Monday, November 24, 2014

Asia Pacific Region of the Global Church of the Nazarene Around The Region News...Historic Partnership for new Gospel Format, a special journey in Melanesia, Cambodia coursework, and so much more! Volume 2 / Issue Number 41 for Saturday, 22 November 2014


Asia-Pacific Regional Communications
Saturday, 22 November 2014
Volume 2 / Issue Number 41 
Asia Pacific Region of the Global Church of the Nazarene Around The Region News...Historic Partnership for new Gospel Format, a special journey in Melanesia, Cambodia coursework, and so much more! Volume 2 / Issue Number 41  for Saturday, 22 November 2014 
In This Issue
Regional Prayer Requests
NMI Highlights...Thanksgiving Offering
9 Ways To Become More Confident
100 Years...One Mission...Eternal Opportunities...
Don't Miss This Mission Opportunity to Teach in Asia...Is It For You?
A Year After Super Typhoon Yolanda...What's Happening?
Questions in the Upper Room - Insights into CAA Ministry
Compassionate Ministries, More Than Just Good Works.
Regional Priorities Adopted by RAC
Because of your Gift...the World is Impacted for Christ!
Nazarene Publishing House Undergoing Restructure, Not Closure.
Top Stories from Around the World
Asia-Pacific Regional Site providing RSS Feed
This Week's Featured Video
Incredible Short Documentary of Ebola response in Liberia by Heart to Heart International and Partners.

Regional Prayer Requests
21-Nov-2014 Please continue to pray for the District Assemblies that are happening on the Region.  LINK  
20-Nov-2014 Pastor of Salcedo Church who was Hospitalized is now home. Praise God! LINK 
16-No2014 Pastor of Salcedo Church who was Hospitalized is now home. Praise God! LINK 
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Prayer ~ Changes Things!
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"Generosity Unlimited" is the theme for this year's Thanksgiving Offering. It is much more than a
monetary offering; it is a lifestyle of those who are Christlike disciples!

In Jonah 2, Jonah offers a song of thanksgiving to Godwhile he is in the belly of the fish. What
connections do you see between thankfulness, humility, faith, and God's saving action? How can
thankfulness have an impact on the rest of today?

Jonah 2:7-10
As my life was ebbing away,
 I remembered the Lord;
and my prayer came to you,
 into your holy temple.
Those who worship vain idols
 forsake their true loyalty.
But I with the voice of thanksgiving
 will sacrifice to you;
what I have vowed I will pay.
 Deliverance belongs to the Lord!"
Then the Lord spoke to the fish, and it spewed Jonah out upon the dry land.
Is God calling you to be thankful in the situation you are in? Imagine the impact your thankfulness could have!
Special Prayer Emphasis 

  9 Ways To Become More Confident

A driver taking me to a speaking engagement met me in the baggage claim area of a major airport, holding up a sign. It read, "Dr. Stand Taller." 
I'll admit that wasn't the biggest boost to my self-esteem, but it started me thinking about ways we can deal with low self-esteem.
Has a job obligation, personal challenge, or a prevailing attitude from childhood pushed the "Down" button on your self-esteem elevator? Here are 9 ways to "Stand Taller."
1. INVENTORY YOUR GIFTS
We're born with skills that make us as unique as a fingerprint. Take a timeout and inventory your giftedness via Strength Finders or Team Ministry. Skip the "Aw shucks" attitude. What are the things you actually can do as good or better than anyone else? Making your list (and checking it twice) will give you a much needed boost.
2. TAKE A NAP
I read that a nap of 10 minutes improves alertness by 10 hours. Your self-esteem may be low because you're tired. You need a nap.
3. LOSE A FEW POUNDS
The CDC says nearly 35-percent of U.S. citizens are obese. Add the borderline folks, and it's no wonder we're discouraged. I can't tell you what a difference it made in my outlook when I determined to "get a handle on the fork." Try it. You don't have to lose 50 pounds to feel better, start with a couple, and get in the groove.
4. TAME A HABIT
The health police also said 90-percent of us need to cut back on sodium. Some say a sandwich without chips is just a sandwich. But cutting out the salt is more than that; it's victory over a bad routine. You'll be surprised at how much better you'll feel about yourself when you put the strong arm on something detrimental.
5. LOOK AT GOD'S PICTURES
If God had an Instagram account, you'd be a star subject. Picture in your mind what God thinks of you. You are handsome or beautiful in his eyes. You're his best effort in all of creation. He sees you as you are and says, "Perfect."
6. TAKE A WALK
When was the last time you took a walk? If you walk outdoors, take a long look at its creative beauty. Breathe deeply. Focus. Avoid the slouch. You are a walking miracle of cells and parts and wrapping. You are a major "something" in the midst of everything.
7. CREATE SOMETHING
You were born to create. Why do you think those crayons fit so well in your hand on that first day of school? Maybe they're long gone, but the computer, camera, paint brush are still around. Use those items to create your masterpiece.
8. RECONNECT WITH A FRIEND
Would you like to increase your lifespan by 22-percent, and feel better about it? An Australian study found those with a larger network of friends outlived those who had fewer. Reconnecting with a friend out of the past could be a tonic that not only extends life, but increases the quality of the current one, and throws in a self-esteem boost in the process.
9. GIVE AN ANONYMOUS GIFT
It may be as simple as picking up the Starbucks tab for the customer behind you in line, but the benefits will be a "venti" boost. When you "do good," you feel good.
Where's the #10? That's your call. Be creative. Then push the "Up" button. 

