Lenexa, Kansas, United States - Nazarene Communications Network Global News Summary Volume 1416 from The Global Church of the Nazarene for Thursday, 17 April 2014

 
Lenexa, Kansas, United States - Nazarene Communications Network Global News Summary Volume 1416 from The Global Church of the Nazarene for Thursday, 17 April 2014

Celebrate the Resurrection 

The Easter season gives us an opportunity to celebrate God's life-giving power to all who hear and respond to this incredible gospel message — the message that …
… brings hope to our world. 
… offers a glorious inheritance with eternal dividends.
… creates a holy people.
… brings with it the mighty working of God's power for those who believe in Him!
This Easter season affords us an opportunity to celebrate the life-giving power of God! It reminds us that our Father used this life-giving power to raise His Son from the dead. As Paul stated:
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms …" (Ephesians 1:18–20, NIV).
Join us this Easter season in sharing with the entire world this message of the life-giving power of God! He raised His Son from the dead! And He has been transforming the lives of men and women, boys and girls from that day until this. We join in the harvest as we work together "to make Christlike disciples in the nations." To God be the glory!
Board of General Superintendents, Church of the Nazarene
David A. Busic, Gustavo A. Crocker, Eugénio R. Duarte, David W. Graves, Jerry D. Porter, J. K. Warrick
<iframe src="http://medialibrary.nazarene.org/media/david-graves-easter-greeting-2014/embed_player?iframe=True" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="400" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" height="225" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe> 
To download the video, see the Nazarene Media Library by clicking here.
To download a full-size pdf of the BGS Easter Message, click here.

Solomon Islands church initiates disaster response in wake of flash floods 

After torrential rainfall struck the Solomon Islands, a series of flash floods over April 3 and 4 left thousands homeless and at least 19 dead.
In the midst of this natural disaster, the Church of the Nazarene's Solomon Islands District, in partnership with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, continues to respond.
Nazarene missionaries George and Nancy Miller report:
April 6: 
Movement has been difficult due to the fact that two of the main bridges in town were destroyed. The capitol, Honiara, in Guadalcanal Province, was declared a disaster area.
The Zion Church of the Nazarene Board held a meeting to determine the current needs of two neighboring Nazarene churches (White River Church of the Nazarene and Macedonia Church of the Nazarene). Later that day, the Zion church assisted 16 families from White River with bags of rice, tuna, purified water, noodles, sugar, and tea.
April 7: 
The Zion church provided similar relief assistance to the Macedonia church located in west Guadalcanal.
April 10:
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries responded with US$2,000 to be used in follow-up relief and the provision of clean water to affected churches. Two 1,000 liter water tanks were purchased for the White River and Macedonia churches, along with necessary gutters, tank fittings, and carpentry tools.
The arrival of the first tank to the White River church attracted a huge crowd as they thought it was from their member of Parliament. Just after the tank was installed, a deluge of rain arrived and in 30 minutes the 1,000 liter tank was filled with fresh, clean water.
April 11:
The Zion church delivered a second wave of food relief to the White River church and to the family of a pastor who was seeking shelter in a government care center.
A second water tank was delivered to Macedonia church along with basic carpentry and gardening tools, in addition to relief food.
April 14:
Assistance was given to Pastor Jeremian Akoeasi and his family, who lost most of their clothes and household utensils.
Volunteers were sent to the Macedonia church to assist in setting the foundation for the church water tank. Further food and water relief was also provided.
How to Help
Donate online now through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries by clicking here. 
To send donations by mail, make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116
Be sure to put "Designation ID: 123147" in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put "Designation ID: 123147" in the Memo area.--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region

