The Global Church of the Nazarene's Eurasia Region of
Schaffhausen,
Switzerland, Europe for Thursday, 14 September 2017 "
Where Worlds Meet - September 2017"
Where Worlds Meet - September 2017
In this edition of Where Worlds Meet, find out:
how Nazarenes are bringing help to people who have lost everything to floods in Bangladesh; the ways youth in Portugal and Azores are deepening their spiritual growth while serving others; why a church in Germany included affordable apartments and counseling rooms in their new building; about a newly translated commentary in Russian;
and more!
© 2017 Eurasia Region, All rights reserved.
To explore your call or train for your assignment, visit the website.
www.eurasia.org/volunteers
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Deluged
More than 41 million
people have been
affected by historic
flooding in India, South
Asia. Nazarenes have
been affected, but also
are helping one another.
Building community
A Frankfurt, Germany, church dedicates new
building to serving neighborhood, adding
affordable housing and counseling services
‘Limitless’
Youth from Portugal and the Azores seek to
multiply their effectiveness by participating
in more, smaller events designed for spiritual
growth and serving others.
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Nazarenes in Bangladesh bring relief
to submerged village after flood
by Han Tan
Komali* is a Child Development Center
(CDC) coordinator in the North-West
District in Bangladesh. After massive
floods swept into Bangladesh in August
2017, she wanted to visit one of her
CDCs, knowing that this CDC was in
the affected area. She found the whole
village flooded; everywhere she looked
there was water.
People and cattle were sitting on the tin roofs. People
had lost everything they owned: their belongings, their
food, their clothes. Girls from her school begged her
for clothes more than for food – although they had not
eaten for days – because without clothing they were
forced to hide behind tree leaves.
The greatest flood of this century was caused by
high temperatures that created heavy rainfall in the
Himalaya Mountains, and melted the snow. This water rushed down the mountains, across
India and Nepal, causing the rivers
to overflow, flooding the land.
Because Bangladesh is at the end of
these rivers, all this water ran into
Bangladesh.
Overnight, one third of Bangladesh
was flooded.
Estimates are that 41 million people
were affected and 1,500 killed. And
that is only during the floods. Now
that the water
has receded
diseases like
cholera, dengue
and malaria are
major threats.
When Komali
saw the families
suffering, her
heart broke. She
gathered money
from herself and
fellow workers,
and went back the next day with
helpers and a boat with food and
clothes.
The boat floated over the tops of
drowned banana trees, submerged
rice fields and tracks where roads
and bridges should be. Leaves or
trees that reached above the water
level were filled with snakes, ants and
other small animals.
After four days of mostly standing
at the higher level road besides the
village, the people received their first
relief help.
Three weeks after the water
receded, Komali takes me and
my wife, Corry, to the village. We
have been in Bangladesh with our
nonprofit organization, Changing
Lives, to provide training on how to
use hygeinic practices to prevent
communicable diseases. The timing
of our training seems ordained, as
the people will need every skill now,
more than ever, to prevent diseases
that may be spread and exacerbated
by the slowly receding waters.
On our way to the village we see
damaged rice fields, destroyed mango
trees and devastated banana plants.
The lower part of the brick wall
houses are darker where they have
been under water. But most of the
houses in the village have mud walls,
and for that reason they are ruined.
The unpaved roads are muddy and
slippery. And everywhere we are
overpowered by the smell of rotting
debris, urine and feces.
We talk with Jacinthe*, a 35-year old
mother of two
children, ages 10
and 4. Jospina is
a field laborer;
her husband has a
disease, disabling
him to work. She
spent eight days
living on the higher
level road until
the water had
receded enough to
enter her house.
While still waiting, she had received
Komali’s help at day four, and later a
relief package with food for a week.
While living on the road they had
no place to sleep, no food to eat
for the first four days, no access to
safe drinking water, and the water
that surrounded them was their
washroom.
The family owns a small (two by five
meters), two-room house with mud
walls, a mud floor and a tin roof.
