Missionary Renegade: The Global Nazarene Communication Network News from The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Friday, 13 October 2017 Volume 1739 - Nazarene News: New NTS president " This week in the Church of the Nazarene..."

Friday, October 13, 2017

The Global Nazarene Communication Network News from The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Friday, 13 October 2017 Volume 1739 - Nazarene News: New NTS president " This week in the Church of the Nazarene..."

The Global Nazarene Communication Network News from The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Friday, 13 October 2017 Volume 1739 - Nazarene News: New NTS president "
This week in the Church of the Nazarene..."

Kansas City, Missouri

NTS elects Rowell as next president
The trustees of Nazarene Theological Seminary are delighted to announce the election of Jeren Rowell as the seminary's 11th president.
Rowell is well-known for his gifted leadership and theological integrity. He is highly respected by NTS’ broad community, including the Board of General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene, NTS trustees, faculty, staff, students, and the seminary’s global constituency.
He received approval by the trustees 12 October. Rowell's election comes three and a half months after NTS’ previous president, Carla D. Sunberg, was elected to the Board of General Superintendents. Friday's election follows a comprehensive search process that began in late July. David Downs, chair of the Presidential Search Committee and vice-chair of the NTS trustees, noted the trustees’ confidence in Rowell, especially “his understanding of the intricacies of graduate-level theological education. Throughout his ministry—as a pastor, an adjunct professor, the editor of Preacher’s Magazine, and as superintendent of the Kansas City District Church of the Nazarene — Dr. Rowell has demonstrated a strong passion for the theological education and practical/professional preparation of ministers in the Wesleyan/holiness tradition.”

Members of the NTS Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff surround Jeren Rowell in prayer after his election.
"We are pleased with Dr. Rowell's election as the new NTS president," said Gustavo A. Crocker on behalf of the Board of General Superintendents. "It is obvious that the Lord has been preparing him for such a time as this. He has been an effective pastor and district superintendent, a gifted writer on both the theology and practice of pastoral ministry, and a committed member and chairman of NTS' Board of Trustees. The Board of General Superintendents congratulates Nazarene Theological Seminary on the gift of this election."
Upon accepting the position, Rowell acknowledged the challenges of the role, but noted that he has great joy and confidence in the future — not of his own power, but of God's.
"We have experienced the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit in this process," he said. "By the grace of God, I'm ready."
Josh Sweeden, dean of the NTS faculty, was appreciative of Rowell's work with the seminary and looks forward to the future.
"Dr. Rowell's gifts as a pastor-scholar will be a gift to the NTS community," he said. "As both president and a member of the faculty, Dr. Rowell will further strengthen our academic programs and learning community — academically, spiritually, and professionally. NTS is committed to being a community of Christian wisdom and practice that develops leaders to join in God's unfolding work in the world. We are excited for the ways Dr. Rowell will lead us forward in response to God's mission."
Rowell served in churches in Nampa, Idaho, and Chicago, Illinois, before pastoring the Shawnee Church of the Nazarene in Kansas from 1991 to 2005 when he was elected Kansas City district superintendent. He has served on the NTS board since 2005, and as chair from 2009 until earlier this year.
He attended Trinity Evangelical Seminary and NTS. Rowell earned a Bachelor of Arts from Northwest Nazarene University, a Master of Arts from Olivet Nazarene University, and a Doctor of Education from Olivet. He has served as an adjunct professor for both NTS and Olivet.
Rowell has authored several books and numerous articles on pastoral theology and practice.
He and his wife, Starla, reside in the Kansas City area. (Nazarene Theological Seminary)

