Chile, South America Region
Chile struck by 2015's strongest earthquake
El Nuevo Dia photo
An 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Chile's largest city, Santiago, Wednesday evening, displacing more than a million people and killing at least 12 as of Friday morning. Chile is home to more than 60 Nazarene churches and 2,700 members.
The quake is this year's largest so far. The resulting 15-foot tsunami wave flooded many coastal towns and destroyed additional homes. In total, the disasters caused "billions" in damage.
Alessandro Polonio, a Church of the Nazarene missionary to Chile, shared the following about his family's experience during the quake:
My family and I were on the second floor of the missionary house when the earthquake struck. We were able to go down to the first floor, but when we opened the front door to exit the house to prevent being trapped inside, we noticed it was not safe to go out. There were loose electric cables and many trees that could’ve hurt us. We then decided to stay in a secure place inside the house. We could hear strong sounds as everything shook and moved. We hugged each other and waited for the quake to end. Throughout the night we could hear the sirens of emergency responders. We experienced a few aftershocks that were pretty strong and couldn’t get any sleep throughout the night. All morning firefighters and helicopters have been assessing the damage left by the earthquake. All of those who live on the coast had to evacuate due to tsunami warnings.
Tsunami warnings were also issued for much of the South American coast, Hawaii, and parts of California and the South Pacific. Oprima aquí para leer en Español.
How to help
Give
Churches and individuals around the world can support relief efforts by giving to the Chile Earthquake Relief Fund. Donations will be used for emergency kits, tents, and other supplies.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116
Be sure to put 125375 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 125375 in the Memo area.
For any other country, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to the Chile Earthquake Relief Fund. Read more
Global Ministry Center
Board of General Superintendents urges church response to refugee crisis
Photos by Teanna Sunberg
As the war in Syria stretches into its fifth year, the number of people who have had to flee their homes due to violence or persecution has reached 12 million — half of them children — according to the United Nations. The number of Syrians who have become refugees in other countries has reached 4 million since 2011.
Add to those numbers another 15.5 million refugees who have had to flee war, violence, and persecution in other countries, including Afghanistan and Somalia. As the number of refugees worldwide who are fleeing to countries in Europe continues to increase, experts are calling this the greatest refugee crisis since World War II.
During this crisis, the Board of General Superintendents is calling on the Church of the Nazarene to respond.
“Nazarenes are among those who have had to flee their countries to escape violent conflict,” the BGS wrote in a letter to the church. “Nazarenes are also among those who have had to flee because faith in Jesus has put their lives in danger. And Nazarenes are among those who have been ministering to refugee families who are seeking safety and hope.”
The message continues, “Prayer is always our first response. … Our next response is to give generously.”
The denomination is working through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to support ministry to refugees through local churches.
In Hungary, Nazarenes have been providing food, blankets, and tents for refugee families stuck in transit both in Budapest and Roszke on the Hungarian/Serbian border. Now that the border has closed, a team of Nazarenes on the ground in Serbia is partnering with another church to meet emergency needs of refugees there, according to Teanna Sunberg, a missionary living in Budapest, Hungary.
Leaders from local churches and church plants in Germany, the United Kingdom, and other European countries receiving refugees are currently formulating plans for how to minister to refugees who arrive in their communities, according to Tim Bowen-Evans, international program coordinator for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
Nazarene churches in the Middle East have been ministering to refugees and displaced families from Syria and other countries affected by war and persecution since 2011. Locally led outreach efforts include providing food, supplies, medical care, and resettlement support. While the number of refugees entering countries in Europe, including those from Syria, has increased significantly this summer, the majority of the 4 million Syrian refugees are in countries that neighbor Syria, including Lebanon and Jordan.
Nazarene schools in the Middle East have also been providing scholarships for hundreds of refugee children from Syria and other neighboring countries. Rod Green, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinator in the Middle East, reports that Nazarene schools in the Middle East will provide education and stability for 600 children affected by war and persecution in the next year.
One of the greatest concerns for children in areas affected by war and persecution is gaps in education — children often lose years of education because going to school is either too dangerous or simply not an option due to poverty conditions caused by war. Nearly 2.7 million children in Syria are not in school, according to USAID, and those numbers do not include Syrian children who are living as refugees in other countries.
