10,000 receive assistance after Bangladesh ravaged by flood
Nazmul*, 60, was one of 10,000 people who received assistance from Bangladesh Nazarene Mission (BNM), the compassionate ministries arm of the Church of the Nazarene in Bangladesh, following historic flooding in late August and early September that affected more than 40 million people. At least 1,500 people were killed across Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. More than 30 percent of Bangladesh, a low-lying country, was flooded.“The monsoon flood destroyed my home," Nazmul said. "Now I don’t have a bedroom. I stay on the roadside.”
Nazmul lives with his wife, Orpita*. Without land of their own for raising crops, they live hand-to-mouth, with Nazmul working as a day laborer. He has no resources to repair his house. The man has three sons who live separately with their families.
The couple is among those who received rice, legumes, potatoes, salt, oil, and packets of oral saline from NCM International, and soap from an organization called Changing Lives, founded by a Nazarene family in the Netherlands.
“Nobody gave me any help after the flood destroyed my house, but BNM came forward and I am thankful to them,” Nazmul said. Pointing to the packet that he received from BNM as aid, he added, “This food will help me for 10 days to fulfill my family needs. It is a big support for me.”
Nazmul and Orpita informed BNM workers that, like them, many others also lost their only houses and now live under open sky. They urgently need some financial support for repairs.
“Aid that was given by BNM has removed my suffering," Nazmul said. "Now I will sell my labor and will buy some goods to repair my house.”
Panchali*, 20, came with her 2-month-old child to the nearest Church of the Nazarene in northern Bangladesh to receive help. Her worried face transformed into a smile when she received relief organized in her area by BNM.
Panchali said that after the late August flooding across the country, she and her family members are having a harder time. She has three children. The flood waters destroyed all the food she had carefully stored; her children had already missed three meals.
Her 45-year-old husband is the only breadwinner in their family.
“During the flood, my two children became sick,” she said. “Now they are underweight and malnourished. BNM comes to us as a blessing with relief to help us.”
The BNM relief program is a blessing for all of them. They all express heartfelt thanks to BNM and its donors. (Church of the Nazarene Eurasia)
*Names changed for privacy and security
Curaçao, Mesoamerica Region
Nazarene presence officially recognized in Curaçao
A young Dutch couple accepted the challenge of taking a new message of faith to a small Caribbean island with a mosaic of religious traditions and post-Christian secularism. As a result, this year the Church of the Nazarene officially recognized the presence of the Nazarene church on the island of Curaçao.
Jonathan and Lissett Petrus met each other in the south of the Netherlands and joined the Church of the Nazarene in the city of Breda. They were married there and experienced six years of gratifying involvement in the local church. Then they took jobs on the island of Curaçao, an independent country that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. God blessed them with two beautiful children, Nathan and Talitha.
Even before they left their home country, Jonathan had felt God leading him into some kind of Christian ministry. That sense of calling never left him even after he moved his family to their new home away from Europe. A few years later, God clarified his calling when Nazarene visitors came to the island.
For the rest of the story, click here.
A young Dutch couple accepted the challenge of taking a new message of faith to a small Caribbean island with a mosaic of religious traditions and post-Christian secularism. As a result, this year the Church of the Nazarene officially recognized the presence of the Nazarene church on the island of Curaçao.
Jonathan and Lissett Petrus met each other in the south of the Netherlands and joined the Church of the Nazarene in the city of Breda. They were married there and experienced six years of gratifying involvement in the local church. Then they took jobs on the island of Curaçao, an independent country that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. God blessed them with two beautiful children, Nathan and Talitha.
Even before they left their home country, Jonathan had felt God leading him into some kind of Christian ministry. That sense of calling never left him even after he moved his family to their new home away from Europe. A few years later, God clarified his calling when Nazarene visitors came to the island.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Nazarene presence officially recognized in Curaçao by Richard Gammill
A young Dutch couple accepted the challenge of taking a new message of faith to a small Caribbean island with a mosaic of religious traditions and post-Christian secularism. As a result, this year the Church of the Nazarene officially recognized the presence of the Nazarene church in the island of Curaçao.
Jonathan and Lissett Petrus met each other in the south of the Netherlands and joined the Church of the Nazarene in the city of Breda. They were married there and experienced six years of gratifying involvement in the local church. Then they took jobs on the island of Curaçao, an independent country that is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. God blessed them with two beautiful children, Nathan and Talitha.
Even before they left their home country, Jonathan had felt God leading him into some kind of Christian ministry. That sense of calling never left him even after he moved his family to their new home away from Europe. A few years later, God clarified his calling when Nazarene visitors came to the island.
Leaders of the Nazarene church in the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico (known as the Mesoamerica Region) in 2014 were exploring how to start Nazarene work in Curaçao. Nazarene Pastor David Gill, from the Dominican Republic, went to Curaçao for an artist’s event and made some contacts. Missionary Bernie Slingerland later visited the island to follow-up with those contacts, and made new ones. Nazarenes talked to each other from Mesoamerica to the Eurasia Region, and finally the Netherlands, and that’s how they learned that there were Nazarenes – the Petrus family – already on the island.When they reached out to him, Jonathan realized this was God’s assignment for him.
