movie started, only a few people moved closer. However, hearing the JESUS film in their own Maasai language, the crowd began to gather in. At the end, the ones who came forward were very happy and asked us to start a preaching point there, so we did."
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Nancy Miller
Missionary Nancy Miller was released from the hospital following treatment for venous reflux. She recently provided the following update:
"The outward signs that sent me to the hospital were very swollen legs, which have greatly improved. I am feeling much better I just need to watch my fluid intake and take my medicine. I could possibly be on oxygen therapy for a long time, especially living in the mountains."
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.
David Phillips
Southeast Asia Field Strategy Coordinator David Phillips was released from the hospital after undergoing surgery for cancer. The surgeon said Phillips' recovery was "remarkable." On August 4, Phillips reported, "I am eating normally and all systems are working!! Thank God!! and Thank you for praying for us!!"
For more updates, click here.
BEREAVEMENT
Family of Mervis Hendrix
Pastor Sawahenga Hendrix's wife, Mervis, died on the July 27 after a being bitten by a puff adder snake. She was fetching firewood on her farm when she stepped on the snake. She was taken to the hospital, where she passed away two days later. Mervis was 36 and mother to seven children. She was a chairwoman for women's fellowship at the zone level and was an active Sunday school teacher at Chun'U Church of the Nazarene in Zambia.
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 - Benin
"A friend took me to see the JESUS film," said a young lady in Benin. "I felt God calling me and I did not hesitate to answer His call. I became full of joy and hope because my friend shared this life-changing experience with me. Also, I had worked hard to save money to start my own seamstress shop, but was never able to. The Lord provided the funds with a loan from this same friend. This was proof to me that God is there when we need mercy. He is the creator of heaven and earth and knows well our needs and requests."
JESUS Film - Haiti
"I want to share this amazing experience with my friends!" said a man in Haiti. "I am happy for the JESUS Film ministry and hope they will come back to our community again. It was a beautiful presentation and now I understand God accepts me into His family. I have become of child of God. One of the men, who made a decision to accept Christ, passed away several days later but we are confident now we will see him again someday."
JESUS Film - Kenya
"People were staring at us from a distance," reported a team member in Kenya. "When the movie started, only a few people moved closer. However, hearing the JESUS film in their own Maasai language, the crowd began to gather in. At the end, the ones who came forward were very happy and asked us to start a preaching point there, so we did."
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Nancy Miller
Missionary Nancy Miller was released from the hospital following treatment for venous reflux. She recently provided the following update:
"The outward signs that sent me to the hospital were very swollen legs, which have greatly improved. I am feeling much better I just need to watch my fluid intake and take my medicine. I could possibly be on oxygen therapy for a long time, especially living in the mountains."
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.
David Phillips
Southeast Asia Field Strategy Coordinator David Phillips was released from the hospital after undergoing surgery for cancer. The surgeon said Phillips' recovery was "remarkable." On August 4, Phillips reported, "I am eating normally and all systems are working!! Thank God!! and Thank you for praying for us!!"
For more updates, click here.
BEREAVEMENT
Family of Mervis Hendrix
Pastor Sawahenga Hendrix's wife, Mervis, died on the July 27 after a being bitten by a puff adder snake. She was fetching firewood on her farm when she stepped on the snake. She was taken to the hospital, where she passed away two days later. Mervis was 36 and mother to seven children. She was a chairwoman for women's fellowship at the zone level and was an active Sunday school teacher at Chun'U Church of the Nazarene in Zambia.
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.
Human Resources
GMC employment opportunities
People 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)
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 — 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: Under oversight of the director of development, this position is responsible for fundraising through building partnerships and donor/sponsor engagement and communication, including managing the research, design, content, and production of NCM materials for information, promotion, and education. (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, United States, 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.
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)
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 — 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: Under oversight of the director of development, this position is responsible for fundraising through building partnerships and donor/sponsor engagement and communication, including managing the research, design, content, and production of NCM materials for information, promotion, and education. (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, United States, 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.
