BGS echoes call for compassion after latest refugee rulingsIn light of recent executive orders issued in the United States and decisions by other world governments regarding the status of refugees, the Board of General Superintendents for the Church of the Nazarene urges governments everywhere to quickly put into place systems whereby eligible and legitimate refugees can find refuge and safety in our countries. Further, we urge the President of the United States, Congress, and other state departments to make this temporary order a matter of urgency so that the United States may continue to be known as a nation of compassion and hospitality to those who are oppressed, vulnerable, and marginalized.We echo our statement from November 2015, when significant global immigration in many nations compelled us to speak clearly and biblically to this challenging topic, inviting all Nazarenes to express Christian love to immigrants who live among us:
The Hebrew word, gēr, and the Greek word, xenos, can be defined as “immigrant.”
“If an immigrant dwells with you in your land, you shall not mistreat him. The immigrant who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:33–34, NKJV). Our Lord quoted, “Love him as yourself,” as part of the Greatest Commandment!
Jesus said: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was an immigrant and you invited me in” (Matthew 25:35, NIV).
“Do not forget to show hospitality to immigrants, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels” (Hebrews 13:2, NIV).
While we recognize the complexity of immigration laws in various nations, the Board of General Superintendents calls on Nazarenes around the world:
- To treat immigrants with love, respect, and mercy.
- To participate sacrificially in local, national, and global compassionate ministry responses to assist refugees and immigrants.
- To encourage their respective governments to approve equitable laws that will allow for family reunification, legal work permits for productive immigrants in the workforce, and pathways for undocumented immigrants to be able to obtain authorized immigrant status.
- To follow the clear biblical mandate to love, welcome, assist, evangelize, and disciple the immigrants near us.
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Child of a global church: Sunberg elected GSCarla D. Sunberg, president of Nazarene Theological Seminary, was elected the 43rd general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene 27 June. She was elected on the 11th ballot at the 29th General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.“Dear church family,” she began after a lengthy ovation. “I am completely overwhelmed today. Thank you so much for believing that God might be able to use me in this kind of a capacity. I am simply God’s child, and I am a child of this global church. You are the ones who raised me up, and I say thank you.”
Sunberg, who was born in Germany and raised on the mission field, thanked her German church family – in German – before switching to Russian to thank her Russian church family. Carla and her husband, Chuck, served as missionaries to the former Soviet Union.
“Thank you to my brothers and sisters in the former Soviet Union,” she said. “It was a privilege when I was ordained with all of you; and may God bless you all!”
Sunberg was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in 2004 in Moscow on the Russia North District. She and Chuck were pioneer missionaries for the denomination, living in Moscow for 13 years. She served as director of compassionate ministries there and later as director of theological education on the Commonwealth of Independent States Field.
In 2005, the Sunbergs returned to the U.S. and pastored at Grace Point Church of the Nazarene in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Carla served as pastor of evangelism and discipleship. In 2011, she and Chuck accepted a call to serve as co-district superintendents for East Ohio.
Carla is the second woman general superintendent in the denomination’s history, joining Nina G. Gunter, who gave Tuesday’s morning devotional to the assembly.
“As a little girl, my only desire was to follow and serve Jesus,” Carla said. “And I have to confess to you as I grew up in the church, I didn’t know if there would ever be a formal way for me to do so. A little bit later in life, my dear, sweet husband said to me, ‘If only you were a boy, you would have been the preacher in the family.’ And that day, the voice of the Lord said, ‘And why aren’t you?’
“And so my dear sisters,” she continued, “God has raised up sons and daughters to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am honored.”
“Recently the Lord said to us, ‘You must be willing to be willing,’ and so, I stand before you today willing and committed to humbly serve my church.”
Carla, who is the daughter of former general superintendent Jerald D. Johnson (1980-1997), thanked her father from the podium, wishing he could have been in Indianapolis.
“Thank you, Dad and Mom,” she said.
Carla is the first second-generation general superintendent.
She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from MidAmerica Nazarene University, a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Historical Theology from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom. In May 2012, Carla was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Olivet Nazarene University.
Chuck and Carla have two adult daughters, Christa (Maciver) and Cara (Shonamon).