During the floods she lost everything
she had: clothes, food, her bed and
20 hens. Her house was severely
damaged. She has done some repairs
to her roof and walls with sheets of
tin that she found in the floods. But
Jacinthe is still in the need of more
wood and tin for her house. Her
most urgent needs now are building
materials, clothes and food.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
International (NCM) has responded
to the floods with food packages.
Ten thousand packages containing
rice, lentils, potatoes, oil and soap are
being distributed in the North and
North West District of Bangladesh.
Depending on the size of the family, this package will last five to 14 days.
In communities surrounding local
Nazarene churches, approximately
63,000 people were affected,
including more than 7,800 church
members from 948 local churches.
NCM also wants and needs to help
non-Nazarene families. Twice the
amount of food packages would be
needed. So only the poorest of the
poor receive help at this moment.
(Han and Corry Tan were in Bangladesh
providing medical training concerning how
to prevent communicable diseases such as
cholera. From the Netherlands, the couple
are Nazarenes who work in medicine, and
founded Changing Lives, which brings
training to health workers, teachers and
others in South Asia about water, sanitation,
hygiene and dental care and prevention of
diseases related to these.)
*Names changed and location omitted for
security
Pray
Please pray for those facing the sudden and unexpected loss of loved ones, for those who lost their homes and have nowhere to go, and for the protection of lives, especially from cholera and other illnesses. Also pray for the churches working to care for their neighbors and meet urgent needs.
Give
Churches and individuals around the world can provide support through the South Asia Flood Response fund. Donations will be used for immediate needs, including food and water purification tablets, as well as long-term rehabilitation and food security.“
Give through your local church or district, designating your gift to South Asia Flood Response.
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Portugal-Azores youth help
church serve Lisbon community by Nicole Almeida
The Nazarene youth of
Portugal want to multiply
their effectiveness: Rather
than having one big event
during the year, as in the
past, they are investing in
many small events.
While planning the events and talking with
the local Nazarene Youth International
(NYI) leaders, one word echoed in Danilo
Aguilar’s mind: “limitless” (“Sem Limites” in
Portuguese). Soon this became the theme
for the district’s youth, conveying the idea
that our God has no limits and we can do
anything through Him.
With this in mind, the first district event
happened 26-27 May. Youth from churches
in the Lisbon area and the Azores Islands
gathered for a mini-camp at the Casal Novo
Church of the Nazarene.
Aguilar, a missionary in the Azores, as well
as the youth coordinator for the PortugalAzores
District, said, “Thank the Lord, we
had 50 youth show up for our first youth
event for the year in Portugal! We were
able to paint the children’s room and the
pastor’s office, as well as have some quality
fellowship time to build relationships among
the youth. Pastor Walter Azevedo, Jr., the
new Portugal District Superintendent, did
great to inspire the youth to know that
God has created them to live lives without
limitations!”
On Saturday they formed small groups to
work on different tasks. They wanted to
impact not only the church, but also the
community.
One group painted two rooms of the church
-- a small children’s Sunday School class and
the pastor’s office, which is being converted
into a church lounge area where people
can talk and share some coffee before
or after service. Now that the kids’ room
was painted, it has since received more
renovations and furniture so that the space
is friendly and safe.
Two cleaning groups were also created. One
cleaned the back of the church, making the
space usable once again. The second group
went through the community, picking up
trash from the ground, and cleaned the front of the church. This
shows the community
that they care about
them and care about
keeping the church
welcome to them.
The last group went
out and played and
socialized with people
from the community,
in an attempt to build
comfort and trust
between the church and
its neighbors.
“I loved looking at the
youth and seeing that
we have an opportunity
to make this time as a
moment of maturing,
commitment and
growing for the Kingdom
in Portugal,” said Pastor
Walter.
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Youth learn about God’s freedom
“God’s freedom” was the
theme of a youth spiritual
development weekend,
28-29 July, organized
by Lisbon First Church
for youth across other
Nazarene churches.
Invited guests from other
denominations to spoke in
workshops and in the service.
Pastor Nuno Ornellas, senior pastor
of CCLX (Comunidade Cristã de
Lisboa), was the service speaker.