Arizona compassionate ministry center adds immigration services 

LifeBridge Community Alliance, an outreach of Orangewood Church of the Nazarene in Phoenix, Arizona, recently become the newest recognized immigration legal service provider at a Nazarene compassionate ministry center. 
LIBRES (Legal Immigration-Based Resources and Education Services) opened its doors to the public on April 3. Program Director Adam Estle and Assistant Director Tomas Alvarez share leadership of LIBRES. Estle is a longtime member of the Orangewood church and Alvarez is a pastor at Phoenix Primera Iglesia del Nazareno. Estle received accreditation to practice immigration law in 2013, and Alvarez is earning his own accreditation.
Clients will receive low-cost immigration legal services while connecting with the other holistic services provided by LifeBridge, such as health education, emergency services, adult basic education, job placement, and tax assistance. These legal services will be offered at nominal fees with scholarships available for those who qualify.
The organization strives to care for clients and show them dignity and respect throughout their interaction with those serving in the office. Estle and Alvarez believe that welcoming the stranger, as taught by Jesus in Matthew 25, provides an incredible missional opportunity to love immigrants into the Kingdom. Statistics show a significant increase in productivity and economic benefit to society as immigrants move from a temporary status or no status to legal permanent residency, with an even greater increase as immigrants achieve full citizenship. Estle and Alvarez hope to help hundreds — if not thousands — of members in their community reach these goals.
The main focus of LIBRES is to serve clients in need of legal advice and paperwork that is family-based. LIBRES is prepared to assist immigrant clients within the current constraints of federal immigration law, but the office is also positioned to participate fully in the implementation of possible new legislation. Estle and Alvarez also envision LIBRES as a training hub for other non-profits and churches to receive experience and knowledge to open their own immigration resource centers throughout the city and the country.--LifeBridge Community Alliance via NCN News submissions
Related: "Florida compassionate ministry center granted BIA recognition"
"Iowa compassionate ministry center helps 3 gain US citizenship" 

Ukraine District reaches out to children with HIV/AIDS 

A high unemployment rate leads many in Ukraine to a life of drugs and alcohol, which can lead to HIV/AIDS. However, not all who suffer from these diseases were responsible for their infection. Many victims are children born to drug-addicted or HIV-positive parents.
For years this problem was not adequately addressed by the church in Ukraine. Today, the Church of the Nazarene's Ukraine District ministers to families affected by HIV/AIDS in six different cities. One ministry began just a year ago in Kiev, the nation's capital. 
Iryna Galisevych, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Field child development ministry coordinator, started meeting with children at Ohmatdet, the national children special hospital. It is one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the country, where about 18,000 in-patient children are treated each year and about 20,000 get ambulatory help at the traumatology department. The ministry works with children suffering from cancer or tuberculosis who are also HIV-positive.
Galisevych began the project in September 2013. Later, two individuals from Kiev Church of the Nazarene joined. Once a week they meet with the children and once a month there is a craft session for mothers and grandmothers who come to sit with their children or grandchildren.
"I had this deep desire to serve the kids who are undergoing treatment at a hospital, as well as their mothers," Galisevych said. "There was an American medical doctors' family who met regularly with the medical personnel in this particular ward and I joined them." 
The family that started the movement returned to the U.S., but their ministry continues.
One patient, an 11-year-old boy, is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment. To attend his treatments each morning, he must cross to the other side of Kiev, which is a large city. Because his immune system is weakened by the chemo, he cannot take a bus, where he would come in contact with dozens of people. While it might take an average person a week to recover from the flu, it could be deadly for the boy.
One chemo session lasts 90 days, and the price of renting a hospital's car or calling a cab to get to the hospital adds up quickly. Finally, the boy's mother called her mother-in-law, a member of a local Baptist church. 
"I just don't know what to do," she said.
When one of the Nazarene volunteers found out about the dire need, he offered part of the funds necessary for transportation and the church collected the rest. When the mother called her mother-in-law again to tell her about the church's provision, the older woman shared that her church was praying for the solution.
Both the boy and the mother said they feel God especially close to them these days. They have started reading the Bible together and praying.
Ministry workers would like to expand the program to include more activities for the mothers.
Prayer is requested for the means to carry out the larger ministry.--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region 

