Southern Mexico hit by massive earthquake
Arriaga Church of the Nazarene, Mexico South Pacific DistrictA massive 8.1-magnitude earthquake struck off of the southern coast of Mexico near the states of Chiapas and Oaxaca around midnight 7 September.
The quake killed at least 96 people — including one member from Paredon Church of the Nazarene — and thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed across 41 municipalities. More than 25 Nazarene churches and at least nine parsonages were damaged in the quake.
Churches whose buildings are still standing are serving as shelters for neighbors who lost their homes. Twelve churches are working together to provide food, water, and medical care. They are providing meals to 8,000 individuals each day.
Most hospitals are damaged, and churches have received permission from the government to receive medical supplies to get them to the affected areas. The Nazarene Boarder Initiative has organized teams of doctors, nurses, and pharmacists from Mexico and Central America to visit multiple sites a day.
"We are seeing a lot of respiratory infections and asthma," said Rhesa Rodriguez, a missionary with the Nazarene Boarder Initiative. "High blood pressure and diabetes are also at a high due to loss of medications in house collapse as well as no electricity for storing [medicine]. What I love about being here is seeing volunteers from all over Mexico pulling together to meet the needs here both physically and spiritually. God provided today just as we need it with doctors and pharmacists showing up with more bag of [medicine]."
Buildings continue to fall, and many people are fearful of returning to fragile buildings harmed by the initial quake.
"Anxiety is at a high as aftershocks rock the city throughout the day," Rodriguez said.
Chiapas and Oaxaca are two of the poorest states in Mexico, with more than two-thirds of people living in poverty and millions living in extreme poverty. Those affected by the earthquake were already among the most vulnerable, and disasters push those living in poverty even close to extreme poverty.
Church leaders are requesting prayer for those affected and support as they work to meet the needs in their communities.
Bridge Church of the Nazarene, Mexico Oaxaca DistrictHow to help
Pray
Please pray for families and individuals affected by the earthquake. Pray especially for those who have lost loved ones. Pray for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods. Pray those are experiencing trauma, that they would sense God’s peace and presence. Pray for those who are most vulnerable, especially senior adults, individuals with disabilities, and people living in poverty. Pray for church leaders and churches responding to the needs around them. To send a prayer or note of encouragement, go to ncm.org/pray.
Go
Medical volunteers and Work & Witness teams are needed. To complete a volunteer information form, click here.
Give
Churches and individuals around the world can provide support through the Mexico Earthquake Response fund. Donations will be used to provide for immediate needs, including food, water, and medical supplies, as well as for long-term rebuilding.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
The Global Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, Missouri 64184-3116, United States
Be sure to put 128252 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
The Global Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 128252 in the Memo area.
For additional countries, please give through your local church or district, designating your gift to Mexico Earthquake Response. (Nazarene Compassionate Ministries)
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Hurricane Irma, at times strengthening to Category 5 storm, left a wake of destruction over the past two weeks from the eastern Caribbean islands through Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Irma is responsible for the deaths of at least 69 people in affected areas. Tens of thousands are now homeless.
While some Caribbean islands were relatively spared, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Barthemely, Anguilla, and the Virgin Islands were devastated.
Nazarenes on the Caribbean island of St. Martin/Saint Maarten were heavily affected as the storm hit the island with full force. Three Churches of the Nazarene in St. Martin were severely damaged. A newly constructed church in Marigot, the capital city, was completely destroyed, and the Marigot Church of the Nazarene in Cripple Gate lost its roof and the contents of the building were damaged beyond repair.
District Superintendent Daniel Blaise confirmed at least 75 percent of church members lost their homes entirely. Many St. Martin families are doubled and tripled up in remaining homes, and available food and clean water are limited.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries is active in the Caribbean responding to the disaster, including in the French Antilles, where a church is organizing a shipment of supplies.
