Cleburne, Texas
West Texas District hosts 200 immigrant children
When leaders on the Church of the Nazarene’s West Texas District were contacted by a nonprofit in need of space to house 200 immigrant and refugee children from Central America, they didn’t hesitate.
“It was a unanimous decision,” said David Downs, West Texas district superintendent. “We were honored to receive these kids while they are awaiting placement in the U.S.”
The boys, ages 13 to 16, are currently in their second week of a three-week stay at the district campground, Camp Arrowhead. Some will be reunited with family in the U.S. while others will go into foster care.
“When we learned about these young boys, we were glad we were in a position to welcome them,” Downs said. “Particularly after Christmas, I think it’s appropriate as we think about the story of Mary and Joseph and little Jesus fleeing for safety to Egypt, that we can provide a safe and wholesome environment for these boys, even though it is just for a few weeks.”
Each week, Spanish-speaking district pastors coordinate Sunday afternoon and Wednesday night worship services.
“We have experienced almost 100 percent attendance and participation,” Downs said. “My heart has been especially warmed when, at the close of each service, well over half of the kids have knelt at our altars for special prayer by the pastors.”
Downs referenced the district’s work as an opportunity to act out Matthew 25, where Jesus tells a parable about serving “the least of these.”
“I have been very pleased by the enthusiastic support of this endeavor by our district leadership and by our pastors and people,” Downs said. “There is a genuine sensitivity to refugees on our district, as indicated by this circumstance and our refugee ministry center in Cactus.“I am especially grateful for our camp staff and pastors who are working to make this possible. It’s been a beautiful ministry.”Read more
Vinnitsa, Ukraine“It was a unanimous decision,” said David Downs, West Texas district superintendent. “We were honored to receive these kids while they are awaiting placement in the U.S.”
The boys, ages 13 to 16, are currently in their second week of a three-week stay at the district campground, Camp Arrowhead. Some will be reunited with family in the U.S. while others will go into foster care.
“When we learned about these young boys, we were glad we were in a position to welcome them,” Downs said. “Particularly after Christmas, I think it’s appropriate as we think about the story of Mary and Joseph and little Jesus fleeing for safety to Egypt, that we can provide a safe and wholesome environment for these boys, even though it is just for a few weeks.”
Each week, Spanish-speaking district pastors coordinate Sunday afternoon and Wednesday night worship services.
“We have experienced almost 100 percent attendance and participation,” Downs said. “My heart has been especially warmed when, at the close of each service, well over half of the kids have knelt at our altars for special prayer by the pastors.”
Downs referenced the district’s work as an opportunity to act out Matthew 25, where Jesus tells a parable about serving “the least of these.”
“I have been very pleased by the enthusiastic support of this endeavor by our district leadership and by our pastors and people,” Downs said. “There is a genuine sensitivity to refugees on our district, as indicated by this circumstance and our refugee ministry center in Cactus.“I am especially grateful for our camp staff and pastors who are working to make this possible. It’s been a beautiful ministry.”Read more
Ukraine congregation grows into sending church
The late 1990s in Ukraine were marked by deep economic, political, and social crisis. Corruption and crime were prospering. Alcohol and drug addiction got a firm hold of an alarmingly large percentage of society.
In 1999, Roman Lebedev (photo right, with family) was a staff member of an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center in the town of Kazatin. Because of Roman’s activities, he met a Nazarene missionary, Robert Skinner (current missionary to Poland) and Pastor Volodymyr Masyuk (сurrently district superintendent in Ukraine). Roman was impressed by the number of charity programs and aid services the Church of Nazarene had for Ukrainian people and after a long period of praying and searching for God’s will, in 2001, Roman and his wife Oksana accepted Bob Skinner’s offer to move to Vinnitsa and plant a church.
From the very start, the focus of the ministry has been on the people who were labeled as “outcasts” by society, those who were left on the sidelines of life. They were not wanted by the state and even some of their relatives rejected them, having left them alone to die of drug and alcohol addiction and AIDS. At the time, there was no church that provided effective help to these people and the Nazarenes became the pioneers.For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine. Read more
Taung, South AfricaIn 1999, Roman Lebedev (photo right, with family) was a staff member of an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center in the town of Kazatin. Because of Roman’s activities, he met a Nazarene missionary, Robert Skinner (current missionary to Poland) and Pastor Volodymyr Masyuk (сurrently district superintendent in Ukraine). Roman was impressed by the number of charity programs and aid services the Church of Nazarene had for Ukrainian people and after a long period of praying and searching for God’s will, in 2001, Roman and his wife Oksana accepted Bob Skinner’s offer to move to Vinnitsa and plant a church.
