Jeren L. Rowell was inaugurated as the 11th president of Nazarene Theological Seminary 3 April in an evening service held in the seminary's J. B. Chapman Memorial Chapel. A host of guests, including three former NTS presidents, ecclesial officers from the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center, and academic representatives from nine other colleges, universities, and theological schools, attended the inauguration.
In his inaugural address, Rowell spoke of his intention to nurture the relationship between the church and the academy."I can promise the Church of the Nazarene that under my leadership, Nazarene Theological Seminary will always have the local church clearly in view," he said. "My vision for NTS is that what happens here every week will have a positive impact on what happens in the local church every week."
Rowell has long been an advocate for students and young clergy, mentoring and investing in them throughout his ministry.
"Jeren is a champion for developing ministers," said David Goodwin, NTS Student Leadership Team president. "Through his pastoral compassion, wisdom, and humility, countless clergy-disciples have been and will be shaped by his life."
Rowell previously served 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 served on the NTS board since 2005 and as chair from 2009 until shortly before his election as president in October 2017.
He is an alumnus of NTS and Trinity Evangelical Seminary. 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.
NTS Alumni Association President Steve Estep testified to the theological leadership and pastoral wisdom Rowell's ministry has exhibited.
"Jeren Rowell brings an uncompromising commitment to strong pastoral theology and a deeply ingrained passion to equip next generation leaders in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition," Estep said. "His theological, pastoral, and practical leadership will be of great value to NTS."
General Superintendent and former NTS President Carla Sunberg expressed her confidence in Rowell's leadership moving into the future.
"It has been my pleasure to work with Jeren Rowell for a number of years," Sunberg said. "His relationship to NTS as board chair has equipped him well for this new task. Jeren’s love for the Lord and passion for pastoral ministry are reflected in all that he does and will bode well for NTS in the days ahead."
In his charge to the president, David Busic, general superintendent and former NTS president, said, "The Global Church of the Nazarene celebrates the leadership of the Holy Spirit in the election of Jeren Rowell as president. Together with the seminary community, we have sought God's guidance and our prayers have been graciously answered."
David Downs, chair of the Board of Trustees at NTS, shared his appreciation for Rowell and his ministry.
"On behalf of the NTS Board of Trustees, I want to congratulate Dr. Rowell and thank him for his service to the church as a pastor, district superintendent, and now as seminary president," Downs said. "He is a man of great integrity." (Nazarene Theological Seminary)
Bangladesh
Bangladesh Church of the Nazarene celebrates 25 yearsMore than 500 Nazarenes celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Church of the Nazarene in Bangladesh this February.
Prodeep Roy, a 65-year-old Nazarene in Bangladesh, had a personal reason to join the Silver Jubilee.
“Today I thank God because many years ago I received Jesus Christ through the Nazarenes," Roy said. "Today is a day to thank God for his blessings to us.”
Roy is one of the thousands whose life was changed forever thanks to the global Church of the Nazarene bringing the gospel to Bangladesh.
In 1993, the church began in this South Asian nation with just a handful of members. Today, members meet in thousands of churches across the country.
At the Hope Center in Bangladesh, Roy and hundreds of Nazarenes of all ages representing these churches crowded into an open-air tent for the Silver Jubilee in the country’s capital of Dhaka. They sang, prayed, celebrated the past faithfulness of God, and looked to His promises for the future.
Praise and gratitude
The gathering acknowledged that all the credit for the church’s existence and growth is to “the movement of the Holy Spirit,” said Milon P*., JESUS Film and child development coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene in Bangladesh.
It was also a time to express gratitude to the “passionate people from the USA and Europe and other parts of the world who invested their time, resources, and talents to make this happen,” Milon added. “It’s a clear movement of church planting and church growth, and it happened because of the partnership of many passionate people from the nation and internationally.”
General Superintendent Eugénio R. Duarte shared words of encouragement for the Bangladeshi people.
“In 25 years of mission, so much has happened under the transforming power of God’s presence in us," Duarte said. "Many things have changed in and around us. Changes and adjustments continue to be a significant part of our daily life experience; they also [provide evidence of our] mission. Bangladeshi Nazarenes, with their hard, devoted, and tireless work, are very well represented in this celebration by their local and district leaders.”
Repentance and forgiveness
During the celebration, there was also a moment of repentance and reconciliation. Led by Eurasia Regional Director Arthur Snijders and joined by Bangladeshi district superintendents and international denomination leaders, the church prayed for the need to correct a conflict that happened two years prior.
National, regional, and international Nazarene leaders gathered on the platform to symbolically break the bottom stems from long stalks of budding flowers. In this way, they expressed that the sins of the past called for repentance and forgiveness, while also acknowledging the many blessings that God had given in years past. The stems were brought to the wooden cross on the platform, like the sins and blessings being placed under the Lordship of Christ again.
“It portrayed a truthful and honorable picture of the work in Bangladesh," Snijders said. "True repentance and a new turning to the Lord of the church always holds the promise of new growth and life now and in the future.”
The message of healing reconciliation was intended to bring the church back together in forgiveness and unity.
“That sent a very important message to Bangladeshi Nazarenes,” said Trino Jara, field strategy coordinator for the church in South Asia. “What happened in Bangladesh two years ago was our corporate fault and not just the people in Bangladesh. We repented and asked for forgiveness to our God together. We walk hand in hand in this mission called the Church of the Nazarene in Bangladesh. The presence of the international church leaders during the celebration was seen as the needed reassurance that we are a body and the Bangladeshi Church of the Nazarene is part of the global family.”
Mr. Snigdhozzwal K.*, a longtime local Nazarene leader, recalled the Church of the Nazarene's history in Bangladesh.
“We faced many setbacks, but we overcame all of these with the grace of Almighty God," said Snigdhozzwai. "By the church, thousands of people recognized Jesus Christ and received Him as their Savior. We are taking care of them faithfully by our leadership. We are working for God and God is seeing us from heaven. We need your prayer and support to continue our ministry.”
Snijders shared about the responsibilities the church in Bangladesh must take on and the vision it should embrace in order to continue developing its national faith.