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Nazarene presence officially recognized in SingaporeIn late 2005, then Regional Director Verne Ward began to explore the possibility of moving the Asia-Pacific Regional Office from Manila, Philippines, to Singapore. Located just off the southern tip of Malaysia, this city nation is a travel hub for Asia, a gateway to areas where the Church of the Nazarene is not yet established.
Some call Singapore a “Vertical Village” since its 5.8 million people live on an island approximately 26 miles long and 14 miles wide. It has the second-highest population density of any nation in the world.
Others see it as the “Antioch of Asia.” Like its first century counterpart, Singapore is a place of wealth and refinement, a leading world-class city, a place of great beauty and commercial importance, a city abounding in leading education centers. And like Antioch, Singapore is a strategic city for the expansion of the kingdom of God. Within a radius of seven hours flight time from Singapore lie 30 countries, 3 billion people, and 900 people groups unreached by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.
"Nazarene presence officially recognized in Singapore" by Dave Hane
In late 2005, then Regional Director Rev. Verne Ward began to explore the possibility of moving the Asia-Pacific Regional Office from Manila, Philippines, to Singapore. Located just off the southern tip of Malaysia, this city nation is a travel hub for Asia, a gateway to areas where the Church of the Nazarene is not yet established.
Some call Singapore a “Vertical Village” since its 5.8 million people live on an island approximately 26 miles long and 14 miles wide. It has the second highest population density of any nation in the world.

Others see it as the “Antioch of Asia.” Like its first century counterpart, Singapore is a place of wealth and refinement, a leading world-class city, a place of great beauty and commercial importance, a city abounding in leading education centers. And like Antioch, Singapore is a strategic city for the expansion of the Kingdom of God. Within a radius of seven hours flight time from Singapore lie 30 countries, 3 billion people, and 900 people groups unreached by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ward, along with other regional office personnel, made several exploratory trips to Singapore to evaluate opportunities and meet with other churches and mission organizations. The plan was to have a minimal infrastructure in the regional office that included the functions of regional communications, finance, and personnel. All other ministry coordinators would be located across the region in highly functional teams connected together in a virtual office setting.
In one of those early exploratory trips, Dr. Robert Solomon, the Methodist Bishop of Singapore, warmly welcomed the Church of the Nazarene to join in the task of making disciples and forming communities of faith in this strategic city.
Although its Christian population is significant (11 percent), there are also great numbers of workers from some of the unreached and under-reached countries of Asia living and working there.
The regional office team was excited at the chance to be involved in hands-on church planting along with their administrative responsibilities. A major factor standing in the way of such a move was the cost of office space and housing for four families. But Dr. Hudson Taylor’s quote, “God’s work done in God’s ways will never lack God’s resources,” was to be proven true once again. In an amazing sequence of events, God laid it on the hearts of some dedicated Nazarene investors to help provide four apartment units and a regional office facility.
The great adventure
In the summer of 2006, four missionary families moved to Singapore to embark on a great adventure for God. It was an exciting and painless move for the nine MKs (missionary kids) since they moved en masse and all enrolled together in an excellent Christian international school. God had already prepared the way by sending a Nazarene couple to teach at the school the year before. They were a great help to our families during that initial year.
The registration of the regional office as an official Singapore company was relatively easy. Government processes and procedures are clearly spelled out and strictly followed so there were few surprises. However it would be over 10 years before the Church of the Nazarene could be officially registered in the city-state. Those years were filled with many challenges, victories, disappointments, and learning opportunities.
Seeing the person in front of you
The 5.8 million people in the city nation of Singapore represent an intriguing religious composition. A recent survey lists the population as 33.9 percent Buddhist, 14.3 percent Muslim, 11.3 percent Taoist, 11 percent Christian, 7.1 percent Catholic, and 5.2 percent Hindu. (Actually 18.1 Christians).
Over 16.4 percent list their religion as “none,” a group who think of themselves as “free thinkers.”
Given this mix of diverse religions and the high population density, one would expect to encounter much ethnic and religious tension. In fact, there is little such tension. Religious harmony is highly valued and guidelines are strictly enforced. But the laws designed to maintain religious harmony mean some conventional evangelism and church planting strategies are not allowed.