“During this crisis, we remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25: ‘… I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,’” the BGS wrote. “We are asking our global church family to pray and minister to those in need."
For a printable version of the BGS letter, click here.
How to Respond
Pray
Ask God to give wisdom to leaders and congregations as they minister to refugees in Jesus’ name. Pray for healing for children and adults who have been traumatized by violence or persecution. Pray for God’s presence to be felt and a spirit of peace to reign.
Share
NCM has developed several resources, including bulletin inserts and a Powerpoint presentation, to educate your congregation or Sunday school class on the refugee crisis. Click here to download.
Give
Churches and individuals around the world can support efforts to minister to refugee families through local Nazarene churches by giving to the NCM Refugee and Immigrant Support Fund.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116
Be sure to put 125347 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 125347 in the Memo area.
In Germany, please donate through Helping Hands e.V., IBAN: DE56 5075 0094 0000 022394, SWIFT-BIC: HELADEF1GEL.
For other countries, please give through your local church or district, designating your gift to the NCM Refugee and Immigrant Support Fund.[Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Read more
Cambridge, Maryland
Fire damages Maryland church
Easton Volunteer Fire Department photo
The Cambridge, Maryland, Church of the Nazarene was damaged by a three-alarm electrical fire Wednesday evening. No one was injured.
Pastor Richard Prahl was one of five people in the building that night.
"At 6:30 we were setting up for our Wednesday night church service," Prahl told WBOC. "We had some problems with the lights in one of the school rooms we use."
Shortly after, the classroom went up in flames. All five people were able to evacuate safely as firefighters from 14 volunteer fire departments in four counties responded to the fire.
Prahl stood outside and watched as the firefighters battled the blaze.
"Our steeple has a light in it, and when that light came on, it was like a sign for me saying God's still in charge of this," he said. "This is brick and mortar, wood, but no one got hurt, so we've been blessed by that."
Jamie McNeal of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department told The Star Democrat the firefighters were able to contain the fire before it spread to the sanctuary. Pastor Richard Prahl confirmed there is smoke and water damage in the sanctuary and said it would be at least a month before the congregation could meet there again.
"Please pray for our congregation," Prahl told NCN News.
The church is currently working with the insurance company to determine next steps. Sunday service will be held on the church grounds and a local Seventh Day Advent church has offered its facility for future activities.
WMDT reported the classroom, which was not equipped with sprinklers, was destroyed.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office estimated damage at $600,000.
For a video from WBOC, click here.Read more
Returning home to a foreign country
David and Marquita Mosher
If you look around the home of David and Marquita Mosher in northeast Oklahoma, you'll see remnants of Africa all around.
"A part of your life and your heart is still there — mine is," Marquita said.
The couple served in Africa from the early 1980s until last year, when they reached retirement age and returned to the United States. Missionary service in the Church of the Nazarene is structured so that missionaries generally retire from the field when they reach the retirement age of their country of origin.
For Mike and Julie Shalley, even though they grew up in the States, moving back after more than 30 years of living in Africa was like coming home to a foreign country.
"We were so assimilated to the cultures in Namibia that when you come back to the States ... it's like walking into a whole different world," Julie said. "It's not like the America we left; it's a different America."
Returning missionaries often experience culture shock in their own cultures. They say it's strange to see so many choices at the grocery store or to hear unfamiliar slang or see strange clothing — things that make them feel out of place.
Social norms are different, too.
"One of the things that we got used to (in Mozambique) was you could just drop in on people...and sit and visit as long as you needed," said retired missionary David Restrick, who now lives near Boston, Massachusetts. "And here you never drop in on anybody. You have to make an appointment."
Returning to the States felt like starting over, Marquita Mosher said. There are a lot of logistics to think about, such as finding and furnishing a home, getting a car, renewing your driver's license, finding doctors, and navigating things like Social Security and Medicare.
"When you come back, there's no property, there's nothing to begin to work from, so you do start from square one," Mike Shalley said.
The Church of the Nazarene's Global Mission Office reaches out to missionaries two to three years before retirement to help them start thinking about the logistics and mentally preparing for the transition, Missions Services Coordinator Glynda Wesley said. The denomination provides counseling sessions for retiring missionaries to help them debrief and prepare for the next stage in life.