“Incredible growth still requires the development of depth and maturity; these do not come without trials and testing,” Snijders said. “Paul emphasizes that ‘suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope’ (Romans 5:3-4, ESV). Our Nazarenes in Bangladesh show that revival and heart holiness belong together.”
Among the guests were representatives from other denominations and Christian organizations, rejoicing together with the Church of the Nazarene. During the celebration, a 25th anniversary yearbook was distributed — including the history of Nazarenes in Bangladesh — and a Bengali version of Nazarene Essentials and Invitation to a Journey.
*Full names withheld for security reasons. (Church of the Nazarene Eurasia)
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Leesburg, Florida
Church of the Nazarene hosts 4th Global Theology Conference
More than 300 pastors, leaders, and scholars gathered from all six Nazarene world regions for the fourth Global Theology Conference from 18 to 21 March in Leesburg, Florida, USA. Philippians 3:10 set the theme for the conference: “Christology — To Know Christ.”
The event included three plenary sessions framed by two papers and four responses. Each session explored one of the various facets of Christology:
General Superintendents Filimão M. Chambo, Carla D. Sunberg, and David A. Busic brought relevant messages, informing the conference themes and challenging the group. All participants joined together in small group discussions aimed at extending the exploration and application of insights that surfaced during the plenary sessions.
The small groups were composed of representatives from the various regions and ministry disciplines of the church. Note takers in each group synthesized participant responses to discussion questions and reported them back to conference organizers. This process insured that everyone who participated in the theological discussion contributed a voice in the recorded proceedings of the event. Language specialists interpreted both the plenary and small group sessions in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese for conference participants.
“I was fortunate to be invited to participate in this global event,” said Frank Moore, general editor for the Church of the Nazarene. "The conference had a truly international presence as conference papers, conversations, and prayers originated in the variety of event languages."
The conference was sponsored by the Board of General Superintendents, hosted by the church's International Board of Education, and co-convened by Education Commissioner Dan Copp and Nazarene Theological Seminary President Jeren Rowell. The event highlighted the global connectedness of the Church of the Nazarene, the international diversity of denominational leaders and scholars, as well as the depth of theological insight that this group represented from the 52 institutions of higher education and 30,000 churches around the world.
Previous global conferences were held in South Africa (2014), the Netherlands (2007), and Guatemala (2002).
“It felt like a General Assembly for Nazarene scholars and leaders," Moore said. "I especially cherished our time together in small groups. We brainstormed the most effective ways we could share Jesus as Lord in our varied cultural contexts.”
The Board of General Superintendents and education commissioner are making plans for the next Global Theology Conference in 2022.
Leesburg, Florida
More than 300 pastors, leaders, and scholars gathered from all six Nazarene world regions for the fourth Global Theology Conference from 18 to 21 March in Leesburg, Florida, USA. Philippians 3:10 set the theme for the conference: “Christology — To Know Christ.”
The event included three plenary sessions framed by two papers and four responses. Each session explored one of the various facets of Christology:
- “Who do you say I am?” – Knowing and becoming more like Jesus Christ
- “Take up your cross and follow me” – Becoming more faithful to Jesus Christ
- “As the Father sent me so I send you” – Joining the mission of Jesus Christ
General Superintendents Filimão M. Chambo, Carla D. Sunberg, and David A. Busic brought relevant messages, informing the conference themes and challenging the group. All participants joined together in small group discussions aimed at extending the exploration and application of insights that surfaced during the plenary sessions.
The small groups were composed of representatives from the various regions and ministry disciplines of the church. Note takers in each group synthesized participant responses to discussion questions and reported them back to conference organizers. This process insured that everyone who participated in the theological discussion contributed a voice in the recorded proceedings of the event. Language specialists interpreted both the plenary and small group sessions in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese for conference participants.
“I was fortunate to be invited to participate in this global event,” said Frank Moore, general editor for the Church of the Nazarene. "The conference had a truly international presence as conference papers, conversations, and prayers originated in the variety of event languages."
The conference was sponsored by the Board of General Superintendents, hosted by the church's International Board of Education, and co-convened by Education Commissioner Dan Copp and Nazarene Theological Seminary President Jeren Rowell. The event highlighted the global connectedness of the Church of the Nazarene, the international diversity of denominational leaders and scholars, as well as the depth of theological insight that this group represented from the 52 institutions of higher education and 30,000 churches around the world.
Previous global conferences were held in South Africa (2014), the Netherlands (2007), and Guatemala (2002).
“It felt like a General Assembly for Nazarene scholars and leaders," Moore said. "I especially cherished our time together in small groups. We brainstormed the most effective ways we could share Jesus as Lord in our varied cultural contexts.”
The Board of General Superintendents and education commissioner are making plans for the next Global Theology Conference in 2022.
Ecuador
Ecuador church combats addiction in Air Force
A Nazarene church plant in Latacunga, Ecuador, led a seminar on addiction for a group of more than 200 Ecuadorian Air Force students 16 March.
Led by Marcelo and Viviana Fretes, the session included a testimony from Christian Diaz, a member of the church, who shared how God rescued him from alcoholism and drug abuse. The church members also performed a theatrical piece for the students. To conclude the event, the church members talked with students who desired counseling.
"It is a blessing to see how God is opening doors for the church, making it possible for different sectors of society to be impacted and transformed by the message of Christ," Marcelo said. "We pray that the fruit we see here continues and that others are able to hear the testimonies of the amazing work the Lord has done in their lives." (Church of the Nazarene South America)
A Nazarene church plant in Latacunga, Ecuador, led a seminar on addiction for a group of more than 200 Ecuadorian Air Force students 16 March.
Led by Marcelo and Viviana Fretes, the session included a testimony from Christian Diaz, a member of the church, who shared how God rescued him from alcoholism and drug abuse. The church members also performed a theatrical piece for the students. To conclude the event, the church members talked with students who desired counseling.