 
 
One Mission
Eternal Opportunities
Are you looking for a way to get your church 
involved in Missions?  
Click on the logo above to see a list of the opportunities on the Asia-Pacific Region.
The Goal is 100% Participation worldwide!  That is a big goal, but easily attainable as some of the projects are very small and very manageable!
If you have any question contact the Asia-Pacific Regional NMI Coordinator.
Upcoming Events
Don't Miss The Action
Asia-Pacific Regional Event.
October 21-25, 2015 
Yogyakarta, IndonesiaDistrict Assemblies
October 26, 2014  to  
March 18, 2015
Send Us Your Events

Visit this link to review and sign up for various resources available through the Church of the Nazarene.
Quick Links
Manila, Philippines   

Click here for entire story and more photos
God has truly opened the door for an incredible ministry partnership between Biblica (formerly International Bible Society) who is the publisher of the New International Version translation) and the World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific Team.  With this partnership, millions will have the opportunity to be impacted through a new audio format.  
Remembering YOLANDA 1 Year After... 
Eastern Visayas Region, Philippines

Click for more pictures
Eastern Visayas Region, Philippines:  Tacloban City was one of the areas most devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) when it made landfall on November 8th, 2013.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TNgYGYIyzaY?list=UUFBbCw7UNV-WXCohoWE7lwg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
And Now…One Year Later..
Many of the families who formerly had homes in the low laying areas close to the ocean, find that these locations are now NO BUILD ZONES.   Not being allowed to re-construct their homes, the families have been staying in tent cities and little by little are being transferred to Transitory Sites or Transitory Shelters.   These sites were designed to be temporary in nature (up to 2 years) for those who were economically and geographically displaced as a result of the storm.
Over the last months, Nazarene Disaster Response (NDR) teams visited several of these sites and were truly overwhelmed with the need.  More than 500 families are spread between 5 of these
School Children from a Transitory Site
School Children from a Transitory Site
Transitory Sites.  NDR identified the greatest needs to be: Psycho-Social and Psycho-Spiritual, Health Services, Protection and Child Friendly Spaces, WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene), and Education for the early childhood (3-6 years of age) and out of school youth.
Children being taught at Transitory Site.
Children being taught at Transitory Site.
NDR is partnering with the government agencies (DSWD) and helping to stand in the gap for those in greatest need.  The last week of September,  Psycho-Social and Psycho-Spiritual programs and activities were initiated, focusing on adults and children alike.
Child and Mother at Transitory Site
Presently, NDR has team members in 4 of the 5 transitory sites and is working on establishing a presence in 3 additional sites.  The teams began ministering to more than 360 families and that number continues to grow.
The NDR teams are facilitating activities and initiatives in the areas of greatest need as mentioned earlier.  From board and ball games, to counseling, Day Care Center Programs and now Bible studies, lives are being touched and transformed.
“We are so thankful to have the Church of the Nazarene through Nazarene Disaster Response, giving their time and effort.  It is allowing us to have ‘color’ to our lives again,” said Ruby,  a mother and community leader within one of the transitory sites.
“Through the programs of NDR, there is an open door for us to share Christ to these families and to help them see the real message of hope that comes through the Word of God,” said Pastor Natividad, Philippine Nazarene Disaster Reponse Coordinator.  “Though we see the many challenges, we see these challenges as opportunities to minister and bring these souls to Christ.”
Student Intern - Liz Haunschild - working with children at a TS.
Student Intern – Liz Haunschild – working with children at a TS.
The NDR teams are in need of many more volunteers and are praying to the Lord and reaching out to Nazarenes across the Philippines asking them to join in becoming part of the harvest in this great harvest field!— Submitted: Pastor Jackson Natividad, Nazarene Disaster Response Coordinator – Philippines / Liz Haunschild – Student Intern from Northwest Nazarene University. 
Kudjip, Papua New Guinea:  It was toward the end of 2009 when my wife Susan and I had lunch with Melanesia South Pacific Field Strategy Coordinator, Harmon Schmelzenbach.
After lunch I shared that I was ready to move on from Radio Ministry.   Pastor Daniel Eka, a national leader,  was doing very well with the radio ministry and I had been feeling unrest and was needing something else, of course I did not know at that point what it would be.
God Answering prayer for radio ministry in PNG
During our conversation, Harmon asked if I had ever thought about doing a Course of Study, leading to ordination.   Well, that was a big no!   I had never thought of myself working towards ordination.  I told Harmon that I would pray about it and I did for awhile.   But I never felt like I heard or felt any direction from the Lord.
“How could this be out of the Lord’s will for me. Shouldn’t all of us be working to learn more about Christ, studying the Bible.”
Jeff Myers at Dusin Station in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
Jeff Myers at Dusin Station in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
One day the thought came to me, “how could this be out of the Lord’s will for me.   Shouldn’t all of us be working to learn more about Christ, studying the Bible.”    It would help in my preaching as I had opportunities to share in churches here in PNG.
This began the journey of working with my home district (East Ohio) and Geneva, Principle of MNBC, who helped me review the courses,  determining those that I would need, and which ones could be taken here at Melanesia Nazarene Bible College and which ones would need to be taken online.
This is a partnership between the East Ohio District in the U.S. and the Hagen District here in Papua New Guinea.”- Harmon Schmelzenbach, Melanesia South Pacific Field Strategy Coordinator
I received a local minister’s license from my home church, New Philadelphia, and the studies began.  Over the next two years I worked to complete the requirements leading to ordination.  I have appreciated very much, the encouragement  and support of Harmon, and the many others who have been an integral part of this journey.
This journey has been a lot of fun and a privilege that I have greatly enjoyed, especially being able to take classes with our PNG Bible College Students and Michael Chapman, another missionary here on the Field.
If you had asked me five years ago if I thought I would be an ordained Elder in the Church, I would probably have chuckled and told you, “I don’t think so.”   Now, this scripture comes to mind, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”- Isaiah 55:8-9
The Lord’s will is an adventure!   I have no idea where it is heading or where He is leading, but His will is all I want, even when I don’t understand it.   In April of 2013, Harmon asked if I would consider taking on the position of Field Church Development Coordinator, and this is the work I am currently involved with.    It is both fun and at times, challenging.   It will be interesting to see how God uses this new step in my life as I work to train, encourage, teach and support our leaders across the Melanesia and South Pacific Fields.
Bottom line is this, I could not do this in my strength, only in God’s strength; I could not do this without the incredible support of my wife, kids and family, along with the faithful friends the Lord has blessed me with, who have encouraged me all along the way!
Rev. Jeff Myers was ordained along with Rev. Samuel Wamine, Rev. Francis Walepo, and Rev. Paias Pele, Ordinands from Papua New Guinea, on November 15th, 2014, at the Hagen District Assembly.  General Superintendent Dr. David Busic officiated and thanks to technology,  Jeff’s parents were able to be present at the ceremony through video connection.
Jeff and wife Susan (missionary doctor at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital) have been serving in Papua New Guinea since 2001.  You can view their profile here. 
The Holy Spirit, 14 Days, & 50 Students...God is at work in Cambodia!
Cambodia
Click for the complete story
Cambodia: Rev. Kent Pelton finished two full weeks of teaching, working with over 50 students in two different locations.  
“It is amazing to see their progress since the last class, and since teaching began 2 years ago,” remarked Rev. Rolf Kleinfeld.  
Mostly farmers,  the students included pastors, their assistant pastors, and leading board members.   Teams of students worked together in applying their faith to doctrinal and practical issues using the theological process.  Teaching students how to study is essential in these areas were local language materials are very limited and where many students cannot read.
These eager students are quickly applying lessons learned in their ministry as they pastor their local churches and start new ones in unreached villages.  
Please continue to pray for these students and their teachers as, together, they work with the Lord to make an impact for His Kingdom!—- Submitted:  David Phillips – Southeast Asia FSC  
Asia-Pacific Region 
During the recent Regional Advisory Council meetings in South Korea, the council adopted nine regional priorities.  We will be featuring one of these priorities each week over the course of 9 weeks.    
A connected church must learn to communicate effectively, in a way that connects the intended message with the intended audience.
Click here for a list of the 9 Regional Priorities.
Because of your Gift...the World is Impacted for Christ! 
Global 
Dear Nazarenes,
I just wanted to remind you one last time that the Thanksgiving Offering for the World Evangelism Fund is happening this month on 23 November (unless a different date has been specified by your region or district). On that day, thousands of Nazarenes all around the world will be offering up their praise to God for his faithTG14_logo1_ENfulness. This year, we want to remember that the reason we give is because we are thankful.