Now for more than two years Jonathan and Lissett have been seeking ways of bringing the holiness message to this mixed race population of 155,000 people. His goal is to move in a steady pace, as God directs and opens doors, while laying a solid foundation for a sustainable work. He has been working full time while establishing contacts, conducting discipleship and Bible study groups and, for a year, leading a Sunday morning worship service in their home. He reached out first to the Dutch-speaking population and is becoming acquainted with those who speak Papiamentu, a Portuguese, English, and Dutch Creole spoken in all levels of society.
Members of Crossroads Church of the Nazarene, in Maryland, USA, have made several visits to the island, engaging in projects that create goodwill and build relationships. Crossroads members Richard and Karen Brash are working closely with Jonathan and Lissett, and together registered the Church of the Nazarene in Curaçao as a part of GENESIS, the Mesoamerica initiative to start churches where there is little or no Nazarene presence. Former Pastor Kevin Hardy has a mentoring relationship with the fledgling church planter. Their faithful support is crucial.
“Christians on the island find it difficult to get away from mere form and into a personal relationship with Christ,” says Jonathan. “But some are finding a new way, the way of holiness. I am able to say, ‘Let me explain to you.’”
Jonathan has made friends with people who have many questions regarding traditional Christian practices, such as fasting. “I tell them, ‘God is looking at the heart, not just following some rules. He wants a personal relationship with you.’”
Through conversations like this, Jonathan has helped many find a more meaningful understanding of Christ. Some have joined his Bible study group; several attended the worship services in their home, while others have moved back to Holland. The challenge is to help people in a post-Christian culture to confront their own lack of faith and become open to allowing God to fill that void in their life.
To initiate these conversations, Jonathan follows a pattern taught by Michael Frost in his book Surprise the World: The Five Habits of Highly Missional People. Frost calls it BELLS: Bless, Eat, Listen, Learn and Send. Jonathan says this low-key approach enables him to build relationships of trust that permit him to show a long-term interest in people who reveal a growing awareness of their need for spiritual reality.
Crossroads Church has recently increased its level of support, enabling Jonathan to work fewer hours at his job and devote more time to his studies and his ministry. The Maryland congregation is helping with the costs of his online studies with Nazarene Bible College, including sending textbooks to the island.
Brash reports that his church is planning two upcoming Work & Witness trips to the island, in January 2018 and the following summer.
“The plan is to build relationships with the people of the island,” says Brash. “We will work alongside other organizations that serve people and be the hands and feet of Christ.”
Next January a small team from Ellicott City will assist the local staff at a children's hospice. A larger team will go to the island the following summer to tile the floor in a children's pavilion that serves children with critical needs, while ministering to those children.
These team efforts build new relationships through which they demonstrate to the island community that the Church of the Nazarene cares for them in spiritual and practical ways. The teams follow the words of Jesus in Matthew 25:35-40: “‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ . . . The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Jonathan’s church is one that cares about people and reaches around the world to bring healing and the Good News of the Gospel message. The island work is steady, with seeds of witness and faith already planted, saving the lives of people choosing to follow Jesus.
For more information, go to www.nazarenecuracao.com. Pray with Jonathan and Lissett that God will continue to honor their vision of bringing a life-changing message to their adopted island.
Asia-Pacific Region re-envisions theological education
A group of 10 Nazarene educators and leaders met in Singapore 2-5 October to discuss “re-envisioning theological education.” The group included mission directors, college presidents, regional and field education coordinators, district superintendents, pastors, instructors, and administrators. Members came from Europe, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Philippines, and the USA. Several hundred years of experience in Nazarene education was represented in the group.The group discussed the challenges theological education faces on the Church of the Nazarene's Asia-Pacific Region. The driving question focused on character formation and the relationship of being, knowing, and doing, which have been crucial values in Nazarene education. The group is concerned that students be formed into the image of Christ through Nazarene education at every level.
They began by exploring the central mission of the church — to make Christlike disciples in the nations — and that everything in education must serve this mission. This includes the local church all the way to the highest degrees offered in our institutions. The group emphasized that all believers are called to make disciples, although some will be called to the specialized ministries of Ephesians 4:11. With rapid church growth in some places, increased government regulations in others, and the challenges of globalization, the Church of the Nazarene must think creatively how to equip people for this mission.
To address these pressing needs, the group explored new models and methods consistent with the denomination's Wesleyan ethos and a blend of Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience in the transformation process. The vital roles of local churches, districts, and educational providers in fulfilling Christ’s mission for the church was also discussed. Mentoring was determined as a vital link among these to help students experience character formation and vocational preparation.
The group felt God’s leading and presence throughout the meeting, in the quietness of listening to God in prayer and in the sharing of stories and testimonies of God’s grace.
The group sees this meeting as an important first step of rethinking the process of making disciples and leaders. As the group reflects on their ideas in the coming months, they will prepare materials that will be useful for education across the Asia-Pacific Region and global church. (Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific)
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The Church of the Nazarene’s Stories series shares how lives are being transformed through ministry efforts around the globe.