With the election of Filimão Chambo Monday as the 42nd general superintendent, the Board of General Superintendents is set for the next quadrennium:
Eugénio R. Duarte (Cabo Verde)
David W. Graves (USA)
David A. Busic (USA)
Gustavo A. Crocker (Guatemala)
Filimão M. Chambo (Mozambique)
Carla D. Sunberg (Germany, USA)
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Indianapolis, Indiana
Called to serve: Chambo elected GS
Filimão M. Chambo, Africa regional director, was elected the 42nd general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene 26 June. He was elected on the 7th ballot at the 29th General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
After being escorted to the stage by General Secretary David Wilson and a host of African delegates, he was embraced by General Superintendent Eugénio R. Duarte – the first African general superintendent (Cabo Verde).
Chambo, who is from Mozambique and lives in South Africa, addressed the assembly.
“As a child, I sensed in one of my conversations with the Lord that He was calling me into full-time ministry,” he said. “My response to the Lord was 'no, this will not happen … if you really need to call someone, call my brothers or my sister.'”
Chambo, born in a Nazarene hospital to parents who were both pastors, shared that he attended a youth camp where a missionary couple prayed God would call young people into the ministry. It was at that camp Chambo again heard God’s call to be a minister.
“I said, ‘Lord, I really thought that we settled this many years ago.’ But I’m glad that in that youth camp I said yes to the Lord,” he said.
In college, Chambo said he sensed God was calling him to a ministry beyond just one location.
“It was clear that God was calling me to be available to serve His people around the world,” he said. “One thing that I know is that when God calls, it’s not just a one moment call. He continuously calls us every day, every moment, for whatever He wants us to be a part of.
“As I stand here before you today, I stand as a servant of God who has been equipped by the church, transformed by God, willing to continuously surrender his life to be a servant.
“My prayer was if it is of God, it will give me peace,” he continued. “So, I stand before you and say 'yes, I accept to serve you.'”
Chambo completed a diploma in theology at Seminario Nazareno em Mozambique, a Bachelor of Theology at Nazarene Theological College in South Africa, a master's in biblical studies at the University of Johannesburg, and his Ph.D. in biblical studies at the same university. He was ordained in 1999. Chambo speaks several African languages in addition to English and Portuguese. He has served in many leadership roles, including pastor, teacher, and principal.
Filimão and Samantha Chambo have a daughter, Tsakani, and a son, Emanuel.
After being escorted to the stage by General Secretary David Wilson and a host of African delegates, he was embraced by General Superintendent Eugénio R. Duarte – the first African general superintendent (Cabo Verde).
Chambo, who is from Mozambique and lives in South Africa, addressed the assembly.
“As a child, I sensed in one of my conversations with the Lord that He was calling me into full-time ministry,” he said. “My response to the Lord was 'no, this will not happen … if you really need to call someone, call my brothers or my sister.'”
Chambo, born in a Nazarene hospital to parents who were both pastors, shared that he attended a youth camp where a missionary couple prayed God would call young people into the ministry. It was at that camp Chambo again heard God’s call to be a minister.
“I said, ‘Lord, I really thought that we settled this many years ago.’ But I’m glad that in that youth camp I said yes to the Lord,” he said.
In college, Chambo said he sensed God was calling him to a ministry beyond just one location.
“It was clear that God was calling me to be available to serve His people around the world,” he said. “One thing that I know is that when God calls, it’s not just a one moment call. He continuously calls us every day, every moment, for whatever He wants us to be a part of.
“As I stand here before you today, I stand as a servant of God who has been equipped by the church, transformed by God, willing to continuously surrender his life to be a servant.
“My prayer was if it is of God, it will give me peace,” he continued. “So, I stand before you and say 'yes, I accept to serve you.'”
Chambo completed a diploma in theology at Seminario Nazareno em Mozambique, a Bachelor of Theology at Nazarene Theological College in South Africa, a master's in biblical studies at the University of Johannesburg, and his Ph.D. in biblical studies at the same university. He was ordained in 1999. Chambo speaks several African languages in addition to English and Portuguese. He has served in many leadership roles, including pastor, teacher, and principal.
Filimão and Samantha Chambo have a daughter, Tsakani, and a son, Emanuel.
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Assembly donates more than $100,000 for refugee supportAs a result of global Nazarenes’ generosity at the 2017 General Assembly, more than US$100,000 will be donated to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries for refugee support.Offerings were received during each of the event’s five worship services both online at Nazarene.org/give-ga and in person. Donations and pledges were also accepted during the plenary sessions. The goal for General Assembly was to receive at least $250,000. The Board of General Superintendents stated anything over that goal would be given to NCM.
