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Wichita, Kansas
The MidAmerica Nazarene University community is deeply saddened by the loss of Quincy Foster, a junior nursing major who passed away on January 1.
Foster was the victim of a traffic accident in icy conditions near Wichita, Kansas. A vibrant member of the Pioneer community, Foster was formerly on the women's soccer team, a resident assistant in Spindle Residence Hall, a student worker in the Registrar's office, and a recent member of a summer student SERVEteam. Vitally involved in MNU's Passion to Serve project in Haiti, Quincy's career goals included weaving her passion for missions into her nursing career by being a nurse, a missionary, or both. Family members said she loved mission trips because she loved people and she loved God. Haiti held a special place in her heart and she was looking forward to an upcoming School of Nursing mission trip to Guatemala with immense anticipation. MNU President David Spittal expressed condolences to the family and all of Quincy's friends. "Our hearts are broken," Spittal said. "We seek the healing presence of the Christ Quincy loved and served with passion." University Chaplain Randy Beckum held a campus-wide memorial for Quincy on Tuesday, January 13 during the university's first chapel service of the new semester. Quincy is the daughter of Jonathan and Johnna Foster, pastors of the Mission Church of the Nazarene in Overland Park, Kansas, and alumni of MNU. She is the niece of MNU employees Jon North and Cindy Foster and the cousin of several MNU students. Campus counselors are available to assist students in this time of grief. The following link connects students with the grief counseling team. A visitation was held January 5 and the funeral took place January 6, both at College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe. The Quincy Foster Memorial Fund at MNU has been established to help fund the efforts of future nurses and students to take mission trips. This fund will help accomplish Quincy's life-long goal of serving. The giving site is connect.mnu.edu/give. (Select the "other" giving designation and write in Quincy Foster) Prayer is requested for the Foster and MNU families.--MidAmerica Nazarene University |
Philippines church feeds 1,000 children
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Manila, Philippines
Each Saturday, Taytay First Church of the Nazarene strives to have a special lunch for neighborhood children who might otherwise go without. This Christmas the church decided to take its lunch program to a new height by feeding and ministering to 1,000 children.
Several weeks before Christmas, church members were challenged to become involved through giving and volunteering. "When we first arrived at the designated covered ball court in the middle of the barangay, there weren't very many people there," said Connie Aebischer, regional Nazarene Missions International coordinator. "Over a short period of time, the children began pouring in accompanied by their parents." Youth from Taytay First Church's Generation Congregation joined with church members, Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary students, barangay (neighborhood) government officials, and local Jollibee Restaurant employees to help facilitate the day's events. As the children were seated, the children's version of the JESUS film was shown in the local language. Eyes were riveted to the screen as the story of Jesus' ministry and death was portrayed. "I have been participating in showing of the JESUS film for many years," said Todd Aebischer, Asia-Pacific regional communications coordinator. "I am always moved by the incredible impact that this story has on the children. It is a story that never becomes old. It is a story of the greatest gift that anyone could ever receive at Christmas." While nearly 1,000 children were fed physical food, they were also served something so much greater: the story of the love of Christ, available to anyone who is willing to receive it.--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region |
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Lenexa, Kansas
Pew Research states 90 percent of American adults have a cell phone, and 58 percent of those are smartphones. Church leaders continue to engage technology as a tool to help people draw closer to Christ.
To help in this endeavor, Back to the Bible's goTandem app allows every Church of the Nazarene congregation to have its own mobile app at no cost to the individual church. goTandem is a free mobile app that discovers the users' spiritual needs and then delivers personalized biblical content to help the user grow closer to Jesus. goTandem is based on the results of a seven-year study by the Center for Bible Engagement of more than 100,000 people from 20 countries. This research showed the greatest spiritual growth among those who engaged the Bible four or more times a week. Back to the Bible created goTandem to help believers and non-believers conveniently engage the Bible on a daily basis. App users have experienced positive growth. Currently, half of new goTandem users don't engage the Bible on a daily basis, but after a few months using the app, 83 percent engage their Bible four or more times a week. In October 2014, the app launched its white label, which allows ministries to have their own app powered by goTandem's technology. Ministries will know where their members are spiritually and can measure how they are growing and disciple users on a daily basis. Representatives from Back to the Bible will have an exhibit and conduct a workshop at the M15 conference (February 9-11) in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information about goTandem, visit gotandem.com, email discipleshipplace@nazarene.org, or call toll free at 888-243-2767.--Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International |
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Hollywood, Maryland
By Madeleine Buckley for The County Times
Do you need to be drinking to have a good time? To socialize? At the Upper Room Connections Café, they think not.
