Croatia, Eurasia Region
Croatia Nazarenes join refugee response
More than 35,000 refugees entered Croatia in the week since Hungary closed its border. Croatia missionaries Dave and Betsy Scott and Ashley Huber are assisting the refugees in any way they can.
“The stories and images shatter stereotypes. They are not pushy, but afraid, tired, and exhausted. My heart is completely broken. I’ve never seen such desperation, such heartache, such determination, such bravery, such sadness. Never.” Read more
Hundreds of thousands of people leaving the Middle East have trudged across southeastern Europe for weeks, buffeted by the rapidly changing policies and politics of various European governments, as they try to make their way to Germany or Austria.
Before 15 September, the refugees were initially flowing through Hungary, where missionaries Jay and Teanna Sunberg and others spent time with those waiting at train and bus stations for transportation to Germany and also distributed emergency supplies. When Hungary shut its border on the 15th, Croatia announced that it welcomed the travelers with open arms.
In Croatia, resident Nazarene missionaries Dave and Betsy Scott and Ashley Huber now find themselves with an overwhelming, unexpected opportunity, as so far 35,000 people have entered Croatia in the last week. According to Betsy, Croatian authorities estimate another 80,000 refugees are on their way. (Read Betsy’s first person observations about the situation here.)
Q&A with Betsy Scott on Croatia refugee relief
Hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the Middle East have trudged across southeastern Europe for weeks, buffeted by the rapidly changing policies and politics of various European governments, as they try to make their way to Germany or Austria.
When Hungary shut its border on the 15th, Croatia threw open its borders and welcomed the travelers with open arms.
In Croatia, resident Nazarene missionaries Dave and Betsy Scott, and Ashley Huber, now find themselves with an overwhelming, unexpected opportunity as so far 35,000 people have entered Croatia in the last week. According to Betsy, Croatian authorities estimate another 80,000 refugees are on their way. (Read more about the latest developments in this Snapshot.)
On Monday, Betsy explained what our team in Zagreb have been doing and what the current situation is for the refugees in Croatia.
Eurasia Communications: What have you been doing to respond to the refugees needs?
Betsy Scott: Such a variety of ways, from helping to coordinate mobilization in Zagreb and eastern Croatia, being proactive in partnering with people and learning the up-to-date needs on the ground. Just that alone has been a 24-hour job. We’ve also been able to help by
- picking up trash
- helping shut down a refugee camp
- buying and delivering much needed tangible material things, like providing tents when there were only 10 tents for a group of 1000 people,
- helping set up a mobile Internet hot spot station for refugees to connect with their loved ones,
- buying hygiene products, baby food, food, water and other supplies.
Betsy Scott: The stories and images shatter stereotypes. They are not pushy, but afraid, tired and exhausted. Maybe there are dangerous people in the mix, but I have to tell you, it didn’t matter, none of it mattered. My heart is completely broken. I’ve never seen such desperation, such heartache, such determination, such bravery, such sadness, never. They have walked over 1,200 km (750 miles) just from Greece to Zagreb, and many are families with really young children, ranging from 3 months old to teenagers.
We met a woman who had been traveling by herself with her 3-month-old. Her husband is still in Syria. She found security traveling with another family. We noticed that she needed shoes, and we were able to get her a stroller for her baby. I think of her every day: the kind of strength it would take for a woman to travel this far with just her baby and no husband. And yet, they press on.
I wondered: What must their lives have been like for them to endure something like this, to put their family through this type of journey? They’ve endured such low living conditions, depended on food handouts; their children have sores, are sick, dehydrated, hungry, so exhausted … and yet, this life is better: They are safe.
One woman said she was disgusted by her own smell. Many are given water and food, but the truth is they need another level of care. They desperately need a shower and want to feel human again.
Many saw things they needed in front of them, but they didn’t ask for it. So we began to bring it directly to them, and then they would take it. They didn’t feel they could go to the table and ask for something, but when it was offered, they smiled gratefully and said “Thank you.”
Eurasia Communications: Is there a standout visual memory of what you have seen this week that stays in your mind?
Betsy Scott: A group of men kicking around a soccer ball in the middle of the camp and passing it to volunteers and back. I realized then that we focus so much on providing the “level 1” basic needs – food and water – that we often overlook the soccer ball purchase that reminds them of who they are, what they love, where they’ve come from.
One man, Mohammed, asked if he could help us, and put on a yellow vest and began carrying crates and sorting things. In that moment, we didn’t have separation of “us and them” – of the giver and the taker; we were both helping, both caring. It was lovely.
Eurasia Communications: What is the nation of Croatia or the city of Zagreb doing at the moment — political, civilian, nonprofits, Christians, etc.?
Betsy Scott: At the moment, part of Zagreb doesn’t know refugees are on their doorstep (or that’s what it feels like when you’re in the city) and part of the city has dedicated their time and resources to helping people. Often, it has felt that these refugees are just game pieces in the bigger political picture: close the border here, open it there, don’t let them pass here, bus them there, put them in a camp there, go now – it’s open.
