Annual Report of the Board of General Superintendents
On Sunday evening, David A. Busic delivered the annual Board of General Superintendents' Report during the 91st Session of the General Board in Overland Park, Kansas.
Busic's report, titled "For Such a Time as This," was enthusiastically received by the members of the General Board, officers, Global Ministry Center directors and staff, regional directors, Nazarene Publishing House leaders, and guests.
To view a transcript of this report, please download the PDF file by clicking here. In addition to English, the report is available in Português and Español.
For audio of Busic's report, visit the Nazarene MediaLibrary.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
BOARD OF GENERAL SUPERINTENDENTS
TO THE
91st GENERAL BOARD
CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
23 February 2014
“For Such a Time as This”
INTRODUCTION
I greet you tonight on behalf of the Board of General Superintendents (BGS) in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We come together for the 91st session of the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene and the first session of the new quadrennium.
This second plenary meeting of the 2014 General Board Session is a time of accountability for the General Superintendents to report on the past year and to consider the future direction of the church.
Just eight months ago we bid farewell to our retiring colleagues, Jesse C. Middendorf and Stan A. Toler, at the 28th General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A. We already miss their
unique perspectives and strengths. At that same assembly we elected our first Latino general superintendent, Gustavo A. Crocker, and our first Generation X general superintendent (by one month), David A. Busic.
Speaking personally, I have greatly appreciated the warm welcome of my colleagues. I have found the BGS to be a wonderful chemistry of combined experiences and giftedness that contribute to the Board of General Superintendents specifically and to the Church of the Nazarene globally. I feel privileged to work side by side with these capable, Christ-centered spiritual leaders.
It takes a lot of work to make General Board possible. Our deepest appreciation is extended to General Secretary David Wilson and his staff; to the officers, directors, and administrative personnel at the Global Ministry Center (GMC); to the regional office staffs; and to the Board of General Superintendents’ office for keeping the general superintendents on track and on time--to the extent that is possible. We want you to know that we greatly value what you do. You are a dedicated group, and we could not accomplish the mission without your sacrificial service. Would you join me in expressing thanks to all who co-labor on our behalf? Finally, to our pastors, missionaries, evangelists, district superintendents, educators, chaplains, compassionate ministry directors, and laity, we want to recognize your faithfulness and contribution to the work of the church. We pray God’s grace and blessings upon your ministry.
Truthfully, this is your report.
As this report is presented, it is my prayer that it will bring honor and glory to God for what He has done, is doing, and will do in the life of the Church of the Nazarene. Whatever is good, holy, and fruitful in the church is only from God and comes to us by His grace.
This is another way of saying that our motivation for mission and ministry is not derived from a calendar of denominational programs and promotions designed by human effort. It comes from a divine appointment that we are given, as Daniel 2:21 suggests, within the “times and seasons” designed by our good God.
And so I say to each of our 52 General Board members—27 laity and 25 clergy—from all Global Mission regions, you are serving not just by ballot election, but by divine appointment. Although
31 members of the General Board are new (60 percent), let me remind you that all of us are here for a time and a season appointed by the Lord. It is a sacred calling that we approach with utmost earnestness and humility.
THE PAST YEAR
General Assembly
The international church family gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A., in June 2013, for the denomination’s 28th General Assembly and Conventions. It was a time of celebration, worship, prayer, learning, making new friends, and renewing old relationships.
The attendance for the five worship services ranged from 7,000 to 20,000.
The Board of General Superintendents called for limiting General Assembly costs to $5.5 million drawn from the World Evangelism Fund (WEF). We are very pleased to report that the net
expenses for the 2013 General Assembly came in under budget by $1.3 million dollars. Many thanks to David Wilson, Marilyn McCool, Judy Veigl, Susan Metcalf, and Diane Miller for carefully managing the administrative and financial responsibilities of General Assembly.
There were other noteworthy actions at Indianapolis:
§ Nazarene Compassionate Ministries had a record 1,117 sponsors step forward to support children in need.
§ The use of electronic tablets instead of hard-copy notebooks was implemented to access resolutions and other documents.
§ A record $300,000 in cash and pledges was received in the corporate worship services and in plenary sessions of General Assembly to help cover the cost of the events.
§ Almost every action item put forth by the Nazarene Future Study Report was adopted.
§ Of those responding to the first global General Assembly survey, 90 percent said it had a positive impact on their personal spiritual life.
Statistical Highlights
Other firsts took place during 2013 that are worth noting:
§ The church reached its largest membership level in our history—2.3 million, which is a 5 percent increase from 2012
§ Full membership exceeded 2 million for the first time, representing a 4 percent increase.
§ The denomination averaged our highest worship attendance—1.5 million.
§ We also averaged the highest number of people being discipled—1.7 million.
In addition we can report that:
§ There were 29,007 churches worldwide (20,816 organized)
§ 876 churches were organized in 2013 (nearly 2.5 per day)
§ There were more new Nazarenes than last year—156,441 (9 percent increase).
When the totals are broken down and we look at the percentage of membership for each region, we begin to see an emerging picture of the future church. At the end of 2013 the distribution of
membership and giving reflects the following:
Region Membership Percentage Per Capita Spending
• USA/Canada 28.8 percent $1,186.00
• Africa 26.5 percent $ 13.00
• Mesoamerica 15.8 percent $ 60.00
• Eurasia 12.1 percent $ 34.00
• South America 11.7 percent $ 182.00
• Asia-Pacific 5.1 percent $ 280.00
The narrowing gap in membership between USA/Canada and Africa is now a mere 2.3 percent.
Projections of reaching 5 million church members by 2030 continue to be on course.
Funding the Mission
The Board of General Superintendents holds to the principal of equal sacrifice, not equal giving.
This concept, first publicly stated by a late general superintendent, John A. Knight, is a biblical position essential to a global church that includes First World economies and developing areas.
The BGS has sometimes referred to the “mission dollar,” a broader term than World Evangelism Fund, to recognize the various ways in which mission is funded in different parts of the world.
While it is harder to track mission dollar giving, we know it is alive and well. The general superintendents acknowledge its value and significance to the church.
However, according to official reports from the general treasurer and general secretary, the majority of mission funding still comes from WEF giving, which the denomination tracks quite well.
One of several highlights from the past year is the fact that the proportion of churches contributing 5.5 percent or more of non-missions giving to the World Evangelism Fund increased to 35 percent. That percentage has grown from less than one-fourth to more than one-third in the last four years. This is very good An example of the dedication and sacrifice of our people comes from the Mesoamerica Region, where I had the privilege of serving in my first jurisdictional assignment. A report from Nazarene Missions International (NMI) shows that churches across that region received nearly $437,000 for WEF last year.
To further challenge Mesoamerican Nazarenes, each field strategy coordinator sent emails encouraging district superintendents to promote generosity. As a result, WEF giving on the region increased to almost $485,000. NMI leader Ana María Crocker de Díaz wrote: “We in the region are doing our best to extend the work of God through missions across the Church of the Nazarene.”
For all regions, World Evangelism Fund reported giving from pastor’s annual reports was nearly $39 million, a 1.4 percent increase over the prior year. Global missions reported specials were $37.7 million, a 19 percent increase from last year. World Evangelism Fund and Missions Specials combined, from the general secretary’s global database of pastor’s reports, totaled $76.7
million, a 9.3 percent increase in reported giving from 2012.*
Additionally, the General Board received over $2 million in planned gifts, including one gift of $1 million (US).
The global economic recession has been hard on many, but there is a semblance of recovery underway. The general superintendents are grateful for the continued generosity and sacrificial spirit of giving from our churches. Please extend our deepest gratitude to your pastors and laypersons.
Missionaries
The Church of the Nazarene remains committed to the missionary spirit that has characterized our denomination from the very beginning. Because our God is a missionary God, missions must
remain at the heart of all that we do as a church.
Once again, it is the church’s connectional system of mission and giving that makes it possible to deploy 687 salaried missionaries and contracted volunteers supported by the World Evangelism
Fund.
Some receive salaries; others, such as contracted volunteers, receive support from the systems and structures that are in place because of WEF. Missionaries, volunteers, systems, and structures are all essential to the evangelism strategy of the church worldwide. National leaders continue to increase in numbers, as they must, but they do so from our missionary base of teaching, mentoring, and overall support.
Our deep gratitude is extended to Global Mission Director Verne Ward and the entire Global Mission team for their outstanding leadership in this past year.
On Monday evening of this General Board Session, the church will commission two couples as global missionaries:
• David and Betsy Scott (Croatia)
• Milton and Olga Gay (Guatemala)
We pray the Lord’s blessing on them as they go out to serve.
Compassionate Ministries
Compassion is one of the primary results of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that has been a part of Nazarene DNA from the beginning.
One of our church’s founders and the first general superintendent, P. F. Bresee, wrote in his journal, “It had been my long-cherished desire to have a place in the heart of the city, which could be made a center of holy fire, and where the gospel could be preached to the poor.”
Several years later he preached a sermon in which he referenced Acts 4, “The first miracle after the baptism of the Holy Ghost was wrought upon a beggar. It means that the first service of a
Holy Ghost-baptized church is to the poor; that its ministry is to those who are lowest down; that its gifts are for those who need them most. As the Spirit was upon Jesus to preach the gospel to the poor, so His Spirit is upon His servants for the same purpose.”
In the face of nationalistic politics, leaders of the church must continue to promote our distinct value of biblical compassion and justice for the poor and needy. It is at the heart of who we are.
In that regard we have good news to report.
This year Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) reached its highest number of child sponsorships ever—nearly 12,000.
Two years after Syria erupted in civil war the Church of the Nazarene is working to keep kids in school. Four Nazarene schools have taken in 300 children who will be supported by contributions from the church around the world.
In early December of last year Typhoon Yolanda devastated much of the Philippines. A FedEx MD-11 filled with relief supplies donated from Heart to Heart International and Direct Relief
arrived shortly thereafter with more than 200,000 pounds of relief supplies. It arrived in Cebu, the second-largest city in the Philippines, located 64 kilometers (40 miles) from some of the hardest-hit areas. This relief operation was more challenging because the Philippines is comprised of 7,100 islands. Transportation between many of these devastated islands is limited to boat or helicopter.
The Philippines-Micronesia field strategy coordinator, Rev. Stephen Gualberto, has given excellent leadership to this area in crisis. After returning from some of the country’s most destroyed areas, he emphasized that despite the incredible ruin, residents’ spirits remain high, and Nazarene compassion is making a difference.
Here is a short video clip designed by the Asia-Pacific communications team:
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4AjeHqdTJo Together We Are (1:31)
That is an example of Nazarene compassion in response to a disaster. But Nazarenes are also exhibiting compassion as a lifestyle. On my recent visit to the Philippines one of the highlights for me was to visit the Rowenas Community Development Project (RCDP).
The RCDP is an outreach envisioned by Nazarene Korean missionary and professor, Dr. Dong-Hwan “Bill” Kwon, and students at Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS). It is a strategy to go “beyond the walls” to reach those who are hurting.
The community of Rowenas, literally built against the outer wall of the seminary, is home to nearly 3,000 people. The outreach, which started as a project to alleviate Dengue Fever, has grown to include community restrooms, a small pharmacy, a health center, a children’s community center, fresh water projects, a child sponsorship program with more than 130 students currently sponsored, and now an organized church with a regular worship attendance of 120–150 worshipers.
At the grassroots level plans are also underway for an awareness and education campaign on human trafficking. Nazarenes want to know how they can become involved in helping to stop this blight on society.
These are all encouraging signs of Nazarene compassion.
Pensions & Benefits USA
During the 2013 fiscal year, Churches of the Nazarene in the United States contributed a record high of $13.8 million—an increase of almost 8.5 percent over the $12.7 million received in 2012.
This amount reflects the faithful giving of our U.S. congregations and a generous response to the one-fourth percent increase in the Pensions & Benefits USA (P&B) Fund allocation that became effective during the year. Such giving allows P&B to serve almost 14,000 active and retired ministers and church-employed laypersons. Their service includes retirement benefits, life and disability insurance benefits, and benevolence assistance. This giving has also enabled us to make significant progress toward full funding of the Basic Pension Plan.
Global Wesleyan Digital Library
A Wesleyan-Holiness Digital Library collaboration is forming that includes the Books for Pastors taskforce, Global Mission, Nazarene Publishing House, Nazarene Archives, Global Clergy Development, International Board of Education (IBOE) schools, and others. They are working to develop the largest electronic library of holiness resources in the world. This digital library will provide global access to Wesleyan-Holiness resources for theological education. It will be fully functional and searchable in five languages; more languages are being added.
IBOE Director Dan Copp says, “Theological formation is one of our strategic priorities, and the Wesleyan-Holiness Digital Library helps resource our global church in this important work.”
Before his retirement, General Superintendent Jesse Middendorf was quoted as saying, “This is one of the most exciting projects I have seen in the 12 years I have served the global church.”
Global Ministry Center
A study by Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) was commissioned to help evaluate the workplace environment of the GMC. This process of focus group interaction was led by Al
Lopus (president and chief executive officer of BCWI) and was well represented across the GMC. It also included several hours of debriefing with the BGS.
While the results were not surprising, they are not up to our desired standard. As we move forward, we are committed to making the culture of the GMC a priority. The general superintendents take responsibility as leaders to be sure we do our part in making the GMC a healthy and productive workplace. To reach this goal, we are taking steps to improve internal communications, beginning with an informal statement at our all-GMC Christmas gathering and following up with a communications update at the end of the year.
