This week in the Church of the Nazarene... at The Global Church of the Nazarene's Nazarene Communication News Volume 1543 in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Friday 30 October 2015

This week in the Church of the Nazarene... at The Global Church of the Nazarene's Nazarene Communication News Volume 1543 in Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Friday 30 October 2015
Jailisco, Mexico

Hurricane Patricia pounds Mexico; churches responding

On Friday evening, October 23, Hurricane Patricia pounded into Mexico’s southwestern coast, causing widespread damage through intense rain, 165-mph sustained winds, and surging seas.
Although the category-5 hurricane — the strongest ever recorded by the U.S. National Hurricane Center — had weakened before making landfall, the damage was extensive. The super storm destroyed homes, uprooted trees, and flooded streets. The rains also caused mudslides in areas and flooding, particularly in rural areas.
Two people died, and four others were reported missing in Jailisco. Dozens sustained injuries.
The storm affected tourist areas, including Puerto Vallarta, which is known for high-end resorts but is also an area where half of the people live in poverty.
Nazarene churches and communities have also been affected, particularly in the Mexican states of Jalisco, Nayarit, and Colima. Pastor Bernardo Vázquez reported that the Nazarene church in Melaque and the church in Barra Navidad were affected. There is no safe drinking water and no power in their area. They are looking for families from their congregation who were unable to take refuge in the churches.
Pastor Jose Manuel Zavala of the Church of the Nazarene in Puerto Vallarta said that some families have safe places to stay, but others are waiting to be evacuated. The church is being used as a shelter. Four Nazarene churches are in that affected area: Churches of the Nazarene in San Patricio Melaque (Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco), Mision Manzanillo (Colima), and Mision del Monteón (Nayarit).
Church leaders in Mexico are requesting prayer and support. Carlos Saenz, director of the Mesoamerica Region, said, “Please pray and intercede for Mexico and the Nazarene family in the affected area.”
How you can help:
Pray
Please pray for people who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Pray for children and others who are especially vulnerable during disasters. And pray for congregations and church leaders as they work to meet the needs of their neighbors in Jesus’ name.
Give
To support Nazarene response efforts, give to the Hurricane Patricia Disaster Response Fund. Donations will be used to meet immediate needs, such as water, food, and shelter, as well as long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.
To send donations by mail, find your country below.
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, Missouri 64184-3116 United States
Be sure to put 125458 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 Canada
Be sure to put 125458 in the Memo area.
For additional countries, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to the NCM Hurricane Patricia Relief Fund.[Nazarene Compassionate Ministries] Read more

Global Ministry Center

New technology helps teachers in remote areas receive valuable resources

In a global denomination with 2 million members, the Internet is an invaluable resource for connecting people around the world.

Despite all its usefulness, the Internet does have its limitations, and that's just if you can access it. As much as 60 percent of the world's population can't access the Internet. 

“There are many places we cannot distribute resources via the Internet — either because of lack of access or security,” said Tammy Condon, administrative director for the Church of the Nazarene’s Global Education and Clergy Development Office.

Enter Library Box: a small, portable router that enables users to download files without an Internet connection or wires of any kind.

“It’s super easy technology, which, when we think about some of the places it needs to go, that’s exactly what we need,” Condon said.

Users within a few feet can connect to the iPhone-sized device just like you would connect to a WiFi router. The device will then redirect the user from any Web page to a Library Box page where files can be viewed and downloaded.

The GECD staff is currently focused on educational applications, such as allowing students to download reading material or homework, but the potential uses don’t end there.

“It’s helpful for any place that you want to update a whole class of people at once without having to trade flash drives back and forth,” said Stephen Jones, a member of the Information Technology team at the denomination’s Global Ministry Center.

I.T. personnel are assisting the GECD office with several modifications, including wiping out the original firmware to increase the maximum number of simultaneous users and devices from five to 16.

Condon is grateful for the I.T. team’s help.

“The way they’re helping our department is so huge,” Condon said. “They’re trying to bring the best of what’s out there to the creative edge of mission.”

The technology behind Library Box started as an offline, anonymous file sharing network. Because the software behind the device is open source, it can be modified to meet a variety of needs. 