In Cuba, several towns were flooded, and many families from Nazarene communities lost all their belongings as well as their gardens, which are a necessary source of food.
The storm continued on to the Florida Keys and traveled north through the state, flooding streets and damaging homes. In Georgia and South Carolina, Irma knocked out power for millions and caused widespread devastation.
Prior to Irma hitting the U.S., the Church of the Nazarene's Southern Florida District established three main response bases at Fort Lauderdale Dayspring Church of the Nazarene, Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center, and Lehigh Acres Church of the Nazarene. Church leaders in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina mobilized response efforts as they prepared for the storm.
Many areas are still under water, but Nazarene Disaster Response volunteers are helping clean out flooded homes and distributing Crisis Care Kits and other necessities.
More than 16 inches of water flooded the home of Adrian and Elizabeth Calhoun, pastors of the New Smyrna Church of the Nazarene. They lost most of their belongings and will be displaced for at least a month.
A rapid Nazarene Disaster Response team with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries arrived from the Virginia District to help the Calhouns gut out the devastation in their home.
Pastor Joel Tooley, Florida District NDR coordinator, toured the Calhouns' damaged home with a team of NDR leaders.
"You are most likely feeling pretty overwhelmed right now,” Tooley told the Calhouns. “In fact, the enemy may even be telling you to quit. But don't give up now; your church is here. The hands and feet of Jesus are on their way and we're going to get you through this."
A man from the Virginia team also assured them, “You are not alone. Now you have 16 people here with you.”
Despite all that has happened, Adrian took the team on a tour of the church building – which suffered minimal damage – sharing his heart and vision for the community. His excitement and hope in the midst of tragedy was a great example of the “peace beyond understanding” that only God can provide.
Tooley travelled to Jacksonville Thursday to meet the Virginia team, who is also providing warm meals in communities still waiting for their power and light services to be restored.
Pastor Randy Tooley of the St. Petersburg Victory Church of the Nazarene reports Irma took down a giant tree on their property and the church did not have the $1,500 it would take to have a professional remove the tree.
A neighbor asked Randy Thursday if he could try out his new chainsaw on their tree.
"His saw cut through that tree like a hot knife through butter," Randy said.
The neighbor then asked a colleague to bring a Bobcat machine to move the tree pieces to the edge of the road, where the city will remove them next week.
Not only did the church have a prayer answered, the pastor was able to build a stronger connection with his neighbor.
NCM continues to collect damage reports from Nazarene churches and members, though power outages make communication difficult. Information will be added as it is received.
After calling for more Crisis Care Kits last week, NCM received an overwhelming number of kits from churches and individuals.
“Thank you to everyone who has responded!” NCM posted on Facebook this week. “We are well on the way to filling up the warehouses again. For those of you still in process of collecting CCKs, please continue. For those of you who have not yet started, know that the need is already being filled and we are more than ready to meet the existing needs and those that arise in the future. We are proud to be part of a church that cares so much for others and works hard to meet needs in Jesus' name!”
How to help
Pray
Continue to pray for those affected by Irma and other disasters as communities begin the long road to recovery. To send a prayer or note of encouragement, go to ncm.org/pray.
Give
Churches and individuals around the world can provide support through the Emergency Relief – Hurricane Response Fund. Donations will be used for immediate needs, such as water and food, as well as NCM’s long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
The Global Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, Missouri 64184-3116, United States
Be sure to put 128223 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
The Global Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 128223 in the Memo area.
For additional countries, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to Emergency Relief – Hurricane Response.Read more
St. Martin
Naples, Florida
Irma strikes Florida as Caribbean begins road to recoveryHurricane Irma, at times strengthening to Category 5 storm, left a wake of destruction over the past two weeks from the eastern Caribbean islands through Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Irma is responsible for the deaths of at least 69 people in affected areas. Tens of thousands are now homeless.
While some Caribbean islands were relatively spared, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Martin/St. Maarten, St. Barthemely, Anguilla, and the Virgin Islands were devastated.