Missionaries David and Rhonda Restrick bid farewell to friends in Maputo, Mozambique, where they served for nearly 20 years.
For David and Rhoda Restrick, the year of deputation that retiring missionaries undergo — when they visit churches in their home country to talk about their missionary experience — was therapeutic. They said they intentionally made deputation a time to reflect on their time in Mozambique while learning to transition to the U.S. They also treated it like an adventure, Rhoda said, by making fun tourist stops and visiting family.
But even after two years of being back in the States, longing for Africa still hits, David Restrick said.
"Sometimes missing Africa blindsides us, and in a moment that we least expect it, it all just comes over us," he said.
The feeling might be triggered by something on TV, he said, or the song of a bird outside, or a smell drifting through the air.
Many retiring missionaries say the hardest part of retiring is saying good-bye to the people they served alongside.
"It was the most difficult thing that I ever had to do, to say good-bye, because they had become family," Julie Shalley said. "The Bible promises if you leave one side — father, mother, children, sister, brother, whatever — He's going to give you a hundredfold on the other side, and that's exactly what He did."
The Lord continues to provide when you return home, retiring missionaries said.
"The Lord has been faithful. The church has been very good to us," Marquita Mosher said. "People all around the world have contributed to our lives, and we appreciate that."
NEXT STEP
Retirement is an adjustment for anyone, no matter what profession you were in, Wesley said. A positive thing for retired missionaries, she said, is they have such valuable experiences and perspective to contribute to their home churches.
It was scary to leave missionary work and jump into the unknown, Rhoda Restrick said.
"Our biggest fear, I think, was to be kind of useless after being so busy," she said. "I think that's what a lot of people do, their biggest fear: 'What am I going to do? Am I finished now? Doesn't the Lord have anything more for me?' And we felt like He must have, but we could not see what it might be for a while."
The Restricks are now active in their church, and David teaches at Eastern Nazarene College.
Julie Shalley said she is learning to transfer her call of serving in Africa to her new call of serving in the U.S.
"There is always a part of you that remains in... Africa. It'll never stop," she said.
Mike and Julie Shalley
"He's still working. He's got a plan, and we just have to discover what His plan for us is in this next segment of our lives," Mike Shalley said. "It's still a faith journey. Just because (you spent) 36 years in Africa, it doesn't give you an automatic pass."
What helped her, though, was a prayer she prayed right before leaving Namibia. She asked God, "What does this do to your call? You put a very specific call on my heart, and it's as strong as ever, maybe even stronger. Now what am I supposed to do with that?' And His reply to me was, 'Do you think I only gave you that call for Namibia?'
"That helped me a great deal," Julie said, "the fact that...He is helping me to transfer that call to the United States."[Church of the Nazarene Africa Region via Out of Africa]
Read more Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Retired Sunday School Director Kenneth Rice passes awayKenneth Rice, retired director of the Church Schools and Adult Ministries departments at the International Headquarters of the Church of the Nazarene, passed away September 16. He was 96.
Born January 9, 1919, Rice grew up in the Greely, Colorado, Church of the Nazarene where his father served as Sunday school superintendent. Kenneth attended Northwest Nazarene College (now University) for one year before returning to Greely to attend the University of Northern Colorado. After graduating in 1941 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, he married Betty Blanchard at the Greely church.
Kenneth spent the next four years in the military. Upon returning in 1946, he studied for two years at Nazarene Theological Seminary before moving to Oklahoma City to serve as minister of education at the First Church of the Nazarene. Kenneth held the position until 1956 while continuing his education, eventually earning a master's and doctorate in religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
His next position took him to the International Headquarters of the Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, serving as director of Christian Service Training until 1958. Kenneth returned to Oklahoma City to pastor First Church for three more years, from 1958 to 1961.
On May 23, 1961, the Church of the Nazarene General Board elected Kenneth executive secretary of the Department of Church Schools. During his 15 years in the position, Kenneth led the denomination to record gains in Sunday school enrollment. He was also a prolific author, writing Sunday school curriculum, articles for the Herald of Holiness (now Holiness Today), and several books, including Sunday School: The Edge, How Sunday Schools Grow, and The Department Supervisor.
While serving as secretary, Kenneth also taught Christian education courses at NTS.