"It is a blessing to see how God is opening doors for the church, making it possible for different sectors of society to be impacted and transformed by the message of Christ," Marcelo said. "We pray that the fruit we see here continues and that others are able to hear the testimonies of the amazing work the Lord has done in their lives." (Church of the Nazarene South America)
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ndianapolis, Indiana
Southeast Asia Nazarene Bible College opens Indianapolis extension center
Although they are a small ethnic group in Myanmar (formerly called Burma), a diaspora of hundreds of thousands of Chin people are spreading across Asia and now the West. Those among them who are Christians are planting churches wherever they go.https://weedinfocus.com
Although they are separate congregations within one building, the two groups are gradually partnering in different ways. The children from both churches meet together for Sunday school, and recently the two youth groups merged, as well. The congregations occasionally join for baptisms, potlucks and other social activities.
A neighboring pastor, Steve Rhoades of The Point Church of the Nazarene in Greenwood outside of Indianapolis, had begun an outreach to refugees who fled the ethnic and religious persecution in Chin State in Myanmar (Burma). Since the early 1990s, nearly 20,000 Chin have settled in the south part of Indianapolis. Steve introduced Ray to Pastor Kuihon Zozum of Bethlehem Matu Church, one of the many churches established by the Chin.
The Christian gospel came to Chin State in March 1899, nearly a century after Adoniram Judson, the U.S.'s first foreign missionary, arrived in Myanmar in 1813. The first Chin conversion occurred in 1905, and the gospel spread rapidly through the community. Today, more than 90 percent of the Chin identify as Christian.
After meeting Zozum, McCrary spent several weeks introducing the Chin pastor to the Church of the Nazarene, explaining its doctrines and holiness message. In March 2014, Southside invited Bethlehem Matu Church to begin meeting in the Nazarene facility. The two congregations have drawn close to each other through personal fellowship and a monthly Sunday evening worship time. The two pastors take turns preaching in English while someone else interprets the message in Burmese. After a year, Southside began hosting ESL classes as well as other outreach classes for the Chin community.
Zozum, along with his congregational leaders, prospective pastors, and other church leaders in the Chin community expressed a need for formal biblical and pastoral training.
Bill Kwon, chancellor of Southeast Asia Nazarene Bible College in Bangkok, Thailand, came to Indianapolis for the 2017 General Assembly and met with McCrary and Zozum. Kwon is also the Myanmar country coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene and has established contacts with Chin communities across southeast Asia. He helped draw up plans for an extension center in Indianapolis that will provide the ministerial courses needed to prepare pastors for new church plants among the Hoosier Chin community.
Convocation singing group
On 29 October 2017, Southside Church hosted a convocation led by Indianapolis District Superintendent Ron Blake and attended by two Southeast Asia Nazarene Bible College (SEANBC) visiting professors, Gerald Duff and Carlton Harvey. Both congregations participated in the occasion, with Harvey preaching the message.
The first course, “Survey of the Bible,” began 15 January. Amos Enkawl, SEANBC faculty member in Bangkok, teaches the weekly lectures online in Burmese. Chin student classes in Singapore and South Korea join the pioneer class of six Indiana students (including Pastor Zozum). The Bible school offers 24 courses, meeting the academic requirements for ordination in the Church of the Nazarene.
The students view the lectures individually, and each Friday morning the class meets with McCrary. With Zozum serving as interpreter, McCrary reviews each lesson and leads a discussion related to the call to pastoral ministry. The Bible school is open to all Chin church leaders, whether they are within the Nazarene denomination or not.
“This gives us a wonderful opportunity to spread the Wesleyan message beyond our own ranks,” Blake said.
The new ministry is also changing the lives of those leading the ministry.
“This has transformed my life and my ministry,” McCrary said. “Our congregation has gained an outward focus we did not have before. This has influenced the way we think about immigrants and their needs. We paid a price for these new opportunities and priorities, but it has made us healthier and stronger. I praise God for giving us this privilege of getting to know our neighbors and serving our changing community.”
Within the past four years, SEANBC has grown greatly. In the 2014-2015 school year, SEANBC had 189 students in their Course of Study program. By 2016 they were up to 200 students. In 2017, SEANBC had 600 students enrolled and increased the number of learning centers from five to 20. This number continues to grow as local churches are empowered to host students at the certificate level or higher, and students are provided financial support through endowments and scholarships.
Click to learn more about the SEANBC endowment and student scholarships. (Engage Magazine)
ndianapolis, Indiana
When Ray McCrary came to Indianapolis, Indiana, Southside Church of the Nazarene in 2012, he quickly realized the challenges of pastoring an aging white congregation in a community undergoing rapid social change [click here to read more].
Diaspora of believers from Myanmar leads to cross-cultural church partnerships
Michelle McLane and Gina Pottenger
Seeds of the gospel were planted by the first American Christian missionary to Myanmar’s ethnic minority Chin people in the 1800s. Those seeds are bearing fruit in major U.S. cities, Thailand and around the world.
Although they are a small ethnic group in Myanmar (formerly called Burma), a diaspora of hundreds of thousands of Chin people are spreading across Asia and now the West. Those among them who are Christians are planting churches wherever they go.https://weedinfocus.com
Up to 170,000 Chin people have immigrated to the United States. One of those people, Zozum, pastor of a Chin church in Indianapolis, started his journey like many do: as a refugee.
In 1994, Zozum went to New Delhi to study the Bible. Delhi was a center of political activism. By going there Zozum was at risk of being perceived as connected with a rebel movement. But his sense of ministry calling was strong.
Since 1989 when Zozum had become a Christian on what he thought would be his deathbed, he wrestled with God about his calling to become a pastor. Although he grew up in a Christian home, Zozum had frequently been in poor health. Thus, his path to education as a pastor was difficult. It was made more so when, still in Delhi, he received a phone call from his brother warning him that he could not come back to Myanmar. Zozum was suspected by the Myanmar government of being a dangerous rebel.
He applied as a refugee under UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and after 15 years was granted entry to the United States.
Zozum resettled in Indianapolis, where as many as 15,000 people from Myanmar now live. There, he became leader of a Chin congregation, the Matu Bethlehem Christian Fellowship. While the people were dedicated to meeting, it was difficult to find an appropriate space for worship. Zozum heard about The Point Church of the Nazarene in Greenwood, and went to meet with its pastor, Steve Rhoades.