NEW LIFE: Help make a world of difference 

Easter is almost here: the celebration of the day that changed our world forever! 
As we think back to the first Easter, we remember the women approaching the tomb with deep, heavy-heartedness. In a moment, the empty tomb changed their outlook completely! Hurrying back to the disciples with joyful hearts overflowing, they exclaimed, "He is alive!"  
This Easter, Nazarenes all around the world will proclaim that same message loudly and clearly to their families, friends, and neighbors — He lives! And because He lives, we can all have NEW LIFE. Because Jesus died and rose again, we can walk in the newness of life.
Having received His life, we now have the God-given privilege and responsibility to share this life with those who are dead in trespasses and sins. The annual Easter Offering for the World Evangelism Fund is vital to our shared mission to take the life-giving gospel to those who are bound by sin. 
Nazarenes everywhere will lovingly and generously join together through the Easter Offering. Together, we will ensure that the message of Christ's death and resurrection is spread globally among those who do not know His good news. 
Those in great need and despair will experience the love of Jesus Christ from the hearts and lips of His followers. By His Spirit through Nazarene witnesses, they can experience NEW LIFE. 
What will the Lord ask you to give to the Easter Offering this year? Because you give, our church can continue to take this gospel message where it has not yet been heard.  
What will the Lord lead you to do to help others to be obedient to His call? We remember that every person's salvation begins with another person's obedience.
We ask every Nazarene to share in the Easter Offering. Together, we are making a world of difference! 
Daniel Ketchum, director
Nazarene Missions International
For NEW LIFE resources, see nazarene.org/generosity. 
Additional NCNNews.com Stories This Week 

Regional News

Africa

SANU students win entrepreneur competition

A team of Southern Africa Nazarene University students won the Enactus Swaziland 2014 National Championship during the one-day competition recently held at the Royal Swazi Sun Convention Centre in Zulwini.
According to the organization's website, the competition strives to "build the leadership and entrepreneurial capacities of students so that they positively impact communities through different projects." 
During the competition, the team highlighted two of their nine community outreach projects, including their Magical Seed project that worked with 45 disadvantaged rural women and the Ministry of Agriculture, Home Economics Department. The intention was to develop agricultural seed projects in the poverty-stricken Lubombo region of Swaziland. Beneficial of these projects were student ministers at the Faculty of Theology who were trained in beekeeping skills as a means to help them generate income for tuition.
Other projects presented at this year's event included a clay pot venture making it possible for 200 individuals to have sustainable income. A solar-generated water pump project provides clean water for an entire village and a technology recycling effort employed 60 people to collect and upgrade personal computers.
Prime Minister Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini addressed the students, underscoring the importance of integrating entrepreneurship skills in education in a job-scarce nation. He also highlighted government plans to make entrepreneurship a subject in primary schools.
This event was sponsored by Swaziland Water Services Corporation, Nedbank Swaziland Limited, and Harmony Gold South Africa.--Southern Africa Nazarene University

GMC Flags of the Nations: Senegal

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: Senegal
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Senegal in 1988.
Senegal had a population of 13,300,410 in 2013. That same year, Senegal reported six Churches of the Nazarene, two of which were officially organized. Senegal has 214 total members.
Senegal is a Phase 1 district on the Africa Region. For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
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.