In 1978, he became executive director of Adult Ministries, expanding the department to include eight ministries. After six years in the position, Kenneth retired to Winter Haven, Florida, before eventually returning to Oklahoma City.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 73 years, Betty.
Funeral service information is pending. More information will be posted as it is made available.
Prayer is requested for the Rice familyRead more
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Asia-Pacific
Papua New Guinea, Asia-Pacific Region
Kudjip staff members, community respond to food shortage
When news of the food shortage at Melanesia Nazarene Bible College and Teacher’s College made its way to nearby Kudjip Nazarene Mission Station, people began to pray and put actions to their prayers.
“Praise God…the moment Nazarene Health Ministries Administrator Dr. Scott and Baru Dirye had announced that Bible college is in need, we all the staff of NHM drop tears and pray’n believe God will provide," said a staff member at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital. "Praise God. He is wonderful!”
In just two days, more than 17,000 Kina (US$6,060) was raised.
Papua New Guinea's current drought destroyed the students' gardens, which they depend on for food throughout the year. Nazarene Health Ministries staff and leadership understand that training future pastors is at the heart of the Nazarene church in PNG and wanted to make sure educational programs were not disrupted by the drought.
Other churches and districts also brought food and money. Through the combined efforts, the Bible college has enough food to finish the year.
Continued prayer is requested for rain to return to Papua New Guinea.
How to help
Churches and individuals around the world can support food relief distributions by giving to the Asia-Pacific Disaster Response Fund through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116
Be sure to put 1200 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 1200 in the Memo area.
For additional countries, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to the Asia-Pacific Disaster Response Fund.[Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region]
Read more
Kudjip, Papua New Guinea
Tribal dispute north of Kudjip Mission Station in PNGAsia-Pacific Communications received the following prayer request Wednesday from Kudjip Nazarene Hospital Administrator Scott Dooley and Melanesia South Pacific Field Strategy Coordinator Harmon Schmelzenbach about a tribal conflict near Kudjip Nazarene Mission Station:
Please be praying for the effects of a tribal fight taking place in the area north of the Nazarene hospital in Jiwaka Province.
A local leader’s son was killed at Banz yesterday, which is a town about 15 minutes away from the mission station. We are told the man started some disturbance at the market there. He was attacked by a group of people and died as a result of his injuries.
Today, many young men from the Kuma tribe (one of the tribes neighboring the mission station) blocked a bridge into the area. Many of our hospital staff that live in the Banz area could not come to work today because of this. We are now hearing that many of the Kuma men went up to the Banz market and surrounded the area. They have burned down buildings and houses in that area. Many of our staff and Nazarene church members are trapped there with this fighting — feeling that their own properties and lives are threatened.
There is a lot of potential for the fight to grow and spread, affecting many others as both sides feel wronged.
The Nazarene hospital itself currently remains unaffected directly, but this will affect some of our staff and surrounding community.
This is truly a spiritual battle! Many of our project workers are from the Kuma tribe. Many recently gave their lives to Christ this past weekend at a spiritual retreat that the hospital held for them. We even told those at the retreat that often, immediately after coming to Christ, there will be some big temptation. It has certainly turned out that way.
The Nazarene hospital has this week had some community tension over land issues and now today is a time that many in our community are having to decide to stay home and be a comfort to a grieving family or go join a tribal fight that will only build destruction and death.
Please pray for our community leaders, these young men, police/authorities, etc., that they will do the right thing. Pray for the protection of innocent lives and property.
On September 22, the region received the following update:
Last week it was reported that some members of the tribe that live around the Kudjip area, recruited assistance of another tribe and then raided the area of Banz town. This was in retribution for the death of one of their own tribesmen.
Unofficial reports are that two people lost their lives in these events along with 122 homes burned, countless pigs killed, and significant property damage inflicted on gardens and trees.
A strong and prompt police action has seemed to help in re-establishing peace. Nearly 50 men from the Kudjip area were arrested by the police and are still being held in jail. The police have also tried to keep any weapons away from the road junctions and markets and are dissuading people from congregating there. NHM staff who were previously unable to work because of the fighting have now returned to work.
Two Nazarene Health Ministry leaders were asked to come in and help begin peace talks between the two groups. Both sides currently have agreed to work out a peaceful solution. Local churches are already trying to reach out to the community around Banz that saw so much devastation.