“We’ve been able to make good use of it,” Jones said. “It’s great to see how this can benefit missionaries and others on the field.“

The device has several security features that make it useful for missionaries and others serving in sensitive world areas.

Because the Library Box simply references the files through an attached flash drive, the device itself is empty and non-functioning when they are separated.

“It’s an extremely interesting piece of technology,” Condon said. “Once you turn off the device, it doesn’t leave cookies or other evidence of a transfer on your computer.”

Thanks to the device’s range, file transfers can be initiated in a public place such as a coffee shop without any contact between the content giver and receiver.

“I think the possibilities for its use are tremendous, and not just in areas of the world where we have to be careful how we communicate and transfer information,” said Scott Stargel, director of Global Nazarene Publications.

Stargel recently conducted the device’s first field test in Africa.

“The Library Box worked very well,” Stargel said. “All our participants were able to connect to it, upload and download files. It fits in my shirt pocket, and the battery lasted about five hours.”

Library Box made its official debut at a field strategy coordinators’ meeting in September. Over the next six months, pastors and leaders are encouraged to submit proposals through the regional education coordinators about uses for the device.

In addition to the boxes, GECD is also distributing 500 tablets that were recently donated by two anonymous donors.

Each tablet comes with a micro SD card filled with ordination, lifelong learning, and other church resources from the Wesleyan-Holiness Digital Library. The tablets can be set up in a number of languages, and WHDL resources are available in 58 languages.

Current tablet distribution is targeted teachers who work away from their school’s main campus, often in locations without Internet. These extension centers allow educators to reach students in remote areas who cannot travel to the main campus.

“Our hope is that this will just be the beginning of the donation of tablets, either from this donor or other donors, because this is a valuable way to distribute resources,” Condon said. “Ultimately, we have a request for all of the students of schools to get tablets. The need is huge.”

Many of the educators receiving tablets are also pastors.

“The idea is that for pastors who don’t have a computer, this can function as a computer so that they can write reports and such,” Condon said. “It has a camera so they can write reports with pictures.”

Frank Moore, general editor for the Church of the Nazarene, gave the new resources rave reviews.

“Words fail me in describing how excited I am about both the Library Box and tablet initiatives,” Moore said. “I spent three decades in a university classroom and often taught courses on remote mission fields. I would have given anything to have had these resources available for my students!

“God has blessed us richly in providing us with these tools,” he said. “I am so thankful that the Global Ministry Center can partner with pastors and teachers around the world to assist them in spreading the gospel message.”Read more
Kansas City, Missouri