Asia-Pacific

Region mourns loss of Thailand pastor

The Asia-Pacific Region mourns the loss of Pastor Prakaen Dongsonkram, who passed away in his home on the morning of April 16 after complications from a January 1 accident. Dongsonkram awoke one month ago from a coma. His condition was beginning to improve, and his death came as shock to his family and members of the Situek Church of the Nazarene, where he pastored.
"He had a vision for ministry and looked for ways to reach into the community," said David Phillips, field strategy coordinator for Southeast Asia. "The last four months have been heart-breaking for us and the church as we watched him recover some and now pass on." 
"Pastor Prakaen is remembered as an exuberant pastor who always praised God by singing and lifting both hands to the Lord," said Lisa Lehman, a team member in Thailand.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 19 in Situek.
Prayer is requested for the Dongsonkram family, the Situek church, and the Thailand ministry team.--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region

Radio ministry leads to new Philippine church

Through the Paglaum sa Kinabuhi (Hope of Life) radio program, Pastor Talon meets many people. The program has numerous avid listeners, especially those who have met Pastor Talon. 
The show often leads to speaking invitations, and Pastor Talon travels from village to village sharing the gospel. During one such trip, Pastor Talon met someone especially eager to hear the gospel. The man immediately proposed to donate a portion of his land for a church building.  
Residents of the mountain area now have a place to gather during the radio broadcast and for Sunday worship and fellowship.--World Mission Broadcast

Guam church celebrates new life

Asia-Pacific Communications received the following report from Pastor Larry and Elaine Cornett of Guam First Church of the Nazarene on the Philippine-Micronesia Field:
The beautiful Pacific Ocean in Guam is a perfect setting for water baptism. On Sunday, April 6, we baptized another 13 born again believers. We certainly give all the credit to Jesus Christ as He is our example. Following Jesus' example and His disciples in baptism and the teaching from our Sunday School and preaching on the sacrament of Baptism is also helpful. We do not baptize people until we have the assurance that they are born again Christians.
As pastor, I meet with the candidates during the Sunday School hour prior to our service. I give them a short version of the gospel message and ask them to pray the Sinners Prayer after me to accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. After the prayer, I asked those that prayed that prayer for the first time to raise their hands. Two of our teenagers and several of our children raised their hands. Praise the Lord. I asked each one to give a testimony before being baptized. Many said "I want to be a Jesus-follower." All the glory goes to Jesus as He is calling more children, teens, and adults to follow Him.
Our middle elementary Sunday School teacher, Agnes Par, has been teaching her students about baptism for the last month. I guess that teaching has caught on as we see the teens and adults also showing a great interest in being baptized.
One of our adults that we baptized gave this testimony: "I felt like I left something in the water and I came up feeling clean and full of joy and love for Jesus." 
That thing that she left in the water was her sins, as we had earlier sung about, “What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus."--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region

Eurasia

Persistence in persecution

Seated at the bedside of a deathly sick neighbor, Babul Roy found himself surrounded by the villagers who had beaten and tortured him shortly before. Earlier, they had forbade him from practicing his new faith in Christ. Now, they begged him to pray to his God to save the life of the sick man.
Not long before this, Roy, who lives in South Asia, had been just like the rest of them — worshiping a panoply of gods and goddesses that he found unsatisfying and which filled him with doubt.
"We worshiped imagined gods and goddesses," Roy said. "The worship through … gods and goddesses, there is no religious atmosphere and theme and good result from them."
Roy read books and studied about his religion, but found only tales of corruption and death.
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.

USA/Canada

Denomination joins case to protect clergy Housing exclusion

The Church of the Nazarene joined with the 37 other members of the Church Alliance to file an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in the case challenging the constitutionality of the clergy housing exclusion.
The Church Alliance — a coalition of the chief executive officers of 38 denominational benefit programs — filed an amicus curiae brief in the Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals (Chicago) in the case challenging the constitutionality of the clergy housing exclusion under Section 107(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code). A copy of the Church Alliance brief may be found here.[http://www.church-alliance.org/sites/default/files/images/u2/housing-allowance-amicus-brief-4-9-14.pdf]
The case is Freedom From Religion Foundation, Inc., et al. v. Jacob Lew, et al. (FFRF v. Lew). The U.S. government is appealing a decision by Judge Barbara Crabb, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin (November 2013) that Code §107(2) is unconstitutional.
Clergy Housing Exclusion
Code §107(2), commonly called "clergy housing exclusion" or "clergy housing allowance," excludes from income taxation the cash compensation provided to "ministers of the gospel" (clergy) toward the cost of their housing. This section of the Code essentially excludes the value of clergy-owned housing from income taxation. It is related to Code §107(1), which excludes from a minister's taxable income the value of church-provided housing (commonly called a parsonage, vicarage or manse). The FFRF v. Lew appeal does not involve a challenge to Code §107(1).
Judge Crabb ruled that Code §107(2) is unconstitutional because it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Under the Establishment Clause, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion …" Judge Crabb stayed the effect of her ruling until all appeals are exhausted. The government's opening brief was filed on April 2.
The Church Alliance brief adds a perspective not duplicated in the government's brief, focusing on the jurisprudential history of permitted legislative accommodations of religion. The brief argues that Code §107(2) is a constitutionally permitted accommodation of religion when viewed in the context of Code §107(1), the parsonage exclusion, and Code §119, which excludes employer-provided housing from employees' incomes in numerous secular circumstances.
"As a long-time member of the Church Benefits Association and the Church Alliance, we have joined with them and sister denominations to appeal this decision," said Don Walter, director of Pensions and Benefits USA, Church of the Nazarene. "Most men and women pursue the call to ministry despite the financial hardships it entails. For decades, lawmakers have recognized this and have provided a means of assistance via a tax break. It's fitting that we join this defense against attacks by the FFRF."
Religious Organizations Represented
The members of the Church Alliance stand with other religious organizations in their vested interest in the outcome of this litigation. The clergy housing exclusion is important to millions of active and retired clergy from the 38 Church Alliance-represented denominations, including, among others, American Baptist Churches in the USA, Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), Church of the Nazarene, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Brothers Services, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Joint Retirement Board for Conservative Judaism, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reform Pension Board, Southern Baptist Convention, United Church of Christ, and The United Methodist Church.
Numerous other churches, associations or conventions of churches, and other religious organizations with religious leaders eligible for the clergy housing exclusion under Code §107(2) are additional signers of the brief, supporting the filing of the Church Alliance's brief and the positions advocated in it. They include the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Central Conference of American Rabbis, General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church, Moravian Church, Rabbinical Assembly, Salvation Army, Union for Reform Judaism, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, and Wisconsin Council of Churches, among others.
"While this matter is in litigation, it's important for ministers and church treasurers to understand that current U.S. tax law continues to apply, thus the clergy housing exclusion remains in effect," Walter added.--Pensions and Benefits USA

Florida camp breaks ground on addition

County representatives, local officials, and leaders from the Church of Nazarene's Southern Florida District converged on the Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center Wednesday for the official groundbreaking of Grace Place and a new addition to the dining center.
"Grace Place is a 152-bed dormitory that will be able to be divided into small 'pods' for small groups, or a 152-bed dorm," said Anthony Haney, Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center executive director.
Haney went on to say that there are going to be two wings on the building, which each include a 300-seat, multi-purpose auditorium.
"The original dream may have started in 1926, when Melville Dewey and his wife built the southern version of the Lake Placid Club," said Dennis Moore, Southern Florida District Advisory Board secretary. "The club was to attract the brightest and best young people to advance new ideas and that would impact people."
Moore went on to say that in 2013, revenue for the center approached $1.9 million with 43,000 guests. Out of the 43,000, he said, more than 4,000 young people found Jesus Christ as their savior, which he related back to Dewey's dream.
Grace Place was a result of a grant from Fred Bertolet and his wife, Grace, who led Nazarene revivals across the U.S. Shortly before his death, Fred Bertolet bequeathed nearly $1 million to the Southern Florida District with the simple wish that an appropriate building be build to honor his late wife.
The added dormitory space will augment the mission of the center.
"The mission statement was to establish a base of godliness," Haney said. "The vision statement that came of that was serving Jesus Christ by serving others. This summer, there will be approximately 40,000 visitors to the Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center. There will be about 8,000 to 9,000 youth and children for summer camps."
Not only is the camp open for the campers, the facility is open to the public. Corporate events are available as are lunches and catering on and off campus. Haney estimates that the visitors will infuse approximately $3 million in revenue throughout Highlands County.
There was also a groundbreaking ceremony for a dining area patio that will seat 200 to 250. The addition will blend in with the existing building.
Haney estimated that the project will not begin until the fall because of the number of visitors that are expected during the summer.--Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center via NCN News submissions