Nazarenes on the Caribbean island of St. Martin/Saint Maarten were heavily affected as the storm hit the island with full force. Three Churches of the Nazarene in St. Martin were severely damaged. A newly constructed church in Marigot, the capital city, was completely destroyed, and the Marigot Church of the Nazarene in Cripple Gate lost its roof and the contents of the building were damaged beyond repair.
District Superintendent Daniel Blaise confirmed at least 75 percent of church members lost their homes entirely. Many St. Martin families are doubled and tripled up in remaining homes, and available food and clean water are limited.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries is active in the Caribbean responding to the disaster, including in the French Antilles, where a church is organizing a shipment of supplies.
In Cuba, several towns were flooded, and many families from Nazarene communities lost all their belongings as well as their gardens, which are a necessary source of food.
The storm continued on to the Florida Keys and traveled north through the state, flooding streets and damaging homes. In Georgia and South Carolina, Irma knocked out power for millions and caused widespread devastation.
Prior to Irma hitting the U.S., the Church of the Nazarene's Southern Florida District established three main response bases at Fort Lauderdale Dayspring Church of the Nazarene, Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center, and Lehigh Acres Church of the Nazarene. Church leaders in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina mobilized response efforts as they prepared for the storm.
Many areas are still under water, but Nazarene Disaster Response volunteers are helping clean out flooded homes and distributing Crisis Care Kits and other necessities.
More than 16 inches of water flooded the home of Adrian and Elizabeth Calhoun, pastors of the New Smyrna Church of the Nazarene. They lost most of their belongings and will be displaced for at least a month.
A rapid Nazarene Disaster Response team with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries arrived from the Virginia District to help the Calhouns gut out the devastation in their home.
Pastor Joel Tooley, Florida District NDR coordinator, toured the Calhouns' damaged home with a team of NDR leaders.
"You are most likely feeling pretty overwhelmed right now,” Tooley told the Calhouns. “In fact, the enemy may even be telling you to quit. But don't give up now; your church is here. The hands and feet of Jesus are on their way and we're going to get you through this."
A man from the Virginia team also assured them, “You are not alone. Now you have 16 people here with you.”
Despite all that has happened, Adrian took the team on a tour of the church building – which suffered minimal damage – sharing his heart and vision for the community. His excitement and hope in the midst of tragedy was a great example of the “peace beyond understanding” that only God can provide.
Tooley travelled to Jacksonville Thursday to meet the Virginia team, who is also providing warm meals in communities still waiting for their power and light services to be restored.
Pastor Randy Tooley of the St. Petersburg Victory Church of the Nazarene reports Irma took down a giant tree on their property and the church did not have the $1,500 it would take to have a professional remove the tree.
A neighbor asked Randy Thursday if he could try out his new chainsaw on their tree.
"His saw cut through that tree like a hot knife through butter," Randy said.
The neighbor then asked a colleague to bring a Bobcat machine to move the tree pieces to the edge of the road, where the city will remove them next week.
Not only did the church have a prayer answered, the pastor was able to build a stronger connection with his neighbor.
NCM continues to collect damage reports from Nazarene churches and members, though power outages make communication difficult. Information will be added as it is received.
After calling for more Crisis Care Kits last week, NCM received an overwhelming number of kits from churches and individuals.
“Thank you to everyone who has responded!” NCM posted on Facebook this week. “We are well on the way to filling up the warehouses again. For those of you still in process of collecting CCKs, please continue. For those of you who have not yet started, know that the need is already being filled and we are more than ready to meet the existing needs and those that arise in the future. We are proud to be part of a church that cares so much for others and works hard to meet needs in Jesus' name!”
How to help
Pray
Continue to pray for those affected by Irma and other disasters as communities begin the long road to recovery. To send a prayer or note of encouragement, go to ncm.org/pray.