But, given the political tension, there are so many organizations working together. We have personally had the privilege to partner with local non-government organizations, Protestant churches, the Red Cross, friends and colleagues, and other missions organizations who have come to help, and keep coming, from Youth With a Mission to Intervarsity to others.
We have not just served with local Croatian entities, but also with Austrian, Hungarian and Slovenian volunteers, and the cooperation has been a beautiful thing.
The Red Cross has been a great way to partner with others. We knew right away we needed to register because many places were only allowing Red Cross volunteers to help. So Dave signed up and that first night worked with the director of the Red Cross in Zagreb, setting up a facility with 1,000 beds. From there, broader networks formed, and as of right now, he’s been working with the organizer of one camp we helped set up on one of the borders between Slovenia and Croatia. That border was closed tonight, and they had to move the whole camp elsewhere.
Eurasia Communications: What difficulties are the refugees facing in getting through Croatia? Where are they heading?
Betsy Scott: One huge danger is that if they don’t stay on the road, from Tovarnik they will run into many landmines still in the fields and forests. Many were also taken to an old army barracks in Beli Manastir (half an hour north of Osijek) for “holding,” which is close to the Hungarian border. But, in what seemed like one day, they had some 7,000 refugees in a camp that was outfitted for 1,000 people, so that became a dire situation.
Other difficulties include people taking advantage of refugees by charging them an absurd amount of money for transportation, or taxis bringing loads and loads of people to the Slovenian border before Slovenia had agreed to open it. These bottleneck situations then formed at two borders, and that’s where most of our efforts have been in the last few days.
Eurasia Communications: How can Nazarenes globally help you?
Betsy Scott: Please learn about this situation, and be open to hearing stories that will keep you from stereotyping or being directed by your fear. And allow it to challenge your thinking. Many of us have giant needs in our back yards that we can choose to be aware of and do something about, or we can keep living our lives as if they aren’t there.
PRAY for the strength of these individuals and families to keep going, for healthy babies, for those who are sick to get the help they need, for fewer infections, for better living conditions. PRAY for the volunteers who are giving all they have to help complete strangers. PRAY for new volunteers to help, to come alongside what others are already doing, to seek new creative ways for a long-term plan.
PRAY for the love of Jesus to reach these refugees, and that they would feel loved and cared for.
How to respond
Share
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries 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.
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.
Serve
Download a booklet with suggestions and guidelines for supporting refugees in your local community.[Photos courtesy Teanna Sunberg.]
Huber and the Scotts have thrown themselves into the relief work — in partnership with Christian friends and numerous organizations and churches — to provide emergency relief to the people, as well as set up transition centers where people can sleep before journeying on.
There are two borders between Croatia and Slovenia where they have been focusing their help: Harmica and Bregana.
They have been picking up trash, buying and delivering much-needed items such as tents when there were only 10 for a group of 1,000 people, helping set up a mobile Internet hot spot station for refugees to connect with their loved ones, and buying hygiene products, baby food, food, water, and other supplies.
Dave registered as a volunteer with the Red Cross, which allowed him to assist in setting up transitional shelters for the refugees to sleep before moving on to cross the borders.
On Wednesday,
The crisis has united numerous organizations and people in a compassionate response.
“We have not just served with local Croatian entities, but also with Austrian, Hungarian, and Slovenian volunteers, and the cooperation has been a beautiful thing,” Betsy wrote. “We have personally had the privilege to partner with local non-government organizations, Protestant churches, the Red Cross, friends and colleagues, and other missions organizations who have come to help, and keep coming, from Youth With a Mission to Intervarsity to others.”
Many of the travelers fleeing war zones in the Middle East are finding new dangers as they walk through Croatia. Relics of war in the early 1990s, landmines pose invisible dangers to unwary people on foot. Additionally, according to several missionaries in Croatia, some local people are taking advantage of the refugees by charging them highly inflated fees to transport them to the border.
“They have walked over 1,200 km (750 miles) just from Greece to Zagreb, and many are families with really young children, ranging from 3 months old to teenagers,” Betsy said. “We met a woman who had been traveling by herself with her 3-month-old. Her husband is still in Syria. She found security traveling with another family. We noticed that she needed shoes, and we were able to get her a stroller for her baby.
“The stories and images shatter stereotypes. They are not pushy, but afraid, tired, and exhausted. My heart is completely broken. I’ve never seen such desperation, such heartache, such determination, such bravery, such sadness. Never.”
Betsy asks our global church family to pray:
“PRAY for the strength of these individuals and families to keep going, for healthy babies, for those who are sick to get the help they need, for fewer infections, for better living conditions. PRAY for the volunteers who are giving all they have to help complete strangers. PRAY for new volunteers to help, to come alongside what others are already doing, to seek new creative ways for a long-term plan.
“PRAY for the love of Jesus to reach these refugees, and that they would feel loved and cared for.”