Nazarenes in the News

Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.
Tennessee chaplain serves God, country
Clarksville, Tennessee
(The Leaf Chronicle, April 11) One of the best known stories in the bible describes the experience of Saul, later to be called Paul, while on his way to Damascus to arrest followers of Jesus. While on the road, Saul was knocked to the ground, blinded by bright light and heard the voice of God talking to him. That is what Christians call the “Damascus moment.”
Chaplain (Col.) Jeff Hawkins, Division Chaplain of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) had his personal “Damascus moment” on Sept. 7, 1986. It happened that morning while he and his wife, Lori, were on their way to church. The experience changed his life forever and is responsible for where he is today and his service to God and country.
For the rest of this story about a Nazarene chaplain, click here.
Ontario elder retires from prison ministry
Kitchener, Ontario
(The Record, April 7) For 17 years, Rosemary Redshaw was the chaplain at Grand Valley Institute for Women in Kitchener.
Her last day was March 31 and, although it was her choice to leave, it's been harder than she thought.
"I knew I would mourn, but it's like a death in the family," said Redshaw, who's been chaplain at the women's prison since it opened in Kitchener in 1997.
"I did not want to leave, but it was time to go," said Redshaw, who's been a chaplain for 27 years.
For the rest of the story about the Canada Central District elder, click here.
Illinois pastor, spouse eliminate $90,000 of student loan debt in 5 years
Rockford, Illinois
(NBC 13, April 11) Drowning in debt is a sinking feeling. Interest rates follow the lead of rising tuition costs and upon graduation, degree holders are finding it difficult to land a job.
There is hope.
A Rockford couple fought the burden of student loan debt paying off nearly $100,000 decades before most.
"People are averaging anywhere from 10 to 30 years depending on the amount of debt that they have and the amount of income that they're earning," said Tracy Richter from Riverside Community Bank.
Meet Jake and Rebecca Crowley. They decided to kick that stat out the door. Two bachelors degrees, two masters degrees, two kids and no debt.
For the rest of the story about the Rockford First Church of the Nazarene pastor, click here.
Louisiana District graduates 5
Chalmett, Louisiana
(NCN News submissions) On Saturday, April 12, the Louisiana District's Spanish training center celebrated the graduation of five pastors who completed the ministerial studies program. The graduation was held at Camino de Santidad Church of the Nazarene. Two of the graduates were interviewed by the district's Board of Ministerial Studies for ordination in May — Pastor Julissa and Pastor Paula Murillo.
District Hispanic Ministries coordinator Alejandro Murillo leads the training center. Murillo came to the district after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. In his seven years of ministry as coordinator and pastor, he was instrumental in starting 12 new Hispanic congregations.
Arkansas church hosts Prison Ministry Weekend
Rogers, Arkansas
(NCN News submissions) Rogers First Church of the Nazarene sponsored a Prison Ministry Weekend in conjunction with Prison Fellowship March 28 through 30. The weekend included two ministry events at a local community correctional facility and a panel discussion during the worship service with national prison ministry leaders called "How Does the Church Meet the Needs." In addition, individuals talked with teens about making "Great Choices" and a speaker from Prison Fellowship addressed attendees.
Over the past four years, the church has sponsored 15 ministry events at the local correctional facility and participates in the Prison Fellowship Angel Tree program.
Stories to share? Send them to submitnews@ncnnews.com.--Compiled by NCN News