We are praying for Christians in both communities, that they would help people who are suffering and be a light of hope and peace, leading people to Christ through these unfortunate events.[Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region]
Read more
Mesoamerica
Mesoamerica Region prepares for NYC
Mesoamerica Regional NYI Coordinator Milton Gay
Mesoamerica Regional Director Carlos Saenz
Nicaragua, Mesoamerica Region
Church of the Nazarene leaders from Nicaragua and the North Central Field Nazarene Youth International gathered August 22 to present plans for INDESTRUCTIBLE 2016, the Mesoamerica Region's Nazarene Youth Congress. The congress will be held in Nicaragua from July 19 to 23, 2016.
The 78 leaders present worshiped God and listened to the Word, shared by Regional Director Carlos Saenz, who challenged leaders to have a great vision for the event, to trust that God will provide the resources, and above all, trust God will do great things in this generation of young people. Regional NYI Coordinator Milton Gay led the planning portion of the gathering.
Special guests included Pastors Ed Belzer and Clint Tafoya of the First Church of the Nazarene in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, who will be part of the re-launch of the Genesis Project and the planting of three new churches on the Nicaragua Central District.
Nicaragua's four district superintendents, along with a leadership team, were also present. They pledged to open the doors of their churches to receive delegations and are already making arrangement for all attendees.
"Nicaragua has an amazing social and ecclesiastical history," said Odily Diaz, North Central Field NYI coordinator. "The Nicaraguans are developing after a war that lasted more than 10 years. Today, it is the safest country in the Americas. Young Nicaraguans will be impacted with the presence of all the young Nazarenes from the region, because people are willing to grow, to invest, and share with others, work on planting three new churches, and the leadership is willing to provide the same track.
"The INDESTRUCTIBLE Regional Congress is based on Acts 5:39," Diaz said. "It will be a festivity full of God’s Word, worship, praise, service, fellowship, learning and consecration. We will have the Regional Youth Bible Quiz competition, concert, plenary, workshops, forums, Maximum Mission, games, regional market, and many more surprises.
Congress plenary speakers Felix Ortiz and his wife, Sara Bonet, have worked since 1979 with the Agape organization, known as Campus Crusade. They have focused on leadership training and development in Spain, Europe, and Latin American countries. Felix is the author of books on training youth leaders, including Raices (Roots) and Pastoral Juvenil en Profundidad (Deep Youth Pastorate). Both speakers will train district presidents, councils, and other field and regional leaders on the theme “Training in Youth Ministry.”
Howard Andruejol has facilitated youth training and projects for leaders across Latin America during his 15 years in youth ministry. He is currently director of the Youth Specialties Institute in Guatemala and executive editor of the Youth Leadership magazine. Andruejol will train young people on issues of culture, service, and other strategies.
Other presenters include General Superintendent Jerry D. Porter, Global Mission Director Verne Ward, Regional Director Carlos Saenz, Global NYI Director Gary Hartke, Leonel de León, and others.
Because July 19 is a holiday, local churches will receive delegations prior to this day. The hotel check-in date will be Tuesday, July 19, starting at 11 a.m with a welcome lunch. The conference will end Saturday, July 23 at 2 p.m.
Delegations that would like to go sightseeing before or after the event should communicate with each coordinator to arrange additional housing.
Register through your district NYI president or NYI field coordinator, on the web at jniregionmesoamerica.org or indestructiblejni.com, or through the Mesoamerica NYI Facebook or Twitter pages.[Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region]
Dominica missionary shares update following Tropical Storm Erika
Mesoamerica Communication recently received the following update from missionary Steve Pettit about a chance encounter with a Tropical Storm Erika survivor in Dominica: Yesterday, Hiram and I, along with one of our pastors, Claude Henderson, went to a local store to purchase bulk food for Claude’s church and community. We spent about $1,000 on rice, water, beans, tuna, sardines, and other bulk foods. Later in the day, I returned to the same store to ask for empty boxes so my family could use them to pack our belongings. We are being forced to move due to the landslide that hit our house. Anyway, I asked the young man at the door if he had any boxes. He remembered us buying food earlier and gladly gave me all the empty boxes he had. As I began to ask him questions and get to know him as a person, I learned he was from Petit Savahn, the community of 700 that was totally wiped out and left uninhabitable forever. He said he and his wife were relocated to town with his cousin. They lost their belongings and a few relatives in the storm. I asked if he and his wife had enough to eat and drink. He said no and that they are an added burden on his cousin, who they moved in with. I was able to give him a full box of food that we had purchased earlier for the other community. And we used one of the boxes he had given me to move our family. People are people and many of them have needs. We only need ask how we can help. I was so happy and honored to give him some hope.