He talked about the love of God
being greater than we can imagine
and all we need to do is look for His
signs to understand this love and
live truly free in Him. Youth were
also reminded that continuously
comparing ourselves to others will
only separate us from the freedom
God has for us.
Saturday morning and afternoon,
four workshops covered the themes:
Christian Freedom in Art, Christian
Freedom in Religion, Christian
Freedom in Worship and Christian
Freedom in our Living. District
Superintendent Walter Azevedo, and
his wife Renata, spoke about religion
and worship. Chris and Linda
Munford, missionaries with WEC
International, led the art workshop,
teaching how to use art to glorify
God. The last workshop was given
by Pastor Flávio Taela, a local
minister from the Lisbon Church of
the Nazarene.
More small events are being planned
to create a stronger NYI in Portugal.
“I know God is doing something with
the youth for the future of Portugal,”
said Danilo Aguilar, Nazarene
missionary in the Azores and youth
coordinator for the Portugal-Azores
District.
Pastor Walter said, “I have no
doubt that if these youth utilize
the strength and force they have,
united in Christ, they can discern the
spiritual time and take the challenge
of calling the Portuguese youth to
have faith in Christ. God will do
great things.”
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Frankfurt church dedicates building: New building includes 10 apartments, counseling center, to serve community by Nicole Almeida
Sixty years ago, FrankfurtHügelstraße,
Germany,
became the home of the
first European Church
of the Nazarene outside
of England. In May, the
congregation inaugurated
their new building with a
celebration of God’s love
and faithfulness.
“We have around 200 people attending
our church. There are 30 different
nationalities representing a multicultural
city background,” said Pastor Wolfgang
Schwarzfischer, lead pastor. “In our
kindergarten, we have a similar situation.
From our 36 children, just two or three have
two ethnic German parents.”
The congregation had recognized unmet
ministry opportunities in their community
that required more space to minister more
effectively to these needs, so they decided
decided to construct the new building. It
offers 10 family apartments at an affordable
rent price, a counselling and therapy center,
and space for social services, such as
ministry to the homeless, cooking hot meals,
and the kindergarten, which serves families
in the neighborhood. It was designed to also
be ecological, with solar power, a green roof
and a system to reuse some of its water.
The church’s 10 new apartments are
available at a rate much lower than the
average rents in the city, and are being made
available to residents from the community.
“Many families have to pay 40 to 50 percent
of their income to rent an apartment,”
Schwarzfischer said. “With moderate prices,
we provide 10 apartments for almost 30
people. It may sound like it is not much in
a city where 15,000 to 20,000 people are
searching for apartments. But this is what
we can do.”
The church will rent to both Christians and
non-Christians, so that those who don’t
know the Lord have the opportunity to share
community life under the influence and care
of loving believers.
“Now, around 30 people (family and singles,
older and young) live there, encourage each
other, help and support them -- a strong
Christian testimony in our part of Frankfurt.
So, our dreams became true,” the pastor said.
A counseling center has also been operating
on the church’s property, offering services
not just to members of the congregation,
but families whose children are enrolled in
the kindergarten, as well as residents from
the surrounding neighbourhood.
Pastor Wolfgang says, “We have worked
with divorced families. Problems like
violence, insecurity on how to raise
children, and school problems have affected
the families of our community. So, we
thought this was a great opportunity to
provide space for a therapist to help on a
professional level.”
As a center for contextualized outreach in a
multi-cultural community, the new building
has all the essence of a missional space.
That is why the congregation chose to call
it the Alice and Jerald D. Johnson Building,
in honour of the first missionaries who were
part of the church.
The Johnson family lived in Germany during
the 1960s. To this day, the elders from the
neighbourhood talk about the “impressive
American guy,” his caring wife and the
lovely children. Pastor Wolfgang says, “The
Johnsons opened their house and hearts to
many people, providing home, help and a
new view towards God.”