The regional office team in Singapore was greatly influenced by Neil Coles’ book Organic Church. Since each team member had full-time administrative assignments in the regional office, it was clear that ministry would have to happen “organically,” in the course of their daily lives as followers of Jesus. No one was a full-time church planter. They were simply full-time followers of Jesus called to make disciples.
In addition to the missionary team, God brought to Singapore a number of Nazarenes who were teaching or studying and who shared the vision of making disciples. Together, they began focusing on the people God was bringing in front of them each day, looking for the “man of peace” to whom God might be speaking: the taxi driver; the guard at the condominium; the international student; the teenagers on the community basketball court; the cashier at the local grocery store.
On one occasion, a regional office family learned about some individuals from Myanmar wanting to improve their English skills. The family opened their home to offer English classes on Sunday evenings. The stories they studied were either from the Bible, or had a Christian theme. As relationships deepened, a ministry to people from this nation began that continues today.

Singapore Church Of The Nazarene, Launch Service from Asia-Pacific Nazarene on Vimeo.
On one Sunday morning, another family was late for the local church they were attending. As they boarded the public bus, they met a graduate student from China who was visiting the same church by herself for the first time. She had just prayed, “God, if you are there, send someone to sit with me in church today!” She was amazed that her prayer was answered so quickly by a God she was not sure even existed. The family invited her to sit with them during the service and afterwards she accepted an invitation to lunch at their home. The conversation led to them watching the JESUS film together, after which she accepted Christ as her savior. With the help of a Nazarene school teacher, they started a ladies’ Bible study.
Another team member and a Christian graduate student started a philosophy discussion group and invited secular graduate students to discuss topics such as euthanasia, free will, ethics and metaphysics. The discussion leaders watched for indications that God was at work in the hearts of participants and prayed for opportunities for deeper conversations.
One family opened their home to international students who were studying in Singapore to help them improve their English and give them a loving family environment. Christmas and Easter seasons became great times of outreach with some students hearing the stories of Jesus’ birth, life and resurrection for the first time. They began to meet every Sunday afternoon for lunch, fellowship, worship and Bible study. One Christmas, the group learned that “Bethlehem” meant “house of bread.” Since there was always fresh, warm homemade bread for lunch, the group began to call themselves “The House of Bread,” or HOB for short.

And slowly, the community of believers began to grow. Jesus was building His Church! Some years, there were eight or 10 baptisms in swimming pools or on the beach. Some years, there was only one. Many who were touched by the ministry were students who moved on to graduate school or to work in other countries. But the core group continued to grow.
Registration of the church
In late 2012, Rev. Mark Louw became Asia-Pacific Regional Director, and continued to encourage the development of the local church. Finally, in February 2016, the legal process was completed, and the Church of the Nazarene Singapore was officially registered.
Today, the House of Bread is a vibrant organic church composed mainly of young professionals. What started out as an outreach to international students 10 years ago now has several married couples. Toddlers and newborn babies add new, exciting challenges and opportunities. Another worship group composed of workers from Myanmar meets several times month for worship and fellowship. An English class meets every Sunday evening. During the week, smaller groups meet, including a men’s group, a ladies’ group, a discipleship group, and a philosophy group.

Many of the new believers are interested in ministerial training, and plans are underway to offer the Nazarene Course of Study modules, which are preparation for ordination, as night and weekend classes. One young lady responded to God’s call to further training and is studying full time at Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary in Manila, Philippines.