How to help
Pray
Pray for church leaders and the Pettit family as they lead the disaster response efforts. Pray for access to food and safe water on the island. Pray for those grieving the loss of loved ones, vulnerable children and families, and churches working to meet needs in their communities.
Give
Churches and individuals around the world can support disaster response efforts by giving to the Erika Response Fund. Donations will be used to meet immediate needs, including water, food, and shelter, as well as long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116
Be sure to put 125334 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 125334 in the Memo area.
For any other country, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to the NCM Erika Response fund.[Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region]
Read more
South America
Flags of the Nations: ChileThe red stripe represents the blood of patriots who fought for Chile's independence. The white stripe symbolizes the snow of the Andes Mountains; while the blue stripe represents the sky. The star on the flag stresses the fact that Chile is a Unitarian republic, and not a federal republic. The Chilean flag was adopted on October 18, 1817, making it one of the oldest flags in the world. Chile gained independence from Spain on February 12, 1818. (worldflags101.com)
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: Chile
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Chile in 1962.
Chile had a population of 17,363,894 in 2014. That same year, Chile reported 63 Churches of the Nazarene, 58 of which have been officially organized. Chile has 2,741 total members.
Chile has three Phase 2 districts and one Phase 1 district. It is located on the South America Region. 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
Read more
USA/Canada
Lenexa, Kansas
Group term life insurance open enrollmentfor young ministers, spouses nearing endThe end of September is days away, and so is the opportunity to purchase term life insurance without proof of health.
Through September 30, eligible Nazarene pastors and spouses under the age of 49* may purchase Nazarene Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance without proof of health. This means they can purchase low-cost coverage to provide financial protection for their families without the added annoyance of medical check-ups.
The insurance is backed by Aetna and easy to apply for, but open enrollment is only available until the end of this month.Click here for more information about this special offer, or contact Pensions and Benefits USA.
*Applicants must be age 49 or under (as of January 1, 2015), who have not been denied coverage since January 1, 2009.[Pensions and Benefits USA]
Read more
Nampa, Idaho
NNU receives $18M giftNorthwest Nazarene University was notified of the imminent distribution of the final portion of an estate gift from Howard and Mary Conrad. The first portion of the gift, received in March of 2014, came in at $10 million with the understanding that the university would receive an additional sum as the residuary beneficiary at a later date; the university’s remainder interest has now been determined after various other estate matters were settled and totals over $8 million. This gift — now exceeding $18 million — will be transformative for the university, current and future students, and the greater Idaho Treasure Valley.
The Conrads were longtime supporters of the university, and Howard was one of the founding members of the NNU Foundation Board of Directors.
Howard Conrad came from humble beginnings and rose to prominence and influence in his community and church through hard work and wise stewardship. Howard was born in Missouri in 1930. In 1935, his family made the journey west in search of a better life. It was a journey of faith that required that they shelter on the dirt floor of a one-room garage after arriving in Idaho.
In 1948, the Conrad family moved from Twin Falls to Kimberly, Idaho, where they joined the Church of the Nazarene, and young Howard met Mary, who would become his wife of 52 years. Together they built a life and family. Howard was a successful and innovative farmer who also raised champion quarter horses. The Conrads were also faithful and generous church and community members. Their daughter, Julie (Conrad) Sievers (’81), is a graduate of NNU.
This gift is the outcome of more than 30 years of positive relationships between the Conrad family and members of the NNU community. The funds are unrestricted and, as such, policy requires they become part of the quasi-endowment until the university determines an appropriate function for them.