The total amount raised as of Tuesday evening was $365,172, helped in part by donors who agreed to match $50,000 if the assembly could top the event goal by $50,000. Observers at the Assembly plenaries also offered pledges. The BGS was elated to announce more than $100,000 would be given to refugee support through NCM.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries works through local Nazarene churches in the Middle East and Europe to assist refugees by providing food and household supplies, as well as medical care, help with resettlement, relational support, children’s education, English classes, and additional aid. For more information, visit ncm.org/refugees.
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GS Emeritus Stan Toler passes awayPictured, left to right: Adam, Linda, Stan, and Seth Toler
General Superintendent Emeritus Stan Toler passed away 18 November after battling cancer for the past year. He was 67.
He was reportedly surrounded by his loving family at the time of his passing.
"Dr. Stan Toler was an advocate, encourager, example, & writer/teacher par excellence," said General Superintendent David Busic via Twitter. "His Kingdom impact and ministry legacy for 1000s of pastors is astonishing. Our beloved brother + friend will be greatly missed. 'A great man has fallen in Israel today.' (2 Sam 3:38)"
The Toler family had recently posted the following update on Stan's condition, announcing he had been released to home hospice care:
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 was 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 wrote more than 100 books, which sold more than 3 million copies. He is survived by his wife, Linda, an educator, and two married sons, Seth (Marcy) and Adam (Amanda), as well as five grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 2:00 p.m, Friday, 8 December 8, at Bethany First Church of the Nazarene, 6789 N.W. 39th Expressway Bethany, OK 73008.
Messages to the family can be addressed to Stan’s assistant, Margaret, at Margaret@TolerLeadership.com or mailed to Toler Leadership, P. O. Box 720230, Oklahoma City, OK 73172
Continued prayer is requested for the Toler family. More information will be posted as it is made available.
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Nazarene schools mourn loss of Ed RobinsonEdwin H. “Ed” Robinson, a renowned Nazarene minister, educator, and mentor, passed away Saturday evening. He was 65.
Robinson retired this spring as vice president for Academic Affairs at Northwest Nazarene University, a position he held since 2016. He previously served as president of MidAmerica Nazarene University and held leadership positions at Nazarene Theological Seminary.
“Mentor. Teacher. Theologian. Educator. Churchman. Encourager. Faith-former. Christ follower. My friend. Ed Robinson,” General Superintendent David A. Busic tweeted Sunday upon learning of the news.
Robinson came to NNU in 2011 as the director of the Office of Leadership Studies and Servant Leadership. In 2016, he accepted the position of vice president for Academic Affairs and served in that role until his retirement at the end of the 2016-2017 academic year. Additionally, he served as a professor of practical theology in the School of Theology & Christian Ministries.
During his tenure as MNU president from 2005 to 2011, Robinson led the launch of multiple new programs and the construction and dedication of Spindle Residence Hall and Bell Cultural Events Center. He was an active presence all across campus, enjoying athletic events, choir and band performances, and frequently eating in the Campus Center with students.
"Dr. Robinson faithfully served his Lord and, as president of MidAmerica Nazarene University, led with a passion to serve others, fierce courage, and a deeply committed purpose,” said David Spittal, current MNU president. “I was honored to know him as a colleague and friend and his legacy will continue to be remembered for years to come.”
Robinson previously served as a professor of religious education, minister of the chapel, and director of the Master of Arts in Christian Education program at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. During his nearly two decades at NTS, he was also dean of the faculty and director of the seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program.
Between 1976 and 1984, Robinson served churches in San Diego and Long Beach, California, as a minister of youth and Christian education. Later, he and his wife, Nancy, worked with the college age group at Shawnee Church of the Nazarene in Kansas.