From the very start, the focus of the ministry has been on the people who were labeled as “outcasts” by society, those who were left on the sidelines of life. They were not wanted by the state and even some of their relatives rejected them, having left them alone to die of drug and alcohol addiction and AIDS. At the time, there was no church that provided effective help to these people and the Nazarenes became the pioneers.For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine. Read more
South Africa church sustains major wind damage
The Taung Church of the Nazarene in South Africa was heavily damaged last month when a strong storm blew the roof off the church building and parsonage.
No one was injured during the storm. Church leaders were thankful the storm did not happen during the day when there could have been injuries as the metal sheets were scattered by the wind across the neighboring yards and properties.
Constance Mohlongo, the church's pastor for the past two years, tried to salvage what she could from the church building and the parsonage.
The Taung church was originally started by Nazarene missionary Daryll Staton in 1985 when he began evangelizing that area. When the need for a church building arose, the members bought river sand and Staton purchased the cement. These materials were used to make the bricks that built the church.
The church still worships in the building and is praying that God will provide means for a roof quickly, as it is rainy season and they do not want the church to sustain more damage.
Kenneth Moeyen, superintendent of North Central District in South Africa, has been working with Masahangu Maluleka, Africa South field strategy coordinator, to respond to this need. To learn more and get involved, contact the Africa South Field office.--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region] Read more
Sealands Field, Asia-PacificNo one was injured during the storm. Church leaders were thankful the storm did not happen during the day when there could have been injuries as the metal sheets were scattered by the wind across the neighboring yards and properties.
Constance Mohlongo, the church's pastor for the past two years, tried to salvage what she could from the church building and the parsonage.
The Taung church was originally started by Nazarene missionary Daryll Staton in 1985 when he began evangelizing that area. When the need for a church building arose, the members bought river sand and Staton purchased the cement. These materials were used to make the bricks that built the church.
The church still worships in the building and is praying that God will provide means for a roof quickly, as it is rainy season and they do not want the church to sustain more damage.
Kenneth Moeyen, superintendent of North Central District in South Africa, has been working with Masahangu Maluleka, Africa South field strategy coordinator, to respond to this need. To learn more and get involved, contact the Africa South Field office.--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region] Read more
Sealands Field helps organize Christian business forum
What do an international hotel management company, a leading global growth equity firm, and a company that designs, manufactures, and sells semiconductor assembly equipment all have in common?
A panel of business men and women from these and other international companies participated in a recent Christian business forum on the Church of the Nazarene's Sealands Field. The leadership event was organized by Nazarene team members and local Christian business leaders passionate about living out their faith in a fast-paced and highly competitive business environment. The young people who attended, most of whom are recent university graduates, had the opportunity to ask practical questions about faith issues in the workplace.
A key question was, “What is the best way to be a witness for Christ in my job?” The panelists explained that Christians bring glory to God when their work is completed with diligence and excellence, keeping in mind that the ultimate boss is God. In their book Every Good Endeavor, Tim Keller and Katherine Leary Alsdorf posed the question this way: “What’s the Christian way to be a pilot?” By landing the plane.
Another topic was failure in the workplace. Participants explained that young people in Asia have a great fear of failure, which creates tremendous pressure. Several of the leaders shared personal experiences when God used their failures to make them completely and totally dependent on Him. The panelists encouraged the participants to not fear failure. While failure in the workplace is common, employees should “fail forward,” learning from mistakes and becoming more dependent on God.
Further discussion centered on holding to biblical standards. Real life examples were given by the panelists showing that when they held true to God’s Word, He was glorified and their work prospered.
The leadership event was a unique opportunity for young people just starting their careers to interact with respected Christian business men and women. One participant commented: “I realize now that we each have unique opportunities to serve God. My work puts me in contact with people who might not otherwise come to know what it means to be a follower of Christ.”[Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region]Read more
Global Ministry CenterA panel of business men and women from these and other international companies participated in a recent Christian business forum on the Church of the Nazarene's Sealands Field. The leadership event was organized by Nazarene team members and local Christian business leaders passionate about living out their faith in a fast-paced and highly competitive business environment. The young people who attended, most of whom are recent university graduates, had the opportunity to ask practical questions about faith issues in the workplace.
A key question was, “What is the best way to be a witness for Christ in my job?” The panelists explained that Christians bring glory to God when their work is completed with diligence and excellence, keeping in mind that the ultimate boss is God. In their book Every Good Endeavor, Tim Keller and Katherine Leary Alsdorf posed the question this way: “What’s the Christian way to be a pilot?” By landing the plane.
Another topic was failure in the workplace. Participants explained that young people in Asia have a great fear of failure, which creates tremendous pressure. Several of the leaders shared personal experiences when God used their failures to make them completely and totally dependent on Him. The panelists encouraged the participants to not fear failure. While failure in the workplace is common, employees should “fail forward,” learning from mistakes and becoming more dependent on God.