I want to encourage you to talk to your churches or congregation about participating in this offering. Ask them what they are thankful for, and encourage them to show their gratitude through a thank offering to God. Our thankfulness has the potential to make an enormous difference in the lives of others.
As always, to make it easier for you to spread the word about this thank offering, feel free to take advantage of any of the resources available online at nazarene.org/generosity. We are excited to see what God will do in the days leading up to and following this opportunity.
Blessings,
Mark E. Lail
Director, Stewardship Ministries
P.S. See the Resources page for a brand new video m
PRESS RELEASE
Nazarene Publishing House will not close for business, but undergo a restructure, according to Interim CEO Mark Brown.
All imprints of WordAction Curriculum and Beacon Hill Books, will continue uninterrupted. “It’s true that our business model will change December 2, 2014 based on our current financial situation,” Brown said. “However, NPH management is developing a new strategic plan, and we look forward to continuing to meet the literature needs of the Church of the Nazarene and our Wesleyan partners.”
The newly appointed NPH Board of Directors approved the go-forward plan, which will be implemented December 2 so there will be no interruption of services to NPH customers.
“The Nazarene Publishing House is open for business,” Brown said. “We are grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from our customers during these recent challenges. God is helping us imagine a new future, and we gladly anticipate serving you.”
Frequently Asked Questions about the Future of Nazarene Publishing House
I thought NPH was closing. What happened?
It’s true that Nazarene Publishing House found itself in an unprecedented financial crisis in the final quarter (October, November and December) of 2014. Closure was imminent, and leadership made the difficult decision to cease business operations under the current model, including dismissal of all employees as of December 1. Following such an announcement, the outpouring of concern for the ongoing literature ministry of the Church of the Nazarene made it apparent that something had to be done to save NPH. Under the leadership of a new Board of Directors, NPH management developed a plan to implement a restructure with the view of developing a sustainable publishing ministry to the Church of the Nazarene and her Wesleyan partners.
Will I still be able to order my WordAction Sunday School Curriculum?
Yes! You can expect all curricula from NPH to continue without interruption. This includes your Sunday School materials for adults such as Faith Connections, Reflecting God, and Standard. This includes your Sunday School materials for children such as Faith Connections, and Epic.
Will I still be able to order my WordAction program resources?
Yes! NPH will continue to provide Caravan, Bible Quizzing, Catechism/Membership, and the other program materials you depend on.
What is the status of Beacon Hill Press book publishing?
Beacon Hill Press will continue to provide the Church of the Nazarene and our Wesleyan partners with the finest in theological resources. Our focus moving forward will be the New Beacon Bible Commentary, textbooks, and pastoral titles. We will continue to stock and sell our current inventory without interruption in service to our customers.
Will I still be able to order my Nazarene Missions International (NMI) products?
Yes! Your NMI materials will be available in time for 2015 just as they always have.
What is the status of Lillenas music publishing?
Lillenas Publishing is currently for sale. NPH management is actively seeking a buyer who shares our passion for providing worship resources to the local church.
Will the NPH website, Barefoot online, and other digital resources be available?
Yes! NPH.com, SundayTeacher.com, BarefootOnline.com, EpicStory.com and all your other favorite NPH sites will remain fully functioning. Additionally, you can still purchase the 400+ ebook titles published by Beacon Hill Press or download video studies and leader’s guides from your favorite authors.
Will the products and services I depend on from NPH (offering envelopes, church bulletins, membership materials, etc.) still be available?
Yes! NPH will continue to make available the resources you need to do church.
What does the future business model look like?
NPH will stay true to its core mission to engage the Church for the mission of God. The NPH management team and the NPH Board of Directors are working closely to refine the details of the new business plan for 2015 and beyond. More details will be forthcoming as they are available.
In the meantime, the NPH team pledges to you, our customers and stakeholders, that we will give our best effort to advancing the Kingdom through the incredible ministry of Nazarene Publishing House. We will look for ways to recreate, to innovate, and to overcome the significant challenges ahead.
Thank you for your loyalty and your prayers as we undertake this new adventure in rebuilding. May God find us faithful.
_____________________________

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