Zozum and Rhoades spoke for several hours. Rhoades was happy to offer his building, but Zozum felt it would be difficult for his congregation to find transportation the 25 minutes’ distance from where most of his church members lived. The next day, Rhoades took him to meet with Ray McCrary, pastor of Indianapolis Southside Church of the Nazarene, and Ron Blake, the Indianapolis district superintendent. They discussed whether his congregation could worship at Indianapolis Southside Church of the Nazarene, which is located right in the midst of the Chin immigrant population in Indianapolis.
McCrary wanted to make sure the congregations shared similar doctrines.
“[Zozum] said, ‘I’m sitting here today because the Church of the Nazarene really intrigues me. I’ve been studying about the doctrine and it attracts me, and I would like to know more about the church.”
The two pastors entered into a mentoring relationship. They read several books together about holiness, a signature emphasis of the Nazarene denomination, and have continued to meet each week for discipleship and encouraging one another.
The Matu Bethlehem church and the Southside Nazarene church now share one building. By having a place that does not limit their numbers, the Matu Bethlehem congregation has grown to 125 in average attendance for its Sunday afternoon services.
Although they are separate congregations within one building, the two groups are gradually partnering in different ways. The children from both churches meet together for Sunday school, and recently the two youth groups merged, as well. The congregations occasionally join for baptisms, potlucks and other social activities.
“God is bringing the mission field to us,” McCrary said. “It has been a journey (for the Southside congregation). In years past, this area has been a very white, English-speaking population. It’s no longer that. We have the choice of just shriveling up and dying, or ministering to the people who are here.”
Right now the two congregations continue to worship separately due to language and worship-style differences. But pastors Zozum and McCrary dream of eventually merging the congregations for morning worship. They continue gently working to help them all catch the same vision.
McCrary said of Zozum’s flock, “They’ve been very slow in integrating because they feel their lack of understanding of the culture, so they stay within their group. Because of their oppression, they are maybe a little suspicious of other people. It’s a process.”
To minister to the needs of recent Chin immigrants, Southside has opened its space during the week for English language, life skills and cultural adaptation classes provided by the Warren Township School System. The idea was suggested by one of the Chin people.
“My people need training in basic life skills,” the man had told McCrary. “These people will not be going back to Myanmar except to visit their family. They are going to have to integrate into the American culture.”
McCrary also began a discipleship class together with Zozum to provide spiritual training for some from Matu Bethlehem.
The churches’ relationship is not just practical, but has been an expression of love for both congregations.
“Once in a month we have a fellowship with the American church members and Matu church together,” said Nissa, a member of the Matu congregation. “They bring food and we also bring food, and we have some meeting and fellowship. We sing songs and pray and preach, and then after that we are eating together. We all enjoy it.
“These English-speaking people are very friendly,” she added. “Really they love us and show their love [by sharing] whatever we need.”“If we were to continue ministering to the south side of Indianapolis, we had to become multicultural,” McCary said.
Nothing in his previous ministry experience prepared him for this.A neighboring pastor, Steve Rhoades of The Point Church of the Nazarene in Greenwood outside of Indianapolis, had begun an outreach to refugees who fled the ethnic and religious persecution in Chin State in Myanmar (Burma). Since the early 1990s, nearly 20,000 Chin have settled in the south part of Indianapolis. Steve introduced Ray to Pastor Kuihon Zozum of Bethlehem Matu Church, one of the many churches established by the Chin.
The Christian gospel came to Chin State in March 1899, nearly a century after Adoniram Judson, the U.S.'s first foreign missionary, arrived in Myanmar in 1813. The first Chin conversion occurred in 1905, and the gospel spread rapidly through the community. Today, more than 90 percent of the Chin identify as Christian.
After meeting Zozum, McCrary spent several weeks introducing the Chin pastor to the Church of the Nazarene, explaining its doctrines and holiness message. In March 2014, Southside invited Bethlehem Matu Church to begin meeting in the Nazarene facility. The two congregations have drawn close to each other through personal fellowship and a monthly Sunday evening worship time. The two pastors take turns preaching in English while someone else interprets the message in Burmese. After a year, Southside began hosting ESL classes as well as other outreach classes for the Chin community.
Zozum, along with his congregational leaders, prospective pastors, and other church leaders in the Chin community expressed a need for formal biblical and pastoral training.
Bill Kwon, chancellor of Southeast Asia Nazarene Bible College in Bangkok, Thailand, came to Indianapolis for the 2017 General Assembly and met with McCrary and Zozum. Kwon is also the Myanmar country coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene and has established contacts with Chin communities across southeast Asia. He helped draw up plans for an extension center in Indianapolis that will provide the ministerial courses needed to prepare pastors for new church plants among the Hoosier Chin community.
Convocation singing group
On 29 October 2017, Southside Church hosted a convocation led by Indianapolis District Superintendent Ron Blake and attended by two Southeast Asia Nazarene Bible College (SEANBC) visiting professors, Gerald Duff and Carlton Harvey. Both congregations participated in the occasion, with Harvey preaching the message.
The first course, “Survey of the Bible,” began 15 January. Amos Enkawl, SEANBC faculty member in Bangkok, teaches the weekly lectures online in Burmese. Chin student classes in Singapore and South Korea join the pioneer class of six Indiana students (including Pastor Zozum). The Bible school offers 24 courses, meeting the academic requirements for ordination in the Church of the Nazarene.
The students view the lectures individually, and each Friday morning the class meets with McCrary. With Zozum serving as interpreter, McCrary reviews each lesson and leads a discussion related to the call to pastoral ministry. The Bible school is open to all Chin church leaders, whether they are within the Nazarene denomination or not.
“This gives us a wonderful opportunity to spread the Wesleyan message beyond our own ranks,” Blake said.
The new ministry is also changing the lives of those leading the ministry.
