VOLUME 5, ISSUE 32 NOVEMBER 03, 2017
Join Us In Prayer:
You Can Always Find Current Global Prayer Requests and Praises on the NMI Prayer Mobilization Line
World Mission Communications News
COMING SOON
A new WMC News is on the way!
To access previous WMC News, visit us with the links below. Descriptions linked to Vimeo for easy download!
Youtube Channel
Vimeo ChannelLatest News
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. Finally, in February 2016, the legal process was completed, and the Church of the Nazarene Singapore was officially registered.
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.
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 Nazareneon 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.
written by: David Hane
credit: Engage Magazine
For Shawn and Lisa, it is experiences like this that confirm that God has truly called them to KNU. And they hope to stay until retirement, or until God calls them to move! Both agree: “It is the best job they ever had!”Have you ever considered teaching overseas?
If so, then you need to spend a few minutes with Shawn and Lisa Campbell! They are convinced that God has lead them to teach at Korea Nazarene University in Cheonan, South Korea. But be forewarned: Their enthusiasm is contagious!Arriving in Korea in 2015 from the USA, this educator couple initially taught in the city of Daegu. When they decided after one year to move closer to Seoul where their son lives, several universities offered them teaching jobs. Lisa writes “In trying to decide which to accept, we prayed and visited each campus. We both felt called to teach at KNU from the moment we walked onto the campus!”
That calling has continued to grow as the Campbells have found many ways to live out their faith and impact students for Christ. Shawn is the International Professor Coordinator for the thirty-one international professors on campus and aims to improve education and student-professor relationships. Lisa is the international coordinator for the Cheonan City, KNU’s Summer and Winter camps.Aside from these responsibilities, they also serve an active role in the Nazarene Global Leaders Academy (NGLA) programs. Both are a part of the President’s Inner Circle, a focus group that studies ways to improve the KNU experience for students.
Being at KNU has also allowed Shawn and Lisa to minister to students outside of the classroom. They are intentional in building relationships with their students. They leave their office unlocked and stocked with food for anyone who needs a safe and peaceful place to study, rest, or just have something to eat! Shawn and Lisa also join in excursions with their departments, meeting students for activities like bowling, karaoke, and shared meals.
Their greatest joy? Lisa writes “Our greatest joy teaching at KNU is our students. We have been blessed to work daily with amazing students, in a place where we are free to praise the Lord while teaching!Their greatest challenge? “Our deficiency in Hangul!” says Shawn. “It is our goal to remedy that within the next year. We have hired a private tutor twice a week and have taken classes on campus.” Hangul is the alphabet that has been used to write the Korean language since the 15th century.
Shawn and Lisa have been blessed to see God at work in the lives of those around them. During a summer English camp, one of the teaching assistants approached Lisa and confided that up until that point, he had not followed any religion. “But in this camp,” the student said, “I have understood that God must love me because of the love that you and the teachers have shown to me.” During the camp, the young man accepted God’s love for him and became a follower of Jesus.
For Shawn and Lisa, it is experiences like this that confirm that God has truly called them to KNU. And they hope to stay until retirement, or until God calls them to move! Both agree: “It is the best job we have ever had!”If you feel that God is also calling you to a cross-cultural ministry and would like to know more about teaching at KNU, visit this link to learn more about the international faculty positions that are currently open: KNU accepting applicants for international faculty.
Korea Nazarene University, located in Cheonan, South Korea, was founded in 1954 with Dr. Donald Owens installed as the first president. Growing steadily through the years, KNU’s current undergraduate enrollment is around 5,700, making it the largest Nazarene university in the world. It has also found a unique niche in the education of students with disabilities, as well as in providing training for those who desire to work with the handicapped.
Prayer Points:
- Pray for Shawn and Lisa as they continue to serve at KNU.
- Pray for them as they study and learn Hangul.
- Pray for their ministries to the students and the many responsibilities that they have in KNU.
- Pray for Dr. Im, Seung-An, KNU president, as he seeks God’s guidance to lead the university forward.
Cambodia's First NYI Training RetreatCambodia held its first NYI Training Retreat! Cambodia is part of the South East Asia Field on the Asia‐Pacific Region. The Church of the Nazarene in Cambodia was reorganized in 2012, after 6 years of crisis, making it the newest District in South East Asia. Our District regularly holds Course of Study training programs for the pastors, team leaders, and youth in those areas in order to increase the number of the believers and to make them stronger for God’s mission.
Cambodia is part of the South East Asia Field on the Asia Pacific Region. The Church of the Nazarene in Cambodia was reorganized in 2012, after 6 years of crisis, making it the newest District in South East Asia. There are churches in Kampong Thom, Banteay Meanchey, Preah Vihear, Battambong, and Phnom Penh Provinces. Our District regularly holds Course of Study training programs for the pastors, team leaders, and youth in those areas in order to increase the number of the believers and to make them stronger for God’s mission.
68% of Cambodians are under the age of 30 years old. Many of them are coming to know Jesus in our 50+ Nazarene Churches! The Khmer (Cambodian) leadership team, Field, Regional leaders and partners around the world pray a lot together for a strategy to teach and reach these young people. God lead us to partner together to sponsor and hold this first NYI Training Retreat. Praise the Lord!
We worshipped and praised our Father in heaven together for all that He does. We dedicated our time together to Him, asking for His protection and guidance for our days together. He protected and guided us! We learned together about how much God loves us, His plan for our lives and what He wants us to be for Cambodia. We worshipped, studied, went to the beach, worshipped and studied more of God’s Word and plan together.
Although the NYI training Retreat is over, the teachings and memories are still with me. The first thing I learned was the NYI Theme “Be Do Go”. I saw these words and started to ask myself: What do I need to Be? What do I need to Do? Where do I need to Go?