Related: "Board of General Superintendents urges church response to refugee crisis"
How to respond
ServeDownload a booklet with suggestions and guidelines for supporting refugees in your local community.Share
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries 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, 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.[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
Nazareth, Israel
A Nazarene from Nazareth: 'We are the light of the world'
Nizar Touma likes to say he’s a real Nazarene, by birth, in addition to being a Nazarene by church membership. Read more
Nizar Touma likes to say he’s a real Nazarene, by birth, in addition to being a Nazarene by church membership.
Growing up in Nazareth, in Israel, Touma was raised by his parents in the Greek Orthodox Church. Yet, he says they were not serious about their faith, practicing it only as a tradition, not a personal relationship with God.
Touma also participated in the traditions of the church as a youth, but was not a believer in Jesus Christ.
“Until I was 18 or 19, I never thought about my eternal life,” he said.
Just after finishing high school, a friend invited Touma to attend a prayer meeting at a Nazarene church. An American minister named Lindell Browning was there and preached. Touma enjoyed the atmosphere and the activities; they were novel and different from what he was used to. As he began attending regularly, he also took an interest in reading the Bible. He was surprised by what he found in it and wondered why he had never read it before.
One day, during one of the worship meetings, the minister asked if anyone in the room wanted to open their hearts to Jesus and change their lives and invited them to walk up to the front. Touma was a very shy person, usually sitting in the back, and instead of going forward, he rushed home. But once he was alone, he fell to his knees and wept over his sins, confessing to God all the wrong things he had done — things he had never before considered wrong, because everyone did them.
“The next morning, I opened my window and I saw everything out there was new," Touma said. "A big light was shining. It’s like [I was] someone who discovered a new world. I suddenly thought, ‘I was just now born.’”
He went to work and the men he worked with asked him what was wrong, noting that something in his face was different. Touma began talking to his co-workers about what God had done in his heart and that God had made him a new person.
Surprisingly, his parents were unhappy with his change. They told him that if he continued going to the evangelical church, he should move out of their house. But he was stubborn and said that was fine with him. Gradually, they accepted his new relationship with God.
During the first year of his new faith, he brought many friends to the church and naturally began to take leadership of the youth group, helping to lead worship and sing.
Two years later, in 1987, Touma enrolled in theological education in Cyprus.
“My heart was jumping out," he said. "My heart was to serve, to give up everything. In 1985 was the year when you finish high school, you’re like, ‘There is the world, I’m going to overtake it.’ You want to go out and find your future. So in my mind was: get a good job, continue studying, get a wife, get married, have a family. All that was in front of me.”
However, God pushed all those desires from his heart and mind, and he soon cared only about serving God. He began assisting Browning in leading the Nazarene church in Jerusalem. After he was ordained, Touma took over as pastor for almost 10 years.
In 2000, Touma felt God leading him back to his hometown of Nazareth. This was not what Touma wanted. He argued and argued with God and — to avoid the calling — even went out to get an office job with Campus Crusade for Christ (now known as CRU).
“But God’s voice never left me,” he said. “The voice of the Lord (was), ‘I called you to be a shepherd, I didn’t call you to be in administration.’”
His wife, Katie, heard clearly from God, as well. She had prayed that if God wanted them to relocate to Nazareth for ministry, that He would cause a dove to come and land on their window within the next 10 minutes. When she next turned her face to the window, the dove was sitting there. It shocked her so greatly that she called her husband, hysterical and unable to talk coherently.
Finally accepting the clear direction of the Lord, they called Browning and told him they were ready to go back to Nazareth, where a pastor from Northern Ireland named Henry Stephenson, had been leading the church. He remained to help the Toumas adjust to the ministry and then he moved away.
Now, Nizar says he does not regret the move.
"I think when you are in the will of God, you are in the right place," he said. "It’s my joy, actually. If it was not for the calling to be in Nazareth, I would not be there. It’s so challenging. But God has used us in a miraculous way.”
When Nizar arrived, the church was seeing attendance under 50. He asked the congregation to fast and pray with him for eight days. Afterward, they saw people who were healed from sicknesses and diseases. Some families were restored from broken relationships. Encouraged by seeing God powerfully at work to heal and transform people, they implemented prayer and fasting as a regular practice of the church. The church members fast all day every Wednesday, then meet for two hours of prayer for the situations in the Middle East, for refugees, for the Body of Christ, and also the Nazarene denomination. They also fast annually for a week over Easter.
The Nazarene church in Nazareth is flourishing. The attendance at the church is more than 200 people, but their influence reaches well over 300. They have a preschool that allows them to minister to children from several different religious backgrounds while funding the overall work of the church. They also started a large yard sale where they sell cheap items, allowing them to buy food supplies for local needy families and also to distribute Bibles in Gaza, including a solar-charged audio Bible.
The congregation, which is mostly Arab by ethnicity, delivered Christmas gifts and sweets to a Jewish orphanage.
Nizar said that his church has reached people from a variety of backgrounds, including atheism.
He has a heart for reconciliation between Arab believers and Messianic believers, trying to build bridges between Arab and Jewish pastors. He occasionally invites Jewish pastors to preach in his church and has also preached in some Messianic congregations.