We believe that the people who minister at the GMC are some of the finest supporters of our church. We desire to bless and encourage them in their Kingdom work.
General Editor
David J. Felter gave the church outstanding service as the denomination’s first general editor, serving from 2001 until his retirement in July 2013. The BGS elected Frank M. Moore to serve
as the new general editor, and his election was ratified by the General Board in September 2013.
Having authored thirteen books and hundreds of articles, Dr. Moore brings a combination of high scholarship, devoted churchmanship, and editorial expertise to this assignment. We are already seeing a positive impact of his influence on Holiness Today and on other important projects. We are delighted to have him as part of the Global Mission Team.
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Moore and his wife, Sue.
Eurasia Regional Director
The election of Gustavo Crocker to the Board of General Superintendents necessitated the selection of a new director for the Eurasia Region. A thorough search process led by the
jurisdictional general superintendent for Eurasia, Jerry Porter, and the Global Mission director, Verne Ward, was conducted. Arthur W. Snijders, a native of the Netherlands, was elected to the position.
Snijders is a missional leader and gifted scholar with excellent knowledge of this very diverse and challenging region. He assumed the position in November 2013. Let’s welcome him and his wife, Annemarie, to the position of director of the Eurasia Region of the Church of the Nazarene.
Nazarene Theological Seminary
In January of this year, the Board of Trustees at Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) elected as president Carla D. Sunberg, a 2004 NTS graduate. For obvious reasons, I have had a great personal interest in this election. It came as the culmination of significant discussion by the Board of Trustees about a reenvisioning of the seminary to create a new and sustainable ministry model with an increased focus on preparing pastors for the future of the church.
The Board of General Superintendents believes President Sunberg’s contagious spirit and extensive experience as a pioneer missionary, pastor, and district superintendent will serve our
seminary well. Let us welcome Carla and her husband, Chuck, to this key assignment.
DIMENSIONS OF TIME
Up to this point nearly everything in the General Board Report has been in the context of the Gregorian or Christian calendar, an almost universal way of looking at time. However, the ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos time and kairos time.
Chronos is chronological or sequential time. This is how we live, work, schedule activities, and establish routines. Kairos, however, signifies “the time in between,” or a moment in time in
which something special happens. It is an appointed time in the purposes of God.
THE APPOINTED TIME
The Book of Esther is a love story about an orphaned Jewish girl raised in Persia by a cousin Mordecai. The subplot is that she eventually becomes the wife of King Xerxes by winning the
equivalent of a beauty contest. But the main plot is a story about how God intervened through Esther’s life to create a “supreme moment in time.”
As the story goes, Haman is the king’s right hand man. He hates the Jews and wants to see them destroyed, so he goes to the king with his request. This could mean the annihilation of Esther’s
people.
Meanwhile, Mordecai confronts Esther with the reality of her “kairos” moment: “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but
you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14, NIV) Until this time Esther has not revealed that she is Jewish. However, she decides to courageously approach the king and plead for the lives of her people. She enters the king’s presence uninvited—but not unprepared.
She says, “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16, NIV).
With this dependence on God and the support of God’s people, Esther makes her case before the king. King Xerxes agrees to call off the massacre and orders that Haman, who plotted against the
Jews, be hanged from the same gallows Haman had built for Mordecai.
Haman was executed. Mordecai was exalted. And God saved His people through the stature and strength of His servant, Esther.
It was a kairos moment.
There are several applications here for the church:
1. God’s providence is economical. He does not waste training or experience. God knew where Esther was, what she was doing, what she was learning, and how He was going to use all of that when her appointed moment came. While we are focusing on a plan for our lives or plans for our church, God is concentrating on our preparation. (International Bible Study Series, Thomas Nelson)
2. While God’s preparation is individualized, He brings people together … at just the right time … building on each other’s strengths. Think of the important roles played by Esther, Mordecai, and even King Xerxes. God knows every Nazarene … where they are … and what they are doing. And more importantly, what He needs them to do at the appointed time.
3. Often moments of significance cannot be planned or foreseen—they can only be received. Esther was the recipient of a moment in time when an open door appeared, and she went through it with spiritual, not human, force. This is the work of the Spirit in our lives.
4. God’s timing is perfect and God’s will is good. The LORD is always better to His church than we could ever hope or imagine.
AN ASSESSMENT
Do we know what “time” it is in the Church of the Nazarene? What is the “season” in which we find ourselves?
As the church grows and our system of mission increases in complexity and cost, it is important to look at where we are and where we should be going.
With so much good news from 2013, you might think it unnecessary to pause and examine where the church is right now. There will be those who suggest that we should keep moving ahead since many key indicators, such as membership growth, appear to be pointed in the right direction. Surely these are positive signs that God is working through the people called Nazarenes.
Why an assessment now?
Attaining goals is a cause not only for celebration but also for new thinking. Rapid growth can change the way the church understands itself. Any community of faith that grows nearly 60
percent in a decade, as our church has with an increase of 827,468 members from 2003–2013, has likely outgrown many of its earlier assumptions about the environment, its mission, and its
capabilities. This includes an articulation of beliefs, which is as important as the beliefs themselves.
The Church of the Nazarene’s mission is to make Christlike disciples in the nations. Of that we are sure.
Our core values are Christian, holiness, and missional. Of these we are convinced.
And our emphases on prayer, the Word of God, holy living, world evangelism, education, compassion, and shared responsibility are all building blocks for holistic ministry to a needy world. Spread over 159 world areas our culture, polity, priorities, and connectional relationships make us uniquely “Nazarene.”
These are the enduring aspects of our church.
But we also recognize that these are unprecedented times for all denominations. Rapidly changing cultural shifts, new economic realities, religious pluralism, and the shifting center of
gravity for worldwide Christianity away from the West are only a few conditions we cannot ignore.
Indeed, these are the kinds of times in which technical, and perhaps even incremental changes, will not do—at least not entirely, because technical change assumes that the answers to our problems are within our usual reach. The most recent literature regarding leadership during times of rapid social transitions, especially the writings of Harvard Professor of Public Leadership, Ron Heifetz, speak of something called “adaptive change.”
In a stimulating article on strategic planning during times of transition, Nick Carter, president of Andover Newton Seminary, writes, “Adaptive change recognizes that we are in an entirely new situation, where little of our previous experience applies; it therefore asks us to address problems for which we don’t yet know the answers.” (Nick Carter, “Adaptive Leadership: Planning in a Time of Transition” in Theological Education, Volume 46, Number 2, 2011) He goes on to note that there is a difference between long-range planning and strategic planning.
If the model is working and your core assumptions of operations are accurate, then the plans you develop are largely projections from where you are into the future.
This is not a transformative plan—it is a long-range plan. It is fine if the organization is fine. But if not, as Carter alludes, it may simply be “nice dressing for a funeral.” Therefore,
adaptive/transformative planning calls for a “genesis moment” whereby leaders process the envisioning of a new future and design the means to create that future.
Among other things, this means that in order to be adaptive we must plan to “stop” doing much of what we are doing now, otherwise it is not transformative. We must break free from
“institutional physics,” because it starts not from where we have been but from where we want to be.
That does not mean we must stop being who we are. Rather, we must find ways to continue being who we are in ways that take seriously the times in which we live. We must prayerfully
organize our chronos time as we prepare for God’s kairos moment.
From that vantage point, we turn our attention to some strategic thoughts that are more adaptive than technical. The Board of General Superintendents believes that our pressing need is to come to terms with the facts facing the church and to have faith to believe they can be addressed with God’s help. This is at the heart of spiritual leadership.
There are major theological, organizational, and financial challenges on our denominational doorstep that the Nazarene Future Study Group was not charged with addressing but which
cannot be ignored. Those critical issues include ensuring theological clarity and coherency, adapting a system of mission already stretched thin, and figuring out how to expand the church while carefully managing limited financial resources.
The tasks of educating pastors, internationalizing the church, and building mission infrastructure to accommodate a growing membership are ever-present realities that need ongoing attention.
The church is almost halfway through a transition decade: 2011–2020. By the time it reaches the year 2020 the church will have become a new version of itself in terms of leadership, membership, and perhaps culture. Memories and relationships linked to earlier days will be greatly diminished and in some cases completely gone.
That was somewhat true of previous Nazarene transitions, although the international dimension was not nearly the presence it is today. The first step in realistically dealing with it is to be
consciously aware that this change is underway.
What does the next generation think about being Nazarene? We need to know the answer to that question.
To respond to increasing evangelistic and disciple-making opportunities, Wesleyan-Holiness teaching and living in their simplest forms must be prevalent throughout a socially diverse
church. How will that happen?
As Gordon Gee says: “If you don’t like change, you’ll like irrelevance even less.”
Leadership, including members of the General Board and the Global Mission Team, must be in prayer seeking the Lord’s will for our church and identifying what changes need to be made to remain spiritually, missionally, and financially strong.
If our church is called “for such a time as this,” and we believe it is, our more than 2 million members, 29,000 churches, 461 districts, 53 educational institutions, 191 compassionate ministry centers, and general interests must prepare for making Christlike disciples in the nations in different ways.
Jesus said: “New wine calls for new wineskins” (Mark 2:22, NLT). So as long as the methods do not compromise the church’s message or mission, we must consider some adaptive changes.
CRITICAL ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED
For the past decade the general superintendents have periodically created lists of challenges facing the denomination. At this General Board we are creating a new list that includes God-given strengths upon which to build.
STRENGTHS
• Scriptural Holiness. The Church of the Nazarene has been given a biblical mandate and a dynamic theology of a pure heart and life transformation. We need to do a better job of articulating just what that means. Generalizing is not enough.
Nazarenes must be clear in our teaching and practice that the Holy Spirit does not merely modify our behaviors—the Holy Spirit transforms us! God gives us a new heart and spirit (Ezekiel 36:26) that lead to an optimism of enabling grace, holy living, and love for one another. This is our hope not only for after death, but it is also our promise now for this life.
Let Nazarenes proclaim that truth more clearly than ever. Without a doubt, the most important condition of effective mission is personal and corporate holiness.
• Global membership. The number of new Nazarenes and total global membership were up this year by 8.5 percent and 5 percent respectively. The continuing increase in membership, whatever the level of participation expected or experienced, is another
important indicator of strength in carrying out the evangelistic mission of the church.
• Increase in churches. This past year was a milestone in that there are now more organized churches in Eurasia than in any other region of the world, and at the current growth rate, Africa could also have more organized churches than USA/Canada by 2015.
This is historic news for our denomination! This is what was hoped and prayed for when our founders made missions central to our focus. Thanks be to God!
The local church is at the heart of our mission. The church is where people are saved, sanctified, and find their place of Kingdom service. That is why we must give our full attention to church planting wherever we may be. We must plant churches in the city, in the suburbs, in rural areas, and everywhere in between. If the number of churches is not expanding then we are diminishing as a denomination.
• Sacrificial giving. The proportion of churches giving 5.5 percent or more of non-missions giving to the World Evangelism Fund is growing. This increase is vital to our global system of mission. Lowering the base for WEF giving to just 5.5 percent requires broad participation from all regions to sustain adequate funding of the church’s mission.
• USA/Canada Resources. This region continues to be a strong supporter of the church’s global mission by providing 95.4 percent of World Evangelism Fund giving.
Furthermore, giving is now being connected to going, as numbers of short-term volunteer teams (in addition to Work and Witness) are on the rise.
Giving from other regions is increasing. There are exciting stories of generosity to share from around the world. But until other regions become financially able to carry a larger part of that responsibility, it is especially important that we find ways to enhance the spiritual and financial strength of USA/Canada.
• Nazarene educational system. Our schools (whether they are Bible colleges, liberal arts schools, nursing schools, seminaries, etc.) play a vital role in developing Nazarene
theology, identity, socialization, and connectedness. They are a large part of our denomination’s discipleship strategy for 18–30 year olds. To invest all that we do in children and youth ministries and then to send our young adults to institutions where Christian faith is mocked simply makes no sense. If we expect to have thinking, productive, faith-formed people in our pews, we must embrace and celebrate our Nazarene schools.
• Focus on compassion. Most Nazarenes are aware of a variety of activities, including student trips, volunteerism, and specialty groups such as medical teams, disaster response teams, etc. What some people may not realize is that this impulse is at the core of the gospel and the Wesleyan-Holiness concern for issues of biblical justice.
This is an enormous strength on which we can build. Previous generations often understood Christian holiness through Western or American standards of dress and pietistic behavior. Compassion flowing from sanctified hearts will appeal to a generation who also sees holiness through the lens of caring for the needs of the world.
CHALLENGES
• Clergy education and training. Education Commissioner Dan Copp mentioned to me recently that in 1985, 80 percent of all ordination candidates received all their training or a portion of it at a Nazarene school. By 2012 that number had dropped to 60 percent—a decrease of 20 percent, even though the number of people seeking ordination has never been higher.
We thank God for the increase, but it needs to be stated that the Course of Study for ministers has always been intended to upgrade the quality of preparation for those who could not receive it any other way. Now it is becoming the norm. Sociological trends bear
out that where the level and quality of education in clergy preparation is lacking, fundamentalism and theological incoherency will rise.
More and more ordained elders and deacons are coming to us from other faith traditions, and they may not understand our history or theology. A lack of adequate training often results in a watered-down, filtered-out doctrinal and philosophical paradigm for ministry.
We must keep the Course of Study standards high for those who cannot attend a Nazarene institution, just as we encourage all ministers who are able, to pursue their preparation with our best scholars and teachers.
Having been a pastor for 18 years and a seminary president for nearly two, I have a keen interest in the intersection of orthodoxy and orthopraxy for our ministers—right thinking
and right practice go hand in hand. We must continually ask, “What kind of pastors are we training to lead our churches worldwide?”
• Global Leadership Development. Globalization within the Church of the Nazarene has created a desperate need for leadership development—clergy and laity. In both jurisdictional assignments I have had in the past six months as a general superintendent,
every field strategy coordinator I have spoken with has said that leadership development is the number one need.
General Secretary David Wilson has informed us that in the USA/Canada Region 50 percent of our district superintendents will retire in the next ten years. Given that some will not wait until the Manual-mandated retirement of age 70, those numbers could be
much higher. Where will key leaders come from to replace them?
And considering the increase in organized churches, do we have the organizational capacity to develop the leaders that are needed around the world?
• Engagement in discipleship. Because making disciples is fundamental to our mission, indicators of effectiveness in involving new believers in that process suggest some reason
for concern. The ratio of members to average weekly discipleship attendance has been around 50 percent globally throughout the past four years. A number equal to just over half of the members is involved in discipleship in an average week. This is a significant shift from past generations of Nazarenes.
Conversions and additions to the membership are not enough to accomplish the mission of making Christlike disciples in the nations. Nazarenes need discipleship training that clarifies their understanding of the church’s theology, challenges them to involvement in our shared mission, and develops communal accountability that nurtures a maturing in Christlikeness.
• Women in ministry. In the 2013 Quadrennial Address presented by General Superintendent Eugénio Duarte on behalf of the Board of General Superintendents, he stated: “The church needs to dedicate anew its original commitment to women in ministry … The Church of the Nazarene supports the right of women to use their God-given spiritual gifts within the church and affirms the historic right of women to be elected and appointed to places of leadership … including the offices of both elder and deacon.” (Section 903.5, Manual, Church of the Nazarene)
How can we help Nazarene women clergy? The BGS and district superintendents must take a leading role in building awareness of and rationale for engagement of women in all areas of the church. We must then set an example for local churches by making general, district, and local church decisions that affirm that position. This is fundamental to our ecclesiology, and we will not back down from this core conviction.
• Small churches. Like other Protestant denominations, the church has a large number of small churches. Small churches have been the backbone of the denomination from our inception. We have never believed that small churches are necessarily weak, just as we have never believed that large churches are necessarily strong. A church can be small and healthy, and a church can be large and dysfunctional. However, due to new financial realities there is a significant increase of bi-vocational ministries in our small congregations.
For example, in the USA/Canada region two-thirds (66 percent) of the pastors serving churches with fewer than 50 people in worship in an average week (2,059 churches) say they are bi-vocational. One-third (35 percent) of the pastors of churches with 50–99 (1,296 churches) are bi-vocational. These statistics do not include those pastors whose spouses have to work in order to make ends meet.
Research suggests that the preparation of most of these pastors did not include planning for a strategic or necessary second vocation. Since it does not appear that this trend will be changing soon, we must give new attention to the way we prepare and resource the hundreds of pastors needed to serve our churches.
• USA/Canada in slow decline. Reporting worldwide statistics gives everyone a quick look at the combined reach of the church. Evaluating top-line numbers is one way to measure overall progress. But for further perspective it is necessary to examine Global Mission regions non-symmetrically to look at net gains and losses. Each region contributes uniquely to the mission of making Christlike disciples in the nations. Their spiritual health and strength are a priority of leadership.
Membership growth continues to be uneven among the regions. Declining interest in organized religion is a condition facing all faith groups in the United States, so the Church of the Nazarene is not alone in this trend.
While 2013 full membership stands at 650,579 in USA/Canada, membership declined for the year by 106 or -0.02 percent. While this may seem miniscule, weekly average worship attendance has been in steady decline, dropping from 528,073 in 2005 to 490,328 in 2013. Thirty-four thousand in total membership gains were offset by a similar number of total losses. USA/Canada membership is not keeping up with population growth nor is annual giving keeping up with inflation.
This is certainly not reflective of all areas in USA/Canada. There are pockets of exciting growth and dynamic impact, but we are seeing some signs of an aging church.
Sociological research tells us that the lifespan of the average church is between forty and sixty years—a reality that we cannot ignore. Of 5,242 churches reported in USA/Canada this year, 3,505 (67 percent) were started more than forty years ago. Churches can be renewed, and many are. But that is the exception, not the rule. If the majority of our USA/Canada churches are coming to the end of their life cycle we must confront that reality head on. Those are matters to which we must continue to give our prayerful attention.
Nevertheless, there are hopeful signs of recovery. Under the leadership of Bob Broadbooks and Bill Wiesman, new church starts in USA/Canada are showing great promise. Because they have made this a key emphasis on the region, there is a new enthusiasm for church planting across these two nations. Literally hundreds of pastors are being trained in district church-planting seminars. We thank God for helping us renew and revitalize the church in North America.
• Urbanization. Urbanization is the demographic transition from rural to urban. It is associated with shifts from an agriculture-based economy to mass industry, technology, and service. The World Health Organization states that for the first time ever, the majority of the world’s population now lives in a city, and this proportion continues to grow.
One hundred years ago, two out of every ten people lived in an urban area. By 1990, less than 40 percent of the global population lived in a city, but as of 2010, more than half of
all people live in an urban area. The World Health Organization further projects that by 2030, six out of every ten people will live in a city, and by 2050, this proportion will increase to seven out of ten people. (World Health Organization Website
http://www.who.int/gho/urban_health/situation_trends/urban_population_growth_text/en/)
These projections will almost double the global urban population to 6.4 billion people!
Seven of the ten most populous cities of the world are in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Overall, megacities (those cities with population over 10 million) and metropolitan areas (with populations between one million and ten million) are home to 40 percent of Asia’s
urban population.
The Associated Press reported in June that for the first time in a century the U.S.A. census data indicate that most of America’s largest cities are growing at a faster rate than their surrounding suburbs.
Cities are centers of cultural diversity. Cities drive regional and global economies. Cities are the educational, artistic, and technological shapers of society. More and more young people want to live in cities and are moving there by the thousands. We must find a way to reach our cities!
But cities are a challenge for churches because they are expensive, complicated, and overwhelming, and many city dwellers no longer see the value of religion to solve modern problems. In fact, hundreds of downtown churches moved to the suburbs long
ago, and as a result, the majority of cities are vastly underchurched today.
Our most common methodological approaches to reaching our cities have been through compassionate ministry centers and multicultural congregations. These continue to be important models for reaching certain groups of people.
But what about the multiplied thousands of young adults who conduct business on their laptops in Starbucks? How will we reach them? What about the businessman who labors in the financial sector? What about the young, professional, single woman working 80 hours a week in the corporate world to make ends meet? How will we reach her for Christ?
Every region must give attention to the way we impact our great cities if we want to reach the next generation. And there are some courageous, young pastors who are leading the way.
Lauren and Kourtney Seaman
Derek and Ketley Diehl
God gave Lauren and Kourtney Seaman and Derek and Ketley Diehl a burden for a city.
They left good-paying, secure jobs and moved their young families into the Lincoln Park and Roscoe Village neighborhoods of Chicago. They are planting a church there to reach young professionals and to share the gospel with secular non-believers who otherwise might not hear.
The Chicago Central District, under the leadership of Superintendent Brian Wilson, now has five church-planting couples in the city, all working bi-vocationally, with an organic
approach to church planting. They are hoping to add five more couples in 2014.
These pioneer church planters have become my new spiritual heroes. They are showing us a way to reach our cities.
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
At the 2013 General Assembly the BGS unveiled Seven Strategic Priorities for the church. They are:
• Meaningful Worship
• Theological Coherence
• Passionate Evangelism
• Intentional Discipleship
• Church Development
• Transformational Leadership
• Purposeful Compassion
These do not take the place of our mission statement or our core values. Perhaps they are better stated as characteristics instead of priorities. They are simply phrases describing what we believe should characterize every Nazarene church, and in large part should be reflected by Nazarenes around the world. We will continue to emphasize these characteristics as we go forward and urge our church leaders to explore how these characteristics might become realities for the global church.
LIVING IN HOPE
In our closing moments I want to share with you why I love being a Nazarene. It is a story filled with holiness and humility. It is what it means to be called for “such a time as this.” It is why you and I can live in hope.
Cuba is a difficult place to be a Christian.
After 40 years of heroic endurance (1946–1986) our Nazarene family in Cuba consisted of only 18 churches. Rev. Pedro “Hildo” Morejón was our steadfast denominational representative and
district superintendent for 26 years following the departure of our missionaries in 1960.
During 15 years (1986 to 2001) of leadership by District Superintendents Miranda and Galvez, the church grew from 330 to 3,421 members and from 18 to 35 organized churches as it took
advantage of lessening restrictions. During this time the government authorized religious meetings of up to 12 people in private homes and the licensing of “house churches” in private
homes that had space and amenities for group meetings. Such authorization often required a year or more to obtain.
Permission to have religious meetings in private homes at a time when denominations could not purchase properties or open new churches led to an “explosion” of witness and personal evangelism. Today Bible study, prayer, and preaching in private homes are the “cutting edge” of Kingdom building in Cuba!
Rev. Leonel Lopez was elected district superintendent in January 2001 at the age of 33. He has been mentored by his regional director, Carlos Saenz. Leonel and his wife, Migdalis, are
prototypes of the young, educated, highly motivated, and very loyal Nazarene leadership in Cuba today.
Rev. Lopez is wise beyond his years. He has earned respect at the highest levels of Cuban government.
Leonel just organized six new churches, bringing our official total to 87, with total membership of 8,273. We have over 20 church-type missions awaiting organization, 34 Churches of Children (led by children 12 and younger, including preaching), and over 650 preaching points and house churches in private homes.
After 55 years we had 3,421 members in 35 churches; in the last 13 years under Leonel’s visionary and courageous leadership we have added 4,852 members, 52 organized churches, and hundreds of preaching points. That is sustained and solid growth!
“CUBA FOR CHRIST” is God’s vision for Cuba and the entire world, and right now there are unexpected opportunities in Cuba that Leonel Lopez and his District Advisory Board want to take advantage of for rapid growth and development of the church.
There is more to the story.
Cuban Nazarenes have a compassionate spirit. When they heard that Hurricane Yolanda had devastated the Philippines, they had to do something. Leonel Lopez said, “When we Cuban Nazarenes learned of the great disaster caused by the typhoon in the Philippines, we purposed in our hearts to collect an offering of love for our brothers in the Philippines.”
I was there in November for the Cuban Holiness Summit. I listened as District Superintendent Lopez shared the need with a packed-to-overflowing tabernacle. He said, “When Hurricane Sandy hit Cuba last year, there were Philippine Nazarenes who prayed for us and sent funds to help. Now we have the chance to do the same for them.” When he told them that, the entire congregation of more than 1,000 people stood to their feet and cheered.
During the offering time they could not sit still. Hands in the air, they were shouting and laughing and weeping with joy. There were so many people there that night that dozens of people had to worship outside the tabernacle, looking in through the open air windows. At some windows they were five or six deep. I will never forget watching hands appear from the darkness, reaching through the bars, clenching money to drop in the buckets.
Keep in mind that in Cuba, a worker’s average salary is $20 a month, and a pastor’s average salary for full-time service is only $15 a month. The love offering that night was $290 US.
Several pastors in the Havana area then challenged their congregations to join in this spontaneous offering. Their participation provided another $450, for a total of $740. That is the equivalent of 37 months of a worker’s salary.
When I heard what they had given, I stood to tell them that I would be in the Philippines to hand-deliver this offering. Once again they stood to their feet and praised God.
I could not help but remember the Thessalonian church that was praised by the Apostle Paul for their grace in giving. In fact, I inserted their name: “And now, brothers and sisters, we want you
to know about the grace that God has given the [Cuban] church. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
And they exceeded our expectations: they gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us” (2 Corinthians 8:1–5, NIV).
After that service Leonel told me, “This offering is small in amount but big in our love for our brothers and sisters in the Philippines.” Then he pressed something else in my hand.
I had the privilege of delivering that message to the Metro Manila district assembly this past January. And with it I gave them the verse that Pastor Leonel handed me before I left: “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, NIV).
This could never have happened without a connectional church like ours.
FINAL THOUGHT
Nazarenes, this is our appointed time.
I believe God raised us up more than 100 years ago for such a time as this. This is our time. This is our kairos moment.
We must expect great things from God … and we must attempt great things for God.
Jesus is Lord! Our hope is in Him! And so we continue to make Christlike disciples in the nations.
Respectfully and prayerfully submitted,
Board of General Superintendents
David A. Busic
Gustavo A. Crocker
Eugénio R. Duarte
David W. Graves
Jerry D. Porter
J. K. Warrick
Prepared and read by David A. Busic
bgs@nazarene.org
© 2014 General Board Church of the Nazarene, Inc. All rights reserved.
∗ Reported assembly-year statistics differ from the general treasurer’s totals of WEF and Mission Specials, which are receipted in the prior fiscal year.
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Nazarene youth pastors involved in multiple fatality accident
Youth pastors Nathan and Hannah Capen from the Missoula, Montana, Church of the Nazarene were on their way to a Nazarene Youth International fundraiser Saturday when they were involved in a head-on collision.