“This has transformed my life and my ministry,” McCrary said. “Our congregation has gained an outward focus we did not have before. This has influenced the way we think about immigrants and their needs. We paid a price for these new opportunities and priorities, but it has made us healthier and stronger. I praise God for giving us this privilege of getting to know our neighbors and serving our changing community.”
Within the past four years, SEANBC has grown greatly. In the 2014-2015 school year, SEANBC had 189 students in their Course of Study program. By 2016 they were up to 200 students. In 2017, SEANBC had 600 students enrolled and increased the number of learning centers from five to 20. This number continues to grow as local churches are empowered to host students at the certificate level or higher, and students are provided financial support through endowments and scholarships.
Click to learn more about the SEANBC endowment and student scholarships. (Engage Magazine)
Southeast Asia Nazarene Bible College Opens Indianapolis Extension Center
Richard Gammill
When Ray McCrary came to Indianapolis, Indiana, Southside Church of the Nazarene in 2012, he quickly realized the challenges of pastoring an aging white congregation in a community undergoing rapid social change [click here to read more].“If we were to continue ministering to the south side of Indianapolis, we had to become multicultural,” McCary said.
Nothing in his previous ministry experience prepared him for this.
A neighboring pastor, Steve Rhoades of The Point Church of the Nazarene in Greenwood outside of Indianapolis, had begun an outreach to refugees who fled the ethnic and religious persecution in Chin State in Myanmar (Burma). Since the early 1990s, nearly 20,000 Chin have settled in the south part of Indianapolis. Steve introduced Ray to Pastor Kuihon Zozum of Bethlehem Matu Church, one of the many churches established by the Chin.
The Christian gospel came to Chin State in March 1899, nearly a century after Adoniram Judson, America’s first foreign missionary, arrived in Myanmar in 1813. The first Chin conversion occurred in 1905, and the gospel spread rapidly through the community. Today more than 90 percent of the Chin self-identify
as Christian.After meeting Zozum, McCrary spent several weeks introducing the Chin pastor to the Church of the Nazarene, explaining its doctrines and holiness message. In March 2014, Southside invited Bethlehem Matu Church to begin meeting in the Nazarene facility. The two congregations have drawn close to each other through personal fellowship and a monthly Sunday evening worship time. The two pastors take turns preaching in English while someone else interprets the message in Burmese. After a year, Southside began hosting ESL classes as well as other outreach classes for the Chin community.
Zozum, along with his congregational leaders, prospective pastors, and other church leaders in the Chin community expressed a need for formal biblical and pastoral training.
Bill Kwon, chancellor of Southeast Asia Nazarene Bible College in Bangkok, Thailand, came to Indianapolis for the 2017 General Assembly and met with McCrary and Zozum. Kwon is also the Myanmar country coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene and has established contacts with Chin communities across southeast Asia. He helped draw up plans for an extension center in Indianapolis that will provide the ministerial courses needed to prepare pastors for new church plants among the Hoosier Chin community.
On 29 October 2017, Southside Church hosted a convocation led by Indianapolis District Superintendent Ron Blake and attended by two SEANBC visiting professors Gerald Duff and Carlton Harvey. Both congregations participated in the joyous occasion, with Harvey preaching the message.
The first course, “Survey of the Bible,” began on 15 January. Amos Enkawl, SEANBC faculty member in Bangkok, teaches the weekly lectures online in Burmese. Chin student classes in Singapore and South Korea join the pioneer class of six Indiana students (including Pastor Zozum). The Bible school offers 24 courses, meeting the academic requirements for ordination in the Church of the Nazarene.
The students view the lectures individually, and each Friday morning the class meets with McCrary. With Zozum serving as interpreter, McCrary reviews each lesson and leads a discussion related to the call to pastoral ministry. The Bible school is open to all Chin church leaders, whether they are within the Nazarene denomination or not.
“This gives us a wonderful opportunity to spread the Wesleyan message beyond our own ranks,” Blake said.
The new ministry is also changing the lives those leading the ministry.
“This has transformed my life and my ministry,” McCrary said. “Our congregation has gained an outward focus we did not have before. This has influenced the way we think about immigrants and their needs. We paid a price in these new opportunities and priorities, but it has made us healthier and stronger. I praise God for giving us this privilege of getting to know our neighbors and serving our changing community.”
“This gives us a wonderful opportunity to spread the Wesleyan message beyond our own ranks,” Blake said.
The new ministry is also changing the lives those leading the ministry.
“This has transformed my life and my ministry,” McCrary said. “Our congregation has gained an outward focus we did not have before. This has influenced the way we think about immigrants and their needs. We paid a price in these new opportunities and priorities, but it has made us healthier and stronger. I praise God for giving us this privilege of getting to know our neighbors and serving our changing community.”
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Within the past four years, SEANBC has grown greatly. In the 2014-2015 school year, SEANBC had 189 students in their Course of Study program. By 2016 they were up to 200 students. In 2017, SEANBC had 600 students enrolled and increased the number of learning centers from 5 to 20. This number continues to grow as local churches are empowered to host students at the certificate level or higher and students are provided financial support through endowments and scholarships.Click here to learn more about SEANBC endowment and student scholarships.
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Africa
Flags of the Nations: Mali
This week: Mali
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Mali in 2010.
Mali had a population of 17,885,245 in 2017. Mali has not yet reported any Churches of the Nazarene.
Mali is on the Africa Region. For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene.
The flag of Mali is a tricolor made up of green, gold, and red. The green stands for fertility of the land, gold means purity and mineral wealth, and red symbolizes the blood shed for independence from the French.
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: Mali
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Mali in 2010.
Mali had a population of 17,885,245 in 2017. Mali has not yet reported any Churches of the Nazarene.
Mali is on the Africa Region. For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene.
Mesoamerica
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic, Haiti youth collaborate on missions event
More than 50 youth from the Dominican Republic and Haiti joined to serve in the first Maximum Mission event on the Church of the Nazarene's Dominican Republic East District from 9 to 11 March. During the weekend, the visiting participants partnered with two Nazarene churches in the city of Higuey, serving the Juan Pablo Duarte community through fellowship, service, evangelism, discipleship, and compassion.