“In the Middle East, we are a minority,” he said. “But I feel like we have the effect of the salt on a good meal. We have that effect of the salt because we are the salt of the earth. We are the light of the world. If we believe that, something must happen; it’s a must.”
For more of Nizar's story, visit the Engage magazine website.[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
Manila, Philippines
Child sponsorship: Philippine PK gives back
Ernalyn Longcop Fausto, the daughter of a Philippine pastor, was sponsored as a child through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. That support drove Ernalyn to do her best and inspired her to give back to the church through her Web development skills, including serving as the lead developer for the new nazarene.org. (via Engage magazine) Read more
When a woman from Oregon in the U.S. decided in 1995 to sponsor a little girl from the Philippines, she couldn’t possibly know how God would honor that investment. She didn’t know that God would plant a dream in that child’s heart that would bring her from poverty to a life of learning that would one day enable her to become the lead developer for the new nazarene.org website and begin to invest her life in others. Ernalyn Longcop Fausto was selected and her journey began.
Ernalyn was born in a small town in Dulag Leyte in the central Philippines in 1987. At that time, she joined five other siblings and their father, who was a pastor struggling to support his large family. Later two more children joined the family. Often there was nothing to feed their children. Ernalyn’s mother would often call the children to the table and tell them to close their eyes and imagine their favorite food. Then they would thank God for it, drink their glass of water, and go on to their tasks.
http://medialibrary.nazarene.org/login?came_from=%2Fmedia%2Fchild-sponsorship-changing-lives
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine
Guinea-Bissau, Africa Region
First Nazarene churches organized in Guinea-Bissau
During a recent trip to Guinea-Bissau, General Superintendent Eugénio R. Duarte and Africa Regional Director Filimao Chambo organized the first Nazarene churches in that nation. Read more
General Superintendent Eugéio R. Duarte preaches alongside a translator at a new church building in Guinea-Bissau.
Africa Regional Director Filimao Chambo said he had a "blessed and busy" visit to Guinea-Bissau in West Africa in July.
"The Church of the Nazarene is indeed planted and is expanding and maturing in this nation," he said.
General Superintendent Eugénio R. Duarte was also in Guinea-Bissau during Chambo's trip. Duarte organized the first Nazarene churches in Guinea-Bissau: Coqueiro and Aeroporto.
"The people's faces were radiant with amazing joy and beautiful smiles," Chambo said.
Following the organization, Duarte received new members and Africa Lusophone Field Strategy Coordinator Adérito Ferreira baptized 22 people.
Duarte preached on Nazarene Essentials — a document that help believers understand the heart of the Church of the Nazarene's beliefs — and dedicated a new church building constructed with Alabaster funds.
"I am thankful for a global and generous church," Chambo said. "This building will also be used as a child development center. In fact, we already have a Nazarene school for children in this community. The community has expressed appreciation to a church that cares about the poor. The community leader said that the church is making an amazing impact in the lives of the people."
Missionaries Mario and Irma Martinez established a center for literacy training for people who cannot read or write. A participant said, "I now know how to write my name, I can read my Bible, and other things because of this ministry. Thank you."
"The church is well and alive in Guinea-Bissau," Chambo said. "There is still work to be done. Some of the needs include theological education, discipleship, and resources for evangelism, discipleship, and compassionate ministry activities."[Church of the Nazarene Africa Region via Out of Africa]
Carla Sunberg selected as Olivet's Fay Quanstrom Chair
Olivet Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary announced a formal partnership in the preparation of ministry leaders. Read more
Olivet Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary announced a formal partnership in the preparation of ministry leaders.
“In 2011, Olivet received a generous gift from Drs. Fay and Walter Quanstrom in order to establish the Reverend Dr. Fay Quanstrom Endowed Chair of Pastoral Ministry," said Mark Quanstrom, chair of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Olivet. “We are pleased to announce that Dr. Carla Sunberg, president of Nazarene Theological Seminary, will be the recipient of the Fay Quanstrom Chair for the next two years. During this time, there will be ongoing development of programs of collaboration between the institutions. Several special events with NTS will be held on the campus of Olivet and funding for the chair will continue to honor Rev. Dr. Quanstrom by providing opportunities for an emphasis on women clergy and leaders.”
In addition, beginning in May 2016 Olivet and NTS will begin offering a number of courses that will offer cross-registration between the two institutions.
“I am honored to serve as the honorary member of the Quanstrom Chair at Olivet," Sunberg said. "Both Olivet and NTS bring excellent faculty and resources to the table when it comes to ministerial preparation. The partnership between the two institutions represents an intentional investment in the development of Kingdom leaders for the future.”[Nazarene Theological Seminary]
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Asia-Pacific
Philippine children express appreciation for church through art exhibition
More than 200 people gathered September 17 at Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary to celebrate the work of young artists from the Rowenas community located just outside the seminary walls. (slideshow) Read more
Students' art work was displayed around the room.
Children from the Rowenas community perform a dance.