Further discussion centered on holding to biblical standards. Real life examples were given by the panelists showing that when they held true to God’s Word, He was glorified and their work prospered.
The leadership event was a unique opportunity for young people just starting their careers to interact with respected Christian business men and women. One participant commented: “I realize now that we each have unique opportunities to serve God. My work puts me in contact with people who might not otherwise come to know what it means to be a follower of Christ.”[Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region]Read more
Churches commit to address human trafficking on Freedom Sunday
On February 14, Nazarene congregations around the globe are committing to stand against human trafficking through participation in Freedom Sunday. Last year, more than 200 congregations worldwide participated in the event through prayer, worship, preaching, and support of church-based anti-trafficking ministries.
This is the third year the Church of the Nazarene will join other denominations within the Wesleyan Holiness Consortium to observe Freedom Sunday. In 2014, the Church of the Nazarene's Board of General Superintendents endorsed the Wesleyan Holiness Consortium’s Declaration for Freedom, a document drafted in part by Nazarene Theological Seminary President Carla Sunberg and other Nazarene leaders. The Wesleyan Holiness Consortium chose the first Sunday of Lent for Freedom Sunday as a way to focus on the fast spoken of in Isaiah 58:6: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” (NIV).
While precise numbers are difficult to verify, expert estimates suggest at least 20 million children, women, and men are in bondage today through a criminal industry that profits approximately US$150 billion each year through slave labor. Human trafficking is a problem that affects nearly every country in the world.
Jamie Gates, director of the Center for Justice and Reconciliation at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California, says the church has an integral role to play in the fight against human trafficking.
“It has mostly been the church who has been paying attention to human trafficking over the past few years,” he said. “A great example … was the [U.S.] Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. It was church people that got that off the ground.”
This year, the university's Center for Pastoral Leadership and the Center for Justice and Reconciliation are partnering to encourage churches on their district to participate in Freedom Sunday through Freedom Jars. Inspired by a project started last year by Bakersfield, California, First Church of the Nazarene, the jars will be used to collect money to benefit PLNU’s Beauty for Ashes fund, which supports scholarships for survivors of trafficking.
“The Beauty for Ashes Scholarship Fund started as a dream … to help survivors find a new life,” said Kim Berry Jones, program director for PLNU’s Center for Justice and Reconciliation. “We welcomed our first survivor this January to campus. It’s exciting for all of us — she can’t believe it’s really happening, and we are honored to have her as a student at PLNU. … You can imagine the kind of tenacity it takes for someone to pursue a university education. We’ve been amazed at the resiliency of the survivors we are talking to who are currently considering applying to the university or are in the application process.”
On Freedom Sunday, congregations are encouraged to take a Freedom Offering, which will support church-based ministries, including a mobile intervention clinic in Moldova, ministries focused on at-risk children, church-based prevention education, scholarships for trafficking survivors, and a drop-in center in Mumbai, India.
Becky Sukanen, a Nazarene missionary to Moldova, is working with Pastor Sergey Talaly to reach out to victims of sex trafficking in Moldova through a mobile intervention clinic that will travel to different areas in the country to provide health care and referral services to women who are being prostituted.
“We started out with an a phone survey asking girls if they wanted out of the life and if they had any health concerns, spiritual concerns, etc.,” Sukanen said. “After research into it, we found … that there was a gap in services that the Church of the Nazarene could step up and provide. We also wanted them to get a chance to meet us face to face so that we could share Christ's love with each of them and start a long-term trust-building relationship with the girls as they start to realize their need to get out.
“It is my hope that we will be able to see men and women set free from sexual slavery, intervene on their behalf, and prevent this from happening in families that are at risk, all in Christ's loving name and all with long-term holistic healing and restoration in mind.”
In Ukraine, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries recently partnered with A21, an international anti-trafficking organization, to host training for children’s ministry leaders. According to Andriy Takhtay, NCM coordinator in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Region, the event was an eye-opener for participants.
One of the children’s ministry leaders from Kyiv, Ukraine, reported, “After returning from the conference, I have surfed the pages of the children from our Sunday School in such social networks as Facebook. I realized that they unknowingly published a lot of information about themselves, which makes them potential victims. The very next meeting of the Sunday School, we talked about the danger of falling into trafficking and about precaution steps. Our kids not only removed all information about themselves that makes them vulnerable, but also told their friends about the possible danger.”
Stephen Gualberto, Church of the Nazarene field strategy coordinator for the Philippines and Micronesia, says human trafficking prevention and education through local churches will be a key focus in the Philippines beginning this year. The West Mindnao District in the Philippines recently hosted a forum on human trafficking for pastors from a variety of denominations in Zamboanga City, which is a gateway for trafficking people from the Philippines to Malaysia.