Give
Churches and individuals around the world can provide support through the Emergency Relief – Hurricane Response Fund. Donations will be used for immediate needs, such as water and food, as well as NCM’s long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
The Global Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, Missouri 64184-3116, United States
Be sure to put 128223 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
The Global Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 128223 in the Memo area.
For additional countries, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to Emergency Relief – Hurricane Response.Read more
Nazarenes in Bangladesh bring relief to submerged village after flood
Komali* is a Child Development Center coordinator in the North-West District in Bangladesh. After massive floods swept into Bangladesh in August, she wanted to visit one of her CDCs in an affected area. She found the whole village flooded; everywhere she looked there was water.
People and cattle were 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 area's 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 as many as 1,500 killed. And that is only during the floods. Now that the water has receded, diseases like cholera, dengue fever, 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 beside 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 hygienic 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 is 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 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 is also helping non-Nazarene families. Twice the amount of food packages are needed, so only the poorest of the poor receive help at this moment.
How to help
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.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
The Global Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, Missouri 64184-3116, United States
Be sure to put 128210 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
The Global Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 128210 in the Memo area.
For additional countries, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to South Asia Flood Response.
Han and Corry Tan were in Bangladesh providing medical training on preventing 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 (Church of the Nazarene Eurasia)
Former NMI Director Phyllis Perkins Howard remembered
Phyllis Perkins Howard passed away 12 September in Nampa, Idaho, at age 83. She was a former missionary and director of Nazarene World Mission Society (now Nazarene Missions International), as well as a retired educator.
“Phyllis graced the office I now hold as global NMI director, and we feel her loss today,” said Lola Brickey. “Her unique gifts in education and her passion for missions and the stories of transformation have made a profound contribution. There are, no doubt, many around the world whose lives have been changed because she faithfully carried out her calling in missions, administration, teaching, and ministry.”
Born 24 February 1934 to E. B. and Velda Hartley, Phyllis grew up in Nazarene parsonages across Indiana, USA, with her two sisters. She attended Northwest Nazarene College (now University), graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration.
Phyllis taught at NNC as a professor of business from 1959 to 1962 before she was appointed as a Nazarene missionary. During her five-year term on the mission field, she taught business English at a Nazarene college in Japan. Phyllis returned to NNC as a professor, serving for six more years between 1968 and 1980.
In the summer of 1980, she became the first person elected as director (formerly executive secretary) of the Nazarene World Mission Society.
An educator at heart, Phyllis made significant contributions to Nazarene missions education during her tenure.
“It was my privilege as a member of the Global NMI Council to work with Phyllis and later to follow her as director,” said General Superintendent Emerita Nina G. Gunter. “She beautifully balanced love, learning, listening, and leading. Her unselfish commitment to the kingdom of God gave unwavering obedience to her calling.”
She served in the position for six years, overseeing the global council, editing NWMS publications, and traveling across the U.S. to speak at conventions.
In 1984, Phyllis joined the faculty at Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, while Jerry Lambert served as president.
“Phyllis came to NBC from her position as global director for NWMS and brought with her a wonderful sense of missions in education,” Lambert said. “A highly skilled and competent educational leader, Phyllis, even with her doctorate, was willing to go back into the classroom to complete her studies to be credentialed as a Nazarene elder. She led the way for many women who wished to enter the ordained ministry.”
Phyllis served as NBC’s academic dean from 1993 to 1997.
“She was a wonderful dean and a friend to everyone,” said Hiram Sanders, NBC president from 1994 to 2006. “She was extremely gifted, and it was a joy to work with her.”
Phyllis was known to many at NBC.
“Dr. Phyllis was a well-respected, much-loved heart of the NBC family during and after her time of service,” said current NBC President Harold B. Graves Jr.
Phyllis continued her education at Oregon State University and Arizona State University, earning a Master of Education and a Doctor of Education, respectively. She became an ordained elder in 1992.