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Global Ministry Center
Lay Leaders: June/July 2015
Global Ministry Center
Lay Leaders: June/July 2015
Sunday School and Discipleship Ministry International's The Discipleship Place congratulates the following individuals approved by their pastor and local church board to receive a certificate of lay ministry. Upon approval, they will complete lay ministry courses.
- John Wesley Combs Jr., Grand Coulee Church of the Nazarene, Northwest District
- Gary L. Evans, Camden Church of the Nazarene, MidSouth District
- Richard George, Southside Church of the Nazarene, Virginia District
- Chris Larranaga, Starting Grounds Church of the Nazarene, Washington Pacific District
- Earl Morris, Waynesville Church of the Nazarene, Missouri District
- Kathy Morris, Waynesville Church of the Nazarene, Missouri District
- Pamela Sue Poor, Middle Church of the Nazarene, Northeastern Indiana District
- Donna Pruitt, South County Curch of the Nazarene, Missouri District
- John Swales, Southside Church of the Nazarene, Virginia District
- Jeremiah Swift, Montrose Church of the Nazarene, Iowa District
- Raymond Ken Turney, Starting Grounds Church of the Nazarene, Washington Pacific District
- Toni G. White, Watonga Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma District
- John Zuckerman, Fairfield Inn Church of the Nazarene, Iowa District
The Discipleship Place also congratulates the following people who completed courses in June and July:*
- Kay Ashwell, Livingston First Church of the Nazarene, South Texas District
- Communicating the Gospel in Pluralistic World, Exploring Nazarene History and Polity, Exploring John Wesley's Theology
- Les Claypool, Nevada Church of the Nazarene, Joplin District
- Children's Ministry Course
- Katie Doty, Amarillo Church of the Nazarene, West Texas District
- I Corinthians, II Corinthians, Book of Acts, Galatians, Gospel of John, Gospel of Luke, Romans
- Thomas Duncan, Gallipolis Church of the Nazarene, South Central Ohio District
Exploring Nazarene History and Polity
- Matthew A. Farr, Holt Church of the Nazarene, Michigan District
- Kenneth Fling, Auburn Parkside Church of the Nazarene, Sacramento District
- Richard George, Richmond Southside Church of the Nazarene, Virginia District
- Frances Ginn, Livingston First Church of the Nazarene, Southwestern Ohio District
- William G. Guensch, Indian Head Church of the Nazarene, Mid-Atlantic District
- Marcy Hagen, New Life Church of the Nazarene, Wisconsin District
- Dale Joines, Caddo Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma District
- Bobby D. Jones
- James Jones, Rocky Mount Church of the Nazarene, North Carolina District
- Betty Karnes, Monticello Church of the Nazarene, Illinois District
- Gordon Long, Cove Church of the Nazarene, South Texas District
- Kelly Magnuson, Clarksville Grace Church of the Nazarene, Tennessee District
- Jennie Miller, South Charleston Church of the Nazarene, West Virginia South District
- Ruth Money, Bedford Church of the Nazarene, North Central Ohio District
- Limari Perez, Annadale Calvary Church of the Nazarene, Virginia District
- Jackie Sanderson, Dodson Church of the Nazarene, West Texas District
- Angela Sutphin, Living Well Church of the Nazarene, Virginia District
- John Swales, Richmond Southside Church of the Nazarene, Virginia District
- Ken Turney, Starting Grounds Church of the Nazarene, Washington Pacific District
* Please note the above individuals are being recognized because they contacted SDMI to request a certificate of completion. Many individuals complete courses but do not contact us to let us know so we are unable to recognize them.[Compiled by DiscipleshipPlace.org of Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International]
news@nazarene.org
Material created and owned by NCN News may be used for church newsletters and bulletins.
Nazarene Communication Network News
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
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