Left to right: Aisling Zweigle, Enoch Tee, Jackson Natividad
Rowenas, Philippines
More than 200 people gathered September 17 at Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary to celebrate the work of young artists from the Rowenas community located just outside the seminary walls.
"It was a big night," said Aisling Zweigle, a Nazarene Mission Corps volunteer. "The mood-lit event room filled up with guests. The stage lights cascaded on the faces of those admiring banners about the Rowenas art classes. They lined up to read the childrens’ quotes alongside their drawings. The words described the challenges of living in an urban, poor, informal settlement next to the seminary. The words also highlighted the incredible difference that God had made in their lives because of the work of Christ, His church, and the simple joys of an art class."
Enoch Tee, a Mission Corps volunteer from Canada and a graphic designer for World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific team, has been teaching weekly art classes in Rowenas for more than eight months in cooperation with River of Life Community Fellowship Church of the Nazarene. The classes have allowed volunteers to reach the children by engaging their creative skills in an environment that nurtures insight, vision for the future, and concern for their community.
J. W. Young, a preteen, explained his artistic motivation in a note.
"The church is the one that can help me fly high for my goals," he wrote. "The clouds represent problems and storms the whole community feels, but in the church there is strength to stand firm, giving the community the strength to grow."
Tee, Zweigle, and River of Life Pastor Jackson Natividad worked with others to make the first-ever exhibition a reality. The night celebrated the holistic outreach and spiritual discipleship at work in the Gintong Aral Child Development Center.
In addition to giving the students a chance to showcase their drawings, dancing, and singing, it was also a fundraiser for future art programs and mentoring.[Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region] South America
Flags of the Nations: Colombia
Each week, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center proudly flies a flag of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. This week's flag: Colombia, South America Region. Click "read more" for information on the country, including what year the denomination entered Colombia and how many Nazarenes there are today. Read more
The flag of Colombia is a horizontal tricolor of yellow, blue, and red. Yellow represents gold found in the Colombian land, blue represents the
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Colombia in 1975.
Colombia had a population of 46,245,297 in 2014. That same year, Colombia reported 84 Churches of the Nazarene, 81 of which had been officially organized. Colombia has 19,623 total members.
Located on the South America Region, Colombia has one Phase 3 districts, two Phase 2 districts, and four 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 NazareneUSA/Canada
Oak Harbor, Washington
Washington church serves community for 90 years, keeps up with times
Pastor Benjamin Norris of the 90-year-old Oak Harbor, Washington, Church of the Nazarene is proud of the changes that have taken place under the roof of his church over the years to accommodate a changing congregation. (via Whidbey News-Times) Read more
A measure of how much the Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene has stayed in step with the times is evident the moment you enter the building.
At the end of the foyer, not far from the sanctuary, is an espresso bar where hot and cold beverages are served on Sunday mornings before worship service.
“You can get anything here you can get at Starbucks,” lead pastor Benjamin Norris said with a smile. “It’s true. Just about.”
Norris takes pride in the carefully considered evolutions that have taken place under the roof of his church over the years to accommodate a changing congregation during modern times.
The fact that the Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene is celebrating its 90-year anniversary Sunday is a testament to its ability to evolve, grow, and survive.
The average life cycle of a church in the United States is under 50 years, according to Norris.
“I think this is a church that after 90 years is still thriving, still meeting needs, still receiving new members,” Norris said. “We have a growing children’s and teen ministry.”
About 250 members make up Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene, which places emphasis on serving young families locally as well as providing compassionate ministry to those in need at home and abroad.
The church is closely tied to families from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
“There have been times when practically half of our congregation had connections with the military here on the island,” said church member Paul Miller.
“It ebbs and flows,” Norris said.
The son of a U.S. Marine, Norris grew up with an understanding of military life, which is reflected at the church where he’s spent 23 years, by far the longest tenure of any pastor there.
No longer does he wear a suit and tie to service, preferring instead to be dressy but casual.
“I’ll show up sometimes like this,” he said, referring to jeans, a polo shirt, and casual dress shoes. “Part of that is to understand the culture around us. We live in a military community where so many people are in uniform all week long and what they don’t want to feel like is they have to wear another uniform on Sunday morning. And so we try to make it accessible to folks.
“The other thing is people feel busier today than they’ve ever felt. And trying to do ministry among people who feel so busy has necessitated a lot of changes in how we do ministry.”
Norris said the days of delivering sermons from handwritten notes or those typed up on a typewriter are long gone.
Digital technology has transformed how he preaches his message, from iPads to Powerpoint presentations.
“I don’t even have a pulpit anymore. I have a stand,” Norris said. “Sometimes, we’ll set up a live Internet feed where we’ll have people Googling things that I’m talking about and bring them up on the screen. It’s all very much interactive.”
Other relics at the church are the organ, replaced by the keyboard and guitars; and pews, replaced by more comfortable seating.
Hymns, once so prominent during worship services, now are replaced by more contemporary music.
All this is popular with the church’s growing younger members, who have their own multi-media room and also enjoy many of the church’s other youth-oriented programs and functions.