"Where do you go to meet people? You go to a bar. And for a lot of people, that's just not where they want to be or what they want to do," said Terri Palmer. Palmer is one of the founders of the Connections Café, an alcohol-free option for Friday nights, hosted by Hollywood Church of the Nazarene. "We're a late-night weekend venue," said co-founder Craig Haskell. "We have a bar-like atmosphere where you can shoot pool, listen to music, hang out, and have that social bar feel. We just don't serve alcohol, that's all." While it is hosted at the church, the even is intended for the community as a whole. "We make it so it's not in your face," Palmer said. "We are still a religious establishment, but it's the first thing we're talking about. We're not going to be pulling out the Bible; we're not going to be Bible-thumping." The event is intended to cater to a wide variety of ages and audiences. "It benefits people who might have a history with alcohol and need a social place to go, but it's not just geared to that," Haskell said. "It's also geared to people who are just trying to get away from the alcohol." In addition to being alcohol-free, the café is completely free of charge. They do have a jar for donations, but there is no obligation. "A lot of people will go to a local restaurant for karaoke or something, but of course when you go to those places you have to spend money," said Junell Zambrano, Haskel's fiancée and a regular at the café. "For some people it's like, 'Do I have money to go hang out tonight?' whereas we are providing a venue where people can come, have a great time, and kick it with new people without worrying about spending $50 or $100." One frequent feature of the Connections Café is live music. "We have either someone booked to do a set or we'll have people get up and do some song as more of an open-mic night," Haskell said. "A lot of people just feel free to bring their instruments in. The idea is just to be a venue." In addition to having musicians, they often stream football games or show movies. Sometimes they even book special performances like stand-up comedian Matt Merchant, an L.A.-based entertainer who is originally from the area. "I already feel like a regular," Merchant said after one performance at the Connections Café. "It's warm and very inviting; everybody is very supportive. The aspect that I have to use only clean material is a fun new challenge, but to have people here who just want to be here and are enjoying themselves is great." In addition to entertainment, the café offers free refreshments for guests. "We always serve food," Palmer said. "Also anything that's alcoholic, like piña coladas or strawberry daiquiris, we make non-alcoholic. I'm a bartender, sort of … the dry bartender. We can even do mudslides without the booze." Currently the café has an average of about 30 attendants, but the numbers continue to grow. "There really isn't anywhere else in the area that does something like this," Haskell said. "So as word has been spreading, we've been having really good reactions and a lot of new people are checking it out." "It doesn't matter if people come here for the first time or if they've been coming here for a while," Zambrano said. "We treat everyone like family, and everyone is welcome." The Upper Room Connections Café is open every Friday night starting at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Palmer at 301-844-8082 or visit the community calendar at some.com for weekly updates.--Republished with permission from The County Times |
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Global Ministry Center
Stewardship Ministries invites all Nazarenes to join in prayer and preparation for the Church of the Nazarene's annual Easter Offering for the World Evangelism Fund. Through offerings given to the World Evangelism Fund, Church of the Nazarene members do more together to spread the gospel than they could alone. The gospel is now present in 159 world areas because of Nazarene churches' devotion to the mission "to make Christlike disciples in the nations."
The 2015 Easter Offering will use the theme "Every Tongue Confess" to focus on God's calling to spread His gospel throughout the world. The theme verse is Philippians 2:1-11, where Paul speaks of the great sacrifice that Christ made in order to bring His people to unity with Him. In preparing for this offering, remember and share these verses from Philippians: "Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-10, ESV) All are encouraged to begin preparation for the offering now by reflecting in church, district, or regional groups on the precious gift of salvation and the joyful opportunity given to share it with everyone, everywhere, in the hopes that Every Tongue Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This year's offering will be received on Easter Sunday, 5 April. Note that some areas may give offerings on a different date that coincides with their field or district calendar. Resources will be available at nazarene.org/generosity in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Korean. Questions can be directed to Stewardship Ministries at 1-800-544-8413 or stewardship@nazarene.org.--Stewardship Ministries |
 | Regional News |
Flags of the Nations: Guinea-Conakry
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: Guinea-Conakry
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Guinea-Conakry in 2009.
