Lenexa, Kansas, United States - Nazarene Communications Network of the Global Church of the Nazarene Global News Summary - Volume 1428 for Friday, 11 July 2014

Lenexa, Kansas, United States - Nazarene Communications Network of the Global Church of the Nazarene Global News Summary - Volume 1428 for Friday, 11 July 2014
Nazarenes respond to US border crisis by providing care for immigrating children
Every day as many as 400 vulnerable children cross the border between Mexico and the U.S. Their numbers have surged, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with more than 52,000 unaccompanied minors coming into the U.S. during the past nine months — and as many as 100,000 expected by the end of the year. 
Three-fourths of the children traveling without an adult come from three Central American countries: Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. According to reports, parents and families are sending children to the U.S. so they can escape violence and poverty. The U.S. federal systems designed to take detained minors through required legal processes have proved inadequate to meet the demands of the recent influx of unprotected children and youth.
In light of the developing humanitarian crisis taking place along the southern U.S. border, the Church of the Nazarene is actively assessing the situation to determine the best ways the church can be involved in meeting the needs of these children.
The greatest need is creating temporary shelter for the children as they go through the legal system that determines their permanent placement. According to U.S. law, children who are detained at the border must be housed and protected while they go through these judicial proceedings and other legal processes.
In response, the Church of the Nazarene partnered with the National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC) and other faith-based organizations to provide temporary shelter through a federal grant for unaccompanied minors. Gabriel Salguero, co-pastor of The Lamb's Church of the Nazarene in New York City and president of NaLEC, is leading the multi-agency response.
"Our focus is doing ministry with these children while they are in our country," Salguero said. "These are real children — real lives. As a church, we cannot turn our backs on them."
As part of the joint project, two Nazarene churches are slated to provide ongoing shelter and care to vulnerable, unaccompanied youth. These churches will create child development centers equipped to give emergency relief to between 25 and 100 children at a time for up to 18 months. The centers will provide shelter, food, clothing, education, counseling, spiritual care, and legal assistance for youth ages 13 to 17.
Joel Tooley, pastor of the Tavares, Florida, Church of the Nazarene, will coordinate the denomination's multi-faceted response. Tooley, who helped facilitate the Nazarene Border Initiative from 2006 to 2010, confirmed six Nazarene districts are currently involved in direct ministry to children impacted by the border crisis. 
"For over a month, leaders have been assessing the complex landscape of this crisis," he said. "While there are many sensitive issues surrounding this situation, we are reminded that our focus as the church must remain on these vulnerable children."
The Church of the Nazarene will continue to respond with care for vulnerable minors in the following ways:
• Prayer: The U.S. church was invited by its government to participate in the active care of children; this is a significant opportunity for the church to serve with prayer.
• Support: Church leaders on the USA/Canada Region are focused on creating temporary child development centers in Florida, New York, Texas, and Arizona. As temporary centers open, opportunities for short-term employment or volunteers may arise. 
Those who would like to financially support efforts to minister to children caught in this crisis can give through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. 
• Advocacy: Church leaders invite U.S. citizens to advocate on behalf of vulnerable children and for reformed immigration laws that reflect biblical values. 
The Board of General Superintendents endorsed the efforts of the Evangelical Immigration Table. They are joined by leaders of other denominations and Christian organizations, including Jo Anne Lyon, general superintendent of The Wesleyan Church; Leith Anderson, president of the National Association of Evangelicals; William A. Roberts, national commander of The Salvation Army; Jim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family; Stephan Bauman, president and CEO of World Relief; William Robinson, interim president of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities; and Daniel F. Flores, president of Sociedad Wesleyana.
"I am confident that our churches will respond appropriately," said David Busic, Church of the Nazarene general superintendent. "We will open our hearts to anyone who is in need. The Father of the fatherless urges us — He compels us — to respond to these children with care and compassion."
For more information on how you can become involved, contact ncmusacan@nazarene.org or a U.S.-based district ministry center.--Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Seminarian Offering total reaches highest level since 2008 recession
Kansas City, Missouri
Nazarene Theological Seminary announced the 2014 Seminarian Offering reached a six-year high with $190,000 raised. This offering represents the highest total since the economic recession of 2008. Additionally, 300 more churches participated in the offering in 2014 than participated in 2013. 
"This increase speaks well of the commitment of the denomination and its members to prepare the next generation for service and ministry in the Church of the Nazarene," said Carla Sunberg, NTS president. "NTS is determined to meet the needs and demands of congregations seeking a prepared and qualified clergy."
Sunberg spoke to the reality that 40 percent of the USA/Canada Region's current clergy is from the baby boomer generation and is expected to reach retirement age within the next 10 to 15 years. 
"We must prepare the next generation for service and be ready for the tsunami of retirements that will impact congregations large and small," Sunberg said. "Our prayer is that this offering is the beginning of a trend where more and more churches participate in financially supporting the seminary and providing additional resources that will strengthen our capacity to fulfill our mission in the Church." 
This offering contradicts a global trend in support of theological education. Seminaries and Bible schools struggle to acquire the necessary resources to provide a theological education that prepares clergy for service in their communities. 
Sunberg expressed her appreciation to the leadership of the denomination and to the district superintendents who promote the work and mission of the seminary.
"Our goal for 2015 is to break the $200,000 ceiling in the Seminarian Offering and to increase church participation by 500 more congregations," Sunberg said. "I know we can do it, because I believe that with God all things are possible."--Nazarene Theological Seminary
Brazil church evangelizes during World Cup
Manaus, Brazil
By Andrew Lemos for Engage magazine
Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas and the main financial, corporate, and economic center of the northern region of Brazil. It is a historic and a port city, localized in the middle of the largest tropical forest of the world. It is the most populated city in Amazonas and in the Amazon, with a population of 1,982,179 people and it is one of the most known Brazilian cities worldwide. 
Today, the Church of the Nazarene in Manaus, where pastor Manoel Junior is the leader, is going through a peculiar time in its 13 years in the city. Brazil, after 64 years of history, is again the host of the World Cup games, and the capital of Amazonas was elected as one of the host cities for the games.