Former Olivet Tiger competing in World Series

Shortly after the Royals made the July 28 trade that would put Ben Zobrist in one of their jerseys, his mother, Cindi, scoured through tubs of keepsakes for a throwback version:
A weathered Royals T-shirt fit for a toddler, circa 1985, inscribed with “BEN 1” on the back.
She finally unearthed it just in time to make it part of the postseason Royals-themed decorating scheme in the family living room.
“This is what he wore to the Royals games,” his father, Tom, said, happily holding what proved to be a harbinger.
“No way,” Ben Zobrist said when they told him they’d found it.
Now, it’s just part of something that almost seemed meant to be, tethering together the family’s few years in Kansas City when Tom was studying at Calvary Bible College.
“We’ve always loved Kansas City,” said Cindi Zobrist, who like her husband grew up in Morton, Illinois. “We came from a small town, but for a big city, it didn’t feel like a big city.
“Those were some of our most special times. As a family, we had nothing, but we made a lot of memories.”
Kansas City is “only” six hours away, says Tom, whose truck knows its own way there by now, after all the drives he made to see daughter Serena and son-in-law Mike Grimm during the 10 years they lived there, and as a board member now of his alma mater.
But even as the second of their five children has become a vital part of the Royals’ cause entering Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against Toronto on Friday at Kauffman Stadium, they appreciate the preciousness of the moment.
For one thing, there’s no way to tell now how many more games he’ll play in his current Royals’ getup since he’ll be a free agent after the season. He’ll likely be able to command a steep contract.
“We’re hoping for the Royals,” Cindi Zobrist said, “but we don’t know.”
For another, as pre-ordained as it might seem to them now, there was nothing at all assured about his professional baseball career.
After Zobrist played his last baseball game for Eureka High, after all, he spent the night driving around lamenting the end of an athletics career in which basketball had been his strongest game.
He had nary a scholarship offer and was entirely off the radar of any major-league teams.
Baseball, Cindi Zobrist said, “was in the past.”
Which was fine.
Ben was set to attend Calvary himself, and as each of his siblings has for at least a time, follow in the work of his father.
Tom Zobrist has been pastor of the Liberty Bible Church in Eureka since 1988, nurturing those to whom he ministers and the operation from a storefront location to its own site to a soon-to-be shimmering expansion project now that will include 500-seat capacity.
Their son’s direction wasn’t going to change, either, when the Zobrists got a call suggesting Ben attend a tryout camp in nearby Brimfield.
It would cost $50, after all.
“Fifty dollars was a lot of money,” Cindi said. “It still is.”
Never mind that Ben was intrigued, if only for the chance to spend more time playing with his friends.
“‘I’m not paying for that,’” said his father, who grew up a Cardinals fan.
But he was OK with Ben using $50 of birthday money he’d gotten from his grandparents.
“‘Go ahead; it’s your money,’” Tom Zobrist remembered saying, smiling at the recollection it would be money misspent.
Next thing you know, though, college recruiters were calling.
Ben and his family were confronted with a new range of decisions as he considered nearby Olivet Nazarene of the NAIA to play baseball.
Cindi remembers crying about it over lunch with him at a local Cracker Barrel, fretting that doing so would be stepping away from God’s plan and fearing “other influences” at a larger school.
But Tom told him that at age 19, he needed to decide for himself and asked what he thought God wanted for him.
“‘Well, I feel like I’m not done with baseball yet,’” he remembered Ben saying. “‘But I’m willing to do what you want me to do.’”
That, Tom said, “told me a lot about his maturity. And he made that decision to go there, and it worked out pretty well.”
Zobrist would later transfer to Dallas Baptist and be picked in the sixth round of the 2004 draft by the Houston Astros, a completely implausible development to the family even when coaches were telling them it was likely to happen.
Looking back now, it all played out as it should, even the part when they were saddened Ben was traded to Tampa Bay.
“I always tell people keep pushing forward and God will close doors and open doors as you move along,” said Tom Zobrist, noting they had friends pursue scholarships by having videos made or hiring companies to help make connections. “We did absolutely nothing, and it just came.”
As it happened, it didn’t have to contradict their hopes for what he’d stand for, either.
The night before Ben left home to join the Astros’ affiliate in Troy, N.Y., he told his father, “I’m going to be a missionary in the big leagues.”
And so he has, whether by organizing Bible studies with teammates or vigorously supporting the career of his wife, Julianna, a Christian singer, or just in how he carries himself.
“It’s not this blustery, dominating in-your-face kind of thing,” his father said. “It can be very gentle and quiet: the way you live your life, the way you treat your family, the way you treat other people …
“He lives his life and lets his actions speak.”
As a child, sometimes Zobrist’s actions spoke more rashly.
The same competitive zeal that compelled him to do pushups and situps by the hundreds, and run a 5:01 mile in 7th grade, and to meticulously mow and paint an elaborate, lighted Wiffle ball field behind their house sometimes overflowed.
(Playing Wiffle ball, incidentally, was a foundation for his versatility, which later expanded to being able to play multiple positions. Although he wouldn’t apply it in baseball until later, Zobrist’s father is certain that his aptitude for switch-hitting began with batting left-handed in the back yard. Zobrist also once converted extra points left- and right-footed in a junior football game).
When Ben was 7, his parents got a call from school that Ben had shoved kids away from a bathroom sink so he could wash his hands first … so he could then run to be first in line for lunch.
Everything was a competition, at least until his parents made it clear that he needed to learn to “give way” at times and let the last be first.
“The Bible says the man that can’t control his anger is like a city broken down without walls,” Tom Zobrist said. “There’s nothing good that comes from unharnessed anger.”
Now, part of what distinguishes Zobrist is his equilibrium — at least if you don’t count his trademark habit of bouncing around at second base waiting for the pitch this postseason.
“He’s really engaged when he’s doing that; he’s doubly focused,” said his father, adding, “I don’t think he could stop.”
And because he found himself and his true path in the game, now they’re glad he didn’t stop playing baseball ... and hope he stays in a Royals jersey.[-Republished with permission from The Kansas City Star] Read more