“We are both surprised and incredibly grateful for this second gift that has turned out to be almost equal in magnitude to the first," said Joel Pearsall, interim NNU president. "This is now by far the largest gift NNU has ever received. We will strive to be worthy stewards of this incredible generosity and use the funds to advance the mission of the university and further the kingdom of God to the best of our abilities.”[Northwest Nazarene University]
Read more
Bourbonnais, Illinois
Olivet's Gary Newsome selected NAIA Athletic Director of the YearOlivet Nazarene University announced Gary Newsome was selected by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics as the 2015 Athletic Director of the Year. Earlier this year, Newsome received the same honor from the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference, his second selection in as many years.
Newsome, who took over the reins of the ONU Athletic Department in 2008 after serving the previous nine years as the Tigers' head football coach, helped lead the Tigers to their sixth consecutive CCAC All-Sports Cup. Olivet also finished seventh in the 2014-2015 NAIA Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings, having been as high as second after the winter season standings.
"This is such a well-deserved honor for Coach Newsome," said Head Volleyball Coach Brenda Williams. "I have had the pleasure of working with some of the finest athletic directors here at ONU but Coach Newsome holds a special place on my list as a man of pure integrity, a servant leader who cares for each and every program here like they were his own, and he is the glue that holds all of us together."
During this past school year, Olivet captured six CCAC regular season titles, three tournament titles, and both track and field championships. In total, 12 Tiger teams made NAIA National Tournament appearances, including a runner-up finish by men's swim and a third place finish by men's cross country. Under Newsome's leadership, Olivet had five NAIA individual National Champions and one relay team, 71 NAIA All-Americans, five NAIA National Players of the Week/Month and 69 NAIA Scholar Athletes. The Tigers also had 131 athletes earn CCAC/MFSA All-Conference honors, 172 named CCAC/MFSA All-Academic and three different coaches earn Coach of the Year honors, one earning two honors for both men's and women's track and field.
In 2014, Newsome was elected as the Mid-States Football Association Commissioner. He was also appointed by committee to the NAIA National Administrative Council and will serve on the committee for Awards and Statistics. He was also appointed to the first ever NAIA Athletic Directors Association Board of Directors.
"An award like this is not something that I would have ever expected, but I am so honored to receive such a prestigious title," Newsome said. I am also aware that an award like this is possible because of the outstanding coaches that work for ONU, the commitment by our administration to facilities and even the care of those facilities by those that mow and paint the fields...this is an award for the entire ONU athletic community. My name is honored, but it is truly a department award."[Olivet Nazarene University]
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Nashville, Tennessee
Trevecca students return to campus improvementsTrevecca Nazarene University made $3 million worth of improvements in preparation for the new school year, ranging from remodeling the on-campus coffee shop to updating the university’s Wi-Fi.
A complete renovation of the Greathouse Science Building third floor added new Physician Assistant faculty offices, a conference room, and three PA exam rooms. This completes a multi-year, $5 million renovation project to update the building.
The popular on-campus coffee shop, formerly known as Abba Java, opened this school year with an expanded seating area and a new name, Nineteen|01, in reference to Trevecca’s founding year. The university created additional seating by enclosing the existing porch on the back of the Bud Robinson Building.
“With continued traditional undergrad enrollment increasing, we decided to enclose the porch to expand seating in hopes that more people would take advantage of the grab-and-go option and enjoy lunch in the new space,” said David Caldwell, executive vice president for Finance and Administration.
In addition to the old Abba Java coffee space, Nineteen|01 coffee has added another location in Waggoner Library in place of a few of the main floor periodicals racks. A topic of discussion for a year, Caldwell says the university went forward with the project this summer in hopes of creating a new gathering space for students.
Trevecca also updated its entire Intranet/Wi-Fi system this summer.
“Each generation of student brings more electronics to campus,” Caldwell said. “I believe the average college male brings five-plus devices that connect to Wi-Fi. We increased the size of our Internet connection last year to one gig, but because we had older Wi-Fi access points, switches, servers and fiber optics, the average Wi-Fi speed in classrooms was very slow.”
With three miles of new fiber optic cable in place, officials expect the $850,000-project to provide faster Wi-Fi speed and improve outdoor coverage, even at the athletic fields.
There are also more housing options to meet the demands of a growing student population.
Buildings A and C or the University Terrace Apartments — once used to house married students and employees — were converted to housing for male upperclassmen. The updates include new tile, carpet, and bathrooms. Georgia Hall’s bathrooms also got a facelift, complete with new tile, showers, and sinks.