The church is involved in the sponsorship of refugee children, as well as in local ministry to the elderly. Local outreach activities include game and movie nights, weekend retreats, and an annual 5 K run. Short-term mission trips beyond Singapore have helped to increase members’ compassion for those in need in other Asian nations.
If you were to visit the Church of the Nazarene in Singapore, you would not see an impressive building. However, you would meet people whose lives have been radically changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ, and who are passionate about making Christ-like disciples, in Singapore and beyond.
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Bangladesh, Eurasia Region

Bangladesh youth accept Christ, get baptized at Mega NYI Conference

More than 300 young people gathered from across Bangladesh, 22 to 25 September, for a mega youth conference at which 16 accepted Jesus Christ as their savior and were baptized on Sunday morning. Another 14 accepted Christ that evening and will be baptized soon.
“In Bangladesh, youth … motivate the local church members and encourage them to lead their life following the biblical principles,” wrote the South District Nazarene Youth International president*. “We believe the youths are the driving force of the local churches. They will work together with the local church pastors to advance the kingdom of God through proclaiming the gospel of God and making disciples.”
The organizers wanted the 14- to 22-year-olds who attended to develop spiritually and be motivated to serve in their local churches. The theme was based on Philippians 1:27: “Only let your manner of life to be worthy of the gospel of Christ."
Some of the Nazarene youth invited friends, including those who had never heard about Jesus before.

One of the new believers, Bitan*, said, “Before I took part in the conference, I used to worship [other] gods and goddesses. I got an opportunity to join this Mega NYI Conference through one of my Christian friends. After attending the NYI conference, I listened to the preaching of the gospel of the Holy Bible. [The superintendent] of the South District preached on faithfulness and salvation, and I heard it attentively. While I was listening to the preaching, I felt if I do not accept Jesus, I will never get salvation. So I accepted Jesus Christ in the conference in front of every participant.”
“I did not know about Jesus Christ before I attended in the NYI conference,” said 14-year-old Bahulya*. “Joining in this NYI conference, I have come to learn about Jesus Christ. Now I know Jesus is light and He can set me free from sin. I asked myself, ‘I am leading a life in the darkness. It seems to me, where there is not Jesus there is no light. In addition, I understand Jesus is the source of light and the only way to get salvation.’ Then I accepted Jesus as my savior. Please pray for me so that I can lead my life with HIS mercy, love, affection and compassion.” (Church of the Nazarene Eurasia)
*Names omitted or changed for security
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Nazarenes care for displaced children through Christmas Project
For children who have been displaced by conflict, the list of lost things can be long: home, consistent education, friends, stability, and sometimes even family members. Add to that other factors such as hunger, sickness, and isolation, and it’s clear that children caught in conflict are truly vulnerable. This year, Nazarene churches are invited to support ministries to displaced children through an annual Christmas Project sponsored by Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.
Globally, 28 million children are displaced because of conflict, which means they are living as refugees, as asylum seekers, or internally displaced within their own countries. These children have been forced to flee because of conflicts they didn’t choose. Nearly half of all child refugees globally are from Syria or Afghanistan. Other large percentages include children in the African countries of Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In many places, Nazarene churches are receiving children and families fleeing conflict with open arms and generous compassion. Families living as refugees often struggle to meet the most basic of needs. Many host countries do not allow refugees to work legally, pushing families into poverty. For example, in Lebanon, 70 percent of refugees live below the poverty line, and in Jordan that number jumps to 93 percent. In response, Nazarene churches in those countries provide ongoing food aid and medical care, as well as English classes and friendship to newcomers.
Nazarene schools are also helping children making up for years of lost education: Children living as refugees are five times more likely to be out of school than other children, according to UNHCR.
Ten-year-old Mark* and his family fled their home in Iraq when militant extremists told his family they would be killed if they didn’t deny their Christian faith. They arrived in Jordan in the spring of 2017 and officially became refugees.
In Iraq, Mark remembers a happy home with his parents and older brother. Their home was full of joy and laughter, he says. He felt safe and secure there. After they fled, they “became used to cries and sadness,” he said.
Still, he says his mother never gave up faith that God would provide resources.
One of those resources was a Nazarene school, which received Mark and his brother through scholarships provided by NCM’s 2016 Christmas Project.
“I can’t find the words to describe how grateful I am to my patient teachers, who will never give up on helping me,” he said.
Eva* is also 10 years old. Her family fled from Syria two years ago to get away from the deadly fighting. Then her home life took on its own form of violence from an abusive father. Eva’s mother anxiously sought help, but she encountered only closed doors—until she found a Nazarene church that offered help.
Several thousand miles north, Nazarene churches in Croatia and Ukraine are also offering to help children and families who have been displaced. The Church of the Nazarene in Zagreb, Croatia, has been intentionally reaching out and offering a safe space for people seeking asylum in the country.
In Odessa, Ukraine, a Nazarene church is welcoming families who have been displaced internally by violence. Many of the families have children or adults with specific needs related to disabilities.
This year’s NCM Christmas Project will provide for the basic needs of children who have been uprooted, such as food, safe water, and winter blankets, as well as education.
To learn more or support NCM’s annual Christmas Project, visit ncm.org/Christmas.
*Children’s names are changed for their safety and protection. (Nazarene Compassionate Ministries)