One such event is Trunk or Treat, a Halloween night occasion that annually draws more than 1,000 kids to the church’s parking lot.
“There’s still a face-to-face aspect of the ministry, but it’s very much tied into all the things that the kids are into,” said Norris, whose wife, Lisa Norris, is the church’s children’s pastor. “It’s really still all about the message, but we’re trying to use the material and technology in the sense of meeting the culture where we are.”
From its humble beginnings inside a tent on land just north of city hall in 1924, Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene has rested in two primary long-term sites.
It started with 14 charter members led by pastor Louise Pinnell at the former Christian Reform Church building on Oak Harbor Street.
To accommodate growth, a new church was built at its present-day site on West Whidbey Avenue with the first service held in August of 1976.
At least 18 present-day members were part of the church when it was located on Oak Harbor Street.
One of them is Rosalie Nunn, 89, who’s been a member since 1957.
“The church is pretty much the same, but there are things that I notice that are different,” Nunn said. “We’re not quite as strict as we were back then. We’re still pretty conservative.”
It took Nunn a while to get used to the espresso machine, but she sees the warm smiles on people’s faces.
Drinks are even allowed in the sanctuary.
“I guess I’ve gotten used to it now,” she said. “You get used to change. It used to be you never drank in the sanctuary. But you adjust to things. People change.”[Republished with permission from the Whidbey New-Times]Lenexa, Kansas
Multicultural Ministries launches leadership development program
The Multicultural Ministries Office recently launched the Ethnic Leadership Development Initiative. Through the two-year program, the next generation of young leaders from different ethnic groups on the USA/Canada Region will be coached, mentored, and developed. Read more
Left to right, row one: Rhonda
Row two: Cassandra Trotman, Nahomie Samuel, Lydia Zhao, Jorge Romero, Sonja Brown-Singer
Row three: Div Tosingilo, Shane Burt-Miller, Ismael Flores, Ritchie Asuega
Row four: Errol
Row five: Aaron Shin, Jeffrey Padre-
The Multicultural Ministries Office launched the Ethnic Leadership Development Initiative September 15 to 17. Through the two-year program, the next generation of young leaders from different ethnic groups on the USA/Canada Region will be coached, mentored, and develop. The first cohort was made up of 17 young ministers.
The ethnic facilitators used the following criteria to select young leaders to represent their ethnicity or ministry:
- Active in ministry and serving in a local church;
- Have ministerial education background;
- Are potential candidates for membership on a Strategic Readiness Team;
- Willing to be developed by a coaching system for two years
Program facilitators Errol and Rhonda Carrim will coach the group through personal contact, webinars, a blog, and book and article readings. A mentoring structure will be established and a mentor will be assigned to each member.
At the end of the last session, a participant covenant was signed by the members.[Multicultural Ministries]
Waco, Texas
M15 presenter Diana Garland remembered
Diana Garland, a presenter at the recent Mission 2015 (M15) Conference, passed away September 21 after battling pancreatic cancer. Read more
Garland led two mega seminars sponsored by Nazarene Theological Seminary and Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International during the February event. The seminars were titled Congregations that Bless Families and Real Families of Faith.
In 2005, Garland became founding dean of Baylor University's School of Social Work, now named in her honor.
She is survived by her husband, David, children Sarah (Matthew) and John (Abby), and four grandchildren.
Prayer is requested for the Garland family. For more information, see the Baptist Standard.
Nashville, Tennessee
Residential development set to begin next to Trevecca
Construction is set to begin on Trevecca Nazarene University's Walden Village, a residential development adjacent to the university, just south of downtown Nashville. Once completed, Walden Village will include a collection of 34 homes located on approximately three acres of land next to the campus. Read more
Construction is set to begin on Walden Village, a residential development adjacent to Trevecca Nazarene University, just south of downtown Nashville. The development was made possible by a partnership between the university and Parkside Builders, with assistance from Towne Creek Realty.
Once completed, Walden Village will include a collection of 34 homes — both cottages and townhomes — located on approximately three acres of land next to the campus. The project will be constructed in three phases. Phase 1, which includes 14 cottages and a five-unit townhome building, is already nearly sold out. The units will offer diverse streetscapes, low maintenance, and individual garages. Prices currently range from $213,900 to $254,900.
While the university encourages its employees to purchase homes in the development, Trevecca officials also hope the project will expand residential options for those looking to live near downtown Nashville.
“Walden Village is a dream come true," said Dan Boone, Trevecca president. "For many years, the Trevecca campus was enriched by neighbors who worked at the university and participated in the life of the campus. We are now at a pivotal moment of restoring a neighborhood around Trevecca. Walden Village is the first stage of this new initiative to bring vibrant neighborhoods around Trevecca.”
Trevecca closed on the property September 17. Mel and Chris Thompson of Towne Creek Realty were instrumental in the project and the ongoing relationship between Trevecca and Parkside Builders.
Randy Chastain of Parkside Builders said construction will begin on the site almost immediately.