Other student housing improvement include bigger laundry rooms. Enlarged laundry rooms — with more washers and dryers — mean students living in Shingler, Redford, and Georgia residence halls won’t spend as much time waiting for an open machine.
Outdoors, students can now enjoy an improved soccer area. For years, the hill near the center of the pitch has been a favorite place to take in a Trevecca soccer game. By removing part of the hillside, building retaining walls, and adding bleachers, Trevecca created a new space for soccer fans, all designed to create a better viewing experience.
Additional improvements include a new group study area and new offices for admissions personnel on the lower level of the library, a new location for the K-12 library on the third floor of the Mackey Building, where Trevecca’s School of Education is housed, and a new commercial printer in the Copy Center, which will allow it to act as an on-site print shop, handling most of the university’s printing needs. [Trevecca 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 September 14-18, 2015.B. Leon Armstrong, 69, of Greensboro, North Carolina, passed away September 15. He was a retired minister and evangelist, serving in Virginia and North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Linda Armstrong.Rae (Johnson) Compton, 88, of Bath, Maine, passed away September 13. She was the widow of retired minister and evangelist Herbert Compton, who served in Virginia and New York. Herbert Compton passed away in 2005.Shirley (Schray) Henry, 90, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, passed away September 7. She was the widow of retired minister Paul Henry, who served in Indiana. Paul Henry passed away in 1989.Karen Moses, 60, of Fincastle, Virginia, passed away September 14. She was the wife of Lawrence "Bill" Moses III, who pastors the Danville, Virginia, Calvary Church of the Nazarene.
Kenneth Rice, 96, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away September 16. He was the former director of Sunday School Ministries for the Church of the Nazarene and a retired minister, serving in Oklahoma and Kansas. He is survived by his wife, Betty Rice. (More information will be posted as it is made available.)
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]
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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)
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)
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.
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Global Ministry Center
Nazarene Essentials available in French
Nazarene Essentials, a document that explains the basics of the Church of the Nazarene's teaching, history, theology, mission, funding, and connections, is now available in French.
Released by the Board of General Superintendents in February, Nazarene Essentials is currently being used around the world to educate pastors, other leaders, members of the Church of the Nazarene, and anyone interested in learning more about the denomination.
“Nazarene Essentials will be an important document for the Nazarene church family in the days ahead,” said Benoit Bergerat, lead translator. “This is why significant time was invested and a diverse team mobilized to ensure that the French translation of this tool would be of great quality.”
French is spoken on four different Church of the Nazarene regions: throughout Haiti, Martinique, and other Caribbean islands on the Mesoamerica Region, in several West African countries on the Africa Region, in Quebec on the USA/Canada Region, and in France on the Eurasia Region.
“While French is spoken on all four regions, there are many regional variations, so the challenge was to find the language that would work across the globe and not just with one language group,” said Scott Stargel, director of Global Nazarene Publications and the translation coordinator. “For instance, words as seemingly simple as ‘pulpit’ or ‘worship service’ are translated differently in different world areas.”
After Bergerat completed the initial translation, the document was sent to members of the French Literature Advisory Committee for review. The committee, made up of representatives from around the world, compiled a list of suggested changes that were discussed last week during the committee’s biennial meeting in Dakar, Senegal.
“New English words such as ‘missional’ and ‘intentional discipleship’ are always difficult to translate, and the representatives worked diligently to find solutions that accurately translated the text while faithfully interpreting the meaning,” Stargel said.
Bergerat pastored in his home country of France for more than 10 years before moving to the USA.
"As a translator and as a Nazarene, I am proud of the work accomplished by our team,” Bergerat said. “Our hope is that this document will be a useful and trustworthy tool for French-speaking Nazarenes, whether they live in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, or elsewhere in the world."
General Editor Frank Moore was impressed with the translation effort.
“I am extremely pleased with the work of Scott Stargel and the French Literature Committee in providing us with a French translation of Nazarene Essentials for our global Nazarene family,” Moore said. “This will extend the reach of this project to more people and assist us in conversations about who we are and what we believe as Nazarenes.”
The French translation of Nazarene Essentials is available at nazarene.org/essentials, along with documents in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Additional translations will be added to this site as they become available.Read more ____________________________
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