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Oklahoma church mourns loss of pastor
Kenneth J. Pell, lead pastor of the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, First Church of the Nazarene, passed away suddenly October 25. He was 53.
“It is with deep sadness that I tell you that our pastor Ken went to be with Jesus tonight,” Church Board Secretary Cyndie Marshall said Sunday in a message posted on the church’s website and Facebook page. “As you heard earlier, he had been released from the hospital this afternoon and he and Vickie had gone to a hunting camp in Strang, OK. [Pell’s wife] Vickie reported that he appeared to be fine one moment and the next moment he collapsed and was gone.”
A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Pell had served at Broken Arrow First Church since March 2014. He previously pastored in New York (Potsdam), Maryland (Marley Park; pastoral service), and Oklahoma (Miami, Tulsa Faith).
Pell was a graduate of Free Will Baptist College, Olivet Nazarene University, Phillips Graduate Seminary, and Northwest Graduate School of Ministry.
Pell’s profile on the church’s website stated “his heart’s desire is to see Jesus’ church become the love of God in the world.”
He is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, Vickie, and two children.
Funeral services were held Thursday at Tulsa Central Church of the Nazarene. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomed gifts for something close to Pastor Ken’s heart – the outreach ministries of Broken Arrow First Church.
“Our church has a great history of coming together in times of loss and need and this is a time when we must bind together and support one another as we work through our own individual feelings of loss and confusion,” Marshall wrote. “Praise God that we know that Pastor Ken is certainly walking the streets of gold tonight and in fellowship with our Lord and Savior. I know that if Pastor Ken were here right now, he would tell us how much he loves us.
“Thank God for His everlasting love and grace.”
Prayer is requested for the Pell and Broken Arrow First Church families. Read more
Wichita, Kansas

Pastor Tomás Ticum Ventura remembered
Tomás Ticum Ventura, lead pastor of Todas Las Naciones Iglesia del Nazareno  (All Nations Church of the Nazarene) in Wichita, Kansas, passed away October 21.
Ordained in 1992, Ticum served the Church of the Nazarene in Guatemala, Mexico, Nebraska, and Kansas. He graduated with an undergraduate degree in theology from Seminario Teologico Nazareno in Guatemala, a master's in missiology from Seminario Nazareno de las Américas in Costa Rica,  and studied at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. 
Ticum is survived by his wife, Orquidia Archila, whom he married on December 3, 1994; two sons, Thomson and Yhoshua (both attend MidAmerica Nazarene University and are involved in Hispanic ministries with the school); daughter, Linda; and many extended family members. Orquidia served alongside her husband as a pastor at Todas Las Naciones. 
The funeral service was held October 27 at Todas Las Naciones in Wichita. 
Prayer is requested for the Ticum and Todas Las Naciones church families.  Read more
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Africa

Flags of the Nations: Equatorial Guinea
The flag of Equatorial Guinea was officially adopted on October 12, 1968. The blue triangle represents the sea, the green represents the country's farmland, and red symbolizes the country's independence. A silk cotton tree is centered on a silver shield. (worldatlas.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: Equatorial Guinea
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Equatorial Guinea in 2002.
Equatorial Guinea had a population of 722,254 in 2014. Equatorial Guinea has not yet reported any official churches.
Located on the Africa Region, Equatorial Guinea is a Phase 1 district. For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene. Read more
South America
Capitán Sarmiento, Argentina