Matthew 28:19-20, what God needs me to Do is go and share the Good News, make disciples, teaching them to obey everything God has commanded. We need to follow in the footsteps of our master by contextualizing the good news and living out timeless examples of Christ-centered living.
Luke 4:43, God wants me to Go to other towns to proclaim the Good News of God. Especially the places around me.
We all returned home with good memories about our time together at the NYI Training Retreat, grateful for this chance to meet each other, know each other, pray and worship together, build relationships with each other, and study about God together. During this year we will be praying for the situations in each other’s lives and churches, with hopes and dreams that Cambodia NYI will join together again next year so we can exchange more how we have grown in Jesus Christ since this event.
Written by: Ratha
Announcements
KNU accepting applicants for international facultyKorea Nazarene University (KNU), a private Christian university located in Cheonan, South Korea, seeks applicants for its international faculty positions, specifically English speaking professors who can play an instrumental role in globalizing KNU’s educational program. Most of KNU’s current foreign faculty consists of people from Nazarene churches in the U.S.
The teaching position is under the department of General Education specifically in the field of English Conversation and English Content Classes. The deadline for submission of application and documents is until November 30, 2017.
Click here to see more datails.
2017 Thank Offering for the World Evangelism Fund
In the midst of the difficulties that many of our brothers and sisters in the global family have experienced in the last few months, we have reflected what it means to truly be the Church. Nazarenes around the world have reached out, loved and supported one another and those within the communities who are in crisis. In this time of difficulty, we realize that we have abundant blessings from God. On 19 November 2017, we respond by giving thanks to God and bringing an unselfish gift for the World Evangelism Fund throught he Thank Offering.
In the midst of the difficulties that many of our brothers and sisters in the global family have experienced in the last few months, we have reflected what it means to truly be the Church. Nazarenes around the world have reached out, loved and supported one another and those within the communities who are in crisis. In this time of difficulty, we realize that we have abundant blessings from God. On 19 November 2017, we respond by giving thanks to God and bringing an unselfish gift for the World Evangelism Fund throught he Thank Offering.
Schedule of Asia-Pacific Region District Assembly DatesChurch of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region, District Assembly Schedule for 2017 - 2018 is now available! District Assembly schedules will start on October 2017 and will end on March 2018.
Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region
District Assembly Schedule 2017-2018
| Date | Field | District Assembly |
| October 2017 | ||
| 30 | Mel/South-Pacific | Middle Ramu ** with Ordination |
| November 2017 | ||
| 1 | Mel/South-Pacific | Jiwaka South |
| 1 | Mel/South-Pacific | Hagen ** with Ordination |
| 2 | Mel/South-Pacific | Jiwaka North |
| 2 | Mel/South-Pacific | Southern Highlands ** with Ordination |
| 3 | Mel/South-Pacific | Simbu/Eastern Highlands |
| 5 | Mel/South-Pacific | Bromley Memorial ** with Ordination |
| 7 | Mel/South-Pacific | Enga |
| 8 | Mel/South-Pacific | North Coast ** with Ordination |
| 8 | Mel/South-Pacific | East Sepik & Sandaun |
| 12 | Mel/South-Pacific | South Coast |
| 13-14 | Mel/South-Pacific | Niugini Islands |
| 13-14 | Mel/South-Pacific | Solomon Islands |
| 14 | Mel/South-Pacific | Vanuatu |
| 15 | Mel/South-Pacific | Fiji ** with Ordination |
| 18 | Mel/South-Pacific | Samoa |
| 18 – 19 | Australia/NewZealand | New Zealand |
| December 2017 | ||
| 30 | Phil-Micronesia | Bicol |
| January 2018 | ||
| 5 | Phil-Micronesia | Central Visayas |
| 7 | Phil-Micronesia | Mindanao West |
| 11 | Phil-Micronesia | Philippine Luzon |
| 12 | Phil-Micronesia | Metropolitan Luzon |
| 13 | Phil-Micronesia | Metro Manila |
| 16 | SEA | Myanmar ** with Ordination |
| 18 – 19 | SEA | Cambodia ** with Ordination |
| 19 | Phil-Micronesia | Panay |
| 19 | Phil-Micronesia | Mindanao East |
| 20 | SEA | Thailand |
| 20 – 21 | Australia-NewZealand | Australia Southern |
| 20 | Phil-Micronesia | Negros |
| 26 | Phil-Micronesia | Eastern Visayas |
| 27 | Phil-Micronesia | Southern Tagalog |
| 27 – 28 | Australia-NewZealand | Aus. North & West ** with Ordination |
| February 2018 | ||
| 20-21 | Non-Field | Japan |
| March 2018 | ||
| 11 | Chinese Ministries | Hong Kong ** No Ordination |
| 12 | Chinese Ministries | Taiwan ** Ordination (not sure) |
| 15-16 | Non-Field | Korea |
| 17 | Phil-Micronesia | Micronesia |
Links You Might Like!
Articles
Articles
- 10,000 receive assistance after Bangladesh ravaged by flood
- The garage that was too small for God
- GS speaks at Reformation's 500th anniversary celebration in Germany
- In Memoriam
- 2013-2017 Manual of the Church of the Nazarene
- Articles of Faith
- Engage Magazine
- Holiness Today
- JESUS Film Harvest Partners
- Mission Corps - Global Volunteer Mission Opportunities
- Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
- Nazarene Essentials
- Nazarene Missions International
- Church of the Nazarene (Official Global Site)
- Nazarene Safe
- Nazarene Youth International
- Preacher's Magazine
- Sunday School Discipleship Ministries
- Work and Witness
The Global Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific
Ortigas Avenue Extension
Kaytikling, Taytay, Rizal, Manila 1920 Philippines
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment