Toler released to home hospice careThe Toler family recently posted the following update on General Superintendent Emeritus Stan Toler's condition after he was diagnosed with cancer last year:
For the last ten months, while receiving the best standard of care, he has been blessed with remarkable stamina and has been able to travel, speak, teach, write and most importantly spend time with loved ones.
The prayers of God’s people have touched heaven on Stan’s behalf. Stan and the family praise God for this season of blessings too numerous to mention.
Now, having exhausted all possible medical treatment for pancreatic cancer, Stan has been released from the hospital and will be under hospice care at home. He is surrounded by his beloved family, and though weakened in body, remains strong in his faith — believing James 5:14-15.
Toler is the founding, executive director of the Resource Center for Pastoral Leadership at Southern Nazarene University. He was elected a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene at the 2009 General Assembly and Conventions in Orlando, Florida, and served in the position four years. He was awarded emeritus status in 2013. Toler previously served as a pastor for more than 40 years in Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Toler has written more than 100 books, which have sold more than 3 million copies. He and his wife, Linda, an educator, have two married sons, Seth (Marcy) and Adam (Amanda), and five grandchildren.
Continued prayer is requested for the Tolers.
Lesotho, Africa
Lesotho district superintendent, secretary killed in car accident
The Church of the Nazarene's Africa Region office provided the following information after the death of two leaders on the Lesotho District:
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of the Lesotho District Superintendent Lepeli Mpusi and District Secretary Lebina Lebina.
On Friday evening, 10 November, Rev Mpusi and Rev Lebina died in a tragic car accident while doing ministry in the Lesotho mountains. We ask that the families of these two leaders would be remembered in prayer.
Mpusi is survived by his wife and four children and Lebina is survived by his wife and three children. More information will be posted as it is made available. (Church of the Nazarene Africa)
The price for serving refugees: Family forced to become refugees themselves
Then, their family was threatened.
A masked person confronted the pastor of their Nazarene church to give him the message: “If you don’t leave the country, somebody will get hurt.” The message was for the pastor’s family – and for Lela’s family.
“We had decided we will stay here – we’re ministering, so we’ll not leave,” Lela recalls. “But when this threat came, we were afraid because we have children. It was very hard for us at the beginning. We started crying. It was not our wish.”
Lela had already come a long way and paid a heavy price for her faith. Now, as a direct result of showing God’s love to refugees, Lela’s family became refugees themselves.
A child seeking God
From a young age, she thirsted to know the true God. Deep inside, she always felt that something was not right in her family’s traditional faith. The Christians she knew were intriguingly different.
“These Christians are peaceful people and they are nice,” she thought. “Whenever I met a Christian I used to ask about Christianity. I wanted to know more.”
Secretly, she decided that when she grew up, she would marry a Christian so she could be a Christian, too.
One family who lived in their neighborhood was traditionally Catholic, and she liked their son, Samir*. She tried to get to know him.
He didn’t claim to know Jesus Christ personally, but he gave her a Bible. She read the Gospel of Matthew first, and it increased her thirst for the Christian God.
“Everything is different in this book,” she thought. In her heart she decided “I want this. I’m for Jesus. I’m a Christian.”
Choosing God, losing family
Through their friendship, Lela and Samir fell in love. It was Lela’s dream come true – the chance to marry a good Christian man. At 22 years of age, Lela defied her family to marry Samir. Her parents cut off contact with her, the punishment for not marrying a man who followed their faith.
Her family wasn't the only ones. When the couple looked for a church to attend, many churches turned them away because of the dangers of accepting a mixed faith couple into their congregation. Under their then government, it was against the law for Lela to change the religion on her identity documents from her former faith to Christian.
Finally they found a Baptist church that allowed them to join. The style of worship was very different from what Samir had known in the Catholic church – where he had never understood the liturgy. Being able to understand the service awakened a keen interest in Samir to know more.
In this church, the couple prayed for the first time to commit themselves as followers of Jesus.