In Mumbai, India, the Sharon Bethel Church of the Nazarene is in the beginning stages of opening a drop-in center for children of women who are prostituted in a nearby red-light district. The church was inspired by God’s words in Jeremiah 29:11.
“Every woman in the red light area is God’s child, whether she is forced, trapped, or sold,” Sanjay Gawali said. “God never planned for them to be into prostitution, but He does have plans for these women to have a wonderful life without harm and destruction, and we [the church] could be a channel of help for these women to find prosperity in life, better than prostitution.”
Churches can sign up to participate in Freedom Sunday and download free resources, including a bulletin and prayer resources in both English and Spanish, at ncm.org/freedomsunday.[Nazarene Compassionate Ministries]Read more
This is the third year the Church of the Nazarene will join other denominations within the Wesleyan Holiness Consortium to observe Freedom Sunday. In 2014, the Church of the Nazarene's Board of General Superintendents endorsed the Wesleyan Holiness Consortium’s Declaration for Freedom, a document drafted in part by Nazarene Theological Seminary President Carla Sunberg and other Nazarene leaders. The Wesleyan Holiness Consortium chose the first Sunday of Lent for Freedom Sunday as a way to focus on the fast spoken of in Isaiah 58:6: “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?” (NIV).
While precise numbers are difficult to verify, expert estimates suggest at least 20 million children, women, and men are in bondage today through a criminal industry that profits approximately US$150 billion each year through slave labor. Human trafficking is a problem that affects nearly every country in the world.
Jamie Gates, director of the Center for Justice and Reconciliation at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California, says the church has an integral role to play in the fight against human trafficking.
“It has mostly been the church who has been paying attention to human trafficking over the past few years,” he said. “A great example … was the [U.S.] Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000. It was church people that got that off the ground.”
This year, the university's Center for Pastoral Leadership and the Center for Justice and Reconciliation are partnering to encourage churches on their district to participate in Freedom Sunday through Freedom Jars. Inspired by a project started last year by Bakersfield, California, First Church of the Nazarene, the jars will be used to collect money to benefit PLNU’s Beauty for Ashes fund, which supports scholarships for survivors of trafficking.
“The Beauty for Ashes Scholarship Fund started as a dream … to help survivors find a new life,” said Kim Berry Jones, program director for PLNU’s Center for Justice and Reconciliation. “We welcomed our first survivor this January to campus. It’s exciting for all of us — she can’t believe it’s really happening, and we are honored to have her as a student at PLNU. … You can imagine the kind of tenacity it takes for someone to pursue a university education. We’ve been amazed at the resiliency of the survivors we are talking to who are currently considering applying to the university or are in the application process.”
On Freedom Sunday, congregations are encouraged to take a Freedom Offering, which will support church-based ministries, including a mobile intervention clinic in Moldova, ministries focused on at-risk children, church-based prevention education, scholarships for trafficking survivors, and a drop-in center in Mumbai, India.
Becky Sukanen, a Nazarene missionary to Moldova, is working with Pastor Sergey Talaly to reach out to victims of sex trafficking in Moldova through a mobile intervention clinic that will travel to different areas in the country to provide health care and referral services to women who are being prostituted.
“We started out with an a phone survey asking girls if they wanted out of the life and if they had any health concerns, spiritual concerns, etc.,” Sukanen said. “After research into it, we found … that there was a gap in services that the Church of the Nazarene could step up and provide. We also wanted them to get a chance to meet us face to face so that we could share Christ's love with each of them and start a long-term trust-building relationship with the girls as they start to realize their need to get out.
“It is my hope that we will be able to see men and women set free from sexual slavery, intervene on their behalf, and prevent this from happening in families that are at risk, all in Christ's loving name and all with long-term holistic healing and restoration in mind.”
In Ukraine, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries recently partnered with A21, an international anti-trafficking organization, to host training for children’s ministry leaders. According to Andriy Takhtay, NCM coordinator in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Region, the event was an eye-opener for participants.
One of the children’s ministry leaders from Kyiv, Ukraine, reported, “After returning from the conference, I have surfed the pages of the children from our Sunday School in such social networks as Facebook. I realized that they unknowingly published a lot of information about themselves, which makes them potential victims. The very next meeting of the Sunday School, we talked about the danger of falling into trafficking and about precaution steps. Our kids not only removed all information about themselves that makes them vulnerable, but also told their friends about the possible danger.”
Stephen Gualberto, Church of the Nazarene field strategy coordinator for the Philippines and Micronesia, says human trafficking prevention and education through local churches will be a key focus in the Philippines beginning this year. The West Mindnao District in the Philippines recently hosted a forum on human trafficking for pastors from a variety of denominations in Zamboanga City, which is a gateway for trafficking people from the Philippines to Malaysia.