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South America

Flags of the Nations: Colombia
The flag of Colombia is a horizontal tricolor of yellow, blue, and red. Yellow represents gold found in the Colombian land, blue represents the seas on Colombia's shores, the rivers that run through, and the sky above, and red represents the blood spilled for Colombia's independence.
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: Colombia
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Colombia in 1975.
Colombia had a population of 47,220,856 in 2016. That same year, Colombia reported 87 Churches of the Nazarene, 84 of which had been officially organized. Colombia has 22,856 total members.
Located on the South America Region, Colombia has one Phase 3 districts, two Phase 2 districts, and four Phase 1 districts. For more information about the South America Region, visit samnaz.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

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.

Nazarenes in the News
Bill Burtchet and Dan Hill recently removed the time capsule that was put in the El Dorado First Church building’s cornerstone in 1954. (The Butler County Times-Gazette photo)Crash victim's husband forgives man who caused her death
Bourbonnais, Illinois
(Chicago Tribune, 3 October) The husband of a woman killed in a 2014 car crash offered not only a glimpse into her service-filled life, but also forgiveness to the man who caused her death.
During the sentencing hearing for Joseph Barrera Jr., Lane Fosnaugh delivered a moving message in tribute to his late wife, Janelle Fosnaugh, 52, as he described her years growing up with missionary parents in South Africa and her own lifetime of service as a missionary to impoverished places like Papua New Guinea, Haiti and the Philippines while raising their three daughters.
"She loved to love people. Her love and concern was palpable," Fosnaugh said.
For the rest of the story, click here.
After Hurricane Harvey, a family throws away their past, piece by moldy piece
Port Arthur, Texas
(Los Angeles Times, 18 September) The past piled up on the side of the road, stuffed into black trash bags stacked on top of soggy furniture and moldy mattresses.
There was the still-crisp blue blazer and dress — with matching purse — that Corinth Williams got her grandmother for her birthday in July. Mold had crept into the sleeves. There was the dog figurine with puppies attached to its back. When Williams was a child, she used to play with it and break off each of the small dogs. Her grandmother, Evelyne Bowie, repaired it more times than she could remember.
There would be no fixing it this time.
There was mold everywhere in Bowie’s house, which meant most everything had to go. Williams, 28, carefully considered the familiar items from her childhood memories of visiting Bowie and the things her grandmother cherished. That fruit centerpiece that graced the dinner table? Gone. The plant her grandmother got the day Williams was born — its stringy limbs now stripped of leaves and yellowed from disease?
For the rest of the story about Maxine Williams, pastor of Grace Church of the Nazarene, click here.
Kansas church to celebrate 100 years
El Dorado, Kansas
(The Butler County Times-Gazette, 5 October) The First Church of the Nazarene in El Dorado invites the public to join them as they celebrate the 100th anniversary of their church. The celebration will be held Sunday, Oct. 15 – starting with worship at 11 a.m. and a meal with fellowship following.
The First Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene was organized in El Dorado in 1917. For some time, they worshiped in a building called “The Tabernacle” located on North Star Street. In 1919, the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene changed its name to the Church of the Nazarene. Eventually, they left the North Star location and worshiped in the building on West First Street between Washington and Taylor Streets.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Texas church celebrates century of faith
Belton, Texas
(Temple Daily Telegram, 29 September) The congregation of the Belton Nazarene Church will be celebrating a century of ministry during worship 10 a.m. Sunday.
The church was born out of a holiness movement that came to Bell County in July 1914. Revivals were conducted in various communities around the area, such as Bell Plains, Hackberry, Summers Mill, Reids Lake, Armstrong and Salado.
The first church, called the Sulphur Springs Nazarene Church, was organized during the summer of 1917 after a two-week revival in Armstrong, a community located on Salado Creek about seven miles south of Belton. The first church services were conducted in the community schoolhouse.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Illinois church reflects on 100 years
Bloomington, Illinois
(The Pantagraph, 8 October) The First Church of Nazarene on Bloomington's east side is celebrating more than 100 years in the community with special ceremonies this weekend.
The church at 2207 N. Towanda Barnes Road will hold a centennial service at 10 a.m. Sunday (today) with a focus on its future ministry.
A service and reception on Saturday night featured former pastors and members and included reflection on the church's past.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Stories to share? Send them to news@nazarene.org. (Compiled by NCN News)