In recognition of her years of service to NNC and the denomination, Northwest Nazarene University recently honored Phyllis with the Wesley Order of Servant Leaders Award.
“It is not every day we meet a person like Phyllis Perkins Howard,” said Joel Pearsall, NNU president, when presenting her with the award at the 2017 General Assembly and Conventions. “Her commitment to God and her service to others is an example to all of us. Phyllis has spent countless hours mentoring, caring for, and investing in others locally, nationally, and internationally. Phyllis is a wonderful example of Christlike character and what it means to fully embody the mission and values of NNU.”
Phyllis was preceded in death by husbands Melza Brown in 1977, Floyd Perkins in 2008, and Quentin Howard in 2011. She is survived by numerous stepchildren, stepgrandchildren, and step great-grandchildren from the Brown, Perkins, and Howard families, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. 18 September at the Nampa, Idaho, First Church of the Nazarene. Visitation and viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. 17 September at Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel.Memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Nazarene University Alumni Association, 623 S. University Blvd., Nampa, ID 83686..
Phyllis Perkins Howard passed away 12 September in Nampa, Idaho, at age 83. She was a former missionary and director of Nazarene World Mission Society (now Nazarene Missions International), as well as a retired educator.
“Phyllis graced the office I now hold as global NMI director, and we feel her loss today,” said Lola Brickey. “Her unique gifts in education and her passion for missions and the stories of transformation have made a profound contribution. There are, no doubt, many around the world whose lives have been changed because she faithfully carried out her calling in missions, administration, teaching, and ministry.”
Born 24 February 1934 to E. B. and Velda Hartley, Phyllis grew up in Nazarene parsonages across Indiana, USA, with her two sisters. She attended Northwest Nazarene College (now University), graduating in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration.
Phyllis taught at NNC as a professor of business from 1959 to 1962 before she was appointed as a Nazarene missionary. During her five-year term on the mission field, she taught business English at a Nazarene college in Japan. Phyllis returned to NNC as a professor, serving for six more years between 1968 and 1980.
In the summer of 1980, she became the first person elected as director (formerly executive secretary) of the Nazarene World Mission Society.
An educator at heart, Phyllis made significant contributions to Nazarene missions education during her tenure.
“It was my privilege as a member of the Global NMI Council to work with Phyllis and later to follow her as director,” said General Superintendent Emerita Nina G. Gunter. “She beautifully balanced love, learning, listening, and leading. Her unselfish commitment to the kingdom of God gave unwavering obedience to her calling.”
She served in the position for six years, overseeing the global council, editing NWMS publications, and traveling across the U.S. to speak at conventions.
In 1984, Phyllis joined the faculty at Nazarene Bible College in Colorado Springs, Colorado, while Jerry Lambert served as president.
“Phyllis came to NBC from her position as global director for NWMS and brought with her a wonderful sense of missions in education,” Lambert said. “A highly skilled and competent educational leader, Phyllis, even with her doctorate, was willing to go back into the classroom to complete her studies to be credentialed as a Nazarene elder. She led the way for many women who wished to enter the ordained ministry.”
Phyllis served as NBC’s academic dean from 1993 to 1997.
“She was a wonderful dean and a friend to everyone,” said Hiram Sanders, NBC president from 1994 to 2006. “She was extremely gifted, and it was a joy to work with her.”
Phyllis was known to many at NBC.
“Dr. Phyllis was a well-respected, much-loved heart of the NBC family during and after her time of service,” said current NBC President Harold B. Graves Jr.
Phyllis continued her education at Oregon State University and Arizona State University, earning a Master of Education and a Doctor of Education, respectively. She became an ordained elder in 1992.
In recognition of her years of service to NNC and the denomination, Northwest Nazarene University recently honored Phyllis with the Wesley Order of Servant Leaders Award.