The inauguration of the building was a
memorable day for everyone who has seen
the church grow and has seen the work they
have done in the community. More than two
hundred people gathered at the building to
celebrate, including the Johnsons’ daughter,
Carla Sunberg, who grew up with her family
in Germany, and in June was elected by the
global denomination to the role of general
superintendent.
The Germany District Superintendent
Ingo Hunaeus, and the rector of European
Nazarene College, Dr. Klaus Arnold, also
took their time to be part of the celebration.
A former pastor of the church, Dr. Hermann
Gschwandtner, did not miss this day, as well.
With the new building now open for
ministry, the Church of the Nazarene
Frankfurt-Hügelstraße continues to bring
healing, community and the love of Christ to
their part of Germany.
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New commentary on Luke
published in Russian by
Nikolaj Sawatzky
Thanks to the generosity
of the late Ms. Chloe
Schweitzer, who designated
part of her estate for the
publication of New Beacon
Bible Commentary series
for pastors and students in
the CIS Field, the Luke 1-9
volume has been translated
and published in the Russian
language.
On the first pages there is a dedication
statement for Ms. Schweitzer in English and
Russian, which in itself is a testimony of the
love she had for God and for the people of
Russia. A big “thank you” to Carla Sunberg,
former Nazarene missionary to Russia,
who helped us compose the dedication
statement.
I would also like to congratulate and thank
the CIS Literature Committee, and especially
its chair, Dr. Olga Druzhinina, for many hours
of dedicated and hard work spent to see this
publication appear in such a timely manner.
Thank you!
The Lord willing, we will publish six more
volumes, which will bring it to a total
number of 18 published volumes of
commentaries in the Wesleyan-Holiness
tradition in the Russian language.
May this resource be a blessing to the
people in Russia and the CIS.
The New Beacon Bible Commentary is a
series published by The Foundry Publishing,
formerly known as Nazarene Publishing
House. This series is designed to provide
21st-century scholars, pastors, students and
laity an academically competent, readable
commentary in the Wesleyan theological
tradition. Many volumes in the series have
already been published, with more being
written. Learn more: http://tiny.cc/rmlgny
(Nikolaj Sawatzky is the Eurasia Region
Literature Coordinator.)
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M-POWER-EURASIA
Attend a training!
• October 6-8, Irpin, Ukraine
• January 12-14, Northern Europe
Save your place: eurasiaregion.
org/volunteers/events/
IS GOD CALLING YOU?
Become a Missionary in Eurasia!
Find out more and apply
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NMI Convention video online
The video of the 20-minute Eurasia Region presentation at the Global
Nazarene Missions International Convention, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA,
in June 2017, is on the Eurasia Region website.
You may play, or follow the video link to the Vimeo.com/Eurasia page
and download the video to share with others.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of
this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to
speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)
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Prayer requests
Please pray for all those affected by flooding, and those grieving the loss of loved
ones. Pray for safety and rescue of those still in danger, and for all who are providing
support, food, shelter and other assistance to those displaced by floods. Pray that
the waters would recede quickly, and rebuilding could begin. Pray that God can work
through His people to bring healing, restoration and new life to flood-affected areas.
Pray for the Frankfurt-Hügelstraße Church of the Nazarene as it continues reaching
out from its new building, which allows for new ways to support and serve people
in the neighborhood. Ask God to especially anoint and bless the church and provide
many new opportunities to share His love.
Pray for the youth of Portugal and the Azores as they seek ways to grow spiritually
while serving others.
Pray that the newly translated Luke 1-9 commentary will bring greater spiritual
development to Russian-speaking Christians, and that more volumes will be translated
and made more widely available.
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Where Worlds Meet
Our Team
is the monthly newsletter for the Eurasia
Region of the Church of the Nazarene.
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GINA POTTENGER
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TEANNA SUNBERG
Central Europe Communications Coordinator
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W. Mediterranean Communications
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Website Designer
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Regional Video Editor
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Regional Director
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Eurasia Regional Office
Postfach 1217
8207
Schaffhausen, Switzerland
phone: (+49) 7734 93050
email: communications@eurasiaregion.org
Visit our website for more information:
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