Participants shared devotions together, cleaned the city’s streets, and engaged in both door-to-door and street evangelism. They also held a Vacation Bible School for children, a conference for teenagers, and a workshop for parents. Participants even donated toys, clothes, and shoes to the children and families in the community.
"My life was changed during this Maximum Mission," said participant Lioni Taveras. “I was able to share with different people who left an impact on my heart. We went out to preach, serve the community, and even cleaned houses ... I realized that it’s not only about preaching God’s Word verbally; it’s also about showing compassion. So I have a challenge ahead: listening to God’s voice and being obedient to Him.”
East District leaders, including Global Missions Coordinator Elba Duson and Nazarene Youth International President Ramon Joseph, worked together to organize the event. The event theme was “Transform: Change, Evolve,” which arose from Acts 17:6 and the desire to see the Dominican Republic transformed by the message of salvation.
"By the end of the weekend, I realized that transformation doesn’t happen spontaneously," Duson said. “It’s a process that starts in our own lives until it gets to the lives of others. I saw God working in each participant, how they confessed their own sin and need for God in the midst of this experience. Not only the community received the call to transformation, but this had already begun in our own lives.” (Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica)
Dominican Republic
More than 50 youth from the Dominican Republic and Haiti joined to serve in the first Maximum Mission event on the Church of the Nazarene's Dominican Republic East District from 9 to 11 March. During the weekend, the visiting participants partnered with two Nazarene churches in the city of Higuey, serving the Juan Pablo Duarte community through fellowship, service, evangelism, discipleship, and compassion.
Participants shared devotions together, cleaned the city’s streets, and engaged in both door-to-door and street evangelism. They also held a Vacation Bible School for children, a conference for teenagers, and a workshop for parents. Participants even donated toys, clothes, and shoes to the children and families in the community.
"My life was changed during this Maximum Mission," said participant Lioni Taveras. “I was able to share with different people who left an impact on my heart. We went out to preach, serve the community, and even cleaned houses ... I realized that it’s not only about preaching God’s Word verbally; it’s also about showing compassion. So I have a challenge ahead: listening to God’s voice and being obedient to Him.”
East District leaders, including Global Missions Coordinator Elba Duson and Nazarene Youth International President Ramon Joseph, worked together to organize the event. The event theme was “Transform: Change, Evolve,” which arose from Acts 17:6 and the desire to see the Dominican Republic transformed by the message of salvation.
"By the end of the weekend, I realized that transformation doesn’t happen spontaneously," Duson said. “It’s a process that starts in our own lives until it gets to the lives of others. I saw God working in each participant, how they confessed their own sin and need for God in the midst of this experience. Not only the community received the call to transformation, but this had already begun in our own lives.” (Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica)
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USA/Canada
Grove City, Ohio
Ohio church helps with recovery efforts after tornado
Grove City church members help clean up the community following the 3 April tornado. (The Naz Facebook photo)
An EF1 tornado touched down in Grove City, Ohio, this week, damaging about 450 homes and leaving hundreds without power. Grove City Church of the Nazarene was directly in the path of the tornado and received damage from flying debris.
About 100 people were inside the church at the time, including students who attend Grove City Christian School. No one was injured.
Homer McKnight, a church member and the building's architect, described the damage to WCMH-TV.
“It wasn’t destroyed,” he said. “It wasn’t structurally damaged. Everybody was safe. Nobody was hurt. I thought 'Wow! This building took a direct hit.' It was directly in the line of the tornado, 105 mph winds, and we got superficial damage and a little bit of roof damage and I thought 'I’m really proud of this building.'”
On Wednesday and Thursday, church members gathered to help clean up the community and deliver food to police and fire stations, city and power company employees, and local residents who were unable to leave their homes.
The church plans to bring in generators if necessary to hold services Saturday night and Sunday morning. The school will remain closed as the building is evaluated.
USA/Canada
Grove City, Ohio
Grove City church members help clean up the community following the 3 April tornado. (The Naz Facebook photo)
An EF1 tornado touched down in Grove City, Ohio, this week, damaging about 450 homes and leaving hundreds without power. Grove City Church of the Nazarene was directly in the path of the tornado and received damage from flying debris.
About 100 people were inside the church at the time, including students who attend Grove City Christian School. No one was injured.
Homer McKnight, a church member and the building's architect, described the damage to WCMH-TV.
“It wasn’t destroyed,” he said. “It wasn’t structurally damaged. Everybody was safe. Nobody was hurt. I thought 'Wow! This building took a direct hit.' It was directly in the line of the tornado, 105 mph winds, and we got superficial damage and a little bit of roof damage and I thought 'I’m really proud of this building.'”
On Wednesday and Thursday, church members gathered to help clean up the community and deliver food to police and fire stations, city and power company employees, and local residents who were unable to leave their homes.
The church plans to bring in generators if necessary to hold services Saturday night and Sunday morning. The school will remain closed as the building is evaluated.
Bethany, Oklahoma
Retired missionary Nancy Miller passes away
Nancy Miller receives the award at the 94th General Board for her more than 25 years of missionary service.
Retired missionary Nancy Jane (Sides) Miller passed away 30 March at the age of 66.
Miller was born 15 November 1951 in Kansas City, Missouri. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age and she felt a call to missions shortly after. This led her to attend Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) where she met her husband, George.
In 1987, Nancy and George finally had the opportunity to serve in missions, going on a two-month assignment at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Manzini, Swaziland. This trip affirmed their call to enter missions full-time, and in 1989 the Millers were assigned to Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea, where they served for 10 years. Then, in 1999, Nancy and George were assigned to Honiara, Solomon Islands, where they served for 15 years. After that, they moved to the Philippines for a one-year assignment at Philippine Nazarene College in 2014.
Nancy was known for the encouragement and motivation she shared with her students. She used her education skills to serve the community by giving sewing lessons and teaching classes in Christian academies and Bible schools, all while homeschooling her own children.