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 April 14-18, 2014. 
Reatha Adams, 91, of Kansas City, Kansas, passed away on April 16. She was the wife of retired minister Glen Adams, who served in Oklahoma and Kansas.
Oscar Cogdill, 95, of Nocona, Texas, passed away on April 15. He was a retired minister, serving in Colorado and Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carma Cogdill, who passed away in 2009.
Roy Crum, 83, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away on April 10. He was a retired minister, serving in Mississippi and Louisiana. He is survived by his wife, Mary Crum.
Prakaen Dongsonkram of Thailand passed away on April 16. He was a minister, serving in Thailand. (story)
Gary Keith, 44, of Hawthorn, Pennsylvania, passed away on April 13. He was a minister, previously serving in Pennsylvania. He is survived by his wife, Amanda (Hetrick) Keith.
Faith (Mackenzie) McLeish, 82, of Dover Foxcroft, Maine, passed away on April 12. She was the widow of retired minister David McLeish, who served in Maine. David McLeish passed away in 2004.
Karissa (Carr) Smith, 35, of Taichung, Taiwan, passed away on March 23. She was a teacher in Korea and Taiwan who previously served as a children's pastor at the Missoula, Montana, Church of the Nazarene. She is survived by her husband, Trent Smith. Additional survivors include her father, Rocky Mountain District Superintendent Bill Carr.
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

GMC employment opportunities

The following positions are available at the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center:
General Superintendents' Office — Travel Assistant
This position is mainly responsible for arranging all domestic and overseas travel for the general superintendents.
Global Ministry Center Media — Video Production Manager
This position is responsible for video acquisition, shooting, editing, and all related responsibilities for productions of varying lengths. Additional responsibilities include knowledge of production-related software and equipment, as well as collaborating on creative projects with the communications team. 
Global Mission Personnel — Candidate Development Specialist
Responsible for developing and coaching missionary candidates, coordinating and assisting with candidate events, developing the Mission Corps website, newsletters, blogs, social media, promotional materials, and other tasks as assigned.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Computer Programming Coordinator
The person in this position will lead NCM's development team in developing and maintaining NCM's web applications, systems, and websites. 
Stewardship Ministries — Design Assistant
This position works with all members of the Stewardship Ministries team to create graphics and design layouts that complement the mission of each project. In addition to design, duties include content writing, customer service, social media, and some data entry. 
Stewardship Ministries — Program Coordinator
This position works closely with the Director of Stewardship Ministries and oversees projects within the department. Major responsibilities include content writing, customer service, administrative tasks, and project management. 
About
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. To obtain additional information, please call (913) 577-0500 and ask for Human Resources
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. 

Collegiate News

MNU professor receives NASA grant

MidAmerica Nazarene University physics professor Andrew Overholt and two colleagues will receive a $500,000 NASA Exobiology grant over three years to study the terrestrial impact of nearby supernovae. MNU's portion of the grant is $150,000, which will be used to support the research, obtain additional computer equipment, and fund a student research assistant.
"This is the kind of research we encourage our students to seek out over the summer at other research facilities," Overholt said. "It is exciting to get to have it here at MNU for a top science student."
Overholt conducts research with University of Kansas Professor Adrian Melott and Brian Thomas of Washburn University in a group they have named the KU Astrophysics Biology Working Group. The new research is in an "untouched area" according to Overholt.
"No one has studied what effects there would be on Earth of a nearby supernova," he said. "Nearby in this instance would be about 10 parsecs or 30 light years."
A supernova occurs when a star collapses at the end of its lifecycle, causing it to heat up and explode. Overholt says this happens frequently because there are hundreds of billions of stars in our galaxy, but statistically they do not happen very close to Earth. A recent study shows Earth experienced a nearby supernova in the distant past.
Evidence of supernova dust was found in a mud core sample at the bottom of the ocean. Overholt says that a rare iron isotope found in this dust and eaten by bacteria was found in bacteria skeletons that were trapped in the sea floor. Scans of the mud core found the iron deposits proving the supernova dust was there.
Overholt and his colleagues will each study separate aspects of supernova effects. Melott will focus on atmospheric effects such as ozone depletion. Overholt will study cosmic ray secondaries, high energy pieces of matter that can cause radiation sickness and cancer. Thomas will conduct models of the rays from their source before they reach the Earth. All of this research is done through computer modeling requiring data analysis by supercomputers such as the National Science Foundation's TeraGrid, a cyberinfrastructure of high-performance computers at 11 locations nationwide.
The colleagues hope to learn how bad a worst case scenario would be, if a nearby supernova is survivable, how close it could be and still be survivable, as well as effects on other planets with thinner atmospheres.
"This is an unanswered question," Overholt said. "We know these happen and statistically they should near us, but no one knows what would happen on Earth if there was a nearby supernova."
The three-year study will be published based on results after peer review.--MidAmerica Nazarene University