“We cannot overstate how excited we are to work with Trevecca in bringing a variety of housing options to downtown Nashville,” Chastain said. “Located just minutes from Broadway, Trevecca’s expanding campus is creating an exciting new urban campus environment for housing. Instead of ‘West End,’ I like to think of it as the new ‘South End.’”
Phase 1 is expected to be complete around May 2016. It will take about a year and a half to finish the entire project.
With the help of Towne Creek Realty, Trevecca has also taken a great interest in creating diverse and affordable housing options near campus in a development called Walden Grove. In addition to the homes and townhomes in Walden Village, Walden Grove will include a multi-family apartment building to be built in the near future.[Trevecca Nazarene University]
Nampa, Idaho
NNU honors Don Brandt with the 2015 Eugene Emerson Award
Northwest Nazarene University presented the 2015 Eugene Emerson Award to Don Brandt at the annual NNU President’s Dinner. The award honors an individual or organization whose goals are to enrich, support, and enhance the local Nampa, Idaho, community. Read more
Each year Northwest Nazarene University honors an individual or organization whose goals are to enrich, support, and enhance the local Nampa community. This year the 2015 Eugene Emerson Award was presented to Don Brandt at the annual NNU President’s Dinner.
Being active in the community has long been important to Brandt. He is president of the Brandt Agency, a real estate firm that has played an important part in the development of Idaho's Boise Valley since 1963. He was twice designated Realtor of the Year by the Nampa Board of Realtors.
He is the chairman of the John H. and Orah I. Brandt Foundation. The Brandt Foundation is a leading force for philanthropy in the local community. As chairman of the foundation, Brandt ensures that the philanthropic legacy of the Brandt family continues to improve the quality of life for Nampa residents.
Brandt and his siblings recently announced a gift to the city of Nampa of 26 acres at the intersection of Cherry Lane and Franklin; the property will be used to develop a park in the memory of their mother. In addition, Brandt has donated space to LOVE, Inc., and Brandt was named the Volunteer of the Century by The Salvation Army.
Service to his community defines Brandt, as reflected in his service as the past chairman and member of The Salvation Army Advisory Board, past campaign chairman and president of the Nampa and Canyon Area United Way, and director and past chairman of the Nampa Shelter Foundation. He is a past member of the Canyon County Planning and Zoning Commission and past chairman of several Nampa Chamber of Commerce committees. He is a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.
With regard to NNU, Brandt has served as a connection between the university and community in several ways. Brandt was involved in finalizing the lead gift for the building of NNU’s Brandt Center, a campus and community landmark. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the NNU Foundation and is a member of the Investment Committee, which guides the management of NNU’s endowment assets. In that role, Brandt has facilitated and brought to the Foundation wise investment opportunities that ensure the future of the endowment. The Brandt Foundation hosts events at the Brandt Center every year, bringing members of the community on campus and helping to create lasting connections with many community stakeholders.
NNU President Joel Pearsall describes Brandt's role this way: “For as long as I can remember, Don has been willing to stand alongside Northwest Nazarene University to guide us, to advise us, and to provide a loving reflection back to us so that we might better see ourselves. We greatly respect his wise and firm counsel, and we know well that when Don speaks to us, we must listen and hear what he says. His mark on the university is indelible.”
The Eugene Emerson Award was established in 1985 to acknowledge the spirit of cooperation that exists between the Treasure Valley and the university. The award was named for NNU founder Eugene Emerson, a Nampa businessman who also established a lumber company and later sold it to Windsor Lloyd of Lloyd Lumber Company. The award honors those who have contributed significantly to fostering that cooperation, and by so doing, draw attention to the mutual benefit gained by both the community and the university.[Northwest Nazarene University]
Mount Vernon, Ohio
MVNU expands tutoring service through new partnership
Mount Vernon Nazarene University recently partnered with Tutor Matching Services to streamline the university’s tutoring process. Through virtual tutoring sessions, the university will expand its tutoring service beyond the campus community. Read more
Mount Vernon Nazarene University recently partnered with Tutor Matching Services to streamline the university’s tutoring process. The Center for Student Success will use TMS to train and certify tutors and to fill the tutoring needs of students on and off campus. Tutoring through the TMS service is free to current MVNU students and MVNU alumni with a voucher code from the Center for Student Success.
“TMS opens wide our potential for first-class customer service by enabling us to not only provide tutoring for our traditional and GPS students during the night hours and weekends, but by also opening our tutoring services up to the local community, the MVNU education region, and the world,” said Brad Whitaker, assistant vice president for Student Success and Retention at MVNU. “I'm particularly excited about the potential for our MVNU students to tutor home-educated and missionary kids around the world.”
In addition to partnering with MVNU, TMS also announced partnerships with College of Southern Idaho, East Tennessee State University, San Diego Christian, Ursinus College, University of South Carolina-Aiken, and Paine College.
“We are delighted to welcome these new partners,” said Ethan Fieldman, co-founder and director of TMS.