Guinea-Conakry had a population of 11,474,383 in 2014. That same year, Guinea-Conakry reported 10 Churches of the Nazarene, none of which had been officially organized. Guinea-Conakry has 476 total members.
Guinea-Conakry is a part of the Cote d'Ivoire South District on the Africa Region. Cote d’Ivoire South is a Phase 2 district.
Previous flags featured:
* = 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.
Australia Northern Pacific District gets powered up for missions
Brisbane, Australia
The Australia Northern Pacific District recently held its first Power Up Day to help leaders learn how to respond to the Great Commission in today's postmodern world.Organized by the district Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries and Nazarene Missions International councils, the event was held at Nazarene Theological College-Brisbane.
The day focused on fellowship, inspiration, practical skill-sharing, ministry vision-sharing, and an out-of-the-box thinking time. Workshops included Nuts and Bolts of NMI Leadership, which was directed at new NMI presidents; Cross Cultural Ministries; Discipling and Mentoring; Prevailing Prayer, and Building a Church. The workshops were led by various pastors, NMI leaders, missionaries, and representatives from sister organizations.
Specific information was provided on child sponsorship through NazCare (the Australian arm of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries). Australia Nazarenes are currently sponsoring 90 children in various countries around the world.
The weekend started with a dinner Friday night, jointly hosted by NMI and SDMI, acknowledging pastors and leaders who served throughout the year.
The devotions and plenary sessions were all led by emerging leaders, who began each segment with worship and group prayer. Feedback indicated the event was successful and next year promises to make an even greater impact.--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region
Biswas to lead South Asia Field
South Asia Field, Eurasia Region
Editor's note: As Hermann Gschwandtner retires from decades of ministry in the Church of the Nazarene, most recently as field strategy coordinator for the South Asia Field, he turns over leadership to Sukamal Biswas, with whom he has worked closely in developing the church in Bangladesh for the past 20 years. This article looks at Sukamal's testimony and his leadership in the church, as well as his thoughts looking forward to this new role of leadership in the field. We will share about Gschwandtner's ministry in an upcoming edition ofWhere Worlds Meet, the Eurasia Region's newsletter.As a 15-year-old boy, Sukamal Biswas left home with just $1 in his pocket because his family was unable to continue providing for his education. It took two days for him to travel to Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, from his tiny village where he had grown up learning farming from his parents.
His parents were strong Christians but Biswas had not yet accepted Christ.
In Dhaka, he spent several days roaming the streets before he met an American Baptist missionary who allowed him to sleep in the church.
"That night, I started reading my Bible. In Isaiah 53, I saw 'We all, like sheep, have gone astray,'" he recalled. "I'm alone and I'm crying. I am a 15-year-old boy caring for myself. That night I surrendered to Jesus to save me and give me right direction. That's the turning point of my life."
After accepting Christ, one day Biswas saw a local Christian pastor. The pastor was wearing a nice shirt and nice pants from a famous brand and a good pair of shoes. Biswas had never had nice clothes; his family was too poor. He had never seen branded clothing. Biswas thought that if he became a pastor, he would also be able to wear nice clothes. So he told the missionary that he wanted to be a pastor. The missionary said he would need to graduate college and then go to seminary before he could be a pastor.
Determined, Biswas finished college and then went on to seminary. He was appointed by a Christian mission to be a traveling evangelist, planting churches in different villages. He found he was gifted in the work, and although the job did not provide a high income or security, he developed a passion for sharing Jesus with the people.
"I found that a lot of people, like me, really need to see the hope for life, hope for their salvation; somebody needs to tell them and I really feel the strong feeling that I'm the person to tell the people the love of Christ and the good news of the gospel," he said. "Then I responded, 'Here I am, God; send me.'"
It was no longer about nice clothes but a divine calling to give people hope in Jesus Christ.
Eventually, through prayer and seeking God's lead, he felt a particular call to social work and applied to various nongovernmental organizations. He married a nurse, Rina, who supported his calling. After many years of unemployment, he finally got a job cleaning classrooms for a nonprofit's school. Seeing the needs of the impoverished children, he remembered his own childhood and developed a vision to help poor children. Over time, he was promoted repeatedly until he was in a top management position.