MVNU launches 4+1 MBA program

Mount Vernon Nazarene University's Jetter School of Business will offer a 4+1 Master of Business Administration program to traditional undergraduate students this fall. Students who qualify will have the opportunity to earn their chosen bachelor degree and the MBA in just five academic years, giving them a competitive advantage in the job market.
The 4+1 MBA program is campus-based and geared toward the traditional student who welcomes the challenge to prepare for the future in a unique way. MBA students will develop their knowledge and understanding of organizational management and leadership while strengthening their skills in economics, finance, strategic planning, customer service, and other areas of business.
Students who enroll in MVNU's 4+1 MBA program will spend four years at the undergraduate level of study, followed by taking graduate-level courses during their senior year that will meet the undergraduate elective and graduate program requirements. At the end of their senior year, students will be awarded their undergraduate degrees. Following the fourth year, students will be enrolled in the graduate business program and to complete the MBA degree in just one year.
While this program is not for everyone, the university believes that through a combined undergraduate program and graduate business course of study, students will enter today's marketplace with a sound preparation to meet the demands of the job market.
"This program creates wider career opportunities for all our students," said Kevin Hughes, associate dean of the MVNU Jetter School of Business. "While the MBA provides you with the business knowledge and skills to succeed, we believe this combination of an undergraduate degree with an MBA can provide a student with a competitive advantage when pursuing a career in his or her chosen field."
For more information on the 4+1 MBA program, visit mvnu.edu/gps.--Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Waggoner Library hosts annual Trevecca writers celebration

The 13th Annual Trevecca Authors Celebration was held at Trevecca Nazarene University's Waggoner Library this week in honor of university faculty and administrators who have published scholarly writings during the current school year.
This year's authors wrote about many subject areas, modeled scholarly research for Trevecca's students and the Trevecca community, and represented many disciplines and interests. Works included original poetry, online scholarly collaborations, corporate consulting, student workbooks and textbooks, reviews, collaborative research with students, and accounts of expertise and experiences shared with others.
The authors' works are displayed on the main floor of Waggoner Library until April 25. Authors recognized in 2013-2014 are: Trevecca President Dan Boone, Randy Carden, Fred Cawthorne, Stephanie Cawthorne, Ruth Cox, Heather Daugherty, David Diehl, Sam Green, Tim Green, Graham Hillard, Steve Hoskins, Michael Johnson, Rick Mann, and Richard Parrott.
A display of altered books created by students in Betsy Karounos' mixed media class is included in the celebration. Using books found in thrift and secondhand stores, these artists created new art within or on the books. Students participating in the altered books display include Trent Sexton, Hannah Goodwin, Rachel Perkins, Sam Crouch, Toby Haydel, and Lauren Conway.
Members of the Waggoner Library staff are pleased to honor these Trevecca writers and artists.--Trevecca Nazarene University
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