According to KRTV, Hannah (Johnson) Capen, 23, was driving a Ford F-250 pickup when she lost control on an icy road and crossed the center line, hitting a GMC vehicle. Hannah was killed as was a 9-year-old passenger in the GMC vehicle. Nathan was moved out of the intensive care unit on Monday night, but remains hospitalized. The driver and a 6-year-old passenger were also taken to the hospital.
Montana Highway Patrol reported road conditions were a factor in the crash.
The Capens married in July 2010.
Memorials may be made to the "Hannah Johnson Capen Memorial Fund" at:
Missoula Federal Credit Union
3600 Brooks Street
Missoula, MT 59801
All donations will go toward funeral costs and Hannah and Nathan's medical bills.
Prayer is requested for those involved and the Missoula church family.
NPH to seek new president
Gerald Smith announced at the Church of the Nazarene's 91st Session of the General Board on Monday he will not seek re-election as Nazarene Publishing House president.
Smith was elected NPH president in September 2012. He was up for standard re-election as part of this week's General Board proceedings. Smith became president during the unexpired, four-year term of retired NPH president C. Hardy Weathers.
A search committee will now be formed to find Smith's successor.
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2014 Global Missionary Candidates
The Church of the Nazarene's Global Mission Office recommended the following missionaries for appointment. These individuals were recognized before the General Board on Monday, February 24.
Milton and Olga Gay have served on regional contract since December 2004 on the Mesoamerica Region. Both Milton and Olga serve as regional Nazarene Youth International coordinator, regional Nazarene Missions International coordinator, and Youth Mobilization coordinator. Milton teaches at Nazarene Seminary of the Americas (SENDAS). The couple has two children, Alejandra and Milton Gerardo. Their home church is Santa Tecla Church of the Nazarene on the El Salvador West District. The Gays are being commissioned as missionaries on global contract to Guatemala.
David and Betsy Scott have served on intern contract since December 2009 on the Eurasia Region. Both David and Betsy serve in Church Development. They have two children, Jacob and Emma. Their home church is New Hope Community Church of the Nazarene on the East Ohio District. The Scotts are being commissioned as missionaries on global contract to Croatia.--Global Mission
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Retiring missionaries recognized at 91st General Board
The Church of the Nazarene's Global Mission Office was pleased to announce the following retiring missionaries during the final meeting of the 91st Session of the General Board on Monday in Overland Park, Kansas.
The missionaries were presented with a sculpture as a token of thanks. Global Mission and the Church of the Nazarene would like to express its deep love and appreciation to both individuals for their many years of selfless dedication to God, the church, and all of those whose lives have been impacted by their ministry.
David and Rhoda Restrick
Years of Service: 29
South Africa (1985 - 1989)
Mozambique (1989 - 2014)
To read their testimony, click here.
Although we both served in Swaziland in the 1970's, we were officially appointed as missionaries in 1985. We served our first term in South Africa and during that time, one of our tasks was to assist refugees fleeing the civil war across the border in Mozambique. Little did we think that four years later our assignment would take us across the border to Mozambique. Mozambique has never been an easy place to serve, and at times it was trying, and even difficult. During those times we were encouraged by the words of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 6:9. The Lord is faithful and we have seen Him bring in a harvest that continues today in Mozambique.
One of our concerns as missionaries was schooling for our children. When they were little, home schooling was an adequate solution, but high school presented a challenge. Just at the right time, a sister mission organization opened a school for missionary kids within a mile of our home. All three of our children attended that school until graduation from high school. The Lord even supplied this need while on home assignment. Returning for home assignment in 2000, Mary and David dreaded the thought of attending a big city public high school. We had heard about and visited a Christian school when we returned to Massachusetts. When visiting the school to see about the possibilities, we learned the monthly fee was greater than our missionary salary. We left without giving them our name or contact information and told the kids there was no way we could pay for them to attend the school. We told them to pray about it, but they better prepare themselves to attend public high school. A couple weeks later the Christian school called.
We had no idea how they got our name or number, but the person calling said, they had understood our daughter would like to attend the school, a scholarship had been made available and they had a place for her. We were dumbfounded!
When Mary was offered a place at the Christian school, our son David prayed, asking God if He could get him a place too, but if not, he would go to the public school and make the best of it.
A few days later, the school called again asking about our son. They said they had a scholarship available and a place for him if he would like to attend as well.
Both Mary and David attended South Shore Christian Academy during our home assignment year. To this day we do not know who paid their tuition, but we do know the Lord answered their prayers, and ours.
In the 1990's, the Peace Corps had a recruiting slogan – The toughest job you'll ever love. That description aptly applies to our missionary service in Mozambique over the past 25 years. Serving in Mozambique hasn't been easy; there were always challenges of one kind or another, but the Lord was there and we saw His hand working in many ways. He helped us overcome challenges and brought great victories. During our time in Mozambique, we grew to love the Mozambican people and especially our family of Nazarenes. If we had the choice, we would do it all over again.
Our three kids are in the USA. Beth, our oldest, is director of the African Studies Library at Boston University. Mary works for a company in Boston that provides employment training and job opportunities, as well as occupational therapy for mentally and physically handicapped adults. Beth and Mary share an apartment in Quincy, Massachusetts. David, our youngest, recently completed an MA in higher education student development and is looking for employment in that field of service. For the time being, we are making our home in Braintree, Massachusetts.
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Additional NCNNews.com Stories This Week
Regional News
Africa
GMC Flags of the Nations: Madagascar
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: Madagascar
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Madagascar in 1993.
Madagascar had a population of 22,599,098 in 2013. That same year, Madagascar reported 31 Churches of the Nazarene, 11 of which had been officially organized. Madagascar has 1,757 total members.
Madagascar is a Phase 1 district on the Africa Region.
Previous flags featured:
Argentina
Aruba
Belize
Benin
Bolivia
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Chile
Colombia
Côte d'Ivoire
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Equatorial Guinea Ethiopia
France
Gabon
Guatemala
Germany
Ghana
Guam
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Conakry
Guyana
Haiti
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Liberia
Madagascar Mali
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Paraguay
Peru
Senegal
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Suriname
Swaziland
Togo
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Venezuela
NOTE: Some countries cannot be represented in this project in order to maintain security of those working there.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene.
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Asia-Pacific
NNU engineers design water system for Kudjip Nazarene Hospital
Quantifying and measuring comes second nature to the three Northwest Nazarene University engineering students who traveled to Kudjip, Papua New Guinea, during their Christmas break.
During the two weeks abroad, the students spent their days with various apparatuses and instruments measuring pipe size and water pressure in the hospital buildings. They located and mapped the main lines that carry water across the campus and assessed the amount of power available in the region and surveyed possible locations for a new water tower. Through all this, they found a dire water situation at the Kudjip Nazarene Hospital.
The hospital, founded in 1967, is a hub for medical access and training in the highlands of PNG. It is equipped to perform all basic health services and a range of major procedures for inpatients and outpatients.
The 185-acre campus uses 80,000 gallons of water in a normal day of operations. A patchwork of tangled systems provides water for the hospital, school, and staff housing, but none of the methods adequately meet the increasing needs of the medical center that serves over 50,000 patients a year. The medical, missionary, and teaching staff of more than 1,000 people get only 32 percent of their daily water from the single well and water tower on near campus.
During the rainy season, two-thirds of the water is supplied by storm clouds. Large, plastic water tanks sit atop nearly every roof on campus. Rain fills the open-air tanks, but as soon as the rain stops so does the water. During the dry season or drought years, water is in such short supply that the single well is overtaxed and red clay-discolored water is pumped up into the hospital and homes.
To address a growing list of health and safety concerns, the hospital asked NNU Professor of Engineering Stephen Parke if the school could offer any assistance. In January 2013, a team of NNU students visited Kudjip to survey the campus and design a 7-year master building plan. They determined a water system upgrade was the highest priority for the hospital. The quality of work done by the students made NNU the hospital's top choice to take on a new project this year.
The NNU engineering students accepted the task and are using it to fulfill their senior design requirement. They will design a new well, storage reservoir, water purification system, piping network, and pressurization pumps. The upgrade will be funded by a recently awarded $1.5 million USAID grant with construction beginning later this year.
The team included all the skills needed to complete the project. Ryan Lofhouse is a senior mechanical engineering major. He serves as team leader for the entire project. Seth Leija is an electronic engineer who will design the power grid that will run the pumps for the new well. Benjamin Gordan is a mechanical engineer who will focus on the structure of the new water tower. Freshman Krystal Duran is interested in civil engineering and will learn as much as she can from the older members of the team. Partners in the project, Kyle and Chelsie Kaschmitter, also traveled to PNG with the team. Kyle is a civil engineer with Boise State University and Chelsie, an NNU alumna who works for Mission Aviation Fellowship's media division, documented the project.
During all this technical work, the team also took time to get to know the people.
There are more than 800 unique cultures in PNG. The local residents all dressed in bright colors and welcomed the visitors with extravagant meals, love, and smiles for the camera. And they sang. Bush churches filled with praise and worship in Tok Pisin, Mi laik praisim nem bilong yu, which means, I like to praise Your holy name. Sermons were heated and passionate and the visiting students felt the energy, even if they didn't understand the words.
This deep passion hints at another cultural identity. The people of PNG have earned a violent reputation and not without reason. The Kudjip Hospital treats many violent injuries caused by clubs and machetes. The U.S. Department of State continually warns travelers to stay away from rural areas and the deep forest, as skirmishes between warring clans are common.
Duran told of her encounter with a man reputed for violence and misdeeds. Appa, a native New Guinean, met with Duran and Lofhouse during a forest hike to Suicide Falls, a beautiful but aptly named cliff overlooking treacherous white water. As they walked Appa began recounting his well-earned reputation. He was known as a thug, a murderer, and a thief for hire. Appa continued his story. One day he was walking and fell into a river. At the bottom of the current, certain he was about to drown, he prayed his first prayer. He prayed for salvation from the river and for his soul.
Appa is a native pastor who leads a church in the bush. He recently finished Bible college and is a leader in the community.
"You could see his passion for the Lord in every movement," Duran said. "Every other sentence he praised Jesus. The hospital has cared for members of Appa's congregation and will be better able to continue their service with a stable water source."
Leija explained why the students travel around the world, at their own expense, to design a project that won't make a profit.
"There is a difference between looking at a map of the campus and being there in person," he said. "On a map we saw an empty field; in person we saw where the staff and students gather to play rugby. We couldn't just lay a pipe through there; we had to find another option."
All the data is collected and stored on computer hard drives and in the students' memories. This semester, back on the NNU campus, the team will analyze the data and design a comprehensive water system that will meet the long-term needs of the Kudjip Nazarene Hospital and the people who benefit from it. The proposal will then be sent to the hospital, completely free of any design charges. Construction of the new well and water tower is expected to begin next year after the hydroelectric dam is ready to power the system. These engineers will be well prepared to improve the lives of whomever they touch next.--Northwest Nazarene University
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Eurasia
Bulgaria church's new space leads to community outreach
For the first time since its inception in the early 1990s, the Sofia Church of the Nazarene is meeting in a space that is available for church activities 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The church has been meeting in various rented spaces for two decades, often with the space only available on Sunday afternoons. Just when the congregation would be settled into a new location, the owners would decide they didn't want the church there anymore, and they would have to find a new place to meet. They moved five to six times in about 10 years, said former pastor Galin Ivanov, who is still heavily involved in the church.
"They moved a lot and lost a lot of people," said Doug Mann, a missionary who serves as the district superintendent for Bulgaria and also pastors the church.
Since 2009, the congregation, which averages 15 to 20 people in worship, has met in the back of another church. They raised the funds to purchase a property of their own, but as yet have not been able to move forward in constructing a church building.
About two years ago, the church began to dream of moving to a space in the same neighborhood as their property, to establish themselves in the community and reach out in long-term ways, according to Mann. The church board spent a lot of time looking at properties until they found one that suited their needs.
In November, the church signed a rental agreement on a 170-square meter storefront off the main boulevard, about 400 meters away from the land the church owns, and began worship services there. It's located in the Lyulin neighborhood of Sofia, a lower to middle class community of about 300,000 people, primarily families who are striving to make ends meet, according to Mann.
Now that they have a space they don't share with any other church or business, the building is available for mid-week groups, outreach activities, and Bible studies.
"The first time after so many years I've seen people come to church with excitement," Ivanov said. "I see them excited about being at our own place, [having] a sense of ownership. They participate in cleaning, so it becomes more 'This is our place.'"
Last year, the church launched home group discipleship meetings, which were not dependent on a space for Sunday morning worship. Recently they added a men's ministry.
"We have a short devotional at the beginning, exchange some thoughts and if it's thought provoking, we discuss these new ideas," Ivanov said. "Basically that makes us a strong core, connects us together, helps us to grow closer to God."
In the coming months, they plan to offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, start a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group, and possibly offer health education.--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region
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Mesoamerica
Alaska District delivers motorcycles to Guatemala church planters
A team from the Alaska District traveled to Guatemala January 17 to 24 to show the JESUS film, conduct Maximum Mission activities, and deliver motorcycles to church planters. About 175 people received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The planters were from the Guatemala North and Alta Verapaz Southwest districts.
CA-4 Field Assistant Evangelism Coordinator Roger Lemus provided the following report:
Nueva Esperanza village testimony
We held a Maximum Mission outreach in the Nueva Esperanza village that included helping to paint a school. The group painted the two rooms that make up the school. Simultaneously, we held a piñata event for the children. All of these activities caused a great evangelistic impact for the glory of God. It was even more impacting when at the end of the painting and piñata activity we projected the JESUS film. This attracted the whole village. They stood expectantly as the film developed. We realize that the people were astonished when Jesus was crucified. It was a touching scene. Then we made the call to receive Jesus in their hearts. Immediately, the children passed to the front and adults also raised their hands; including men, women, and young people. The response of the people was something admirable. The Alaska group witnessed this event and were filled with joy to know how much need of Jesus there is in these missional zones. More than 75 people received Jesus and were saved that night at the Nueva Esperanza community of Santa Elena Petén. A new mission was opened, in this community, for the glory God.
Chimaja village testimony
In the village of Chimaja, we also held a Maximum Mission with church planters from the East Gaza District of Alta Verapaz. We repaired and painted a community house that functions as a meeting place for the villagers. We also held a workshop on dental cleaning education, where the whole Alaskan group participated teaching the children how they should brush their teeth. At night, we presented the JESUS film. The place was completely full of people. It was a surprising event! The group made a comment in relation to this time, they remembered the passage where Jesus was teaching in a house and the crowd was great. So many people were in this place that it was very difficult to move. We had over 300 people! We held the event in the community house that we had just repaired and painted because it was raining at the time of the presentation. This time, we made the call to receive Jesus and had more than 100 converts; just like in Nueva Esperanza, a new mission was opened.
Summary
We thank God for this project. An estimated 175 people received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and were saved through the tools of the JESUS film and Maximum Mission in these districts. This is just an example of the great things God is doing in the CA-4 Field on the Mesoamerica Region. In addition to all this, the Alaska group had the privilege of witnessing the organization of a new church in what will soon be a new district in the Sayaxche Zone, North Petén District. This is the result of our CA-4 Field missional zone planters, Glory to God! In this experience, the Alaska group saw two important events: The birth of two new missions that in the future will be two Nazarene churches, and the organization of a church-type mission that began as a preaching point and is now a Nazarene church. It will join the Petén District.
Finally, we visited the Nazarene Bible Institute, where we delivered the motorcycles to the missional zone planters. This was a great blessing, something to be remembered. We held a consecration ceremony for the motorcycles and the JESUS Film equipment brought by the Alaska group. Also, we had the presence of our Regional Evangelism Coordinator Bernie Slingerland, who expressed satisfaction and joy at being able to reach this important moment in a time of thanksgiving and unity with the planters, the Alaska group, and part of the CA-4 evangelism team.--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region
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Costa Rica church provides school supplies for 150 children
During December 2013 and January 2014, the Poder de lo Alto Church of the Nazarene in Rosister Carballo, Costa Rica, collected notebooks and school supplies for 50 underprivileged children in their community. Thanks to the support of friends and some churches on the district, they managed to collect more than 800 books for 150 children, which exceeded the original goal.
They delivered the supplies on February 9 at the Brisas de Virilla school because their church, which houses 40 members, was too small for the event.
David Castro, the church's Nazarene Missions International president, came up with the idea after remembering a point in his life when he had difficulty obtaining school supplies. The Castro family wanted to support four underprivileged children and shared this desire through social media with some friends. Little by little, people expressed their desire to support the project. They never imagined it would become so large.
The church would like to continue this work next year with a goal to bless 250 underprivileged children from the areas of San José, Heredia, and Aranjuez de Puntarenas.
"We are grateful to God and to you for making this miracle come true," Castro said. "We have no words to express what we feel. It only remains to say: God bless you for your good heart, may you and your families have peace and may God's love continue to manifest in every possible way in your life."--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region
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Nazarene illusionist takes magic, gospel to Central America
Nazarene illusionist Scott Humston recently returned from his first ministry tour of Central America in the country of Belize, marking the second international tour of his career. During his Central American jaunt, more than 1,500 children and parents attended his week-long events, with more than 100 people making decisions for Christ.
Humston was moved by the people that he met.
"I was careful to make sure they understood that as a magician, I do tricks, but God does miracles," Humston said. "As with the programs we do for schools and churches here in America, I used a variety of methods to gain their attention — comedy, illusions, stories, illustrations — while we present a message based on Scripture."
Humston, who has official recommendations from former U.S. President George W. and Laura Bush and Church of the Nazarene General Superintendent David W. Graves, has performed for more than 26 years, beginning at the age of 13. He was born with a cleft-palate, which required multiple surgeries and years of speech classes. Performing magic helped Humston overcome his anxieties and low self-esteem at an early age. Later, he began to work with acclaimed magician and evangelist Felix Snipes, whose ministry saw more than 200,000 public commitments to Christ before he retired in the early 2000s. Eight years ago, Humston took the reins of Snipes' "Wonder-full Weekend" events, and has since added multiple events to his repertoire, including the "Pro Kids" Show that he performs in public elementary schools across the country.
"A lot of Christians think magic in any form is harmful, but the truth is that the 'magic' described in the Bible is specifically referring to what we would call today black magic, sorcery, or witchcraft," Humston said. "What I do are slight-of-hand tricks. The only thing supernatural in our programs is the message."
Humston has performed for major corporations such as Southwest Airlines and Warner Brothers Records, as well as three performances at the White House. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies and dramatic arts from Trevecca Nazarene University and resides in Grand Island, Florida, where he and his wife, Debi, homeschool their four children.
For more information, visit ScottHumston.com.--NCN News submissions
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South America
Brazil Amazonas District grows 31 percent
Brazil Amazonas District pastors and leaders gathered at Manaus Church of the Nazarene for training and to hold their 10th District Assembly, February 14 and 15.
Fifty individuals representing all district churches attended the event. Some pastors and leaders traveled 24 hours by boat just to get to the meeting.
Training for Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International and church planting was held simultaneously on the first day. Regional SDMI Coordinator Patricia Picavea came from Argentina to give an SDMI Organization Administration workshop. Pastor Jean Jerley from Puerto Viejo, who participated in a Dynamic Church Planting International training in November, presented a workshop on church planting. To close the day's activities, Stephen Heap, retired Nazarene missionary to Brazil, gave a message.
In 2006, when Manuel Lima became superintendent, the work in Amazonas consisted of two churches, a mission, and 170 members. That is where the Jesus the Hope boat ministry was born. Through the district's hard work, 19 riverside communities have been reached and there are now 10 organized churches, five missions, and one preaching point in the north with a total of 708 members.
During the training time, attendees went to see a new boat that has been under construction for two years. The boat will serve to evangelize, do social works (medical clinics, eye exams, etc.), discipleship, and help with the construction of new church buildings. Given the conditions of the area, the boat is necessary to reach and minister to river communities. While the boat is being built, additional boats are being rented to reach those communities and expand God's kingdom. Thanks to the boat ministry, 12 young people from the river community of Canaa were baptized the week before the training and assembly.
The boat is being built thanks to donations from various sources. One church in Santa Cruz do Río Pardo in Sao Paulo, Brazil, sold 200 plates of food and raised R$2,000 (about US$858). A Brazilian businessman offered US$50,000 when he heard Lima speak about the boat. Another businessman from North America donated US$40,000 when he heard Campinas Central Church of the Nazarene Pastor Flavio Valvassoura talk about the boat.
The final cost rose to US$250,000 and US$120,000 is still needed for the engine, the electric generator, electrical wiring installation, and other details. For more information, contact Manuel Lima at limagali@uol.com.br.
The two-day event continued with the 10th District Assembly, presided by Heap. Elders and licensed ministers gave reports and celebrated the 31 percent growth in membership last year.
Saturday night they closed the event with a service in which all those attending worshiped God with enthusiasm and celebrated the goals met in 2013. The elected leaders of the assembly were installed by Lima, who launched the challenge to reach 1,000 members for next assembly. All participants responded positively to the challenge. Heap once again inspired and challenged those present.--Church of the Nazarene South America Region
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USA/Canada
Ohio teen hit by police cruiser
William Espensen, a 13-year-old member of Dayton, Ohio, Central Church of the Nazarene, was hit by two cars on Wednesday afternoon, including a police cruiser.
WDTN reported Espensen darted into traffic, where he was hit by a car and then tossed into the path of a Dayton police cruiser.
Central Church Pastor Ralph Rolfe said the boy suffered a broken hip, a broken femur, and multiple lacerations on his side and back. Espensen had surgery Friday morning to insert a pin in his hip and a rod in his femur.
"The Lord was definitely with William Espensen and we are trusting Him for a complete recovery," Rolfe said.
Prayer is requested for Espensen.
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P&B USA encourages participation in America Saves Week
Pensions and Benefits USA urges all pastors to take time during America Saves Week, February 24 through March 1, to prepare for the future by contributing to their Nazarene 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan accounts.
"We have created a 403(b) account with Fidelity Investments for every eligible U.S. pastor, but we still have hundreds who are not actively engaged in using this valuable tool to save for retirement," said Don Walter, director of Pensions and Benefits USA.
The America Saves Week website is filled with information and resources designed to encourage persons from every walk of life to start saving for the future, even if it's only a small amount.
Fidelity Investments is participating in ASW. They provide many planning and calculation resources for Nazarene pastors who have registered their 403(b) accounts. Registration details and related information may be found at pbusa.org under the Retirement tab.
"We encourage our ministers to use this special week as a time to consider the lifestyle they wish to have after they leave active ministry," Walter said. "Regular saving, even in small amounts, over time, can make a big difference in whether retirement becomes an event to joyfully anticipate or something to dread."--Pensions and Benefits USA
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SDMI announces Son of God film resources
Twentieth Century Fox will release Son of God in theaters nationwide February 28. This major motion picture event brings the story of Jesus' life to audiences, from his birth through his teachings, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection. Told with the scope and scale of an action epic, the film features powerful performances, exotic locales, dazzling visual effects, and a rich orchestral score from Oscar®-winner Hans Zimmer.
This movie is bringing religious leaders together with support from across all denominations. The producers focused from the beginning on creating an experience that would be shared by all.
The Church of the Nazarene's Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International was given special permission to present the full film to attendees at the SDMI District Leadership Conference in Charleston, South Carolina, in January.
In cooperation with the American Bible Society, SDMI is offering a 21-day devotional guide to support the movie. Click here to sign up for electronic delivery of the devotionals, or download a pdf of the devotionals here. For questions, email sonofgoddevotionals@nazarene.org.
Mark Burnett and Roma Downey produced the film.
"We responded to an overwhelming demand for the greatest story ever told to be seen as a shared experience on the big screen," Downey said. "The result is a beautiful stand-alone movie. It's the story of Jesus for a whole new generation."
Please click here to view a personalized video from Burnett and Downey to the Church of the Nazarene, as well as a movie trailer. Additional movie resources can be found here.--Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International USA/Canada
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Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSE
A child is born to us!
A son is given to us!
And he will be our ruler.
He will be called, “Wonderful Counselor,” “Mighty God,” “Eternal Father,” “Prince of Peace.”
- Isaiah 9:6
SORTING IT OUT
The story of Jesus doesn’t begin with his birth in a barn.
Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah foretold a ruler whose reign would be
timeless. Over one thousand years before Jesus was born, God’s covenant with Abraham promised
a descendant who would bless all people. Before time began, God had a plan to redeem a world He
had not yet made.
So, who is this promised Jesus? And who is Jesus today?
The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Son of God. It also tells us that Jesus is God. Both the Old and
New Testaments ascribe many names, descriptions, and characteristics of Jesus: Jesus is the
Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is our King (I Timothy 6:15). Jesus brings peace (Ephesians 2:14).
Jesus is our Savior (Acts 13:23). Jesus is our friend (John 15:15).
Why does all this matter for us today? Over the next three weeks, we’ll be exploring who the Bible
says Jesus is, looking at “The Early Years,” “Jesus in Ministry,” “and the Final Days.” Join us on this
journey.
YOUR TURN
When Jesus asked Peter, “Who do you say I am,” Peter answered, “You are the son of God.”
Who do you say Jesus is?
GOD’S TURN
Jesus, teach me who you are. Help me learn to know you.
Week 1: The Early Years
Day 1: The Prequel Read: Isaiah 9:2-7
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSES
Now all this happened in order to make come true what the Lord had said through the prophet, “A
virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and he will be called Immanuel” (which means, “God is
with us”).”
- Matthew 1:22-23
SORTING IT OUT
The Bible says Jesus is God. But he was also, for a specific, concrete time, fully human. He lived
on the same earth that we do. He breathed the same air. He experienced the full range of what it
means to be human, from being born to dying.
Jesus, God made flesh, came to this earth and walked among us. God, the creator and ruler of the
universe, was with us. God is with us.
Why?
John 10:10 gives us the answer: “I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.”
What an amazing gift.
By coming to earth in the flesh, Jesus changed the course of human history. No other prophet,
teacher, or king has affected the world in the same way. Jesus didn’t come simply to teach or to
preach or to establish an earthly kingdom. He came to be with us and bring us the gift of salvation.
YOUR TURN
Memorize John 3:16 using the free memorization app Bible Minded (available at the App Store,
Google Play and Amazon).
Week 1: The Early Years
Day 2: In Our Zip Code Read: Matthew 1:18—2:2
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSE
He answered them, “Why did you have to look for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my
Father’s house?”
- Luke 2:49
SORTING IT OUT
The Bible only gives us one account of Jesus’ life as a child, the story of when Jesus stayed behind
at the temple in Jerusalem after the Feast of Passover, and his parents couldn’t find him for three
days.
Can you imagine how Mary and Joseph felt?