In Mumbai, India, the Sharon Bethel Church of the Nazarene is in the beginning stages of opening a drop-in center for children of women who are prostituted in a nearby red-light district. The church was inspired by God’s words in Jeremiah 29:11.
“Every woman in the red light area is God’s child, whether she is forced, trapped, or sold,” Sanjay Gawali said. “God never planned for them to be into prostitution, but He does have plans for these women to have a wonderful life without harm and destruction, and we [the church] could be a channel of help for these women to find prosperity in life, better than prostitution.”
Churches can sign up to participate in Freedom Sunday and download free resources, including a bulletin and prayer resources in both English and Spanish, at ncm.org/freedomsunday.[Nazarene Compassionate Ministries]Read more
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Africa
Flags of the Nations: Guinea Conakry
The tricolor features the Pan-African colors, symbolizing the unity of the African nations. Red symbolizes the blood spilt by the martyrs in the fight for independence. Yellow stands for the abundance of mineral resources, especially gold in the nation, and the bright sun that shines over the land. Green represents the vegetation, forests, and other natural resources in addition to the prosperity and the fertile soils of the nation.
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: Guinea Conakry
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Guinea Conakry in 2009.
Guinea Conakry had a population of 11,474,383 in 2014. That same year, Guinea Conakry reported 10 Churches of the Nazarene, none of which had been officially organized. Guinea Conakry has 476 total members.
Guinea Conakry is a part of the Cote d’Ivoire South District, a Phase 2 district on the Africa Region. 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
Eurasia
Didsbury, United Kingdom
UK church takes community on journey to Narnia
About 750 people of all ages discovered this magical world when they climbed through the “wardrobe” at Didsbury Community Church of the Nazarene’s Narnia Experience, 19 to 20 December, and took a one-hour tour of the wintery scenes of C.S. Lewis’s classic adventure, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Just 30 people transformed the campus of Nazarene Theological College, where the church meets, into the 11 scenes from the book: Professor’s Office, the Wardrobe, Mr. Tumnus’ House, the Woods, Mrs. Beaver’s House, the Queen’s Palace, a grotto with Father Christmas, Aslan’s Camp, the Stone Table, and the Coronation Room.For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.Read more
MesoamericaJust 30 people transformed the campus of Nazarene Theological College, where the church meets, into the 11 scenes from the book: Professor’s Office, the Wardrobe, Mr. Tumnus’ House, the Woods, Mrs. Beaver’s House, the Queen’s Palace, a grotto with Father Christmas, Aslan’s Camp, the Stone Table, and the Coronation Room.For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.Read more
Trinidad and Tobago, Mesoamerica Region
Trinidad and Tobago Harvest Month leads to baptism of 39
As part of a strategy to reach new people, the Church of the Nazarene's Trinidad and Tobago District launched an initiative called Harvest Month to motivate all Nazarene churches on the district to evangelize their communities.
Harvest Month had four main emphases: prayer, training, teaching, and inviting. Churches were given packages that included three prayer cards and a four-part small group curriculum for training members in evangelism. Pastors were asked to teach on evangelism during the Sunday morning or mid-week service. The final aspect of Harvest Month required that every church host at least one evangelistic event.
Several congregations took up the challenge and saw fruit in their churches. The crowning moment of Harvest Month was the district baptism on November 22 when 39 people from throughout the district were baptized together. One pastor reported a member wrote the name of her unsaved husband on the prayer cards. The church prayed for the names, and during one of the special evangelistic events the husband gave his life to the Lord and was part of the group that got baptized.
The district intends to start seven new churches in 2016 and invest more time and resources in reaching new persons within the established churches. Fifteen people were already identified and received training for church planting. Following further training by USA/Canada Region Evangelism Director Bill Wiesman in March, they will be officially commissioned in April.
The district’s church planting and evangelistic thrust is part of the district’s desire to refocus and fulfill the Haggai 2:9 promise given to District Superintendent Victor George about the Church of the Nazarene in Trinidad and Tobago that “the glory of the present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.”
The district has claimed this promise and believes powerful change will come to the Church of the Nazarene in Trinidad and Tobago with the help of God.[Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region]Read more
USA/CanadaHarvest Month had four main emphases: prayer, training, teaching, and inviting. Churches were given packages that included three prayer cards and a four-part small group curriculum for training members in evangelism. Pastors were asked to teach on evangelism during the Sunday morning or mid-week service. The final aspect of Harvest Month required that every church host at least one evangelistic event.