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Quincy, Massachusetts

Eastern Nazarene College commissions Dan Boone as president-elect
Eastern Nazarene College commissioned Dan Boone as the college’s president-elect Friday in a ceremony at Wollaston Church of the Nazarene. The 10 a.m. service kicked off the college’s Homecoming Weekend festivities.
“We come to the altar, and we lift to you Dr. Dan and Denise Boone,” prayed Daniel Copp, educational commissioner of the Church of the Nazarene. “God, in these moments would you bind Eastern Nazarene College and the Boones together as only you can do, calling and covenant expressed in this relationship.”
The special service centered on commissioning Boone as he continues his work as Eastern’s president-elect. He will not be formally named the college’s 14th president until specific accreditation requirements are met.
During the commissioning service, Larry Bollinger, vice president for institutional advancement at Eastern, encouraged Boone in regards to the challenges ahead.
“The shifting challenges of higher education are not for the faint of heart," Bollinger said. "Know Dan, that you have an army of people ready to stand behind you in this new venture. The entire academic community needs to blaze new trails like we are doing here today in our partnership with Trevecca Nazarene University.”
One of many events planned for Eastern’s Homecoming celebration, the commissioning service also precedes the college’s fall Board of Trustees meeting. Boone, Eastern administrators, and key campus leaders are expected to report on the state of the college and detail specific next steps for the future and Eastern’s partnership with Trevecca in Nashville, Tennessee, where Boone also serves as president.
In the days leading up to the commissioning service, Boone said it would mark a special moment in his career.
“I am humbled and blessed by this opportunity to serve Eastern,” Boone said. “This is a special place and this service has reinforced once again the importance of what we do in Christian education. For 117 years, Eastern has provided a quality Christian education in the Northeast, and I am honored to be a part of helping that continue for many years to come."
In recent weeks, Eastern has reported a number of important announcements. Last month, the college announced lower tuition rates that align with Trevecca’s rates. The move helped to make a semester exchange program between Eastern and Trevecca, announced earlier this week, possible.
“Denise and I have fallen in love with you [the students of Eastern Nazarene College], you’re quite amazing,” Boone said during his address. “You have been so kind and so gracious to welcome us. … We truly work for you, you are the only reason that we are here doing this.” (Eastern Nazarene College)