MVNU will provide tutoring services to those in the Mount Vernon community outside of the student population for a flat fee of $9 per hour. People in the Mount Vernon community will be able to request MVNU tutors through TMS either in person at the Center for Student Success or remotely through virtual tutoring sessions. Tutoring appointments are scheduled in one-hour increments.[Mount Vernon Nazarene University]
In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received September 21-25, 2015. Read more
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received September 21-25, 2015.
William Carte, 60, of Mount Dora, Florida, passed away September 17. He was a minister, previously serving in Kentucky, West Virginia, South Carolina, Florida, and North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Geneva Carte.
Wilma (Wilson) Fleshman, 84, of Saginaw, Michigan, passed away September 17. She was the widow of retired minister Harold Fleshman, who served in Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado. Harold Fleshman passed away in 2009.
Lester Foote, 90, of Yuma, Arizona, passed away September 16. He was a retired minister, serving in Hawaii, New Mexico, and Arizona. He is survived by his wife, Neta Foote.
Amanda (Beaufort) Jackson, 65, of Lake Elsinore, California, passed away June 26. She was the wife of minister Robert Jackson, who previously served in California.
Kay (Wyatt) Kibler, 56, of Jefferson, Pennsylvania, passed away September 23. She was the wife of minister Carl Kibler, who pastors the Jefferson, Pennsylvania, Church of the Nazarene.
Maxine Klineline, 92, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away September 23. She was a retired missionary, preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert Klineline, in 2001. More information will be posted as it is made available.
Norma (Esperilla) Runion, 64, of El Cajon, California, passed away September 18. She was the wife of minister David Runion, who pastors the San Diego, California, Mission Church of the Nazarene.
Juanita Sapp, 89, of O'Fallon, Missouri, passed away September 17. She was the widow of retired minister John Sapp, who served in Minnesota, Missouri, and Illinois. John Sapp passed away in 1993.
Anna (Gumm) Woolums, 86, of Elkins, West Virginia, passed away September 21. She was the widow of retired minister Allen Woolums, who served in West Virginia and Florida. Allen Woolums passed away in 1988.
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]
Human Resources
GMC employment opportunities
Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the Global Ministry Center is the administrative, mission, and service hub for the Church of the Nazarene's ministries in 159 world areas. The following positions are available: Read more
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 — 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.
Global Ministry Center
Global praise reports and prayer requests
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners. Included this week: Pastor's son paralyzed in fall. Read more
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners include:
PRAISES
JESUS Film - India
"It was a very happy moment for us," said a team leader in India. "We have started a preaching point. This was a bit of a process. Our team visited the village in advance to secure permission to show the JESUS film. The community leaders were interested to find out more about this Jesus and agreed to the presentation. Many villagers came, and now, through the follow-up efforts of the team, 18 new believers are coming regularly to our meetings."
JESUS Film - Colombia
"God is blessing this place!" said a team member from Cali, Colombia. "He is working in tremendous ways to start new preaching points and to bring the lost to Christ. One man wanted to commit suicide, but when he saw the JESUS film, he gave his life to the Lord. He became involved with starting a new preaching point for the glory of God. There is much love and compassion for people in this group and it is growing quickly."
JESUS Film - Mozambique
"I used to steal from the houses in my area," said a 39-year-old husband and father of three in Mozambique. "I am glad to have this opportunity to testify to what the Lord has done in my life. I was a sinner and went to prison for three years for theft. I realize now I was lost in sin. I have given my life to God and want Him to use me in the way He wants. I ask for your prayers."
PRAYER REQUESTS
Hajj stampede
The Eurasia Region shared the following request: We are grieved by the tragic deaths of more than 700 people and for the additional 863 people who were injured in a stampede during the annual Hajj pilgrimage at Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Please pray that God would bring fast healing to the injured and comfort to those who lost loved ones.
Air quality in Southeast Asia
Air quality across much of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and other areas of Southeast Asia has reached dangerous levels due to fires in the region. Singapore residents have been advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activity or stay inside. In Indonesia, thousands of people have relocated to other areas.
Quito taxes
Thank you for your prayers over the past several months regarding the 1,000 percent increase in taxes on Nazarene properties (churches and the seminary) in Quito, Ecuador. On September 21, Nazarene leaders provided officials proof of the ministry that takes place on Nazarene property and in surrounding communities. The team in Ecuador said, "We would ask you to pray that as the pictures are being reviewed that God would touch the heart of the person or persons reviewing our ministries. We pray that God's will would be done."
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
John Anderson
Retired missionary John Anderson, who has Parkinson’s disease and is battling prostate cancer, will undergo surgery September 25 for Barrett’s esophagus. His daughter, Mary Beth, said he is doing well considering all he has been going through. John and his wife, Doris, served in India for 32 years.
Scott McConnell
Scott McConnell fell while rock climbing, breaking his neck and sustaining internal injuries. During a Wednesday operation, surgeons hoped to save mobility in his left arm and vocal cords, but believed he will be otherwise paralyzed. Scott is the son of Brian and Dawn McConnell, who lead the Cadillac Church of Discovery on the Northern Michigan District.
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.
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