Their son, whom angels had told them was the promised Savior of their people, was missing. No
matter how they searched, they couldn’t find Him anywhere. After the roller coaster of events from
the annunciation through Jesus’ birth and the resulting flight into Egypt—angels, wise men, murderous
kings—the Promised One was now lost and they couldn’t find him. They must have been terrified.
Yet when Mary and Joseph found Jesus, He was surprised they didn’t think to look for Him in the
Temple. Of course He was in His Father’s house.
YOUR TURN
It’s tempting to read Jesus’ response as the indifference of youth. But perhaps what Jesus was trying
to say—both to His parents, and to us—was don’t be afraid. Trust me, Jesus says. I am always
doing the work of my Father.
GOD’S TURN
Thank you, Jesus, for always knowing what You are doing. Help me to trust You.
Week 1: The Early Years
Day 3: JESUS THE KID Read: Luke 2:41-52
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSES
As soon as Jesus came up out of the water, he saw heaven opening and the Spirit coming down on
him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my own dear Son. I am pleased with you.”
- Mark 1:10-11
SORTING IT OUT
In today’s passage, the Bible says that John—often called “John the Baptist”—was teaching around
Judea, exhorting people to turn from their sins and be baptized. So why did Jesus, who was without
sin, ask John to baptize Him too?
Many theologians believe that Jesus’ baptism was a symbol of His taking on our sins, a precursor to
the redemptive work He would later do on the cross. Jesus, the Savior of the world, humbled himself
and became human in order to redeem humanity, shouldering our sin so that we might be made
righteous: “Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union
with him we might share the righteousness of God” (II Corinthians 5:21).
And what did God say when Jesus was baptized? He acknowledged Jesus as His own Son and
then said, “I am pleased with you.” The work Jesus was going to do would be hard. They both knew
it. And God, His Father, was pleased with Him for doing that work.
YOUR TURN
What do you believe about baptism?
Week 1: The Early Years
Day 4: All In Read: Mark 1:1-11
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSE
Then Jesus answered, “Go away, Satan! The scripture says, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve
only him!’”
- Matthew 4:10
SORTING IT OUT
Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness is a provocative plot point in an already tightly-plotted story. Born
of a scandalous pregnancy, spirited away to Egypt to avoid murder, now we see Jesus led out into
the desert to survive 40 days without food...and then Satan comes to tempt Him.
Satan never seems to tempt us when we are at our best, does he? He doesn’t come when Jesus
is home with His family, surrounded by friends and well-fed. He doesn’t come when Jesus is being
baptized and God is speaking to Him from Heaven. No, he comes when Jesus is exhausted, hungry,
and alone, offering Him food, power, and rescue.
Jesus doesn’t give in. His stomach must have been sick for want of food, yet He doesn’t give in. He
resists the Evil One. Even when the Devil twists Scripture to quote at Jesus, Jesus doesn’t give in.
Finally, He orders Satan to leave, and he does. Then God sends His angels to minister to Jesus,
who has withstood the trial.
YOUR TURN
We might have never spent 40 days in the desert without food, enduring direct temptation from
Satan; yet, temptation is something all of us face.
What can we learn from Jesus’ example?
Week 1: The Early Years
Day 5: Jesus vs. Superbad Read: Matthew 4:1-11
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSES
Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” They pulled the
boats up on the beach, left everything, and followed Jesus.
- Luke 5:10b-11
SORTING IT OUT
Simon must have thought Jesus was crazy. First Jesus commandeers his boat, and then He tells
Simon to let down his nets and catch fish.
Simon had been fishing, all night, with nothing to show for it. Now this man Jesus, who isn’t even a
fisherman, gets into his boat and tells him what to do.
Yet Simon obeyed. He lowered his net, and—miraculously—caught so much fish the nets could
barely withstand the weight. And Simon realizes that this is a miracle. This is the same Simon who,
when later asked who he thinks Jesus is, will answer, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living
God” (Matthew 16:16).
Simon got it. He understood who Jesus was. And he and his fellow fishermen left everything they
had and followed Jesus.
Simon would have missed out on a miracle if he had refused to obey Jesus. Sometimes, what Jesus
asks us to do doesn’t seem very logical—turn the other cheek, give away our money, trust someone
we cannot see. But Jesus knows His plan for us is even better than our plans for ourselves.
YOUR TURN
Try this out. Post something like the following on Facebook, and see what you get back: “Is there
anything you’d give everything for?”
Week 1: The Early Years
Day 6: Who’s First? Read: Luke 5:1-11
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSE
While they all watched, the man got up, picked up his mat, and hurried away. They were all completely
amazed and praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
- Mark 2:12
SORTING IT OUT
What would you do to get to Jesus?
The paralyzed man’s friends are so desperate that they make a hole in the roof, haul their friend up,
and lower him—mat and all—into the room where Jesus is.
That’s some serious devotion. But the men believe that Jesus can heal their friend...and they are
right. Not only does Jesus heal the man, who is able to pick up his mat and walk away, Jesus also
forgives his sins—much to the consternation of the teachers of the Law.
The Bible says that God is able to do even more than we ask: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably
more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him
be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
(Ephesians 3:20-21, NIV).
The paralyzed man’s friends were willing to dismantle a roof for a chance that their friend could walk;
how much more would they have done to have their sins forgiven?
The amazing part is, we don’t have to go to heroic lengths to have our sins forgiven. All we have to
do is ask.
YOUR TURN
Thank you, Lord, that the gift of salvation is free.
Week 1: The Early Years
Day 7: Through the Black Hole Read: Mark 2:1-12
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSES
Happy are those who mourn;
God will comfort them!
Happy are those who are humble;
they will receive what God has promised!
Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires;
God will satisfy them fully!
Happy are those who are merciful to others;
God will be merciful to them!
Happy are the pure in heart;
they will see God!
- Matthew 5:4-8
SORTING IT OUT
Jesus’ followers expected an earthly king: someone who would rise up against the government,
overturn Roman rule, and free them from their oppressors. But Jesus had a different plan.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ teachings probably stood in direct contrast to what his followers
expected—the opposite of what seems logical. Happy are those who mourn? Happy are the humble?
Because, Jesus is saying, I am offering you a better way to live.
God isn’t telling us to be miserable. What Jesus is saying is that when you are miserable, God gives
you hope and comfort. When you are humble, God will take care of you. When you put others first,
God will bless you.
This sort of teaching flies in the face of a me-centered culture, possibly more so today than it did
2,000 years ago. But it is what Jesus calls his followers to do—then and now.
YOUR TURN
What can you do today to share God’s hope and comfort with someone else?
Week 2: Jesus in Ministry
Day 8: Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount
Read: Matthew 5:1-12
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSE
Jesus took the bread, gave thanks to God, and distributed it to the people who were sitting there. He
did the same with the fish, and they all had as much as they wanted.
- John 6:11
SORTING IT OUT
This is a story about human need. A large crowd is following Jesus. After seeing Him miraculously
heal the sick, perhaps they hope He can heal them, too. Perhaps they have loved ones who are ill.
Perhaps they’re simply curious.
Whatever the motive, they end up en masse on a hillside, with nothing to eat. Among the thousands
of assembled people, the Gospel of John tells us one little boy had all of five loaves of bread and
two small fish.
Jesus could have opened the heavens and rained down manna like God did for the Israelites in the
desert. He could have simply caused food to appear in everyone’s hands. But instead, He took what
the little the boy had to offer and multiplied it.
We never know when God is going to use our small gifts to do big things. What if the boy had balked
or tried to keep his food for himself? Yes, Jesus could still have performed a miracle. But the young
boy—and the assembled crowd—would have missed out on the big blessing God had planned for
them.
Jesus had big plans for the boy’s small lunch. And Jesus has big plans for our offerings too, no matter
how small.
YOUR TURN
Memorize John 6:35.
Week 2: Jesus in Ministry
Day 9: Jesus Feeds 5000 Read: John 6:1-14
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSES
He straightened up and said to her, “Where are they? Is there no one left to condemn you?”
“No one, sir,” she answered.
“Well, then,” Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, but do not sin again.”
- John 8:10-11
SORTING IT OUT
“Is there no one left to condemn you?”
How wonderful those words must have sounded to a woman who knew she was facing death. Only
moments before, her fate had been sealed; caught in the act of adultery, she was sentenced to be
stoned. Then Jesus had compassion on her and saved her from her accusers.
The story doesn’t end there. Jesus spares her life in this beautiful act of compassion, but His last
words to her are, “Go, but do not sin again.” Jesus’ mercy is paired with justice. He doesn’t say, “I
forgive you, feel free to go on committing adultery.” He tells her to stop. This is a hard teaching.
The miraculous forgiveness of our sins doesn’t give us license to keep sinning. Paul writes about
this in his letter to the Romans, “Should we continue to live in sin so that God’s grace will increase?
Certainly not!” (6:1b-2a).
Turning away from sin means turning to God. Only He can give us the strength to leave our sinful
ways.
YOUR TURN
What secret sin can you confess today? What steps can you take to leave that sin behind?
Week 2: Jesus in Ministry
Day 10: Jesus and the Adulterous Woman
Read: John 8:1-11
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSE
They were all terrified when they saw him.
Jesus spoke to them at once, “Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don’t be afraid!”
- Mark 6:50
SORTING IT OUT
God’s creation itself is a miracle. The world, working according to the rules God designed, is a miracle.
That the earth holds its orbit, babies are born, and food grows from dirt - what could be more
miraculous?
When Jesus walked among us, he performed miracles even beyond these everyday wonders. And
still, His followers didn’t always understand the meaning of those miracles.
When Jesus’ disciples saw him walking on the water toward their boat, in the middle of the night,
they were terrified. They had just seen him feed 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and
two fish, yet the Gospel of Mark says, “...they had not understood the real meaning of the feeding of
the five thousand; their minds could not grasp it” (verse 52). Now, facing another miracle, their first
response was fear.
And Jesus calls out to them: “Courage!” he says. “It is I. Don’t be afraid!”
God’s miracles are designed for our good. Whether walking on water or holding the stars in place,
God’s miracles are a manifestation of His miraculous love. “Don’t be afraid,” Jesus says. Every miracle
is simply a message of His love.
YOUR TURN
What do you think is miraculous? Ask someone today.
Week 2: Jesus in Ministry
Day 11: Jesus Walks on Water Read: Mark 6:45-52
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSES
The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and troubled over so many things, but just
one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away from her.”
- Luke 10:41-42
SORTING IT OUT
Have you ever wanted the story of Mary and Martha to end differently? When we’re tired and overworked,
it’s tempting to wish Jesus had told Mary to quit being lazy and give Martha a hand. Why
should Martha have to do all the work just so Mary could have her moment with Jesus?
But that’s not what Jesus did. Instead, Jesus tells Martha that only one thing is needed, and it’s not
the work she’s doing. The one thing that is needed is to sit and listen to Him.
Does this mean Martha’s work isn’t important? Of course not. But what it does mean is that there are
times when some things, even important things, need to be put on hold for the sake of listening to
Jesus.
Knowing when to slow down—or even stop—is difficult. Like Martha, we’re hemmed in by our to-do
lists. But Jesus calls us to recognize that nothing on our to-do lists, and nothing in our lives, is more
important than our relationship with Him.
YOUR TURN
God, show me when I need to stop and listen to You. Help me be obedient to this command.
Week 2: Jesus in Ministry
Day 12: Jesus Teaches Mary Read: Luke 10:38-42
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSES
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will live, even though
they die; and those who live and believe in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord!” she
answered. “I do believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
- John 11:25-27
SORTING IT OUT
In the middle of a tragedy, Lazarus’ sister Martha makes a beautiful profession of faith: “Yes, Lord! I
do believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
It’s interesting to note that Martha says this before Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Martha isn’t
saying “I believe” in affirmation of a miracle she’s just seen. She’s saying “I believe” in the hope of a
miracle to come—Jesus’ own resurrection on the last day.
It’s easier to believe when the outcome is already known, when we can see what we believe is
actual fact. But then, is that really belief? Had Martha waited to make her profession of faith, it would
have rung hollow—of course she believed once the miracle occurred.
But Martha professes her faith up front. In the middle of her grief, she tells Jesus “I believe.”
Like Martha, we profess our faith before the outcome is a given. Because, like Martha, we’re also
waiting for promised miracles to come.
YOUR TURN
Post on Facebook: Do you need to witness a miracle to believe?
Week 2: Jesus in Ministry
Day 13: Jesus Raises Lazarus
Read: John 11:1-4, 17-27, 38-44
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSES
“Listen,” he told them, “we are going up to Jerusalem where the Son of Man will be handed over to
the chief priests and the teachers of the Law. They will condemn him to death and then hand him
over to the Gentiles, who will make fun of him, spit on him, whip him, and kill him; but three days
later he will rise to life.”
- Mark 10:33-34
SORTING IT OUT
The time of Jesus’ earthly ministry is drawing to a close. As he makes His way toward Jerusalem,
Jesus tries to tell His disciples what is coming. Without parable or metaphor, Jesus says He is going
to be condemned, humiliated, and killed.
The disciples don’t get it. Maybe in their hope that Jesus would still be the king they expected,
establishing an earthly rule right then and there, they couldn’t hear anything else. Maybe their own
visions crowded out the vision of Jesus.
Jesus was preparing to undergo a gruesome and painful death, taking on the sins of the entire
world. He faced an agony that defies description. Yet when He tried to share this with His closest
friends, they didn’t hear Him.