These stories are made possible thanks to the prayers, involvement, and support of Nazarenes worldwide through the World Evangelism Fund.
Stories Volume 3 - 2017 now available
The Church of the Nazarene's Stories series shares how lives are being transformed through ministry efforts around the globe. These stories are made possible thanks to the prayers, involvement, and support of Nazarenes worldwide through the World Evangelism Fund.The Church of the Nazarene’s Stories series shares how lives are being transformed through ministry efforts around the globe.
These stories are made possible thanks to the prayers, involvement, and support of Nazarenes worldwide through the World Evangelism Fund.
Volume 3 - 2017
Street Kids Center
The Call of God
A Family Transformed
Work & Witness: Alaska
Reaching the Cabécar People
Benaia’s Story
Thank Offering 2017
Thank Offering resources are available at nazarene.org/generosity.
The Stories resource is delivered three times a year through an e-newsletter. The videos are a collaborative effort between regional communications offices and Global Ministry Center communications personnel.
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Africa
This week: Côte d'Ivoire
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Côte d'Ivoire (formerly known as Ivory Coast) in 1987.
Côte d'Ivoire had a population of 23,740,424 in 2016. That same year, Côte d'Ivoire reported 193 Churches of the Nazarene, 49 of which have been officially organized. Côte d'Ivoire has 10,532 total members.
Located on the Africa Region, Côte d'Ivoire has one Phase 2 district and one Phase 1 district. For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene.
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Flags of the Nations: Côte d'Ivoire
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: Côte d'Ivoire
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Côte d'Ivoire (formerly known as Ivory Coast) in 1987.
Côte d'Ivoire had a population of 23,740,424 in 2016. That same year, Côte d'Ivoire reported 193 Churches of the Nazarene, 49 of which have been officially organized. Côte d'Ivoire has 10,532 total members.
Located on the Africa Region, Côte d'Ivoire has one Phase 2 district and one Phase 1 district. For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene.
In Memoriam
Rosa (Danner) Burgard, 86, of Havana, Illinois, passed away 17 October. She was the widow of retired minister Lester Burgard, who served in Illinois. Lester Burgard passed away in September.
V. Seymour Cole, 88, of White Plains, New York, passed away 13 October. He was a retired minister, serving in New York. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Cole, in 2012.
LaSharette Hodges, 51, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away 13 October. She was a minister and educator, previously serving in Tennessee, Missouri, and Arkansas. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Hodges.
Ruby Hughes, 97, of Alexandria, Kentucky, passed away 12 October. She was the widow of retired minister Arnett Hughes, who served in West Virginia. Arnett Hughes passed away in 1994.
Naoma Lake, 86, Tuscola, Texas, passed away 6 October. She was the widow of retired minister Ivor Lake, who served in Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Texas. Ivor Lake passed away in 2005.
Amy Marsten, 94, of Sherwood, Alberta, Canada, passed away 15 October. She was the widow of Dalton Marsten, who served in Alberta, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. Dalton Marsten passed away in 2006.
Norma (Moench) Palmer, 85, of Texarkana, Arkansas, passed away 15 October. She was the widow of retired minister Gerald Palmer, who served in Arkansas. Gerald Palmer passed away in 2014.
Frances Schroeder, 101, of Santa Cruz, California, passed away 15 October. She was the widow of ordained elder Louis Schroeder, who passed away in 1973.
Robert Smith, 98, of Markle, Indiana, passed away 15 October. He was a retired minister, serving in Maine, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. He was preceded in death by his wife, S. Joy (Shafer) Smith, in 2015.
Mary Stutts, 88, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away 15 October. She was the widow of retired minister William Stutts, who served in Missouri. William Stutts passed away in 1999.
C. Russell Wolfe, 79, of Frazier Park, California, passed away 13 October. He was a minister, previously serving in Illinois and California.
W. Dan Wright, 81, of Waxahachie, Texas, passed away 14 October. He was a retired minister, serving in Texas, Arkansas, and Lousiana. He is survived by his wife, Martha Wright.
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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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
Art Supervisor/Graphic Design Technician (Full-time)
Communications
Description: The person in this position will focus on producing and overseeing graphic resources. Such responsibilities might include (but not be limited to) the following: graphic design, Web design, and conceptual design concepts in marketing, branding, etc.
Security Specialist (Full-time)
Information Technology
Description: The person in this position will render assistance and consultation to technology users. Incumbents are responsible for handling, programming, researching and networking to maintain our current Cisco phone system. They will also assist with help desk and system updates as required.
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
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
Art Supervisor/Graphic Design Technician (Full-time)
Communications
Description: The person in this position will focus on producing and overseeing graphic resources. Such responsibilities might include (but not be limited to) the following: graphic design, Web design, and conceptual design concepts in marketing, branding, etc.
Security Specialist (Full-time)
Information Technology
Description: The person in this position will render assistance and consultation to technology users. Incumbents are responsible for handling, programming, researching and networking to maintain our current Cisco phone system. They will also assist with help desk and system updates as required.
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 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, 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 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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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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