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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 9-13 October 2017.
Twylah (Phipps) Ellwanger, 93, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away 4 August. She was the widow of retired minister, evangelist, and educator C. William Ellwanger, who served in Virginia, Missouri, Kentucky, and Illinois. C. William Ellwanger passed away in 2013.
Kenneth Fulmer, 92, of Sacramento, California, passed away 30 September. He was a retired minister and educator, serving in Oklahoma, New Jersey, and Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sara Fulmer, and his wife, Mary Ann Fulmer, in 2012.
Margaret Lowe, 90, of Liberal, Kansas, passed away 9 October. She was the widow of retired minister Jack Lowe, who served in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Jack Lowe passed away in 2005.
Gladys Minich, 92, of Erie, Pennsylvania, passed away 9 October. She was the widow of retired minister Mayne Minich Jr., who served in Pennsylvania and Virgina. Mayne Minich Jr. passed away in 2013.
Ester Monteiro, 56, of Brockton, Massachusetts, passed away 10 October. She was the wife of minister Benedito Monteiro, who pastors the Nova Alianca Church of the Nazarene in Brockton. He previously served in Africa.
Elmer Nelson, 93, of San Diego, California, passed away 30 September. He was a treasurer for the Minnesota District and his church, Minneapolis First Church of the Nazarene. He is survived by his wife, Barbara. (More)

Condolences

CELEBRATION OF LIFE

Memorial Service

Elmer Nelson

_____________

San Diego First Church of the Nazarene

Family Life Center

Sunday, October 15, 2017, 2pm

Reception to follow.

Flowers are welcome; donations in Elmer’s memory

may be made to the Writer’s Symposium ByThe Sea

at Point Loma Nazarene University.

___________________________

Elmer Nelson was an accountant, a Cubs, Twins and Vikings fan, a Boy Scout leader, a trumpet player, a stamp collector, a husband, a father, an uncle, a grandfather, a military veteran and a churchman.

He was born in Chicago on June 30, 1924, and died peacefully in San Diego on September 30, 2017.
He went to Fenger High School in Chicago, was a member of the Swedish Covenant Church, joined the Army during World War II and was stationed with four other soldiers at a weather station on the Arctic Circle. There, the soldiers would send out weather reports every few hours, 24 hours per day, so that Allied pilots could predict weather conditions in Europe for bombing raids.
After the war he married Barbara Jean Cunningham (in 1947) and enrolled at Northwestern University on the GI bill, earning a degree in accounting. He was hired by General Mills in 1949, and was transferred by the company to Minneapolis in 1959. While at General Mills he developed its coupon redemption system, and managed that system until his retirement in 1989.
He was the church treasurer and head groundskeeper at First Church of the Nazarene at 54th and Humboldt in Minneapolis. As treasurer he made every mortgage payment until the church was debt-free, then led a campaign titled “Taking off our hats to the past, rolling up our sleeves for the future.” He was also the treasurer for the Minnesota District in the Church of the Nazarene. He directed a church orchestra and was one of the organizers of the church’s Boy Scout troop. One evening per week he played his trumpet for the residents of the Willows nursing home.
His love for the Boy Scouts resulted in his three sons achieving Eagle Scout. That love was the motive behind a house rule that the sons could not have driver’s licenses until they reached Eagle. All three sons earned Ph.D.s without his external pressure.
Elmer and Barbara Nelson moved to San Diego in 2000, where two of their sons were professors at Point Loma Nazarene University. Another son is a professor at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut.
After one year in the San Diego sun, Elmer was hired by AMN Healthcare, where he was a utility player in the human resources department. He retired again in July, 2017.
He was a proud member of the Norwegian Fish Club in San Diego, despite being Swedish.
Elmer and Barbara celebrated their 70th anniversary in June, 2017.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Barbara, his sons David (Kim) and Dean (Marcia), his grandchildren, Lauren Nelson, Blake Nelson (Amy) and Vanessa Nelson Trine (Evan) and daughter in law, Jann Nelson Zabriskie (Doug), and his personal trainer/assistant/driver, Reza Veyseh. His son Dan died of ALS in 2010. (Copyright © 2017 San Diego First Church of the Nazarene, All rights reserved.)
L. G. Williams, 85, of Cameron, Oklahoma, passed away 10 October. He was a minister, previously serving in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Williams, in 2013.
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)