Then, in the early 1990s, two Nazarene leaders visited Bangladesh at the invitation of a local Christian who wanted to see the denomination enter the country. Biswas was at that meeting and had numerous questions about the denomination's beliefs and practices. He was accompanied by fellow worker, Vanu. They agreed to file the paperwork to register the church with the government.
The regional leaders decided to open work in Bangladesh through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and led by local leaders instead of foreign missionaries. The strategy depended heavily on Biswas and Vanu to carry out the work. Biswas, who came to appreciate Nazarene doctrines and beliefs, decided to join the church. He developed a strategy to plant churches through compassionate ministries — particularly to children — and the JESUS film, with the intention to start the work in Bangladesh without a single penny of foreign funds. He wanted the churches to start out with a sense of self-dependence rather than dependency on donations from overseas.
Hermann Gschwandtner, then leader of NCM in South Asia, said that Biswas' strategy to make the new church self-sustaining from the beginning had never been tried in the history of the denomination. But it worked.
Today there are more than 3,000 congregations in Bangladesh and more than 700 licensed pastors. Biswas served as district superintendent of Bangladesh before it split into three districts in 2010; he then continued to help provide leadership for the districts and Bangladesh Nazarene Mission, a compassionate ministry.
As Gschwandtner retires from his role as field strategy coordinator for the South Asia Field, of which Bangladesh is a part, Biswas is stepping into the role.
"The secret about growth is to involve others into my thinking," Biswas said. "When I see the dream, my role is as a dreamer to insert my dream to my inner circle and outer circle, then my dream becomes their dream.
"In my present role as field strategy coordinator, I would like to respect my other leaders — the district superintendents, the leaders in the other countries (of the South Asia Field). I am not a person to do by myself everything. My role will be the facilitator, facilitating the church growth and church planting and evangelism; to empower the indigenous leader. And at the same time, help the leaders to carry the gospel into areas and places where it has not been brought so far."
Hermann has worked closely with Biswas over the past 20 years.
"He has an incredible skill of finding and implementing systems that work," Hermann said. "He is definitely a person who is ready to challenge the borders or the limits doing extraordinary things. He's a person that really knows in his society how to work with the people. And of course an extremely dedicated person. He is a person who really has a compassionate heart. He really cares for people."--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region
Eastern Mediterranean Field, Eurasia Region
Editor's note: Khalil Halaseh is stepping into the role of field strategy coordinator for the Eastern Mediterranean Field. He is taking over for Lindell Browning, who has served as FSC for 22 years and in the field as a ministry leader for more than 35 years.A field strategy coordinator provides leadership, strategic vision, and direction to the districts and local churches located within a field. The Eurasia Region has seven fields.
Halaseh shared his testimony and ministry experience in the Eurasia Region's newsletter, Where Worlds Meet. We will look back over Lindell and Kay Browning's years of service in an upcoming issue of Where Worlds Meet as they move toward retirement.
In 1988, Khalil Halaseh was a troubled 16-year-old in Amman, Jordan. He'd grown up in a family that practiced no faith and had little interest in the Bible or church. He was involved in street fights and developed a negative reputation. He was expelled from school, and people began to reject him because of his behavior. He was jailed three different times.
Sitting in the jail the third time, he prayed to God, "Lord, I don't know you, but if you take me out of here, I promise to give you my life." He also promised that if someone beat him again, he would turn the other cheek.
Two weeks later, his uncle, very concerned about his nephew, bailed him out of the jail and had a serious talk with him. Although his uncle was not religious, he mentioned to Halaseh a youth party he'd heard about at the Al Ashrafiyeh Nazarene Church. Halaseh decided to go, but arrived only at the end of the event.
A young man from the church approached Halaseh and began talking with him, even inviting him to a church picnic. Others also reached out to the visitor.
"I felt, 'Wow, it's a good environment. I like it,'" Halaseh said.
Halaseh brought two friends with him to the picnic. Despite the three teenagers' reputations, everyone accepted them and welcomed them with open arms. A woman sat and talked with him for two hours and said the church would love to have him be a part. Deeply impressed by the showers of kindness, he approached the pastor.