“It is not every day we meet a person like Phyllis Perkins Howard,” said Joel Pearsall, NNU president, when presenting her with the award at the 2017 General Assembly and Conventions. “Her commitment to God and her service to others is an example to all of us. Phyllis has spent countless hours mentoring, caring for, and investing in others locally, nationally, and internationally. Phyllis is a wonderful example of Christlike character and what it means to fully embody the mission and values of NNU.”
Phyllis was preceded in death by husbands Melza Brown in 1977, Floyd Perkins in 2008, and Quentin Howard in 2011. She is survived by numerous stepchildren, stepgrandchildren, and step great-grandchildren from the Brown, Perkins, and Howard families, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. 18 September at the Nampa, Idaho, First Church of the Nazarene. Visitation and viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. 17 September at Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel.Memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Nazarene University Alumni Association, 623 S. University Blvd., Nampa, ID 83686..
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Africa
Flags of the Nations: Cameroon
The Cameroon flag is a vertical tricolor of green, red and yellow, defaced with a five-pointed star in its center. The center stripe is thought to stand for unity: red is the colour of unity, and the star is referred to as "the star of unity." The yellow stands for the sun and also the savannas in the northern part of the country, while the green is for the forests in the southern part of Cameroon.
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: Cameroon
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Cameroon in 1999.
Cameroon had a population of 24,360,803 in 2016. Located on the Africa Region, Cameroon has not yet reported any Churches of the Nazarene. 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.
SubscribeFacebookTwitterInstagramContactAfrica
Flags of the Nations: Cameroon
The Cameroon flag is a vertical tricolor of green, red and yellow, defaced with a five-pointed star in its center. The center stripe is thought to stand for unity: red is the colour of unity, and the star is referred to as "the star of unity." The yellow stands for the sun and also the savannas in the northern part of the country, while the green is for the forests in the southern part of Cameroon.
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: Cameroon
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Cameroon in 1999.
Cameroon had a population of 24,360,803 in 2016. Located on the Africa Region, Cameroon has not yet reported any Churches of the Nazarene. 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.
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USA/Canada
P&B USA launches new retirement contribution tool
Pensions and Benefits USA has launched a streamlined procedure for contributing to the Nazarene 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan. The online portal, 403(b) Contributions, allows ministers and church-employed laypersons to work more closely with church treasurers to maintain and properly fund retirement accounts. More than 200 churches are currently using the new system and additional ones are coming online weekly.
403(b) Contributions automatically notifies treasurers when church employees adjust their Nazarene retirement contribution amounts at Fidelity Investments. Treasurers are then able to set up the transfer and frequency of automatic deposits from the church’s bank account to an employee’s Fidelity account. Besides keeping the treasurer better informed of the employee’s intentions, the program provides better security than paper checks, establishes an automatic payment process, and speeds up the transfer of funds.
“Fidelity has informed us they soon will no longer accept paper checks for contributions to accounts, so it is important that our churches adopt this system,” said Don Walter, director of Pensions and Benefits USA. “We are hopeful that after the initial switch from the old paper-based method, the security and ease of use provided by 403(b) Contributions will encourage ministers and church-employed laypersons to be more active in discussing, monitoring, and contributing to their retirement plans.”
Ministers and church employees who have activated their Nazarene 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan accounts at Fidelity should talk to their church treasurers about making the switch to the new system. Those individuals who have not activated accounts should do this first by visiting netbenefits.com/atwork. Instructions to assist with this are available here.
Initial registration for 403(b) Contributions and subsequent account maintenance by church treasurers is done via the entry link 403(b) Deposits at the top of the pbusa.org homepage. Several resources are available to assist with initial log in and use of the system. These include the guide 403b Online Contributions Setup. Additionally, there is a webinar hosted by system creator Stewardship Technology and an instructional video.