NAZAFEST Sarmiento 2015

Primera Iglesia del Nazareno in Capitán Sarmiento, Argentina, celebrated the reopening of its newly renovated church facilities on 3 October at NAZAFEST Sarmiento 2015.
Established in the 1930s by missionaries John and Marie Cochran and Spurgeon and Fae Hendrix as the first non-Catholic church in Capitán Sarmiento, Primera Iglesia del Nazareno is well-known in the community.
Organized by a Work and Witness group called the Protagonists, NAZAFEST Sarmiento 2015 focused on community outreach, showing them the church exists to serve the community and glorify God. Event elements included a food drive to benefit the local orphanage Nuestra Señora del Pilar, music and games, and a message by Esteban Durán. [Church of the Nazarene South America Region] Read more

USA/Canada
Bethany, Oklahoma

SNU hosts equipping events for Clergy Appreciation Month
The Resource Center for Pastoral Leadership at Southern Nazarene University recently hosted two equipping events for pastors. Taking place during Clergy Appreciation Month, the semiannual Pastor’s Forum was held on the SNU campus in Bethany, Oklahoma, and live-streamed to pastors in multiple states and from a variety of Wesleyan-Holiness denominations. The RCPL at SNU also hosted its annual Youth Ministry Summit on campus with dozens of youth pastors gathering for fellowship, training, and sharing of best practices.
The Pastor’s Forum featured Ron Benefiel, who spoke on John Wesley’s mission of evangelism and mercy. Benefiel is currently the lead consultant for mission resources and pastoral relations at Point Loma Nazarene University. He previously served as dean of the PLNU School of Theology and Christian Ministry and was president of Nazarene Theological Seminary. Teaching from his experience as a Wesley scholar as well as founder and former executive director of the P. F. Bresee Foundation in Los Angeles, California, Benefiel shared from his pastor’s heart about the ministry and mission of John Wesley.
Amanda Drury, a member of the School of Theology and Ministry faculty at Indiana Wesleyan University and a recognized author and authority on youth ministry, served as the speaker for this year’s Youth Ministry Summit. Drawing from her book, Saying is Believing, she shared about an understanding of testimony as an essential practice for Christian spiritual formation, especially among adolescents. Drury also served as a chapel speaker and shared with the student body about resting in the confidence of God’s plan and will for their lives.
“These types of learning opportunities for our Nazarene clergy across the South Central Region are essential to equipping for growth, and provide inspiration and encouragement for their calling and personal spiritual journey," said Stan Toler, executive director of SNU's Resource Center for Pastoral Leadership. “By providing these events and a variety of free resources to all those who minister in the Wesleyan-holiness tradition, the RCPL at SNU is seeking to serve evangelical pastors regardless of denominational affiliation.”[Southern Nazarene University] Read moreGarden Grove, California

Samoan Nazarene Conference a celebration of past, future
The 525 attendees of this year's USA/Canada Region Samoan Ministries Conference rated the event higher than any previous conference.
"Words are inadequate to explain in details the wondrous love of God and the moving of His Holy Spirit among His people during the Samoan Ministries Conference USA/Canada this year," said Taulima Oge, Samoan Ministries facilitator for the USA/Canada Region. "It was indeed a very inspiring and a transforming experience."
The event was held at the Anaheim Clarion Hotel and was packed with people of all ages decked out in their colorful Samoan traditional wear.
"It was amazing to watch how God had full control of the conference from the beginning to the end," Oge said. "He filled our hearts with joy and peace as we lifted up the name of Jesus in all the worship services, youth programs, and in the powerful preaching and teaching of the Word. People went to the altar to accept Jesus as Lord, some to renew their commitments to Jesus Christ and others to accept the call to full-time ministry. Three couples and one young person are preparing to enter Nazarene Bible College in Colorado this year."
Three new church plants and three new ordained ministers were also recognized at the conference. Jerry Appleby, a pastor on the Hawaii Pacific District, presented a short history of the early years (1960-1976) of the work of the Nazarene missionaries in Samoa. The work expanded and reached other parts of the world, including the USA, New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, and other islands in the South Pacific.
"This piece of history is the story of the miraculous power and love of God that needs to be remembered, lived, and shared in order to make Christlike disciples of all nations," Oge said. "We were challenged to work together to reach out with love, not only to Samoans, but also to people of all colors for Jesus."
The conference concluded with Communion and the organization service for Huddle Christian Fellowship, which hosted the conference this year and provided the final dinner.
"It is all for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ," Oge said. "We look forward to seeing more people in Colorado Springs for our 2017 conference."[Multicultural Ministries] Read moreRockville, Maryland