Are there places in your life where your own will is making you blind to what the Word of God is saying
to you today?
YOUR TURN
Pray that God will open your ears to hear what He is saying to you in His Word.
Week 2: Jesus in Ministry
Day 14: Jesus Predicts His Death
Read: Mark 10:32-34
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSES
The people who were in front and those who followed behind began to shout, “Praise God! God
bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! God bless the coming kingdom of King David, our
father! Praise be to God!”
- Mark 11:9-10
SORTING IT OUT
As Jesus was riding triumphantly into Jerusalem, did He hear the shouts of “Praise God!” as a precursor
to “Crucify him?”
In a few days, the assembled crowds now hailing Him as king would be clamoring for His death.
Looking around at their joyful, upturned faces, did Jesus see shadows of what was to come?
Jesus knew He was going to the cross. He knew the people now praising Him would soon call for
His death. He knew their adulation was as fickle and fleeting as the wind.
Yet He loved them anyway.
God has never loved us because we deserve it. Isaiah tells us that “even our best actions are filthy
through and through” (Isaiah 64:6). There is nothing we can do to merit God’s love, and even our
loudest “Praise God!” carries echoes of “Crucify him.”
God knows that. And yet, He sent His only Son to redeem us from our slavery (Galatians 4:3-4).
Jesus’ love for humanity was as unmistakable when He rode into Jerusalem as it was on the cross.
And as it still is today.
YOUR TURN
Thank you, Lord, that you love us even though we don’t deserve it.
Week 3: The Final Days
Day 15: Jesus’ Triumphal Entry Read: Mark 11:1-11
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSES
While they were eating, Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to
his disciples. “Take and eat it,” he said; “this is my body.” Then he took a cup, gave thanks to God,
and gave it to them. “Drink it, all of you,” he said; “this is my blood, which seals God’s covenant, my
blood poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
- Matthew 26:26-28
SORTING IT OUT
The Last Supper was the first celebration of Holy Communion. In a small room on the evening of the
first day of Passover, Jesus and His disciples shared a meal that would be reenacted by millions of
believers across the globe for thousands of years to come.
In this poignant intimate setting Jesus breaks bread with His closest friends. Each friend had experienced
Jesus’ love, passion, and miracle power. Yet one was a traitor who will betray Jesus that
night.
Like the traitor at Jesus’ table, we too have betrayed Him through our thoughts, our words, and our
actions. In spite of our past, Jesus calls us into fellowship with Him.
When we come to the communion table, we come acknowledging and confessing our sin. We come
to celebrate with bread and wine our need for the sacrifice of Jesus - a sacrifice that removes our sin
and allows us to be reunited with the One who gave his life for us. We then become one of God’s
beloved children - a child with new life and eternal possibilities.
Because of sin - our sin - Jesus died. Through Him, we are cleansed, forgiven, and healed—and
able to partake of the celebration of true communion with God.
YOUR TURN
Are you enjoying the celebration of communion with God today?
GOD’S TURN
Memorize I John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and
purify us from all unrighteousness.
Week 3: The Final Days
Day 16: Jesus’ Last Supper Read: Matthew 26:17-29
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSE
But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right side of Almighty God.
- Luke 22:69
SORTING IT OUT
Have you ever had to wait for something for a really long time? Not the sort of short-term waiting that
has a definite end date, like waiting for Christmas or the birth of a child. When Christmas arrives, we
know it. We’re not going to miss it.
But sometimes, when we’ve been waiting for something and we don’t know when it’s coming, we
can miss it when it arrives.
The Israelites had been waiting for the Messiah for thousands of years - waiting for so long that the
waiting itself probably felt like a part of them. But when Jesus finally came, they didn’t recognize
Him. Jesus stood in front of elders, chief priests, and teachers of the Law - the promised Messiah,
the very Son of God - and they didn’t recognize Him. He had come to His own people, and they
didn’t even know who He was (John 1:11).
And for these people, who called Him a traitor and a fraud, Jesus was prepared to die.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us” (I John 3:1, NIV). Even when we were so blinded
by our own sin that we couldn’t recognize the Lord, Jesus loved us enough to die for us.
YOUR TURN
Thank God that we know who Jesus is. Pray that He will help us to live as people who know Him.
Week 3: The Final Days
Day 17: Jesus Tried Read: Luke 22:1-6, 66-71
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSE
The army officer who was standing there in front of the cross saw how Jesus had died. “This man
was really the Son of God!” he said.
- Mark 15:39
SORTING IT OUT
“The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light.
They lived in a land of shadows,
but now light is shining on them.”
Isaiah 9:2
The darkest day in history was filled with light.
Jesus, the Son of God, hung dying on a cross—a gruesome, inhumane death, one the Romans
reserved for foreign enemies, violent criminals, and slaves. The Incarnate Word was stripped, beaten,
and humiliated. Hope itself must have seemed to die that day.
And yet, this grisly, painful day of darkness is bursting at the seams with hidden light. What Jesus
did, through His death, resurrection, and ascension, was destroy death itself. History was forever
changed. Jesus made it possible for every person who ever lived to be eternally reconciled with
God.
Because of Jesus’ death, if we believe in Him, we will not die. We will not die. Our earthly bodies will
cease to exist, but our souls, our very essence, will never die.
Jesus’ sacrifice was incalculable. Our gain from His loss is indescribable. And in that darkest
moment, the light of God was getting ready to burst forth with a glory that would change the world.
YOUR TURN
When Jesus died, the officer at the foot of the cross acknowledged Him as the Son of God. What
would it take for you to make that same acknowledgement?
Week 3: The Final Days
Day 18: Jesus Crucified Read: Mark 15:21-40
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSES
Jesus said to her, “Mary!”
She turned toward him and said in Hebrew, “Rabboni!” (This means “Teacher.”)
“Do not hold on to me,” Jesus told her, “because I have not yet gone back up to the Father. But go
to my brothers and tell them that I am returning to him who is my Father and their Father, my God
and their God.”
- John 20:16-17
SORTING IT OUT
Had Christ, that once was slain
Ne’er burst His three day prison,
Our faith had been in vain
But now hath Christ arisen!
- George R. Woodward
As Jesus breathed His last breath on the cross, He said “It is finished” (John 19:30). Yet what
sounded like the end of the story was in fact only the end of the chapter. A greater story, more wonderful,
powerful, and amazing than the disciples could even imagine, was about to unfold.
Jesus, who destroyed death on the cross, rose to life, bringing everlasting life to everyone. Hundreds
if not thousands of people saw His resurrected form. He walked with His disciples, performed miracles,
and told His followers to go and spread the Good News of the Gospel.
Can you imagine the joy of seeing Jesus risen? Mary Magdalene, who lost all hope, was comforted.
Thomas, who doubted, had his faith restored. Peter, who denied Jesus, was forgiven.
And Jesus is alive today. That comfort, faith, and forgiveness are ours forever.
YOUR TURN
We serve a risen Lord! Walk in the power of the resurrection today.
Week 3: The Final Days
Day 19: Jesus Risen Again Read: John 20:1-18
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSE
“Galileans, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus, who was taken from you
into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go to heaven.”
- Acts 1:11
SORTING IT OUT
The last and final chapter of the story of Jesus is yet to come.
After His death on the cross and glorious resurrection, Jesus was taken into heaven. His followers
were told that He would someday return “in the same way.” That promise is as true today as it was
the day it was made.
Just as God kept His covenant with Abraham, and just as God fulfilled each Old Testament prophecy
of a coming Savior, God will keep His promise that Jesus will come again. This isn’t abstraction
or metaphor; we serve a truly risen Lord who will truly come again.
Are you ready?
If you looked up at the sky right now and saw Jesus returning, how would you react? Would you run
to Him? Run away from Him? Refuse to believe your eyes? Too often, we get so caught up in our
everyday lives that we don’t stop to think about this promise. But Jesus is going to return. And every
eye shall see Him.
Are you ready? Are you sure? Jesus is waiting for you to reach out to Him, right now.
YOUR TURN
Post on Facebook: If Jesus returned today, imagine the social media firestorm. What would you
post?
Week 3: The Final Days
Day 20: Jesus, Our Returning King
Acts 1:1-11
Son of God
Scripture Journey
SUNDAY SCHOOL & DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
KEY VERSE
“And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:20b
SORTING IT OUT
The story of Jesus doesn’t end with Jesus.
Hundreds of years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Christians continue to celebrate the gift of
a Savior who died for them. Thousands of years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, a transformed
people still walk in the light of His forgiveness and love. At the end of time, Jesus will come again to
claim His people as His own.
Jesus is the most significant historical character ever to have walked this earth, yet so much more
than a page in a history book.
Jesus is the Son of God himself, and so much more than a deity.
Jesus is the Savior of the world, and so much more than a conquering king.
Jesus is with us right now, today. The story of Jesus is an ongoing story, the story of a God who
wants to be in relationship with each and every person He created. Nothing can separate us from
God’s amazing love.
The story of Jesus continues with you. There is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate
us from the love of God, which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39).
YOUR TURN
Thank you, God, for sending your Son, Jesus. Thank you for the gift of your Word, that tells us His
story. Thank you that Jesus is never further away than a whispered prayer.
What have you learned or thought about during this journey? Drop us a line at sonofgod@nazarene.
org.
Week 3: The Final Days
Day 21: Jesus, the One Who Is with Us
Read: Matthew 28:18-20
http://www.usacanadaregion.org/sites/usacanadaregion.org/files/DailyDevotionals.pdf
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2014 ANSR Conference to mobilize Nazarenes against human trafficking
Nazarene researchers and practitioners will gather March 20 through 22 in Kansas City, Missouri, at the 2014 Association of Nazarene Sociologists and Researchers Conference to engage in conversations about mobilizing the church against human trafficking. The theme of the conference this year is Beauty for Ashes, and the goal is to educate through action-based research and catalyze Nazarenes in work to address modern-day slavery — a problem affecting more than 27 million people worldwide, including 21.5 million women and girls.
The conference will include presentations from both global experts in the topic of human trafficking and a young woman who is a survivor of trafficking. Lisa Thompson, director of anti-trafficking at World Hope International, will serve as the keynote speaker. Thompson has worked for more than a decade in anti-trafficking through both direct services to victims of trafficking and public policy work.
Wesleyan-Holiness churches were heavily engaged in the abolition movements of the 18th and 19th centuries. Through the Beauty for Ashes conference, ANSR hopes to engage local churches and Nazarene universities in modern-day abolition with greater knowledge, wisdom, and compassion.
Persons interested in engaging in anti-trafficking through awareness and action are invited to attend the conference, which will be hosted at First Church of the Nazarene, Kansas City, Missouri. Sessions will begin March 20 at 5 p.m. and end March 22 at 10 a.m. The conference itself is free, although houses and meals are not included.
For more information on the 2014 ANSR Conference, call (800) 306-9928 or visit the ANSR Conference website.--Nazarene Research Services
Related: "Freedom Sunday: A day to stand against human trafficking"
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Nazarenes in the News
Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.
Vees donate to British Columbia pastor battling cancer
Penticton, British Columbia
(Castanet, February 21) The Penticton Vees donated 50 per cent of walk up ticket sales from the February 21 home game against the Trail Smoke Eaters to the team chaplain who is battling bone cancer.
There was also a table set up at the rink for season ticket holders to donate to the family of Jamie Weberg.
The team is also working with the BCHL office to have a recent fine they were levied to instead be donated to the Weberg family.
Weberg, a pastor at the Penticton Church of Nazarene, said he is humbled by the outpouring of support.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Indiana church stays positive after flood damages cost $100,000
South Bend, Indiana
(Fox 28, February 20) The Michiana Meltdown has given one South Bend Church a big problem — a $100,000 dollar problem to be more precise.
Lead Pastor Andy Lauer says The First Church of the Nazarene saw a tiny bit of water coming from the ceiling last week. Now, there's water everywhere, and part of the ceiling is coming down.
"Once it started melting this week, all the ice damming on the roof, and with the rain today... it's just been more than we can handle," says Lauer.
Not only is the water a lot to handle, so is the price tag.
Lauer says, "Over $100,000 in damage. If we have to do some roof work and all that... it could be that much." The last 48 hours, Pastor Lauer has traded in his snow boots for rain boots, which he says is a bit ironic, saying, "Funny enough, this past Sunday I actually preached on Noah and the flood."
For the rest of the story, click here.
Stories to share? Send them to submitnews@ncnnews.com.--Compiled by NCN News
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Global Ministry Center News
In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received February 24-28, 2014.
Hannah (Johnson) Capen, 23, of Missoula, Montana, passed away on February 22. She was the wife of youth pastor Nathan Capen, who serves at Missoula, Montana, Church of the Nazarene. The Capens were in a car accident and Nathan remains in the hospital. (story)
Myrtle Crowder, 93, of Cambridge, Ontario, passed away on February 17. She was the widow of retired minister Ross Crowder, who served in Ontario. Ross Crowder passed away in 2002.
William Elliott, 83, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, passed away on February 20. He was a retired minister, serving in California, New Mexico, Texas, and Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Elliott.
Helen Flemming, 78, of Clearwater, Florida, passed away on February 24. She was the wife of retired minister, evangelist, and district superintendent Floyd Flemming, who served in Missouri, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and on the East Ohio District as superintendent. Helen Flemming was preceded in death by her first husband, retired minister Robert Clark, who served in Massachusetts, Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, and Florida. Robert Clark passed away in 1997.