He received his undergraduate degree in religious education from NNU, a Master of Religious Education from NTS, and a Doctor of Philosophy in educational studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
Robinson published numerous articles in church and Christian education journals and authored three books: Not Ashamed, Walking Worthy, and Preteen Ministry: Between a Rock and a Hard Place. He also contributed to chapters of several other books. Robinson taught and lectured at numerous universities and conferences across the U.S. and around the world. He also served as a consultant to Nazarene Youth International Ministries, Nazarene Publishing House, Nazarene Missions International, Youthnet of Greater Kansas City, and the Department of Pastoral Care for the Kansas City Metro Medical Centers of the Hospital Corporation of America.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, 10 June, at 10:30 a.m. at College Church of the Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho. A second memorial will be held at 3 p.m. 9 July at the Olathe, Kansas, College Church of the Nazarene.
Prayer is requested for Ed’s wife, Nancy (Ratzloff), and their two daughters, Kimberly Lovitt and Kelly Robinson.
For his full obituary and university fund donation information, click here.
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John Seaman passes awayJohn Seaman, superintendent of the Michigan District and a former Church of the Nazarene missionary, passed away 19 March. He was 69.
"It is with great sadness I tell you that Sunday night around 6:15, our beloved friend and leader, Dr. John Seaman, transitioned to eternity," wrote Interim Michigan District Superintendent Glen Gardner. "I like to think that Dr. Seaman joined the heavenly choir and is singing and laughing and rejoicing."
Seaman underwent surgery for a malignant brain tumor in August and had been receiving chemotherapy treatment. He was moved to a hospice facility 11 March.
"John was a personal friend, a mentor, and one of the most passionate and committed churchmen that I had the privilege to have known," said Gustavo Crocker, general superintendent in jurisdiction. "There are literally thousands of lives in many countries that have been touched by such a Christlike servant. Mine is one of them. Dr. Seaman will be greatly missed."
Seaman and his wife, Linda, began serving as missionaries in 1976, first in Martinique. In 1987, they were reassigned to Côte d'Ivoire to pioneer the church's work in West Africa. After leaving the mission field in 2003, John was elected superintendent of the Michigan District.
"John and Linda were some of our very best missionary leaders on the continent of Africa and also personal friends," said Richard Zanner, retired Africa regional director. "It was my joy, honor, and privilege to have John on my team of the RAC (regional advisory council) for many years. I have sat at their table, slept in their home, laughed with them over the many funny situations they encountered, suffered with them through dark hours, wept with them at the time of [their daughter] Kendra's accident, and prayed through on challenging situations."
John served as a delegate to the 1989, 1993, 1997, 2005, and 2009 general assemblies. In 2013, he became a member of the Church of the Nazarene's General Board, serving on the Global Mission Committee.
He held a Bachelor of Arts from Olivet Nazarene College (now University) and a Master of Arts and Master of Religious Education from Nazarene Theological Seminary.
In addition to Linda, John is survived by their three children — Kendra, Lauren, and Ketly — and his sister, Connie Cunningham.
A memorial service will be held at 3 PM, 8 April 2017, at Jackson, Michigan, First Church of the Nazarene. The family will greet visitors from 1-3 PM. The memorial service will also be live streamed at jaxnaz.churchonline.org.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Reach77* in its effort to provide transitional housing for survivors of human trafficking. Checks can be made payable to Reach77 and sent to 1229 N. Anvil Ct. Addison, IL 60101. You can also give directly at reach77.net/giving. A special memorial page has been set up in Seaman's honor.
Continued prayer is requested for the Seaman and Michigan District families.
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Texas Nazarenes mobilize in wake of Hurricane HarveyHarvey submerged Interstate highway 45 in Houston with record, widespread flooding on August 27 (Reuters photo).
Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Texas coast last week as a category-4 storm, dumping 20 trillion gallons of water on the city of Houston alone. The storm made landfall three times in Texas and Louisiana, killing at least 39 people and forcing more than 1 million people from their homes.
Church of the Nazarene leaders are on the ground in Texas assessing needs as volunteers from across the state mobilize to assist their neighbors in need. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries via Nazarene Disaster Response has sent hundreds of Crisis Care Kits have been sent to the Houston.
At least eight Nazarene churches were affected, and some of the most-affected areas have yet to be reached.
“We do have several churches with storm or flooding damage,” said Jeffrey Johnson, district superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene in South Texas. “Many of our brothers and sisters have flooded homes."
USA/Canada Regional Director Bob Broadbooks requested prayer for families and individuals in the affected communities.
“We encourage the church to join with others in prayer for those affected and first responders,” he said. “This flood is of historic proportions here.”