Anyone with questions regarding 403(b) Contributions may contact help@pbusa.org or 888-888-4656. (Pensions and Benefits USA)
USA/Canada
P&B USA launches new retirement contribution tool
Pensions and Benefits USA has launched a streamlined procedure for contributing to the Nazarene 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan. The online portal, 403(b) Contributions, allows ministers and church-employed laypersons to work more closely with church treasurers to maintain and properly fund retirement accounts. More than 200 churches are currently using the new system and additional ones are coming online weekly.
403(b) Contributions automatically notifies treasurers when church employees adjust their Nazarene retirement contribution amounts at Fidelity Investments. Treasurers are then able to set up the transfer and frequency of automatic deposits from the church’s bank account to an employee’s Fidelity account. Besides keeping the treasurer better informed of the employee’s intentions, the program provides better security than paper checks, establishes an automatic payment process, and speeds up the transfer of funds.
“Fidelity has informed us they soon will no longer accept paper checks for contributions to accounts, so it is important that our churches adopt this system,” said Don Walter, director of Pensions and Benefits USA. “We are hopeful that after the initial switch from the old paper-based method, the security and ease of use provided by 403(b) Contributions will encourage ministers and church-employed laypersons to be more active in discussing, monitoring, and contributing to their retirement plans.”
Ministers and church employees who have activated their Nazarene 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan accounts at Fidelity should talk to their church treasurers about making the switch to the new system. Those individuals who have not activated accounts should do this first by visiting netbenefits.com/atwork. Instructions to assist with this are available here.
Initial registration for 403(b) Contributions and subsequent account maintenance by church treasurers is done via the entry link 403(b) Deposits at the top of the pbusa.org homepage. Several resources are available to assist with initial log in and use of the system. These include the guide 403b Online Contributions Setup. Additionally, there is a webinar hosted by system creator Stewardship Technology and an instructional video.
Anyone with questions regarding 403(b) Contributions may contact help@pbusa.org or 888-888-4656. (Pensions and Benefits USA)
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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 11-15 September 2017.
Bradley Booker, 35, of Springfield, Ohio, passed away 10 September. He was a minister, serving at Bethel Community Church of the Nazarene in Medway, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Barbie Booker.
Mildred Brown, 89, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away 5 September. She was the widow of retired minister Charles Brown, who served in Ohio. Charles Brown passed away in 1994.
Vernon Cargill, 91, of Bedford, Texas, passed away 11 September. He was a retired minister, serving in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen Cargill, in 2011.
Clinton Ferguson, 80, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, passed away 14 September. He was a retired minister, serving in Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Mississippi. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Wilson-Ferguson.
Phyllis (Hartley) Perkins Howard, 83, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away 12 September. She was the former general director of the Nazarene World Mission Society (now Nazarene Missions International), serving from 1980 to 1986. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melza Brown, in 1977; her husband, Floyd Perkins, in 2008, and her husband, Quentin Howard, in 2014. (story)
Thomas Lee, 55, of Massillon, Ohio, passed away 9 September. He was a minister, serving at Clinton Church of the Nazarene in Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Gay (Myers) Lee.
M. Franklin Sams, 61, of Manchester, Kentucky, passed away 7 August. He was a minister, previously serving in Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Janice Sams.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join 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)
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 11-15 September 2017.
Bradley Booker, 35, of Springfield, Ohio, passed away 10 September. He was a minister, serving at Bethel Community Church of the Nazarene in Medway, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Barbie Booker.
Mildred Brown, 89, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away 5 September. She was the widow of retired minister Charles Brown, who served in Ohio. Charles Brown passed away in 1994.
Vernon Cargill, 91, of Bedford, Texas, passed away 11 September. He was a retired minister, serving in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his wife, Eileen Cargill, in 2011.
Clinton Ferguson, 80, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, passed away 14 September. He was a retired minister, serving in Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Mississippi. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Wilson-Ferguson.