Nancy is survived by her husband, George, her mother, Virginia Sides, and one daughter and three sons, Gloria and Scott Nelson, Greg and Wendy Miller, Geoffrey and Churie Miller, and Gary and Beth Miller. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren.
Continued prayer is requested for the Miller family. (Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific)
Nancy Miller receives the award at the 94th General Board for her more than 25 years of missionary service.
Retired missionary Nancy Jane (Sides) Miller passed away 30 March at the age of 66.
Miller was born 15 November 1951 in Kansas City, Missouri. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age and she felt a call to missions shortly after. This led her to attend Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University) where she met her husband, George.
In 1987, Nancy and George finally had the opportunity to serve in missions, going on a two-month assignment at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Manzini, Swaziland. This trip affirmed their call to enter missions full-time, and in 1989 the Millers were assigned to Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea, where they served for 10 years. Then, in 1999, Nancy and George were assigned to Honiara, Solomon Islands, where they served for 15 years. After that, they moved to the Philippines for a one-year assignment at Philippine Nazarene College in 2014.
Nancy was known for the encouragement and motivation she shared with her students. She used her education skills to serve the community by giving sewing lessons and teaching classes in Christian academies and Bible schools, all while homeschooling her own children.
Nancy is survived by her husband, George, her mother, Virginia Sides, and one daughter and three sons, Gloria and Scott Nelson, Greg and Wendy Miller, Geoffrey and Churie Miller, and Gary and Beth Miller. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren.
Continued prayer is requested for the Miller family. (Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific)
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Moving Ministers: March 2018Compiled by the General Secretary's Office from district reports, Moving Ministers is a monthly listing of Nazarene ministers in new assignments on the USA/Canada Region.
Roles included in the latest report are pastor and pastoral service. Entries were received in March 2018.
To view the March report, click here.
Roles included in the latest report are pastor and pastoral service. Entries were received in March 2018.
To view the March report, click here.
Moving Ministers
from Thursday, 1 March 2018 to Saturday, 31 March 2018
Rev. Jeffrey T. Barker from Unassigned New England Quincy MA to Pastor on 4/1/2018
The Resurrection Church New York City
New York NY
Rev. Edward D. Belzer from Pastoral Service Colorado Springs First Colorado Springs CO to Pastor on 4/22/2018
Aurora Tower Community Fellowship
Aurora CO
Rev. Jerry M. Campbell from Unassigned North Central Ohio Mount Vernon OH to Pastoral Service on 3/25/2018
North Central Ohio Marion First
Marion OH
Dr. Dirk R. Ellis from Pastor Grace Chapel Hooksett NH to Pastoral Service on 3/12/2018
Sun City
Sun City AZ
Rev. T. Patrick Garcia, Jr. from Pastor Farmington First Farmington AR to Pastor on 3/25/2018
Columbia First
Columbia MO
Rev. Thomas A. Garrison from Unassigned Joplin Pastor Carthage MO to on 3/25/2018
Arnold
Arnold MO
Rev. Juan J. Loredo from Pastor Sullivan Sullivan IN to Pastor on 3/11/2018
Champaign First
Champaign IL
Rev. Paula MacBean from Pastoral Service Tillamook Tillamook OR to Pastoral Service on 3/1/2018
Salem South
Salem OR
For previous reports, see usacanadanazarene.org.
Southern Nazarene University President J. Keith Newman announced the addition of Lena Crouso to the university’s Senior Leadership Team. Crouso will serve as vice president for Intercultural Learning and Engagement beginning 1 July.
Crouso most recently served at Indiana Wesleyan University as the dean of the Office for Intercultural Learning and Engagement. In addition, she is a sought-after presenter, consultant, and advocate on issues of race, diversity, equity, and justice. At SNU, she will provide leadership for the design and implementation of institution-wide efforts to ensure diversity, inclusion, equity, respect, and the promotion of reconciliation in the SNU community.
“The addition of Crouso represents a strategic commitment to our present and future," Newman said. "The depth and breadth of her education and experience will impact our institution immediately, and I know Lena’s influence will create a powerful ripple effect. We look forward to learning from her, serving with her, and watching what God will do through her ministry in our community and across the region."
Crouso is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. She holds a doctorate in multicultural Christian counseling from Andersonville Theological Seminary and an education specialist degree in leadership from Stetson University, as well as an educational counseling degree from the University of Central Florida. Currently, she is completing a second doctorate in transformational leadership and culture from the Bakke Graduate University.
The daughter of Indian immigrants, Crouso spent her formative years growing up in India. Her journey from Hinduism to Christianity and her diverse life path have given Crouso a heart and mind for the empowerment of all people through intercultural understanding and a desire to lead people in spiritual, emotional, and social transformation and freedom.
She and her husband, Kendall, are the parents of three grown daughters, Kayla, Chloe, and Addie, who share a love for Christian service in the U.S. and in India. (Southern Nazarene University)Read more
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received 26 March - 6 April 2018.
Ronald Attig, 66, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, passed away 29 March. He was a retired educator, serving with Nazarene Bible College. He is survived by his wife, Ann Attig.
Margaret (Ford) Blackmon, 88, of Burnettown, South Carolina, passed away 28 March. She was preceded in death by her husband, retired minister James Blackmon, who served in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. James Blackmon passed away in 1998.
Barbara Bugbee-Miller, 83, of Sturgis, Mississippi, passed away 21 March. She was preceded in death by her first husband, retired minister Charles Bugbee, who served in Michigan, Illinois, and Ontario. Charles Bugbee passed away in 1999. Barbara Bugbee-Miller was also preceded in death by her second husband, Kenneth Miller, in 2007.
Norma Bybee, 88, of Dickson, Tennessee, passed away 19 March. She was preceded in death by her husband, retired minister Jay Bybee, who served in West Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, and Texas. Jay Bybee passed away in 2013.
Harold Calhoun, 83, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away 20 March. He was a retired minister, previously serving in Oklahoma and New York. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Calhoun.
Evelyn Carpenter, 99, of Fort Morgan, Colorado, passed away 4 April. She was preceded in death by her husband, retired minister and evangelist Bob Carpenter, who served in Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Idaho. Bob Carpenter passed away in 2017.