More information concerning disaster relief, reports, and the Church of the Nazarene will be updated here as it is made available.
How to help
Please pray for families and individuals affected by the storm and churches responding to the needs around them.
Volunteer
This disaster will require a long-term response. Leaders are currently identifying churches that can host disaster response volunteers. To learn more and fill out an information form, click here.
Give
Churches and individuals around the world can provide support through the Hurricane Harvey Fund.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116
Be sure to put 128206 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 128206 in the Memo area.
For additional countries, please give through your local church or district, designating your gift to Hurricane Harvey. (Nazarene Compassionate Ministries)
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Virginia church opens doors to hurting community, aims to be part of solution after CharlottesvilleLt. H. Jay Cullen
Nazarene Pastor Wynne Lankford believes his Chesterfield County, Virginia, church is not only a place of worship but also a center for the community.
The doors of Southside Church of the Nazarene are open for a variety of community events, often including memorial services for first responders that require a large venue. On Saturday 19 August, Southside Church will again host a memorial service, this time for Virginia State Trooper H. Jay Cullen.
Cullen, 48, and fellow Trooper Berke Bates, 40, were killed 12 August when the helicopter they were piloting crashed in nearby Albermarle County. The two members of the Virginia State Police were assisting with public safety from the air during the highly controversial “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville.
Heather Heyer, 32, was also killed and 19 others injured after an Ohio man drove into a group of protesters with his vehicle during the rally, which took place a little over an hour away from Southside Church.
Cullen, who was the commander of the State Police Aviation Unit, lived in Chesterfield County with his wife, Karen, and two sons. His family attends a local United Methodist church, but a larger facility was needed for his memorial service and Southside Church of the Nazarene is one of the largest facilities in the area.
Pastor Lankford, who serves as one of the chaplains of the Chesterfield County Police Department, offered his church.
The building normally seats about 1,000 in the auditorium, but with overflow seating can accommodate 1,400-1,500 people. Cullen’s friends, family, supporters, state and community leaders, and representatives of police departments around the U.S. are expected to be in attendance. The state police is working with Southside Church on logistics for the service.
“We are opening our doors and our staff is becoming the extended staff of the Virginia State Police,” Lankford said. “Our heart here is to be a community center and open our doors for the community. Any opportunity we have, we will open our doors — wide open. We can allow people to come in and minister to them and care for them. We’re here to serve the local community.”
Southside Nazarenes will help Saturday with overflow seating, extended parking, and parking flow, as well as provide shuttles to and from the church, greet attendees, usher, and more.
Lankford said he told his congregation that if they had a relationship with the Cullen family to come to the service. If they did not know the family, “come and serve.” Others are encouraged to support the family and community by watching the service online(stream opens at 9:45 AM EST, with funeral service starting at 10).
Lankford called Lt. Cullen’s death a “significant loss for the police family and for the county — he’s part of this community.”
As Virginians attempt to recover from the Charlottesville violence, Lankford said the feeling in their part of Virginia is “tense” with a “racial divide.”
In response, the pastor will ask his congregation and community on Sunday to pause and talk about “reconciliation through love and justice.”
“What can we do to be part of the solution?” he asked. “Don’t be part of the line drawing. Slow down and be the Body of Christ, because people around us are looking for someone to provide a loving touch and not an angry tone of rhetoric.
“Stop the drama and be part of the solution.”
It starts with an open door.
Related: The following addition to the Church of the Nazarene’s statement on discrimination in its Manual was adopted at the 2017 General Assembly in June. The statement was sponsored by the Kansas City and Virginia districts of the USA/Canada Region. (Download PDF)
RESOLVED that Manual paragraph 903.2 be amended as follows:
903.2. Discrimination
The Church of the Nazarene reiterates its historic position of Christian compassion for people of all races. We believe that God is the Creator of all people, and that of one blood are all people created.
We believe that each individual, regardless of race, color, gender, or creed, should have equality before law, including the right to vote, equal access to educational opportunities, to all public facilities, and to the equal opportunity, according to one’s ability, to earn a living free from any job or economic discrimination.
We urge our churches everywhere to continue and strengthen programs of education to promote racial understanding and harmony. We also feel that the scriptural admonition of Hebrews 12:14 should guide the actions of our people. We urge that each member of the Church of the Nazarene humbly examine his or her personal attitudes and actions toward others, as a first step in achieving the Christian goal of full participation by all in the life of the church and the entire community.