Several congregations took up the challenge and saw fruit in their churches. The crowning moment of Harvest Month was the district baptism on November 22 when 39 people from throughout the district were baptized together. One pastor reported a member wrote the name of her unsaved husband on the prayer cards. The church prayed for the names, and during one of the special evangelistic events the husband gave his life to the Lord and was part of the group that got baptized.
The district intends to start seven new churches in 2016 and invest more time and resources in reaching new persons within the established churches. Fifteen people were already identified and received training for church planting. Following further training by USA/Canada Region Evangelism Director Bill Wiesman in March, they will be officially commissioned in April.
The district’s church planting and evangelistic thrust is part of the district’s desire to refocus and fulfill the Haggai 2:9 promise given to District Superintendent Victor George about the Church of the Nazarene in Trinidad and Tobago that “the glory of the present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.”
The district has claimed this promise and believes powerful change will come to the Church of the Nazarene in Trinidad and Tobago with the help of God.[Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region]Read more
Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.
Nazarenes in the News
Massachusetts pastor opens home to more than 40 foster children
Somerville, Massachusetts
(Good Housekeeping) Jeff and Kelley Lane live in a densely populated area nestled between Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, in a welcoming home — full of children. Over the last decade, they have fostered more than 40 children, four of whom they have adopted. While foster parenting is not always an easy road to travel, both the challenges and the joys have taught them how to fight for what they know, in their hearts, is the right thing to do.
Kelley, 31, realized years ago that someday she wanted to become a foster parent.
"When I was young, my mother passed away from breast cancer and my father was an unfit and inadequate parent," she explains. "I lived in seven different places, moving from home to home." She also points to an early encounter with another foster child as planting the seed: "When I was 10 years old and held my neighbor's foster child, DJ, in my arms, I knew right then and there I would commit my life to caring for kids impacted by foster care," she shares. "It inspired me to ensure that kids like DJ had a caring adult in their lives."
The number of children in foster care in the U.S. is sobering. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, there were 415,000 children in foster care in 2014 — a number that represents a 4% increase from 2012. While roughly half of the 238,000 children who left foster care were reunited with their parents, others ran away (over 1,000 children), 326 died, 21% were adopted, and 9% aged out of the system. (Only 2% of children who age out of foster care will go on to get a college education.) And a mere 50,600 were adopted out of foster care.
So when Kelley and Jeff started dating, improving those troubling odds for as many kids as possible was a priority. Some of their early days were spent providing holiday gifts and parties for children whose parents were incarcerated — with Kelley organizing events and Jeff, now 39, helping secure funding and deliver presents.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Stories to share? Send them to news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]Read more
Somerville, Massachusetts
(Good Housekeeping) Jeff and Kelley Lane live in a densely populated area nestled between Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, in a welcoming home — full of children. Over the last decade, they have fostered more than 40 children, four of whom they have adopted. While foster parenting is not always an easy road to travel, both the challenges and the joys have taught them how to fight for what they know, in their hearts, is the right thing to do.
Kelley, 31, realized years ago that someday she wanted to become a foster parent.
"When I was young, my mother passed away from breast cancer and my father was an unfit and inadequate parent," she explains. "I lived in seven different places, moving from home to home." She also points to an early encounter with another foster child as planting the seed: "When I was 10 years old and held my neighbor's foster child, DJ, in my arms, I knew right then and there I would commit my life to caring for kids impacted by foster care," she shares. "It inspired me to ensure that kids like DJ had a caring adult in their lives."
The number of children in foster care in the U.S. is sobering. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, there were 415,000 children in foster care in 2014 — a number that represents a 4% increase from 2012. While roughly half of the 238,000 children who left foster care were reunited with their parents, others ran away (over 1,000 children), 326 died, 21% were adopted, and 9% aged out of the system. (Only 2% of children who age out of foster care will go on to get a college education.) And a mere 50,600 were adopted out of foster care.
So when Kelley and Jeff started dating, improving those troubling odds for as many kids as possible was a priority. Some of their early days were spent providing holiday gifts and parties for children whose parents were incarcerated — with Kelley organizing events and Jeff, now 39, helping secure funding and deliver presents.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Stories to share? Send them to news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]Read more
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 January 11-15, 2015.
Abe Christian, 96, of Stuart, Oklahoma, passed away January 13. He was a retired minister, serving in Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his wife, Floyce Christian, in 2000.
Monica "Marge" (Cavanagh ) Denham, 72, of Cuba, Illinois, passed away January 8. She was the wife of retired minister Carl Denham, who served in Illinois.
Madelyn Hurn, 93, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away January 11. She was the widow of retired minister, district superintendent, and general superintendent Raymond Hurn, who served in Kansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Oregon and led the West Texas District. Raymond Hurn passed away in 2007.
Nick Kuriluk, 86, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away January 13. He was a retired minister, serving in South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas. He is survived by his wife, Faye (Dean) Kiriluk.