"I said, 'I saw the people at the picnic and I need to be like them.' [The pastor] said, 'You have to repent if you want to be Christian.' I prayed with him and I felt I am happy; there is something starting in my life I can't explain," Halaseh said.
Halaseh began to experience a deep thirst for the Bible. Instead of his previous habit of going out all evening on the street or to the theater, he began staying in his room to read. The sudden change in his behavior worried his parents, who called a therapist to examine him. The therapist assured his parents that he was fine, so they allowed him to continue reading and attending church.
After about two months, Halaseh began to share Jesus with his parents. First his mother came to Christ, then his brother, next his sister, and finally his father. More family members followed.
Passionate about sharing Jesus with others, Halaseh made a sign that said "Nazarene church" and put it on the door of his home and began inviting neighbors and friends for Bible study and prayer meetings, during which time he shared his testimony with people.
The pastor, observing all this, told Halaseh he was exhibiting the natural gifts of an evangelist, and he provided space in the church for Halaseh to begin developing leadership skills and gaining experience.
In 1991, Halaseh studied with Eastern Mediterranean Nazarene Bible College, where his eyes were opened to all he still needed to learn and ways that his life still needed to be transformed in Christ. During a chapel service that told the story of God calling Abraham out of his homeland to travel to a new promised land, Halaseh recognized God's call to ministry on his life, and he embraced it.
His pastor and family supported his move to a theological school in Lebanon run by the Anderson Church of God denomination where he graduated in 1995. He returned to Amman to serve as a youth pastor at the Al Ashrafieh Nazarene Church. When the pastor was called to another church, he decided Halaseh should take over as the lead pastor. From 1996 to the present, the church grew from about 50 people to between 400 and 500 people. The congregation has an active ministry to about 600 refugee families.
Over the years, Halaseh became involved with the John Maxwell Equip ministry, where he serves as a facilitator and an associate trainer in four countries. Halaseh has also led Evangelism Explosion for 20 Arab countries and is the pastor for a sports ministry in the Middle East. He is a volunteer with Willow Creek Community Church on the organization's advisory board. For several years, he helped to organize a Nazarene Pentecost service in Jordan that attracted up to 3,000 believers for prayer.
Halaseh is stepping down from Equip and Evangelism Explosion in order to focus more fully on his new FSC role.
He has become passionate about not only evangelism, but also training leaders and pastors.
"His skill in leadership development is one thing that will really unite [the field]," said Lindell Browning, who is retiring from serving as the field strategy coordinator for the Eastern Mediterranean Field more than 22 years. "He is very intentional in building a team … hopefully he'll be able to reach out to the whole team on the field. He's able to travel to some areas I couldn't travel to. He's got a wonderful passion for the Lord. He's very passionate about evangelism, no matter who the people are."
Halaseh accepts leadership during a challenging time for the Middle East, but he believes that God has given the Church in the Middle East a mighty task and great opportunity in the midst of ongoing civil war, political turmoil, persecution, and subsequent mass displacement of people.
"I can see what is happening now in the Middle East as an opportunity for the Church to rise up and shine Jesus," he said. "There are many who are fallen in the hands of the robbers and we are like the Samaritan whom God has send to help. I believe that the Church is found for such a time as this. There is no better time for the Christian to show love for those who do not love them, and to live like Jesus, because many in the Middle East are trying to find solutions away from what they used to believe. Jesus said, 'open your eyes the harvest is ready'; we just need to ask the Lord to send workers for the harvest."--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region
Manchester, United Kingdom
Editor's note: Diego Lopez of Manchester, United Kingdom, was selectedthis month to serve as coordinator for the Eurasia Region's Nazarene Youth International. In this role, Lopez will lead the regional NYI council, develop young leaders, and provide strategic vision for building and expanding NYI across the diverse cultures and contexts of the Eurasia Region. He shared his testimony and experience with Where Worlds Meet, as well as his vision for the future of NYI.Diego Lopez was a teenager in Colombia when he began to experience bullying. To defend himself effectively, he began to study and practice Tae Kwon Do, a self-defense martial art. The discipline increased his self-confidence, which repelled the bullies. He earned a black belt and participated in competitions.
Around that time, some of the teens he had hung around with began going to a local church and accepting Christ. Lopez was intrigued with the dramatic change that took place in them and wanted to see the church for himself, so he began attending. The people accepted him just as he was, and soon he accepted Christ for himself.