We reemphasize our belief that holiness of heart and life is the basis for right living. We believe that Christian charity between racial groups or gender will come when the hearts of people have been changed by complete submission to Jesus Christ, and that the essence of true Christianity consists in loving God with one’s heart, soul, mind, and strength, and one’s neighbor as oneself.
Therefore, we renounce any form of racial and ethnic indifference, exclusion, subjugation, or oppression as a grave sin against God and our fellow human beings. We lament the legacy of every form of racism throughout the world, and we seek to confront that legacy through repentance, reconciliation, and biblical justice. We seek to repent of every behavior in which we have been overtly or covertly complicit with the sin of racism, both past and present; and in confession and lament we seek forgiveness and reconciliation.
Further, we acknowledge that there is no reconciliation apart from human struggle to stand against and to overcome all personal, institutional and structural prejudice responsible for racial and ethnic humiliation and oppression. We call upon Nazarenes everywhere to identify and seek to remove acts and structures of prejudice, to facilitate occasions for seeking forgiveness and reconciliation, and to take action toward empowering those who have been marginalized. (2017)
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Alaska Nazarenes rescued after crash landing strands trio in wildernessJosh Smith, his daughter, Danielle, and John White were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard
after being stranded for nearly 24 hours. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
Three members of Soldotna, Alaska, Church of the Nazarene were rescued Monday evening after being stranded in the wilderness for nearly 24 hours following their plane’s crash landing.
Josh Smith and his father-in-law, John White, flew to Anchorage Sunday afternoon in the family’s Cessna 180 to pick up Smith’s daughter, Danielle. The group was traveling home when they went missing about 25 miles northwest of their destination, according to Alaska Dispatch Publishing.
Family members became concerned when the plane didn’t arrive at its destination, and the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center and Civil Air Patrol enlisted volunteers in small planes and on snow machines to search for the trio. Volunteers focused on the northern Kenai Peninsula, located between the departure location and the plane’s destination.
The family’s pastor, Bruce Hardesty, contacted Church of the Nazarene Alaska District Superintendent Paul Hartley to ask for prayer as the search began Sunday night, so Hartley posted a message on the district Facebook page.
Initially the volunteers were hopeful as several planes picked up an emergency signal, but they would later learn that signal needed to be triangulated in order to be accurate.
“As you can imagine the family — the Smiths and the Whites, as well as our Soldotna Nazarene and Alaska District family — was very upset over this entire time,” Hartley said. “As the time grew longer, we all grew more and more concerned.”
Meanwhile, as the urgency to find the missing group increased, so did the number of people praying for their safe return.
“Throughout this crisis, something amazing happened within the body of Christ — Nazarenes and many others,” Hartley said. “We had Facebook message after Facebook message from people telling us they were praying.
“At first it was hundreds and then a few thousand viewing and sharing the request and then it began to go viral that night and into the early hours of Monday morning. By mid-day Monday, we had over 100,000 views of our Facebook prayer request. People were commenting that they were praying from all over North America and around the world!”
On Monday morning, the search was turned over to the U.S. Coast Guard, who asked the volunteers to return home. Around 1 p.m., the search moved west across the Cook Inlet, which separates Anchorage and Soldotna.
Nearly 24 hours after the crash, a Coast Guard helicopter located the downed plane thanks to a flare the missing group sent up.
“The Smiths and Whites are longtime Alaskan Nazarenes who were prepared for any possible difficulties with survival equipment and winter clothing, which aided in this rescue,” Hartley said. “Around 6 p.m., I received a phone call from Pastor Hardesty letting me know that the plane and all three passengers had been found by the Coast Guard alive.”
They were flown to Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, where they were evaluated by medical personnel before being reunited with their family.
Noreen Price, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, explained why Smith changed course.
"He chose that route because he thought weather would be better on the west side," Price told Alaska Dispatch Publishing. "He was attempting to do a full-stop landing on an unprepared snow-covered airstrip, and in that process he nosed over the aircraft."
Hartley is grateful for the prayers sent from around the world.
“I would just like to say thank you on behalf of the families and the Alaska District for all your prayers,” Hartley said. “Our God miraculously intervened in this crisis and for that we are very grateful!”
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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:
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Lenexa, Kansas 66220, United States
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