When the government was toppled by war, the law was relaxed. Lela and Samir took the unexpected window of opportunity to change Lela’s identity papers to Christian. But in the meantime, they struggled to stay faithful to their church because it was so far away and they couldn’t afford the cost of weekly travel to get there. When someone told them about a closer Church of the Nazarene, they visited.
Ministering to the displaced
Soon they became heavily involved in the Nazarene church’s ministry and lay leadership. Samir was a trusted assistant to the pastor while working as a salesman for a food manufacturer. Lela ran a small childcare service from their home during the day. They gave birth to a baby girl and life was good.
As war raged around their country, thousands upon thousands of people became displaced; refugees poured into the community. The congregation responded to the challenge of ministering to these people in their time of great need.
"We had a full church. Ministry was going on,” Lela said. “We used to distribute food packages to those who have left their area and we even went to the refugee camps and provided food packages. The church was very well and full and we were thinking of getting a bigger place and everything was great.”
But their growing influence and activity was noticed. And so the threat came against the pastor and key families.
Finding a new place to serve
Samir and Lela reluctantly made the decision to flee the country. In 2015, they followed other members of their church to Lebanon. Now, they were refugees, too.
The couple joined a Church of the Nazarene in Beirut, and Lela began volunteering with the congregation’s weekday education program for refugee children in the community. The church has hired her as one of the teachers.
“I like working with children,” Lela says with a big grin. “They pass through harder times than us. We are adults, we can bear more. They saw the war; it’s harder for them to leave the country. It’s a ministry for me before being a job.”
In addition to classes in math, English, Arabic, and life skills, every day the children participate in chapel services, and Lela teaches them from the Bible. Most of the children come from families that practice a different faith.
While math and English and Arabic are important, she added, “most importantly, if they don’t learn anything else, it’s important for them that they learn about Jesus.”
“Lela is so gifted with children, and her dream is to open a special center for the marginalized children,” said their district superintendent. “Lela and her husband have a clear call on their lives.”
The district recognized and affirmed their call by recommending Lela for a district preaching license, after having a local license for one year. The district also gave Samir, a musician and worship leader, a local preacher’s license. (Church of the Nazarene Eurasia)
*Names changed and locations omitted for security
Prayer requested after earthquakes strike Middle East, AsiaPo-hang Segero Church of the Nazarene
The deadliest earthquake of 2017 struck Iraq and Iran this week, killing more than 500 people and injuring thousands. Sunday's 7.3 earthquake triggered several landslides and was felt in Turkey, Israel, and Kuwait.
In South Korea, a 5.4 magnitude earthquake damaged infrastructures and houses in addition to injuring dozens of people and leaving about 1,500 people homeless.
A local church leader on the Gyeongsang-do Zone reported that Po-hang Segero Church of the Nazarene was affected, leaving the concrete walls with multiple cracks and holes.
Continued prayer is requested for those affected by both disasters.
Marawi City, Philippines
Church continues response in southern Philippines following armed conflict
The Church of the Nazarene continues helping families affected by an armed conflict that recently ended in Marawi City, Philippines. The five-month crisis displaced hundreds of thousands of people in addition to destroying many buildings and homes and killing dozens of civilians.
The West Mindanao District, led by Superintendent Dan Balayo and Philippine Micronesia Field Strategy Coordinator Stephen Gualberto, partnered with different organizations to conduct child-friendly spaces in four evacuation centers, hold medical and dental check-ups, and distribute medicine and Crisis Care Kits to hundreds of displaced families.
The work did not stop there. During this summer's Church of the Nazarene General Assembly and Conventions, Balayo and Gualberto met with representatives from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Canada to arrange shipment of medical equipment for government hospitals serving internally displaced residents.
NCM Canada responded by sending a 45-foot container of medical equipment and supplies that were delivered to two government hospitals 22 September. The first hospital is Gregorio Lluch Memorial Hospital in Iligan City, the closest city from Marawi, where thousands of people sought help and refuge. The hospital received 30 beds, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and various medical supplies, as well as hospital linens, first aid kits, scrub suits, orthopedic shoes, and portable oxygen tanks. Representatives from the city government and the hospital administrator were present to receive the equipment and express their gratitude to the Church of the Nazarene.