Mahlon Cochran, 84, of Omaha, Nebraska, passed away 29 March. He was a retired minister and evangelist, serving in Texas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife, Freida Cochran.
Kathryn Densmore, 97, of Globe, Arizona, passed away 18 March. She was preceded in death by her husband, retired minister and educator Fred Densmore, who served in Indiana and Arizona. Fred Densmore passed away in 1982.
Robert Kern, 85, of Cordova, Tennessee, passed away 27 March. He was a retired minister and leader, serving in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. He is survived by his wife, Sara Kern.
Edward Kiwan, 78, of Porterville, California, passed away 26 March. He was a retired minister, serving in Oregon and California. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Kiwan.
Troy Mead, 85, of Porterville, California, passed away 20 March. He was a retired minister, serving in California. He is survived by his wife, Glenda Mead.
Nancy (Sides) Miller, 66, of Bethany, Oklahoma, passed away 30 March. She was a retired missionary, serving in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Philippines. She is survived by her husband, retired missionary and district superintendent George Miller, who led the Solomon Islands district and served in Oklahoma, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and the Philippines.
Sonia Morales, 71, of Greenacres, Florida, passed away 27 March. She was a retired minister, serving in Florida. She was preceded in death by her husband, retired minister Julio Morales, who served in Florida. Julio Morales passed away in 2017.
June Palmquist, 83, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away 23 March. She is survived by her husband, retired minister Mel Palmquist, who served in Arizona, California, and Washington.
Dorothy Phelps, 90, of Vass, North Carolina, passed away 27 March. She is survived by her husband, retired minister Richard Phelps, who served in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Mississippi.
Sandra (Crawmer) Rockwell, 77, of Zanesville, Ohio, passed away 31 March. She was a minister, serving at Zanesville Northside Church of the Nazarene. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Rockwell, in 2004.
Gordon Rupert Sr., 86, of Enid, Oklahoma, passed away 31 March. He was a retired minister, serving in Oklahoma and Alabama. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Rupert.
Betty Savage, 82, of Sparta, Tennessee, passed away 10 March. She is survived by her husband, retired minister and evangelist Edward Ray Savage, who served in Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Georgia.
S. C. Stevenson Jr., 87, of Edmond, Oklahoma, passed away 7 March. He is a retired minister and evangelist, serving in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisianna, and Mississippi. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Stevenson.
Patricia Traylor, 87, of San Mateo, California, passed away 17 March. She is survived by her husband, retired minister Champ Traylor, who previously served in California.
Joel Tuchez Sr., 69, of Commerce City, Colorado, passed away 25 March. He was a minister, previously serving in Kansas and Colorado. He is survived by his wife, Violeta Yolanda Tuchez.
Theodore Underwood, 90, of Fair Oaks, California, passed away 29 March. He was a retired minister, serving in California. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Underwood, in 2008.
James Yates, 81, of Casey, Illinois, passed away 24 March. He is survived by his wife, retired minister Ruth Yates, who served in Illinois.
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)Read more
Human Resources
People are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 162 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email jveigl@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
Video Production Manager (Full-time)
Global Nazarene Communications
Description: This person is responsible for video acquisition, shooting, editing, and all related responsibilities for productions of varying lengths. Additional responsibilities include knowledge of production-related software and equipment, as well as collaborating on creative projects with the Nazarene Communications team.
To obtain additional information for GMC positions, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Nazarene Bible College
To 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.
JESUS Film Harvest Partners 
To learn more about positions available at JFHP, see the following job openings. All positions are located on-site in the Olathe, Kansas, office. Location of Global Ministry Center Positions
The GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 162 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an “at will” employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are smoke-, alcohol-, and drug-free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best match the requirements of the open position for which the application was submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application forms may be requested by calling 913-577-0500, emailing humanresourcesgroup@nazarene.org, or obtained in person from Human Resources at the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas, 66220, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.
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Olathe, Kansas
JESUS Film Harvest Partners is currently seeking applicants for four open positions: three full-time and one part-time.
Assistant field services coordinator (Full-time)This position, on-site in the Olathe, Kansas, office, works with the Field Services coordinator to manage and facilitate the operations of the JESUS Film ministry. It acts as a liaison to the Regional JESUS Film coordinators and works with various ministries to coordinate requests for support and reporting.
Qualified candidates possess a bachelor’s degree in business or communications. A high level of proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, excellent verbal and written communication skills are also required. Attention to detail and accuracy are imperative. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who are bilingual in English and Spanish or French.
Development associate: Event specialist (Full-time)This position, on-site in the Olathe, Kansas, office, works in the Development Department, cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors through regular communication. It assists in the planning, execution, and follow-up of various fundraising events. Some travel within the U.S. will be required.
Qualified candidates possess a bachelor’s degree in business or hospitality. A high level of proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook and excellent verbal and written communication skills are also required. Attention to detail and accuracy are imperative.
Development officer (Full-time)
This position is responsible for raising approximately US$1.5 million annually by building relationships with new high-capacity investors, growing existing donors, and re-engaging inactive donors. It is also responsible for organizing three World Challenge fundraising events per year with an emphasis on obtaining new donors/constituents.
Qualified candidates possess a bachelor’s degree. Priority consideration is given to applicants who possess a master’s degree and/or CFRE/ACFRE certification. At least five years of relevant development experience preferred. They will have the ability to prioritize and manage competing demands, a high degree of self-initiative, strong relationship-building skills, ability to host Partner Investment Trips to mission fields, and the ability to travel at least 50-percent of the year.
Receptionist (Part-time)
This position, on-site in the Olathe, Kansas, office, facilitates the daily operations of the administrative director and assists by providing ministry support as needed. Primary tasks include reception duties, data management, and regular communication with constituents.
A high level of proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook and excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Attention to detail and accuracy are imperative.
Candidates for all four positions should also share the organization's conservative Christian values.
Please submit resumes to info@JFHP.org.
For more information about JESUS Film Harvest Partners, visit jfhp.org. (JESUS Film Harvest Partners)
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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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