Donald Leetch, 88, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, passed away on February 19. He was an evangelist and pastor, serving in California. Leetch also co-founded DaySpring Cards. He is survived by his wife, Leola (Main) Leetch.
Joyce (McMullen) McCown, 91, of De Queen, Arkansas, passed away on February 21. She was a retired minister and evangelist, serving in Oklahoma and Arkansas. She is survived by her husband, Clyde McCown.
Charles "Charlie" Schmelzenbach, 69, of Soldotna, Alaska, passed away on February 21. He was the grandson of late Nazarene missionaries Harmon and Lula Schmelzenbach. He is survived by his wife, Cathie Schmelzenbach. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Mary (Wheeler) Schmelzenbach, and a brother, Hugh.
O. Louise Sumner, 89, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on February 26. She was the widow of retired minister and evangelist Robert Sumner, who served in Tennessee, South Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, and Florida. Robert Sumner passed away in 2004.
Betty Spijkman-van der Leek, 72, of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, passed away on January 28. She was the wife of retired pastor Jan Spijkman, who served in The Netherlands.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section on ncnnews.com by clicking here.
Note: Please join with 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 submitnews@ncnnews.com.--Compiled by NCN News
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GMC employment opportunities
The following positions are available at the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center:
Global Ministry Center Media — Video Production Manager
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Computer Programming Coordinator
USA/Canada Nazarene Youth International — Program Assistant
Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the Global Ministry Center is the administrative, mission, and service hub for the denomination's ministries in 159 world areas. All GMC positions report to this location. For contact information, click on one of the job titles listed above.
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, religion, 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. Resumes are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions. Resumes may be submitted by mail.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application forms may be requested by calling (913) 577-0500, 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 Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office at the same address.
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Resources
In a first-ever joint venture, the Asia-Pacific and Eurasia regions are collaborating to offer a free, six-week online writing workshop. The webinar, titled Powerful Story Telling, features Engage magazine's managing editor, Gina Pottenger, and is intended for anyone who finds themselves blogging, writing newsletters, articles, and other church communications pieces.
Pottenger became interested in helping others improve their writing skills soon after Engage magazine was founded by the Church of the Nazarene's Global Mission Office in 2009.
"One thing I've noticed organizationally is that we've spent a lot of time teaching our people how to write reports, and not enough time teaching them how to write or tell narratives," she said. "This is a fundamental communication skill that we need to be instilling in our ministry workers around the world. Stories are what get people excited about being part of God's mission: When they hear a story and begin to see how they can play a role in it.
"I began dreaming of whether it was possible to actually train ordinary Nazarenes in different cultures — many without a writing background — to develop the skill of writing in a narrative style when they want to communicate what God is doing where they are."
In 2011, Pottenger began developing a curriculum with the India Field communications coordinator. Pottenger delivered two training seminars in the country and after further revision, held seminars in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka as well.
"With each training event, the curriculum is being refined and adapted for cultural context," she said. "I'm learning in each scenario what works and what doesn't work."
Through the seminars, communications teams were set up in each country.
Asia-Pacific Regional Communications Coordinator Todd Aebischer and Pottenger began discussing the curriculum in January.
"[Todd] came up with the idea to teach it through a live webinar to his potential writing team," Pottenger said. "This evolved into a regional partnership so that we are hoping to have a number of ministry workers from both regions."
The webinar is a new experience for both Aebisher and Pottenger.
"We'll have discussion, but the participants will have to do the exercises and practice materials individually between sessions," Pottenger said. "The curriculum is very hands-on with lots of discussion and activities so that it's not just theoretical but practical, and students gain experience as we teach."
The webinar sessions will be one hour long and will be held on the following Mondays: March 3, 10, 17, 24, and April 7 and 14. The sessions, held at 10 a.m. Central European Time/5 p.m. Philippine Time, will be recorded for those who cannot view the live sessions.
To register or learn more information, click here.
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Celebrate NEW LIFE
A few Sundays from now, Christians worldwide will celebrate the glorious fact that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, suffered, died, and rose triumphantly so we might "have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10b). Hundreds of thousands of those who will join in this incredible celebration are Nazarenes, and these Nazarene worshipers will gather to praise our risen Lord in at least 159 world areas.
How is it possible that the Church of the Nazarene has such enormous outreach among the lost around the world? The answer is simple — our people are known for sacrificial giving to missions. From our earliest days, in obedience to God, Nazarenes have been committed to make Christlike disciples in the nations.
We share His life with others out of gratitude for what He has done for us! Yet, there are still countless people who are unaware of His grace for their lives. In fact, the Great Commission is a huge unfinished task that no one person, no individual church, not even one denomination can complete alone. But together, we can and are changing lives through Christ by our faithful giving.
The nazarene.org/generosity website provides a variety of free tools your church can download and use to promote this year's global Easter Offering for the World Evangelism Fund on April 20.
Resources include videos, posters, bulletin inserts, bookmarks, logos, a children's activity sheet, sermon, PowerPoint presentation, and leader's guide to help use the elements to their full potential.
We invite you to join us now in praying that the Church of the Nazarene will indeed share NEW LIFE with men, women, and children everywhere who are in need of His grace. May God use you to make a difference for His kingdom.
David W. Graves, chair
Board of General Superintendents
Verne Ward, director
Global Mission
Daniel Ketchum, director
Nazarene Missions International
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Collegiate News
SNU missions teams set for summer ministry
Southern Nazarene University has a long tradition of sending volunteers and mission teams around the world. This summer is no exception. There are 78 SNU students and sponsors assigned to eight SNU in Missions (SIMS) teams that will serve in a variety of ministries in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Haiti, Mexico, Serbia, Slovenia, and Swaziland. SOWEGO is the SIMS 2014 theme, reflecting that it is Jesus who called us.
"We ask everyone to join us in praying daily that God would bless these teams and enable them to serve faithfully and effectively," said Joel Mullen, SIMS coordinator. "A strong foundation of prayer is crucial for the ministry of the SIMS 2014 teams."
Stay up-to-date with the group's news, prayer requests, videos, and photos by liking SNUSIMS on Facebook, following the group on Twitter, and subscribing to the SOWEGO newsletter.
For more information, contact sims@snu.edu or call (405) 789-6400, ext. 6872.--Southern Nazarene University
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Trevecca announces new programs to address current issues
Trevecca Nazarene University announced new programs designed for professional educators and therapists, and new minors for its degree-completion programs as part of the university's mission to provide programs that meet the changing needs of learners.
Turnaround School Leadership Program (Education Specialist degree)
Consistent with Trevecca's innovative nature, the Education Specialist degree in Turnaround School Leadership is the only one in Tennessee, and there are fewer than half a dozen in the nation. The program is designed for those educators at the classroom, building, and district level desiring to make a true difference, turning schools around to transform and sustain learning. The EdS is a 30-semester hour program. With a standardized curriculum using the cohort format, the program can be completed in four semesters. A unique caveat of the program will be the opportunity to take the 30 semester hours earned from the EdS and apply all 30 of the hours into Trevecca's Doctor of Education Program in leadership and professional practice. Thus, for another 27 semester hours, an individual can walk away not only equipped to make true, sustainable change in schools but with a doctorate as well. The start date for this new program is fall 2014.
For more information, contact Linda Collins (lcollins@trevecca.edu) or Allison Dumas (adumas@trevecca.edu) at 615-248-1201.
New Certificate Program in Healthy Sexuality
Trevecca's Department of Graduate Counseling announced a new online certificate program for therapists and counselors — the Healthy Sexuality Program. This 18-credit-hour program is designed to train post-graduate individuals to develop the knowledge and skills needed to work effectively with individuals and couples who experience sexual issues, using a faith-based perspective. Courses are human sexual behavior, the theology of sex, single sexuality, marital sexual intimacy, sexual trauma, compulsive sexual behavior, and other sexual disorders. Interested persons should contact Teresa Geuy (tgeuy@trevecca.edu or 615-248-1351) for more information.
Additionally, Trevecca's College of Lifelong Learning now offers new minors for its students in its degree-completion programs. Students can choose to minor in healthcare administration, computer information technology, management, general business, and Christian ministry. Each minor will consist of 18 credit hours and can be earned outside of a bachelor's degree.
For more information about these new minors or for information about any of Trevecca's degree-completion programs for adult learners, contact Lucas Phillips at lphillips@trevecca.edu or 615-248-1494.--Trevecca Nazarene University
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NCN Sports
NCN Sports Update
Final won-lost records and rankings for Nazarene colleges and universities competing in NCAA and NAIA athletics this year. Records and rankings as of February 28, 2014.
Season Results:
Record Key: Overall Wins-Losses-Ties (Conference Wins-Losses-Ties), national ranking.
Eastern Nazarene College Lions
Quincy, Massachusetts
NCAA Division III, The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC)
Men's Basketball: 19-6 (13-5), lost in CCC quarterfinals.
Women's Basketball: 9-16 (5-13)
Men's Cross Country: Results
Women's Cross Country: Results
Men's Soccer: 3-14 (1-8)
Women's Soccer: 11-8-1 (4-4-1)
Men's Tennis: 2-0 (0-0)
Women's Tennis: 1-10 (0-8)
Women's Volleyball: 14-15 (2-5)
MidAmerica Nazarene University Pioneers
Olathe, Kansas
NAIA Division I, Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC)
Men's Basketball: 19-10 (11-6)
Women's Basketball: 23-3 (15-2), NAIA No. 14
Football: 5-5 (5-4)
Men's Soccer: 14-5-3 (5-1-1), NAIA No. 6
Women's Soccer: 12-4-4 (3-2-2)
Women's Volleyball: 27-3 (9-0), NAIA No. 8. HAAC champs.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Cougars
Mount Vernon, Ohio
NAIA Division II, Crossroads League (formerly Mid-Central College Conference)
Men's Basketball: 7-22 (4-14)
Women's Basketball: 5-22 (4-14)
Men's Cross Country: Results
Women's Cross Country: Results
Men's Golf: Results
Men's Soccer: 7-10-1 (2-6-1)
Women's Soccer: 10-9-2 (5-3-1)
Women's Volleyball: 14-19 (8-10)
Northwest Nazarene University Crusaders
Nampa, Idaho
NCAA Division II, Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC)
Men's Basketball: 7-18 (5-12)
Women's Basketball: 14-11 (7-10)
Men's Cross Country: Results
Women's Cross Country: Results
Men's Golf: Results
Women's Golf: Results
Men's Soccer: 5-7-5 (5-6-3)
Women's Soccer: 2-12-3 (1-10-3)
Women's Volleyball: 18-6 (14-4)
Olivet Nazarene University Tigers
Bourbonnais, Illinois
NAIA Division II, Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC)
Men's Basketball: 16-13 (14-5)
Women's Basketball: 21-9 (12-4)
Men's Cross Country: NAIA No. 6, Results. CCAC champs.
Women's Cross Country: NAIA No. 5, Results. CCAC champs.
Football: 3-8 (1-5)
Men's Golf: Results
Women's Golf: Results
Men's Soccer: 15-5-2 (8-3-0). CCAC champs.
Women's Soccer: NAIA No. 14, 17-4-2 (9-1-1). CCAC champs.
Men's Swimming: Results
Women's Swimming: Results
Men's Tennis: 1-1 (0-0)
Women's Tennis: 1-0 (0-0)
Women's Volleyball: 21-21 (13-5)
Point Loma Nazarene University Sea Lions
San Diego, California
NCAA Division II, Pacific West Conference (PacWest)
Men's Basketball: 15-11 (10-10)
Women's Basketball: 17-9 (13-7)
Women's Cross Country: Results
Women's Golf: Results
Men's Soccer: 7-8-3 (5-4-3)
Women's Soccer: 12-7-1 (7-4-1)
Men's Tennis: 8-17 (0-0)
Women's Tennis: 10-16 (0-0)
Women's Volleyball: 30-7 (16-4). NCCAA national champs.
Southern Nazarene University Crimson Storm
Bethany, Oklahoma
NCAA Division II, Great American Conference (GAC)
Men's Basketball: 13-12 (11-8)
Women's Basketball: 12-13 (9-10)
Men's Cross Country: Results
Women's Cross Country: Results
Football: 0-11 (0-10)
Men's Golf: Results
Women's Golf: Results
Men's Soccer: 2-16-0 (1-8-0)
Women's Soccer: 9-9-0 (5-5-0)
Women's Tennis: 11-9 (5-1)
Women's Volleyball: 27-12 (12-2).
Trevecca Nazarene University Trojans
Nashville, Tennessee
NCAA Division II, Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC)
Men's Basketball: 7-18 (4-10)
Women's Basketball: 16-8 (13-2)
Men's Cross Country: Results
Women's Cross Country: Results
Men's Golf: Results
Women's Golf: Results
Men's Soccer: 8-9-1 (5-3-0)
Women's Soccer: 6-10-2 (4-4-2)
Women's Volleyball: 17-15 (6-8)
Key:
Record = Wins-Losses-Ties
NAIA - National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association
NCCAA - National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association
NAIA Coaches' Poll used
Previous NCN Sports Updates:
2012-2013 Nazarene Athletics Review
2011-2012 Nazarene Athletics Review
2010-2011 Nazarene Athletics Review
2009-2010 Nazarene Athletics Review
2008-2009 Nazarene Athletics Review
2007-2008 Nazarene Athletics Review
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Contact us:
Nazarene Communications Network
17001 Prairie Star Parkway
Lenexa, KS 66220 United States
Voice: (913) 577-0562
Fax: (913) 577-0857
Email: ncnnews@ncnnews.com
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