Lois (Ames) Marstrell, 94, of New Philidelphia, Ohio, passed away January 13. She was the widow of retired minister Philip Edwards, who passed away in 1971. She was preceded in death by her second husband, Donald Marstrell, in 1999.
Gail Moorman, 98, of Kettering, Ohio, passed away January 10. He was a retired minister, serving in Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Clara Moorman.
Marion Prather, 96, of Miramar, Florida, passed away January 7. He was a minister, previously serving in Florida. He is survived by his wife, Betty Prather.
Mildred (Grisa) Ringhiser Rooney, 88, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away December 30. She was the former Minnesota District Nazarene Missions International president. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harold Ringhiser, and her second husband, Frank Rooney.
Marceliene (Carr) Thompson, 90, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away January 8. She was the widow of retired minister Raymond Thompson, who served in Missouri. Raymond Thompson passed away in February 2015.
Fairy Worcester, 98, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away January 10. She was the widow of retired minister, evangelist, and educator Gerald Worcester, who served in Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and California. Gerald Worcester passed away in 1993.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join with us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to news@nazarene.org.--Compiled by NCN News]Read more
Abe Christian, 96, of Stuart, Oklahoma, passed away January 13. He was a retired minister, serving in Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his wife, Floyce Christian, in 2000.
Monica "Marge" (Cavanagh ) Denham, 72, of Cuba, Illinois, passed away January 8. She was the wife of retired minister Carl Denham, who served in Illinois.
Madelyn Hurn, 93, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away January 11. She was the widow of retired minister, district superintendent, and general superintendent Raymond Hurn, who served in Kansas, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Oregon and led the West Texas District. Raymond Hurn passed away in 2007.
Nick Kuriluk, 86, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away January 13. He was a retired minister, serving in South Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas. He is survived by his wife, Faye (Dean) Kiriluk.
Lois (Ames) Marstrell, 94, of New Philidelphia, Ohio, passed away January 13. She was the widow of retired minister Philip Edwards, who passed away in 1971. She was preceded in death by her second husband, Donald Marstrell, in 1999.
Gail Moorman, 98, of Kettering, Ohio, passed away January 10. He was a retired minister, serving in Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Clara Moorman.
Marion Prather, 96, of Miramar, Florida, passed away January 7. He was a minister, previously serving in Florida. He is survived by his wife, Betty Prather.
Mildred (Grisa) Ringhiser Rooney, 88, of Dayton, Ohio, passed away December 30. She was the former Minnesota District Nazarene Missions International president. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harold Ringhiser, and her second husband, Frank Rooney.
Marceliene (Carr) Thompson, 90, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away January 8. She was the widow of retired minister Raymond Thompson, who served in Missouri. Raymond Thompson passed away in February 2015.
Fairy Worcester, 98, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away January 10. She was the widow of retired minister, evangelist, and educator Gerald Worcester, who served in Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and California. Gerald Worcester passed away in 1993.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join with us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to news@nazarene.org.--Compiled by NCN News]Read more
Global praise reports and prayer requests
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners include:
PRAISES
JESUS Film - Pakistan
"I take my stand today against all evil and the devil's schemes against me," shared Rasid in Pakistan. "I was an angry and bad man. Then I watched the JESUS film and heard the words, 'You must be born again.' I felt a longing for a deeper walk with Christ. I have never looked back."
JESUS Film - Haiti
"I am alive today because of the grace of God," shared Derival in Haiti. "As I watched the JESUS film, I realized the greatness and power of God. I accepted Christ as my Savior, and would like to know more about the Word of God. Thank you for showing this movie!"
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
John Anderson
Retired missionary John Anderson has suffered six falls in the past three weeks, with the last fall breaking three ribs. John is going into a nursing care facility this week. Together, John and his wife, Doris, served in India for 32 years in India.
Tougida Hayes
Tougida Hayes was hospitalized after contracting an infection and experiencing severe pain. Doctors hope to release her Friday, and she will return to the hospital next week to undergo an operation. Tougida works at the Africa Regional Office in the finance department.
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.Read more
HUMAN RESOURCESPRAISES
JESUS Film - Pakistan
"I take my stand today against all evil and the devil's schemes against me," shared Rasid in Pakistan. "I was an angry and bad man. Then I watched the JESUS film and heard the words, 'You must be born again.' I felt a longing for a deeper walk with Christ. I have never looked back."
JESUS Film - Haiti
"I am alive today because of the grace of God," shared Derival in Haiti. "As I watched the JESUS film, I realized the greatness and power of God. I accepted Christ as my Savior, and would like to know more about the Word of God. Thank you for showing this movie!"