Before us is the opportunity to take the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to a great number of people, not only Brazilians, but also people coming from England, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, Honduras, Croatia, Cameroon, the United States, and many other countries who come to Manaus to do ecotourism, too. The Church of the Nazarene in Manaus, with the collaboration of its ministries and members, has decided to follow Christ's command to "go," starting here in our Jerusalem, with the goal of making it just the beginning that will boost us to go to the Judea and Samarias of our nation, and, God willing, to the end of the world.
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.
John Hancock leaves lasting legacy

Lakeland, Florida
John J. Hancock Sr., a retired pastor, evangelist, and district superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene, passed away July 9. He was 85.
Shortly after marrying Venita Linkous in 1948, Hancock earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the West Virginia Institute of Technology in 1950.  
According to his grandson Brannon, Hancock "met Jesus because Venita wouldn't date him unless he went to church with her, and it changed his life forever." 
John became a pastor, and he and Venita spent 65 years together before her passing in 2013.
He began his first pastorate in 1953 at Handley, West Virginia, Church of the Nazarene. John pastored four other churches in West Virginia — Huntington Central, Dunbar, Weirton, and Charleston Davis Creek — before moving to Illinois. After seven years at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene, he was elected Illinois district superintendent in 1981. Hancock served in the position 14 years. He later received a Doctor of Divinity from Olivet Nazarene University.
In 1995, John began pastoring the Clearwater Central Church of the Nazarene in Florida. Three years later he retired from pastoral ministry to begin evangelism, serving until 2009. 
John fell Monday and broke his hip, requiring surgery. His condition deteriorated in the following days.
He leaves behind a legacy of ministers within the denomination, including his children, J. Jerome Hancock Jr., pastor of the Richmond Southside Church of the Nazarene in Chesterfield, Virginia; Michael, pastor of the Bethel Church of the Nazarene in Nashville, Tennessee; Tim, associate pastor at Winter Haven, Florida, Church of the Nazarene; Brooksie, who serves with her husband, Dave Smith, at Lakeland Highland Park Church of the Nazarene; and Cati Lingle, director of Educational Partnerships at Olivet's School of Graduate and Continuing Studies.
More information will be added as it is made available. Prayer is requested for the family.  
NNU engineering students design project to help friend walk again
Nampa, Idaho
One moment in 2010 changed Richelle Heacock's life forever. The multi-sport athelete was driving home to Ashford, Washington, when she was in a car accident that left her paralyzed, forcing her to face life in a wheelchair. 
Three years later in the fall of 2013, Northwest Nazarene University engineering student David Vinson, a childhood friend of Heacock, brought her situation to the attention of his engineering project team. They decided to use their senior design project course to try to help Heacock fulfill her dream of walking again.
"When a person has a spinal cord injury, it is easy to sit back and watch inactivity eat away at your muscles," Heacock said. "For any person, this is very frightening, but as an athlete, it is unbearable." 
In spite of the potential for self-pity, Heacock is optimistic. 
"I don't believe God spared me out of that wreck so I can sit in a chair for the rest of my life," she said. 
Cue Vinson and his teammates, Paulo Salvador and Mark Horton. The goal of their project was to design a walking rehabilitation machine to assist paraplegic patients learn how to walk again. Research shows that replication of the walking motion can help re-train nerves in the lower spine and legs to regain the memory of how to walk. 
"The NNU simple mechanical system mimics natural walking motion of the feet, ankles, and legs while the patient is suspended in a safety harness above a treadmill, allowing the soles of the feet to gently touch the treadmill surface that activates walking-nerve impulses," said Stephen Parke, NNU faculty advisor on the project.
There are similar, more sophisticated machines currently available, but access to them is difficult due to high cost. Heacock and her family would have to travel to distant rehab centers in order to use these expensive machines. The team's goal was to design an inexpensive, simple system that could be used everyday at home with only one assisting therapist.  
"Walking rehabilitation systems currently on the market are very expensive, so we wanted to attempt to design a system that would be much more affordable," Horton said.
With only one school year to complete the project, the team began their work in September 2013. 
"Our original ambitions were just that — very ambitious," Vinson said. "Fortunately, we were able to simplify the system down to only what we needed." 
The three team members quickly learned they needed outside help in order to make this project successful. Ron Stone, Heacock's physical therapist for the past three years, proved to be a valuable resource in order to make sure that their design would not only be helpful, but also safe. 
"Anything that makes the rehabilitation process simpler and smoother truly improves everyday life, as well as makes recovery and healing a more fathomable outcome," Heacock said.  
The team produced a proof-of-concept prototype of their design, which was demonstrated at NNU Senior Project Day in April and will be delivered to Stone this summer. 
"I'm trying not to get too excited, but if it is effective for Richelle, there is the possibility that it could be used to help others as well," Vinson said. 
Vinson is not alone; Stone is also enthusiastic about what the team accomplished. 
"This project demonstrated the students' ability to synthesize what they have learned and apply it to an urgent, compassionate engineering problem," he said. "I applaud their outcome!"
After the design is delivered to Stone, it will undergo more engineering testing and safety evaluation before being used by Heacock in her home. 
"I am so blessed that I crossed paths with such wonderful human beings who care about others and are willing to help," she said.--Northwest Nazarene University
Additional NCNNews.com Stories This Week
Regional News
Asia-Pacific
Brisbane, Australia
Nazarene Theological College-Brisbane hosted an Upward Basketball outreach the first week of July. During the three-day event, 35 young people age 12 to 15 gathered to learn from several coaches.
The event was coordinated by Aaron Park, GAP Year coordinator for NTC-Brisbane, and Jason Fiddes, mentoring program officer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. Upward Basketball provided the merchandise and program structure to facilitate the event, which was designed to introduce young people to the college and the developing youth church that meets on campus.
Fiddes used his extensive network through the Broncos to draw in key trainers for the program.
National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Famer Jim Poteet also made himself available to the program. Poteet, assistant basketball coach at Southwestern Christian University in the U.S., previously coached at Northwest Nazarene University, Pasadena College (now Point Loma Nazarene University), and Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University).
Poteet believes sports offer one of the most compelling opportunities for the spreading of the gospel. In the late 60s and through the 70s, he was involved in such programs, including Athletes in Mission. During that time, Poteet accompanied teams to Australia, where he witnessed the passion Australians have for sport.
He recently developed a concept called Hoops for Hearts in which recently graduated basketball players from Nazarene schools could support church plants in areas like Australia.--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region
Eurasia
UK church hosts Away@Home retreat
Bristol, United Kingdom
Away@Home is a retreat weekend with an added bonus: You sleep in your own bed at night.
Last year, the Church of the Nazarene in Bristol, United Kingdom, realised the cost of a full weekend church family retreat at a remote location was a prohibitive factor to many in the congregation. Wanting to dedicate a full weekend to worship, mission, the Word, prayer, and fellowship, the church decided to instigate a retreat weekend at home. This brought the cost down to one-tenth of the normal price. 
"From Friday to Sunday, Away@Home 2013 was a saturated time of God's love and presence," said Matthew Norris, Bristol church pastor. "There were so many good stories from 2013 that this year we did it again."
This year's theme was "Lets Fly!" from Isaiah 40:28-31. Musa Kunene was the guest teacher for the weekend. On Friday, the retreat began with food and fellowship, and then moved into a time of celebration. Kunene challenged the church to be "high flyers" and not be satisfied with where they may be now with God, but to reach their full potential in Christ. He taught that God wants His children to not be "chickens pecking in the dirt, but people of faith soaring on wings of eagles."
The church held a prayer breakfast on Saturday morning. Those present used the external church walls to write and draw prayers in chalk for the church, the community, and the world. At midday, 60 people travelled by double-decker bus to a park in Bristol to enjoy each other's company in God's creation. The evening ended with a Scottish Ceilidh. 
Sunday began with croissants, coffee, and worship before Kunene finished his teaching on Isaiah. He called the church, like the eagle, to renew themselves in God's presence, that they might live and soar. The weekend finished with food and fellowship.
"It is wonderful to break into our normal rhythms and weekly traditions," Norris said. "It is wonderful to dedicate new spaces of time to the Lord. It is wonderful to gather as a church family in new and God-focused ways. These new dynamics really help to focus our hearts and minds on the God that we find our hope in and who wants us to fly. At Bristol we cannot wait for Away@Home 2015."--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region
Volunteers bring music to Romania
Sighisoara, Romania
Jay and Sheri Hartzler, Nazarene Mission Corps volunteers in Romania, discovered music brings people together in unique ways. They brought the joy of music to children, youth, and adults, and have led both experienced musicians and beginners in worshipping God through song.
Music played a vital role in bringing the Hartzlers to Sighisoara. Five years ago, the Hartzlers, who are active members in the Mennonite Church, were leading the Eastern Mennonite High School choir's tour through Eastern Europe. While in Sighisoara they met Nazarene missionaries who arranged for the choir to sing in Tigmandru, a predominantly Roma village where the Church of the Nazarene ministers. After seeing how the people, especially the children, in Tigmandru had few opportunities to learn music, they began to consider returning to Romania to teach music. There is no participatory music teaching in the public schools, so there are few opportunities to learn how to sing or play instruments.
"They wanted to teach music to young people," said Roberta Bustin, a Nazarene missionary who ministers in Sighisoara and Tigmandru. "They recognized the needs for music in the church, and working with young people would benefit the church for many years to come."
After leading a second choir trip to Romania in 2012, the Hartzlers decided to return to Romania for a year as Nazarene Mission Corps volunteers, but with the added blessing of the Mennonite Church.
Since their arrival last August, the Hartzlers found many opportunities to use their musical gifts in both the Sighisoara and Tigmandru Nazarene congregations.
Every week, the Hartzlers go to the Tigmandru church to teach music to children. They have formed a choir of nearly 50 children who sing in special children's programs and Sunday services.
"When we started, there were as many notes being sung as there were children present," Jay said. "But eventually they were not only able to sing on pitch, but to change pitches ... The group sang songs in Romanian, English, and Swahili with great enthusiasm. It was rewarding to hear bits and pieces of songs being hummed or sung during craft time and parents reported the children singing the songs at home."
Jay used his experience as choir director to develop worship leaders in the churches and to introduce the congregations to new songs. He formed and led youth and women's choirs in Tigmandru. He also taught guitar classes, preparing musicians for both the Sighisoara and Tigmandru churches. Similarly, Sheri has been teaching private piano lessons for students who will soon be able to accompany congregational singing in the churches.
"Teaching piano here is one concrete way I see to leave behind a skill that can be used for personal enjoyment as well as in the churches," Sheri said. 
The Hartzlers have been active in teaching music outside the context of Nazarene congregations, too, mainly through Veritas, a Nazarene Compassionate Ministries partner organization in Sighisoara that serves the community through social and educational programs.
Each week, Jay directs the Veritas Gospel Choir, made up of about 20 people from various church backgrounds and ethnicities. In addition to the choir's normal Christmas and spring concerts, many from the choir joined members of other choirs in the town in a performance of Handel's Messiah in May. Accompanied by Sheri on the electronic organ and professional musicians from neighboring towns, the concert was attended by more than 300 people. It is believed to be the first time in 50 years that the Messiah has been performed in Sighisoara. 
One exceptional opportunity to work in the community came when Jay was asked to teach English-language music to two English classes at one of the largest high schools in Sighisoara. Even though the students had little experience with music (it was English, not music, class, after all), they successfully sang as part of the school's 90-year celebration talent show in April.
"We came to Romania expecting to do some work with music, but we did not expect the amount of opportunities we would have to lead in a wide variety of settings with various age groups," Sheri said. "We also did not expect the enthusiasm for music — for singing, playing, and listening. We have been truly blessed in the relationships and the musical experiences we have had this year."--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region
South America
Kansas church embarks on JFHP trip to Brazil
Brazil, South America Region
JESUS Film Harvest Partners recently received the following report from Kelly Love, Nazarene Missions International president at Hutchinson, Kansas, First Church of the Nazarene:
From March 27 to April 7, I traveled to Manaus, Brazil, with 11 Nazarenes from all over the U.S. We each delivered evangelism tools for JESUS Film Harvest Partners, which included Bible Story Cloths, EvangeCubes®, evangelism hats, soccer balls with the salvation colors, and backpacks filled with equipment to show the JESUS film.
We traveled by boat on the Rio Negro (Black River) to the New Canaan village, where the pastor of the church is Miguel, who is also the JESUS Film team leader for this large area. Click here for more information on Pastor Miguel.
The night we docked at New Canaan, our host missionary, Manuel Lima, got off the boat to let Pastor Miguel know that we had arrived, as we had come unannounced. Later that night, Pastor Miguel came aboard the boat and ask Manuel to go with him and pray for his nephew, who had suddenly become very ill and seemed to be demon possessed. They prayed and prayed until the child got up and praised Jesus. He was healed and set free. Praise Jesus.
The next morning, we visited some of the church members and the church in New Canaan. Inside the church, while waiting out an hour long Amazon rain shower, and through our translator, Pastor Miguel thanked us for coming. He said our presence reminded and encouraged him that he is not alone. Pastor Miguel travels by boat up and down the Rio Negro and walks deep into the jungle to share the gospel. His task is huge, sometimes traveling by himself and sometimes with other men from the church.
When the rain stopped, we went down the road to the school and asked permission to talk to the children in the one-room schoolhouse. The children varied in age, 5 to 16. Pastor Manuel's wife, Lidia, shared the gospel with the colors on the soccer ball and the evangelism hats. Toothbrushes were handed out and we demonstrated how to use them. After our time with the children, Lidia spoke at length with the teacher, who said that the Brazilian government has a set curriculum with each teacher/school deciding when and how to cover the material. The teacher, who did not know we were coming, had finished the course of world geography the preceding day and decided to begin the course of world religions for that morning. When we arrived, he had just finished teaching about the Protestant religion, focusing on Christianity. We literally walked in right after him and shared the gospel. There were many times that we discovered that the Lord had gone before us, preparing the way for us to openly share His Word. Our team began to coin the phrase, "Coincidence? I think not!"
The population of Manaus, Brazil, is just under two million and is located 11 miles above the meeting of the waters (or the confluence) where the Rio Negro (acidic water) merges with the Rio Solimoes (alkaline water, 10 degrees cooler than the Negro) and becomes the Amazon River. The Amazon River is the largest river in the world, having the most volume of water. Manaus is located in the heart of the Amazon jungle, home to exotic birds, sloths, monkeys, anacondas, alligators, beautiful flowers and trees, loud bellowing frogs, and many rivers that wind in and out of the deep jungle.
The first night our team was in Manaus, we were taken one hour across town to a house church. The narrow street was dimly lit with parked cars and adults lingering about. The house belonged to a couple who had come to know the Lord within the past three years. Jose and Santana's life, before surrendering to Christ, was filled with work and alcohol. One night, they both passed out in the middle of the street from a night of drinking. When they woke up, both agreed life could not continue this way. Knowing that Jose's grandmother was a praying woman, they asked her for help. Although she was Catholic, she somehow helped them make connections with Pastor Manuel and Lidia, Brazil Nazarene missionaries. After accepting Christ as their personal Savior, they began to rebuild their lives with restoring their business (denture manufacturing) and share what Christ had done for them with those in their neighborhood.
They began serving the Lord by inviting two neighborhood children into their living room and sharing the gospel with them through Bible stories and songs. Two children turned into four and then into 12, etc. Jose began attending seminary, led by Manuel and Lidia, at the Manaus Church of the Nazarene and is currently studying to be a pastor. In the meantime, their church of children began to outgrow their living room and so a patio was remodeled, which now accommodates 60 children and some parents that attend every Saturday evening service. Jose and Santana are now holding Wednesday evening classes for adults, with an average of 12 in attendance. Because of the dramatic change in Jose and Santana's lives, the homes and businesses around them are taking notice. Even the bar next door loans them chairs for the weekly Saturday evening service.
When our team arrived at the house church, we joined the children and adults on the covered patio as they were watching the JESUS film children's version in Portuguese. After the film was over, I had the privilege of sharing, through interpreter Alan Santos, the five salvation colors on the soccer ball and the gospel message using the EvangeCube. Pastor Lidia followed me by explaining the colors again with evangelism bracelets and evangelism frisbees and then praying for those who accepted Christ as their personal Savior. The EvangeCubes, bracelets, frisbees, soccer ball, and hats are tools that JESUS Film Harvest Partners sent with each of the team members from the States. We found the tools to be effective as we can have fun with children and adults while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. When the gospel is shared, darkness is exposed with the Light of Christ. There is hope, new hope and new life that is made evident with the gospel message. Lives are being changed and the Kingdom is growing with new believers daily.
The following day was our first Sunday in Manaus. The Manaus Church of the Nazarene meets Sunday mornings for Sunday School, with all ages meeting together for a few songs and announcements then dividing into different classes: children, teens, and adults. After class, everyone met back in the sanctuary where young and old alike were each given an EvangeCube. Pastor Manuel asked me to teach the congregation (approximately 60) how to use the EvangeCube. The FIFA World Cup is being held in Manaus and the church was planning to use the EvangeCube and other evangelism tools to share the gospel. Pastor Manuel then asked the congregation for those interested in doing street ministry (and JESUS Film evangelism) during the World Cup to come to the altar so that he could pray for them. The entire congregation went forward and our team joined them in prayer. Our team talked later about how we each experienced the strong presence of the Holy Spirit as we prayed with the church. Even though I could not communicate verbally because of the language barrier, I could tell their love for each other and for our team by the way they interacted with each other and reached out to all of us. The atmosphere reminded me of our church family at Hutch First ... warm, friendly and inviting. Please be in prayer for those who are working at the FIFA World Cup as it is currently taking place in Manaus.
Our team received a report from the church this past week: 
"We are working hard. Last week we were in the Arena da Amazonia Stadium, and in the central square of the city where the games are being displayed. Among our activities are public preaching, theater, personal evangelism with evangelistic bracelets and cubes, distributing water with the seal Jesus the Water of Life, evangelism with cards on traffic lights, and outreach with the Plan of Salvation in the buses. Many activities are to come, so I ask your prayers for the opening of our lips and that God would give us the Word of Life boldly." -Andrew Lemos, youth pastor
Please join me in prayer for the Manaus Church of the Nazarene as they continue to reach out to the multitude of tourists and locals who are in the city during the World Cup festivities. Pray for boldness, clarity, and safety for the workers and the love of Christ to touch the hearts of each one presented with the gospel. May the seeds planted be multiplied during the harvest of souls for Christ in Manaus.
For information on scheduled JESUS Film Harvest Partners Mission Trips, visit the JFHP website or contact John Cunningham at (913) 663-5700 or jcunningham@jfhp.org.--JFHP
Flags of the Nations: Argentina
Global Ministry Center
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: Argentina
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Argentina in 1909.
Argentina had a population of 42,610,981 in 2013. That same year, Argentina reported 239 Churches of the Nazarene, 235 of which had been officially organized. Argentina has 15,251 total members.
Argentina has two Phase 3 districts, five Phase 2 districts, and five Phase 1 districts. It is a part of the South America Region.
For more information about the South America Region, click here.
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
South Sudan
Suriname
Swaziland
Togo
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Venezuela
Additional World Areas
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.
USA/Canada
Moving Ministers: June 2014
Global Ministry Center
Compiled by the General Secretary's Office from district reports, Moving Ministers is a monthly listing of Nazarene ministers in new assignments on the USA/Canada Region. 
Roles included in the latest report are pastor and pastoral service. Entries were received from June 1 to June 30, 2014.
To view the June report, click here.
http://nazarene.org/files/docs/gensec/MovingMinisters0614.pdf
For previous reports, see nazarene.org.
http://nazarene.org/ministries/gensec/moving/display.html
Moving Ministers from 6/1/2014 to 6/30/2014 
Rev. Leah R. Barker Pastoral Service Columbus First Columbus IN to Pastor on 5/1/2014 Dubuque Dubuque IA 
Rev. Clint E. Benn Pastor Kennewick Kennewick WA to Pastor on 3/2/2014 Arlington First Arlington TX 
Rev. Preston P. Benson Unassigned Mid-Atlantic Glen Burnie MD to Pastoral Service on 5/4/2014 Bakersfield First Bakersfield CA 
Rev. Donald E. Boesel Unassigned South Texas Cypress TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 Temple First Temple TX 
Rev. Jedidiah R. Brake Pastoral Service Galion Galion OH to Pastor on 5/4/2014 Upper Sandusky Upper Sandusky OH 
Rev. Jennifer D. Brake Pastoral Service Galion Galion OH to Pastoral Service on 5/4/2014 Upper Sandusky Upper Sandusky OH 
Rev. Howard G. Brown Jr. Pastoral Service Florence Florence OR to Pastoral Service on 5/18/2014 Bethel Community Medway OH 
Rev. Daniel R. Burris Pastor Dayton Northridge Dayton OH to Pastor on 6/22/2014 Fairfield Cincinnati OH 
Rev. Adam Cabana Pastoral Service Hendersonville Hendersonville TN to Pastoral Service on 5/18/2014 Pensacola Ensley Pensacola FL 
Rev. Travis G. Caldeira Student Los Angeles Arcadia CA to Pastoral Service on 4/13/2014 Overland Park Overland Park KS
Rev. Roberta L. "Robbie" Cansler Mundelein Mundelein IL to Pastoral Service Pastor on 6/15/2014 The Mission Hammond IN 
Rev. Clyde M. Carey Unassigned South Texas Cypress TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 New Life Christian Fellowship San Antonio TX 
Rev. Jerry W. Carter Unassigned Sacramento Loomis CA to Pastor on 3/23/2014 Watsonville Watsonville CA 
Rev. Jerris J. Chulick Pastoral Service Newell First Newell WV to Pastor on 5/4/2014 Kenmare Kenmare ND 
Rev. Jonathan R. Colburn Pastoral Service Porterville Porterville CA to Pastoral Service on 3/24/2014 Salem First Salem OR 
Rev. Sandra Consuelo Flores-Cordova Neosho Neosho MO to Pastoral Service Pastor on 5/30/2014 Casa Jaziel Neosho MO 
Rev. Darlene Crow Student South Texas Cypress TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 San Antonio First San Antonio TX 
Rev. Graham P. Crow Student South Texas Cypress TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 San Antonio First San Antonio TX 
Rev. Dustin R. Dimitri Student South Texas Cypress TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 South Austin Austin TX 
Rev. Lawrence C. Dunn Pastor Spring Hill First Spring Hill FL to Pastoral Service on 6/1/2014 Windward Kaneohe HI 
Rev. Lori A. Dunn Pastoral Service Spring Hill First Spring Hill FL to Pastoral Service on 6/1/2014 Windward Kaneohe HI 
Rev. Charles W. Ellis Unassigned North Carolina Charlotte NC to Pastoral Service on 3/16/2014 Erin Erin TN 
Rev. James W. Ericson Unassigned South Texas Cypress TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 New Braunfels First New Braunfels TX 
Rev. Dana Franchetti Student Northwestern Illinois Pekin IL to Pastor on 3/2/2014 Canton South Canton OH 
Jeffrey A. Gulley Unassigned Kansas City Overland Park KS to Student on 5/30/2014 Joplin Carthage MO 
Rev. Bruce C. Gutridge Pastoral Service Hebron Hebron OH to Pastor on 4/25/2014 Toboso Newark OH 
Dr. William L. Hamby Jr. Unassigned Alabama South Prattville AL to Pastoral Service on 4/24/2014 Montgomery Capital City Montgomery AL 
Rev. Joseph B. Hise Pastor Sistersville Sistersville WV to Pastor on 6/8/2014 Woodsfield Woodsfield OH 
Rev. Joshua R. Huff Pastoral Service Lower Lights Community Columbus OH to Pastoral Service on 6/29/2014 Marysville Marysville WA 
Rev. James A. Humphrey Pastoral Service Zanesville Northside Zanesville OH to Student on 4/25/2014 South Central Ohio Grove City OH
Rev. Ted W. Johnson Unassigned Sacramento Loomis CA to Pastoral Service on 5/2/2014 Lemmon Valley Calvary Reno NV 
Rev. Douglas M. Jones Unassigned Northwest Spokane WA to Pastoral Service on 4/26/2014 Spokane First Spokane WA 
Rev. Ronald O. Karkosky Pastor Newburgh New Life Newburgh IN Pastor on 6/1/2014 Richmond First Richmond IN 
Rev. James A. Laker Pastoral Service Kansas City Village Community Basehor KS Pastor on 4/27/2014 Living Mission Indianapolis IN 
Rev. Tyler G. Lawrence Unassigned Arizona Chandler AZ to Pastoral Service on 3/1/2014 Gallatin First Gallatin TN 
Rev. Randy M. Samayoa Lopez Student Joplin Carthage MO to Pastor on 5/30/2014 Casa Jaziel Neosho MO 
Rev. Oscar Martinez Pastoral Service Houston Living Word Houston TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 Celebrate Life Katy TX 
Rev. Kevin R. McDonald Pastor Springfield Scenic Springfield MO to Pastor on 3/1/2014 Chanute Chanute KS 
Rev. Roger L. McGuire Unassigned Joplin Carthage MO to Pastoral Service on 5/30/2014 Springfield Grace Springfield MO 
Rev. Kaylyn R. Messer Student Dallas Nevada TX to Pastoral Service on 5/1/2014 Oklahoma City Western Oaks Oklahoma City OK 
Rev. Donna K. Mikhail Pastoral Service Carthage First Carthage MO to Pastor on 5/30/2014 Traders Joplin MO
Rev. Larry G. Moser Unassigned South Texas Cypress TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 Northpoint Community Beaumont TX 
Rev. Michael W. Orr Unassigned South Texas Cypress TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 Cornerstone Lake Jackson TX 
Rev. Bob L. Parmenter Unassigned Joplin Carthage MO to Pastor on 5/31/2014 Solid Rock Cowboy Seymour MO 
Rev. Art Perkins Pastor Waynesboro Community Fellowship Waynesboro VA to Pastor on 5/18/2014 Honolulu First Honolulu HI 
Rev. Kevin R. Plantz Unassigned South Central Ohio Grove City OH to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 Gallipolis First Gallipolis OH 
Rev. Michael A. Prince Sr. Unassigned South Texas Cypress TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 Kerrville Kerrville TX 
Rev. Carlos E. Ray Unassigned South Texas Cypress TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 The Woodlands Community The Woodlands TX 
Rev. Vernon W. Riehle Pastoral Service Spokane Bethel Spokane WA to Pastoral Service on 4/26/2014 Spokane Pasadena Park Spokane WA 
Rev. Maria J. Ruiz Pastoral Alvin Service Alvin TX to Pastor on 4/25/2014 Ebenezer Alvin TX 
Rev. J. Arthur Shipley Unassigned Joplin Carthage MO to Pastor on 5/30/2014 Lamar Living Hope Lamar MO 
Rev. Chadwick M. Smith Pastoral Service Indianapolis Castleton Indianapolis IN to Pastor on 6/20/2014 Heartland Floyds Knobs IN 
Rev. Steven M. Starkey Pastoral Service Clovis Faith Community Clovis CA to Pastor on 6/1/2014 Racine Taylor Avenue Racine WI 
Rev. Keith J. Sullivan Unassigned Northwest Indiana Valparaiso IN to Pastoral Service on 4/29/2014 Highland Highland IN 
Rev. Richard A. Suman Unassigned South Central Ohio Grove City OH to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 Ironton First Ironton OH 
Rev. Jennifer N. Vera Pastoral Service Rogers First Rogers AR to Pastoral Service on 6/17/2014 Bethany First Bethany OK 
Rev. Ralph A. Vinci Unassigned Sacramento Loomis CA to Pastoral Service on 5/2/2014 Lemmon Valley Calvary Reno NV 
Rev. Paul V. Ward Jr. Pastor Durango Faith Community Durango CO to Pastoral Service on 5/4/2014 Farmington Crossroads Community Farmington NM 
Rev. Jay D. Wilson Pastoral Service Kansas City First Kansas City MO to Pastor on 4/5/2014 Belton New Horizons Belton MO 
Rev. Roger L. Wilson Unassigned South Texas Cypress TX to Pastoral Service on 4/25/2014 Cedar Park Hill Country Cedar Park TX
Nazarenes in the News
Global Ministry Center
Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.
Texas church leads missions trips to other congregations
Cortez, Colorado
(Cortez Journal, July 10) A group of missionaries from Texas traveling through the area stopped in to paint the Cortez Nazarene Church this week as part of their effort to help churches in the region.
Vicki and Robert McAnally, youth leaders from the Baytown First Church of the Nazarene, have been leading missionary trips to other Nazarene churches for years.
The McAnallys started doing missions trips to other churches, in part, to help expand their students' vision beyond their small local group. The Baytown church draws about 100 people on a Sunday.
"We wanted to go bless these other churches," Vicki McAnally said.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Ohio church hosts bimonthly household item giveaway
Dresden, Ohio
(Zanesville Times-Recorder, June 30) Like other people across the state, Dresden resident Britnee Sammons was looking for help.
So she turned to the Dresden Church of the Nazarene for help, attending the household goods and care product giveaway recently.
"People are struggling to make it, and most people around here are only working minimum-wage jobs," she said. "It's tough to live."
On the third Wednesday of every other month, the church opens its doors from 5 to 7 p.m. and gives away different products such as laundry detergent, shampoo, dish soap and other items for anybody who needs them.
For the rest of the story, click here.
Oregon church celebrates 100 years of community outreach
Ontario, Oregon
(The Argus Observer, July 6) The words "church" and "community" are often put together, and in the case of the Ontario First Church of the Nazarene, their use together is reinforced through the church's atmosphere and practice.
To celebrate their 100th anniversary, the church has put together memorabilia boxes of community photos and information which pay tribute to every decade the church experienced starting 1914-1924, up to now, 2014.
If you step inside and walk around this two-story church, you will find age-designated classrooms, an industrial kitchen, conference rooms, several quiet prayer rooms, a gymnasium, and other spaces dedicated to various needs the community experiences: raising and educating children, athletics, spiritual education and just a safe space to gather and be together. For Lead Pastor Tim Brewer and Linda Krause, one of the event organizers, the church is for the community.
"The church has an amazing history of strength and growth," Krause said. "As we've been looking back through the decades, [we've found] this is a place where people come and people stay. The church is important to them."
For the rest of the story, click here.
Stories to share? Send them to submitnews@ncnnews.com.--Compiled by NCN News
Global Ministry Center News
In Memoriam
Global Ministry Center
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received July 7-11, 2014. 
Ava "Janice" (Cason) Cottam, 87, of Yukon, Oklahoma, passed away July 5. She was the widow of retired minister and evangelist Theodore Cottam, who served in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Theodore Cottam passed away in 1991.
Eleanor "Ann" (Brown) Cox, 76, of Carlinville, Illinois, passed away June 29. She was the widow of retired minister Harold Cox, who served in Indiana and Illinois. Harold Cox passed away in 2008.
Josephine Green, 84, of Lacey, Washington, passed away July 8. She was the wife of retired minister Robert Green, who served in Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas, Idaho, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington.
Ruth (Doudna) Hall, 95, of Georgetown, Pennsylvania, passed away July 4. She was the widow of retired minister Hebert Hall, who served in Pennsylvania. Herbert Hall passed away in 1996.
John Hancock Sr., 85, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away July 9. He was a retired minister, evangelist, and district superintendent, serving in West Virginia, Illinois, Florida, and on the Illinois District. He was preceded in death by his wife, Venita (Linkous) Hancock, who passed away in 2013. (story)
Wesley Harris, 58, of Prescott Valley, Arizona, passed away July 4. He was a retired minister, serving in Washington, New Mexico, and Missouri. He is survived by his wife, Constance Harris.
Alan Howard, 74, of Madison, Alabama, passed away July 7. He was a retired minister, serving in Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Howard.
Robert McNeely, 93, of Grove City, Ohio, passed away July 8. He was a retired minister, serving in Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Florence McNeely.
Gertrude (Newbert) Pratt, 92, of Nobleboro, Maine, passed away July 4. She was the widow of minister G. Emery Pratt, who passed away in 1989. 
Clifford Stone, 85, of Bourbonnais, Illinois, passed away July 2. He was a minister, previously serving in Illinois and Michigan. He is survived by his wife, D. Lavana (Berry) Stone.
Mildred "Millie" (Pauley) Wilson, 88, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, passed away July 3. She was the widow of retired minister Clayton Wilson, who served in Ohio, Wisconsin, New York, and Florida. Clayton Wilson passed away in 2003. Survivors include her son, Church of the Nazarene General Secretary David P. Wilson.
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
Global Ministry Center
By NCN News Staff
The following positions are available at the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center:
Information Technology — Senior Software Developer
Members of the software development team are primarily responsible for facilitating the ministry of the Global Ministry Center through the analysis, design, implementation, and support of software solutions. For the full job description, click here.
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. 
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.
For more information, see the GMC's Human Resources page by clicking here. 
Resources
Nazarene authors explore 'stress-busting' in ministry
Kansas City, Missouri
Nazarene authors David and Lisa Frisbie have written 25 books on relationships, parenting, and family life. For their newest release, the Frisbies tackled stress in pastoral ministry — how to meet it and how to beat it.
"More than 1,700 pastors leave the ministry each month in North America," David said. "Some of these are retiring or are due to normal attrition, but many of these departures are prompted by unresolved conflict, political or power struggles in the congregation, and other stressful events." 
Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City approached the Frisbies with the idea of helping ministers survive and thrive. The topic was close to their hearts as the Frisbies speak at retreats and conferences for ministers and missionaries on a regular basis.
"While we try not to have favorites, we deeply love those who serve us in pastoral ministry, together with their spouses and their children," Lisa said. "We've spoken overseas at retreats for teen PKs and TCKs (pastors' kids and third-culture kids) and we've spoken all over the world for Ministers and Mates Retreats. We love serving those who serve!" 
After several chapters of exploring stress and stress theory, the new book turns to five specific stressors that are unique to ministry settings. Drawing upon real-life stories and up-to-date examples, the Frisbies point the way to better pastoral health, both emotional and spiritual.
H. B. London wrote the foreword for the new book. London, a first cousin of James Dobson, served alongside Dobson for many years at Focus on the Family. Both London and Focus on the Family are supportive of the books and the Frisbies' writing. 
Released last month, initial sales response to the book are so positive that the publisher commissioned the next book in a possible series. Under the working title When Bad Churches Happen to Good Pastors, the new book will explore both church health and pastoral health — with suggestions and input for pastors, denominational leaders, and local congregations. 
Managing Stress in Ministry is available in both physical and e-book formats and can be found at retailers everywhere, including Nazarene Publishing House. The book is featured by Family Christian stores in Southern California and selected other markets.--NCN News submissions
Collegiate News
Trevecca announces administrative changes
Nashville, Tennessee
Three members of Trevecca Nazarene University's administration were appointed to new administrative roles. Provost Steve Pusey announced the creation of two non-cabinet, senior academic positions, appointments which became effective July 1.