Phyllis (Hartley) Perkins Howard, 83, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away 12 September. She was the former general director of the Nazarene World Mission Society (now Nazarene Missions International), serving from 1980 to 1986. She was preceded in death by her husband, Melza Brown, in 1977; her husband, Floyd Perkins, in 2008, and her husband, Quentin Howard, in 2014. (story)
Thomas Lee, 55, of Massillon, Ohio, passed away 9 September. He was a minister, serving at Clinton Church of the Nazarene in Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Gay (Myers) Lee.
M. Franklin Sams, 61, of Manchester, Kentucky, passed away 7 August. He was a minister, previously serving in Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Janice Sams.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to news@nazarene.org. (Compiled by NCN News)
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HUMAN RESOURCES
GMC employment opportunities
People are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 162 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 jveigl@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
Administrative Assistant (Full-time)
USA/Canada Regional Office (UCRO) – Evangelism Ministries & New Church Development
Description: The person in this position will provide assistance to the UCRO Evangelism Ministries/New Church Development Director with project management, event planning, travel arrangements, financial reconciliation, database maintenance, correspondence, and other tasks as needed.
Events Program Assistant (Part-time, 30+ hours/week, temporary – September 1, 2017, through August 31, 2019)
USA/Canada Regional Office – Nazarene Youth International
Description: The person in this position will assist the USA/Canada NYI Office team in coordinating USA/Canada NYI events, including NYC 2019. Tasks consist of working with registration, housing, exhibits, food and beverage orders, volunteer personnel, program coordination, and other duties as assigned.
Sr. Office Assistant (Full-time)
USA/Canada Regional Office (UCRO)
Description: The person in this position will provide assistance to the UCRO Administrative Coordinator with event planning, scheduling, correspondence, website maintenance, and other tasks as needed.
To obtain additional information for GMC positions, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
HUMAN RESOURCES
GMC employment opportunities
People are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 162 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 jveigl@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
Administrative Assistant (Full-time)
USA/Canada Regional Office (UCRO) – Evangelism Ministries & New Church Development
Description: The person in this position will provide assistance to the UCRO Evangelism Ministries/New Church Development Director with project management, event planning, travel arrangements, financial reconciliation, database maintenance, correspondence, and other tasks as needed.
Events Program Assistant (Part-time, 30+ hours/week, temporary – September 1, 2017, through August 31, 2019)
USA/Canada Regional Office – Nazarene Youth International
Description: The person in this position will assist the USA/Canada NYI Office team in coordinating USA/Canada NYI events, including NYC 2019. Tasks consist of working with registration, housing, exhibits, food and beverage orders, volunteer personnel, program coordination, and other duties as assigned.
Sr. Office Assistant (Full-time)
USA/Canada Regional Office (UCRO)
Description: The person in this position will provide assistance to the UCRO Administrative Coordinator with event planning, scheduling, correspondence, website maintenance, and other tasks as needed.
To obtain additional information for GMC positions, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Nazarene Bible CollegeTo learn more about positions available at the NBC Administrative Offices, visit nbc.edu/jobs. All positions are located within the Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, Kansas.
Location of Global Ministry Center PositionsThe GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 162 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 PolicyThe Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an “at will” employer.
Our Faith-Based OrganizationWe 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 ProcessingOur 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 GMCApplication forms may be requested by calling 913-577-0500, emailing humanresourcesgroup@nazarene.org, or obtained in person from Human Resources at the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas, 66220, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.
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Copyright © 2017 Nazarene Communication Network News, All rights reserved.
Nazarene Communications Network
Material created and owned by Nazarene Communication Network News may be used for church newsletters and bulletins.
ABOUT US
The Global Church of the Nazarene is a Protestant Christian church in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. Organized in 1908, the denomination is now home to about 2.5 million members worshipping in more than 29,000 local congregations in 162 world areas.
Address:
The Global Church of the Nazarene
Global Ministry Center
17001 Prairie Star Parkway
Lenexa, Kansas, United States 66220
Phone: (913)577-0500
Email: info@nazarene.org
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