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
John Anderson
Retired missionary John Anderson has suffered six falls in the past three weeks, with the last fall breaking three ribs. John is going into a nursing care facility this week. Together, John and his wife, Doris, served in India for 32 years in India.
Tougida Hayes
Tougida Hayes was hospitalized after contracting an infection and experiencing severe pain. Doctors hope to release her Friday, and she will return to the hospital next week to undergo an operation. Tougida works at the Africa Regional Office in the finance department.
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.Read more
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
Internal Communications Agency — Video Production Manager (Full-time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: Internal Communications Agency
Title: Video Production Manager
Description: This position is responsible for video acquisition, shooting, editing, and all related responsibilities for productions of varying lengths. Additional responsibilities include knowledge of production-related software and equipment, as well as collaborating on creative projects with the communications team.
Information Technology — Software Developer (Full-time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: Information Technology
Title: Software Developer
Description: Members of the software development team are primarily responsible for facilitating the ministry of the Global Ministry Center through the analysis, design, implementation, and support of software solutions.
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.
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.
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 calling913-577-0500, 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
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
Internal Communications Agency — Video Production Manager (Full-time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: Internal Communications Agency
Title: Video Production Manager
Description: This position is responsible for video acquisition, shooting, editing, and all related responsibilities for productions of varying lengths. Additional responsibilities include knowledge of production-related software and equipment, as well as collaborating on creative projects with the communications team.
Information Technology — Software Developer (Full-time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: Information Technology
Title: Software Developer
Description: Members of the software development team are primarily responsible for facilitating the ministry of the Global Ministry Center through the analysis, design, implementation, and support of software solutions.
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.
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.
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
Lay leaders: December 2015
Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International's The Discipleship Place congratulates the following individuals approved by their pastor and local church board to receive a certificate of lay ministry. Upon approval, they will complete lay ministry courses.
- David Boblitt, Odon Church of the Nazarene, Southwest Indiana District
- Pieter J. Briel, Agaqe Germeentee Church of the Nazarene, RSA (South Africa) Gauteng District
- James Edward Britton, First Church of the Nazarene, New England District
- David Erbe, Generations Church of the Nazarene, Virginia District
- Gordon Gibson, Living Hope Church of the Nazarene, Southwest Ohio District
- Sandra Hood, Ocala First Church of the Nazarene, Florida District
- Philip A Miedzinski, Indian Head Church of the Nazarene, Mid-Atlantic District
- Luis Prieto, Flint Hills Church of the Nazarene, Iowa District
- Misty Roberts, Columbia First Church of the Nazarene, Missouri District
- Brenda Sheats, Rio Vista Church of the Nazarene, New Mexico District
- Donna Sutfin, Sutter Creek Church of the Nazarene, Sacramento District
- Rocky Toler, Living Hope church of the Nazarene, Southwest Ohio District
Arlene Bartlett, Bradenton First Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District
Pastoral Epistles
Renee Berra, House Springs Church of the Nazarene, Missouri District
Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World, Exploring John Wesley's Theology, Exploring Nazarene History and Polity, Practicing Wesleyan-Holiness Spiritual Formation, Telling the New Testament Story of God, Telling the Old Testament Story of God
Larry Brown, Bradenton First Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District
Pastoral Epistles
Linda J. Brown, Bradenton First Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District
Pastoral Epistles
- Clifford Haydon, Bethel Church of the Nazarene, Central California District
- Sara Mohan, La Grange Church of the Nazarene, Guyana Demerara-Essequibo District Exploring John Wesley's Theology
- James Patch, Bluffton Church of the Nazarene, Northeastern Indiana District Telling the New Testament Story of God, Telling the Old Testament Story of God
- Robert Prete, Bradenton First Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District Pastoral Epistles
- Catherine A. Scharf, Lifepoint Church of the Nazarene, Sacramento District Children's Ministry
- Joe Schultz, Elizabethton First Church of the Nazarene, East Tennessee District Practicing Wesleyan-Holiness Spiritual Formation
- Walt Stengal, Bradenton First Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District Pastoral Epistles
- Bill Taraszewski, Decatur First Church of the Nazarene, Illinois District Exploring Nazarene History and Polity
- Brandon Waleszonia, New Hope Church of the Nazarene, South Arkansas District Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World, Exploring John Wesley's Theology, Exploring Nazarene History and Polity, Membership Module, Practicing Wesleyan-Holiness Spiritual Formation, Telling the New Testament Story of God, Telling the Old Testament Story of God
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news@nazarene.org
Material created and owned by NCN News may be used for church newsletters and bulletins.
The Global Church of the Nazarene Communication Network News
Material created and owned by NCN News may be used for church newsletters and bulletins.
The Global Church of the Nazarene Communication Network News
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Lenexa, Kansas 66220, United States
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