Jim Hiatt, dean of the Skinner School of Business and Technology, was appointed associate vice president for academic programs. In this new role, Hiatt will provide oversight for the following areas: state authorization, program prioritization, international initiatives, new program development, strategic academic initiatives, and external partnerships. He will chair both the Academic Council and the Graduate Committee.
Tom Middendorf was appointed associate vice president for academic services. The following university departments will report to him: Library Services; Academic Records; Center of Leadership, Calling, and Service; and Online Learning. In addition, Middendorf will have oversight for faculty development, international student support, the undergraduate leadership studies minor, and the graduate Master of Organizational Leadership Program. Both of these appointments became effective July 1.
Three other administrative changes also became effective with the new fiscal year:
Michelle Gaertner is the new director of the Center for Leadership, Calling, and Service and will continue in her current role as coordinator of disability services
LaMetrius Daniels was named director of Online Learning
Carrie Hopkins is now the director of marketing for the CLL Programs--Trevecca Nazarene University
NNU RockSAT-X team anticipates experiment launch with NASA
Nampa, Idaho
For the third consecutive year, Northwest Nazarene University students are participating in out-of-this-world research. The students are part of RockSAT-X, a NASA program that allows students to work on researching and developing experiments that will be launched into space. 
Thanks to grants from the Idaho Space Grant Consortium and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and an ongoing partnership with American Semiconductor, Inc. (ASI), NNU students can again work closely with NASA and become familiar with space experimentation.
Under the direction of NNU Physics and Engineering Department Chair Dan Lawrence, senior engineering students Andrew Johnson, Lukas Rieke, and Jaron Hush, are designing systems that will test the effectiveness of new technology developed by ASI during a rocket launch into space. 
ASI is an industry leader in the development of flexible electronics, which the students will be testing. To create flexible electronics, ASI takes thin sheets of silicon and prints sensors and electronic systems onto them. 
"Imagine having a tablet that, when you want to stow it away, can be rolled up and placed in a bag," said Andrew Johnson, a team member. 
NNU RockSAT-X team's role is to design a system to safely carry these electronics into space, collect and store data, and return them to earth. The goal is to facilitate the transportation of the ASI equipment into space, fight the extreme temperatures and vibration of launch so the integrity of the equipment is still intact and can work as it is supposed to, then guide it all safely back to earth. During re-entry, parts and pieces are susceptible to burning, which is just one factor the NNU RockSAT-X students had to take into account as they designed their system.
On June 23, the team traveled to NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia to test their design. Testing included a vibration test (which simulates the amount of vibration a rocket experiences during launch) in order to determine whether or not their design can withstand the force.
"We all stand there listening to the clanking and noises, just hoping it's not our design that is falling apart in there," Johnson said. 
Following the testing trip, the team returned to NNU to re-design their experiment and make any necessary adjustments needed before the final launch.
The team will head back to Wallops on August 3 to see if their hard work paid off. A five-minute launch of their system into space and subsequent evaluation of the results will occur on August 12.--Northwest Nazarene University
MNU School of Nursing receives grant for 6th year
Olathe, Kansas
MidAmerica Nazarene University announced it was awarded a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program for the sixth consecutive year. 
The university is one of 52 schools of nursing that will comprise the final cohort of the program. For the 2014-2015 academic year, MNU will receive $50,000 to support traditionally underrepresented students making a career switch to nursing through an accelerated baccalaureate or master's degree program. NCIN is a program of RWJF and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
"New Careers in Nursing has made amazing strides in helping schools of nursing recruit and retain diverse students in these competitive and rigorous accelerated degree programs," said David Krol, RWJF senior program officer. "Through supporting these institutions, NCIN is working to increase the diversity of our nursing workforce, while also assisting schools of nursing in making their institutions more inclusive. The leadership, mentoring, and other support these institutions provide are helping to prepare a diverse nursing workforce able to meet the challenges associated with building a culture of health in our nation."
Each NCIN scholar has already earned a bachelor's degree in another field and is making a transition to nursing through an accelerated nursing degree program, which prepares students to assume the role of registered nurse in as little as 12 months.
At MNU, five students will be awarded NCIN scholarships, making a total of 50 MNU students assisted by the funding in the six years it has been received. Since 2008, the NCIN program distributed 3,517 scholarships to students at 130 unique schools of nursing. This year, funding for 400 scholarships was granted to 52 schools of nursing.
In addition to a $10,000 scholarship, NCIN scholars receive other support to help them meet the demands of an accelerated degree program. All NCIN grantee schools maintain a leadership program and a mentoring program for their scholars, as well as a pre-entry immersion program to assist scholars in learning essential study, test-taking, and other skills needed to succeed in their program of study.
"Nursing and nursing education are at a critical juncture right now, and NCIN's exemplary approach to supporting nursing schools is helping to strengthen both," said Eileen Breslin, AACN president. "NCIN's creative, innovative and responsive approach to providing grantees with tools to ensure academic success will result in lasting changes at nursing schools nationwide. The NCIN program has truly raised the bar for recruitment, retention, mentoring and leadership development for nursing students from groups underrepresented in nursing."
The 2010 Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, recommends increasing the proportion of nurses with a baccalaureate degree or higher, and increasing the diversity of students to create a nursing workforce prepared to meet the health care demands of diverse populations across the lifespan. NCIN is helping to advance those recommendations by enabling schools to expand student capacity and by encouraging more diversity.
By bringing more nurses into the profession at the baccalaureate and master's degree levels, the NCIN program also helps to address the nation's nurse faculty shortage. This trend is reflected in the NCIN scholars, as 91 percent of the students receiving funding in the first three years of the program indicated a desire to advance their education to the master's and doctoral levels.
For more information about MNU's accelerated program, visit the university's website. To learn more about the NCIN program, visit NewCareersInNursing.org.--MidAmerica Nazarene University
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Senior Editor: Frank M. Moore 
Managing Editor: Chad E. Schnarr 
Associate Editor: Sarah A. Glass  
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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