The second recipient of the medical equipment was the Catarman District Hospital in Mindanao. Ten hospital beds and other medical equipment were given to help augment the needs of this government hospital. They serve a large number of people in the province and rural areas with limited resources and the church saw the need to help them in this area. The provincial governor was delighted and grateful for the church’s generosity and the compassion of the Church of the Nazarene for the welfare of their people. (Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific)
The Church of the Nazarene continues helping families affected by an armed conflict that recently ended in Marawi City, Philippines. The five-month crisis displaced hundreds of thousands of people in addition to destroying many buildings and homes and killing dozens of civilians.
The West Mindanao District, led by Superintendent Dan Balayo and Philippine Micronesia Field Strategy Coordinator Stephen Gualberto, partnered with different organizations to conduct child-friendly spaces in four evacuation centers, hold medical and dental check-ups, and distribute medicine and Crisis Care Kits to hundreds of displaced families.
The work did not stop there. During this summer's Church of the Nazarene General Assembly and Conventions, Balayo and Gualberto met with representatives from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Canada to arrange shipment of medical equipment for government hospitals serving internally displaced residents.
NCM Canada responded by sending a 45-foot container of medical equipment and supplies that were delivered to two government hospitals 22 September. The first hospital is Gregorio Lluch Memorial Hospital in Iligan City, the closest city from Marawi, where thousands of people sought help and refuge. The hospital received 30 beds, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and various medical supplies, as well as hospital linens, first aid kits, scrub suits, orthopedic shoes, and portable oxygen tanks. Representatives from the city government and the hospital administrator were present to receive the equipment and express their gratitude to the Church of the Nazarene.
The second recipient of the medical equipment was the Catarman District Hospital in Mindanao. Ten hospital beds and other medical equipment were given to help augment the needs of this government hospital. They serve a large number of people in the province and rural areas with limited resources and the church saw the need to help them in this area. The provincial governor was delighted and grateful for the church’s generosity and the compassion of the Church of the Nazarene for the welfare of their people. (Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific)
Flags of the Nations: EcuadorThe red, green, and blue are the colors of South American revolutionist and adventurer Francisco de Miranda. Yellow is the color of the federation, red is said to indicate courage, and blue symbolizes independence from Spain. The centered coat of arms is topped with a condor.
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: Ecuador
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Ecuador in 1972.
Ecuador had a population of 16,080,778 in 2016. That same year, Ecuador reported 239 Churches of the Nazarene, 205 of which have been officially organized. Ecuador has 20,960 total members.
Located on the South America Region, Ecuador has three Phase 3 districts, one Phase 2 district, and two 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.
Little Rock, Arkansas
BGS appoints superintendent for South Arkansas District
General Superintendent Carla D. Sunberg announced the appointment of Virgil Askren III as superintendent of the South Arkansas District.
Askren currently pastors the Bend, Oregon, Church of the Nazarene. He follows Russell Branstetter, who retired after 25 years in the position.
Prior to accepting the Bend pastorate in 2003, Askren led the Klamath Falls and Columbia Ridge churches in Oregon. He also in served at Portland, Oregon, First Church of the Nazarene and Dundee Hills Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri.
He will begin his new assignment 1 January. Virgil and his wife, Judy, reside in Bend.
“Judy and I are grateful for the opportunity to serve the South Arkansas District and are looking forward to investing in this Kingdom venture," Virgil said. "We simply want to be used by God wherever He sees fit.”
Virgil holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion from Northwest Nazarene College (now Northwest Nazarene University), a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Western Seminary.
General Superintendent Carla D. Sunberg announced the appointment of Virgil Askren III as superintendent of the South Arkansas District.
Askren currently pastors the Bend, Oregon, Church of the Nazarene. He follows Russell Branstetter, who retired after 25 years in the position.
Prior to accepting the Bend pastorate in 2003, Askren led the Klamath Falls and Columbia Ridge churches in Oregon. He also in served at Portland, Oregon, First Church of the Nazarene and Dundee Hills Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri.
He will begin his new assignment 1 January. Virgil and his wife, Judy, reside in Bend.