Maryland Nazarene nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year
Thirty women were recently recognized by the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee, including Cassandra Clayborne, a member of Rockville, Maryland, Church of the Nazarene. The softball student-athlete is a Bowie State University graduate.
From a submission of 480 school nominees, the committee selected 10 women representing each of the three NCAA divisions and 12 different sports. The top 30 honorees reflect the pillars of the Woman of the Year Award, demonstrating excellence in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership.
“This year marks the 25th celebration of the Woman of the Year program, and these women continue the tradition of being the best and brightest in college sports,” said Shantey Hill, chair of the Selection Committee and assistant vice president and senior director of Athletics of St. Joseph’s College (Long Island). “This year’s top 30 honorees are outstanding examples for women competing in sports at any level, and we are confident that they will continue to make a difference in the world for many years to come.”
Clayborne, a 2015 summa cum laude graduate, was a three-time All-CIAA Softball First Teamer (2012, 2013, 2015) and hopes to become a rheumatologist. She is a two-time Capital One Academic All-District II (2013, 2015) recipient and was selected to the 2015 CIAA All-Tournament Team. She was also the 2015 Lady Bulldogs Most Valuable Player and 2012 CIAA Rookie of the Year. In addition to team MVP, Clayborne was the 2015 CIAA Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year and CIAA Woman of the Year.
“My experiences as a scholar, an athlete, and a leader have strengthened my abilities as a future professional and have given me the confidence to pursue my dream of becoming a physician,” Clayborne said. “I have learned to be more focused, to persevere, to push my mental boundaries, to ask for help when I need it, to manage my time effectively, to communicate efficiently, to work well with others, and to understand that failure is simply another step towards success.”[NCN News submissions]
Stories to share? Send an email to news@nazarene.org.​ Read more
Mount Vernon, Ohio

MVNU, TNU former dean of students John Donoho passes away
Former Mount Vernon and Trevecca Nazarene University dean of students and faculty member John J. Donoho passed away October 22. John and his wife, Lora Donoho, served respectively as dean of students and director of Athletics at MVNU from 1975 to their joint retirement in 1990.
John was born March 6, 1925, in Centralia, Illinois, to John Anderson and Clara (Branson) Donoho. John served in the U.S. Army during World War II and worked for the Illinois Central Railway from 1948 to 1961. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Social Studies from Oakland City Indiana College and went on to earn his master’s degree in education from Southern Illinois University. He also earned an Advanced Certificate of Education from the University of Illinois.
Before his work at MVNU, John also served as dean of students for Trevecca Nazarene University and director of counseling for Olivet Nazarene University.
John and Lora arrived at MVNU in 1975, when he became dean of students and professor of psychology until his retirement in 1990. John received an honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 1990 from MVNU. The Donoho Recreation Center on the MVNU campus is named in their honor.
John is survived by his wife, Lora (Hiatt), whom he married June 20, 1959. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Orville and Kenneth Donoho, and his parents.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in memory of John to Kindred at Home.
Funeral services were held Monday with Scott Sharpes and David Leeder officiating. Entombment with military honors provided by the Knox County, Ohio, Joint Veterans Council followed at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens.[Mount Vernon Nazarene University] Read more
In Memoriam