“Judy and I are grateful for the opportunity to serve the South Arkansas District and are looking forward to investing in this Kingdom venture," Virgil said. "We simply want to be used by God wherever He sees fit.”
Virgil holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion from Northwest Nazarene College (now Northwest Nazarene University), a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Western Seminary.
Middendorf appointed interim superintendent for Kansas City DistrictGeneral Superintendent Gustavo A. Crocker announced the appointment this week of Jesse C. Middendorf as interim superintendent of the Kansas City District.Middendorf follows Jeren Rowell, who was recently elected president of Nazarene Theological Seminary. The appointment is effective 1 December, and Middendorf will continue in the position until a new superintendent is appointed.
He served as a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene from 2001 to 2013 and was awarded general superintendent emeritus status at the 2013 General Assembly. Middendorf previously served as superintendent of the Northwest Oklahoma District and led churches in Tennessee, Kentucky, New Mexico, Texas, and Missouri. He currently serves as the executive director of the Center for Pastoral Leadership at NTS.
Middendorf holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trevecca Nazarene University and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary.
Jesse and his wife, Susan, reside in Overland Park, Kansas.
In MemoriamThe following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received 13-17 November 2017.
Robert Carson, 83, of Vilonia, Arkansas, passed away 9 November. He was a retired minister, serving in Arkansas, Missouri, and Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorathy Carson, in 2010.
Paul Decker, 81, of Canton, Ohio, passed away 13 November. He was a retired minister, serving in Ohio, Wyoming, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Louisiana. He is survived by his wife, Marie Decker.
Miguel Delgado, 57, of Riverbank, California, passed away 14 November. He was a minister, serving at Riverbank, California, Spanish Church of the Nazarene. He is survived by his wife, Marie Delgado.
Rudy Manaois, 78, of Manila, Philippines, passed away 20 October. He was a minister, serving at Grace Church of the Nazarene. He is survived by his wife, Luz.
Mary Maynard, 82, of Heath, Ohio, passed away 6 November. She was the wife of retired minister Kenneth Maynard, who served in Ohio and Texas.
Maxine (Crawford) Spurlock, 87, of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, passed away 12 November. She was the widow of W. Earl Spurlock, who served in Tennessee and Florida. W. Earl Spurlock passed away in 2010.
William Thorpe, 95, of Pataskala, Ohio, passed away 15 November. He was a retired minister, serving in Ohio. He was preceded in death by his wife, Esther Thorpe, in 2012.
Frances (Hoyt) Whiteman, 86, of Vienna, West Virginia, passed away 11 November. She was the widow of retired minister Ray Whiteman, who served in West Virginia. Ray Whiteman passed away in July.
Grace (Yoder) Woodbeck, 96, of Battle Ground, Washington, passed away 10 November. She was the widow of retired minister Russell Woodbeck, who served in Washington, Minnesota, Indiana, and Oregon. Russell Woodbeck passed away in 2011.
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.
GMC employment opportunitiesPeople 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
Business Analyst (Full-time)
Information Technology
Description: Members of the IT team are primarily responsible for facilitating the ministry of the Global Ministry Center though the analysis, design, implementation, and support of software solutions. The Business Analyst will act as the primary liaison between the General Treasurer’s office, the Information Technology department, and other departments to enhance business processes.
Office Assistant (Temporary, part-time for three months)
Global Mission Personnel
Description: The person in this position will assist with projects that are time-sensitive which involve research and completion of forms.
Security Specialist (Full-time)
Information Technology
Description: Members of the IT department are primarily responsible for facilitating the ministry of the Global Ministry Center through assistance and consultation to technology users. The Security Specialist troubleshoots and assists with network access and security policies and procedures.
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.
Tour/Hospitality Coordinator (Full-time)
Business Center
Description: The person in this position will be the primary contact for Tours and Catering, including correspondence, scheduling, billing, inventory, and GMC kitchen oversight. Business Center duties, including mail and Front Desk coverage, may also be significant aspects of the position, as well as other duties as assigned.
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 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 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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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 66220, United States
Phone: (913)577-0500
Email: info@nazarene.org
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