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 October 26-30, 2015.
Robert "Bob" Allen, 86, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away October 23. He was a lay leader in the Church of the Nazarene, serving on church boards, the Kentucky District Advisory Board, and the Board of Trustees at Trevecca Nazarene University and Nazarene Bible College. He was also an eight-time delegate to General Assembly. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly.
G. Dewayne Bolton, 71, of West Richland, Washington, passed away October 24. He was a retired minister, serving in Texas and Louisiana. He is survived by his wife, Kay Bolton.
John Donoho, 90, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, passed away October 22. He was a retired educator, serving at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Trevecca Nazarene University, and Olivet Nazarene University in a variety of positions. He is survived by his wife, Lora (Hiatt) Donoho. (story)
Earl E. Mosteller of Roseburg, Oregon, passed away October 27. He was a retired minister and missionary, serving in Oregon, Massachusetts, Cabo Verde, Brazil, Portugal, and the Azores. He is survived by his wife, Gladys. (story)
Kenneth Pell, 53, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, passed away October 25. He was a minister, serving at Broken Arrow First Church of the Nazarene. He is survived by his wife, Vickie Pell. (story)
Frances (Rodgers) Shelton, 85, of Columbia, Tennessee, passed away October 25. She was the wife of retired minister and evangelist Gene Shelton, who served in Mississippi and Tennessee.
Wayne M. Shurley of Frontenac, Kansas, passed away October 28. He was a retired minister, serving in Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas. He is survived by his wife, Carmen.
Tomás Ticum Ventura, 49, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away October 21. He was a minister, serving at Todas Las Naciones Church of the Nazarene. He is survived by his wife, Orquidia Archila, who is a co-pastor at Todas Las Naciones. (story)
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join with us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News] Read moreHuman Resources

GMC employment opportunities
People are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 159 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email bsikes@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
Business Center — Tour/Hospitality Coordinator (Full-time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Business Center
Title: Tour/Hospitality Coordinator
Description: The hospitality coordinator will be the primary contact for tours and caterings. Correspondence, scheduling, and organization are primary responsibilities of this position. The hospitality coordinator will also be trained to serve as a back-up at the Front Desk to help with receptionist coverage, as well as in the Business Center handling work orders as needed. (Full-time position)
Global Treasury Services — Accounts Payable Senior Accounting Technician (Full-time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Global Treasury Services
Title: AP Senior Accounting Technician
Description: The primary responsibility for this position is to process disbursements for the Global Ministry Center in a timely manner. (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)
​USA/Canada Regional Office — Program Assistant (Temporary)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: USA/Canada Regional Office
Title: Program Assistant
Description: The person in this position will provide a multitude of communication and administrative assistance and support to the USA/Canada youth coordinator on a variety of projects, meetings, and duties. Also coordinates communications, including phone, email, and social media. (Temporary 30 hrs/wk.)
To obtain additional information, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Location of our Positions
The GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 159 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an “at will” employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are smoke-, alcohol-, and drug-free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best match the requirements of the open position for which the application was submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application forms may be requested by calling 913-577-0500, emailing bsikes@nazarene.org, or obtained in person from Human Resources at the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas, 66220, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office. Read more

Board of General Superintendents invites support for upcoming Thank Offering
Nazarenes around the world are joining together for the 2015 Thanksgiving, or Thank, Offering for the World Evangelism Fund. As we remember God’s goodness, we “sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.” (Psalm 107:22). This offering plays a critical role in funding the mission of the Church of the Nazarene, to make Christlike disciples in the nations. With thankfulness and praise, we fulfill this mission together.
Because God works through us, people are hearing the gospel and their basic needs are being met. Whenever we give back to God with our time, prayers, and money, He uses our humble gifts, and we become participants in God’s plans for the future. The future that God has planned is greater than we could imagine. It goes on into eternity as the Holy Spirit works and people around the world join us in worshiping the one, true Savior.
This 2015 World Evangelism Fund offering celebrates how our prayers, time, and donations help spread the gospel. Through language schools, church plants, mission hospitals, and many other ministries, God uses our gifts to do amazing things for His honor and glory. Here are some of the ways God has accomplished His mission through us in the last year:

• 1,417,397 people gathered every week to worship at Nazarene churches.
• 27,702 Nazarene clergy led people around the world.
• 50,998 students globally were enrolled in holiness education at 52 educational institutions.

We are blessed to be a part of His ministry, and He will continue to use us as we follow Him. Your gift to the World Evangelism Fund assists Nazarenes in “Developing the Future” by sharing the hope of Christ.
The offering will be received on 22 November 2015. (Please note that not all areas will receive the offering on these dates, depending on the calendar of each field or district.)
To give or to download resources for this offering, visit nazarene.org/generosity.
Yours in Christ,
The Board of General Superintendents Read moreForwardShareTweetShare+1

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17001 Prairie Star Parkway
Lenexa, Kansas 66220 · United States
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