He quickly joined in the church's street evangelism activities, which he enjoyed and found himself naturally effective in leading people to Christ.
While still a teen, he moved to Barcelona, Spain, and joined the Nazarene church there. He tried to continue what he knew about evangelism, but in the Spanish-European cultural context, it didn't work. He realized the people were skeptical of what he had to say about Christ and the gospel. He began to feel a need for theological education.
Lopez attended a Nazarene Youth Congress in Guadalajara in 2003, where he met many Nazarene youth from different cultures, including some from England. One suggested that he move to Manchester to learn English so he would be qualified to study at European Nazarene College, which requires English proficiency in all of its students.
He did just that, learning English in Manchester while getting involved in Longsight Community Church of the Nazarene, which embraced him, providing him unconditional support. When he was proficient in English, he relocated to Büsingen, Germany, to study for a two-year Christian Ministry Certificate from EuNC.
After graduation, he felt called back to Longsight, so he returned to Manchester and joined the church's leadership team as an intern while pursuing and graduating with a Bachelor in Theology from Nazarene Theological College-Manchester. After graduation, he took a part-time co-pastoring job at Longsight. His other job for the next five years was as a staff member at M13, a parachurch youth ministry that deploys youth pastors to the streets of the urban center to work with youth who have complex issues. He has also worked with local social service councils to teens who come from domestic abuse or other troubled situations.
Lopez is passionate about ministering among youth.
"I think it's a very important time in young people's life; 13 to 19 is a time when you form your political views, your religious views; it’s a key time of transformation," he said. "Understanding it from within is very important."
As the new Eurasia Region NYI leader, Lopez has a vision for the regional council to provide leadership and strategic direction for the field and district and local NYI leaders, as well as to listen to ideas and strategies from the local church.
"I think whatever we do [regionally] in leadership needs to reflect all the way to the local church," he said. "The most effective way is to create an effective line of communication from field representatives to NYI presidents to local leaders to anyone who just walks into a local church. NYI everywhere [should have] the same theology and ethos. It will look different in every country and context, but it should reflect the same passions and Wesleyan theology. I think effective communication throughout the systems is very important, and we can do so by engaging with new technology and social media."
Diego is married to Palmira, an accounting assistant; he will continue part-time with Longsight and M13.--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region
Eastern Mediterranean Field, Eurasia Region
Churches of the Nazarene in the Middle East have a long tradition of helping those in need. The present turmoil engulfing the Middle East is no exception. In recent years, millions of refugees have flooded into neighboring countries from Syria. Local Churches of the Nazarene throughout the Middle East have distributed literally thousands upon thousands of food packets, provided clothes, mattresses, and blankets for refugee families and have opened churches for meals, safe activities for children, and a place of refuge for adults.
No preconditions have been set for receiving any aid from the church. People from all faith backgrounds are welcomed to the church when they come to pick up food parcels and visit other church activities.
Several months ago, one particular lady, Fadia (not her real name), from another faith background was visiting one such church in the Middle East. Pastor Yusef (not his real name) and church members warmly welcomed Fadia to their service. This church was preparing for some special services. On that Sunday morning, Pastor Yusef called on the members to gather in small groups to pray.
The leader of the prayer group asked Fadia if she would like to pray. Fadia explained that she was not a believer and did not even know how to pray. The leader told her it was no problem, that the group would pray in her place. The leader asked Fadia if she had a prayer request. Fadia answered that she had lost her husband and four sons in the conflict in Syria and it had been quite a period of time since she had heard from her two daughters. She wanted to hear from them. The group prayed for that.
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.
Several months ago, one particular lady, Fadia (not her real name), from another faith background was visiting one such church in the Middle East. Pastor Yusef (not his real name) and church members warmly welcomed Fadia to their service. This church was preparing for some special services. On that Sunday morning, Pastor Yusef called on the members to gather in small groups to pray.
The leader of the prayer group asked Fadia if she would like to pray. Fadia explained that she was not a believer and did not even know how to pray. The leader told her it was no problem, that the group would pray in her place. The leader asked Fadia if she had a prayer request. Fadia answered that she had lost her husband and four sons in the conflict in Syria and it had been quite a period of time since she had heard from her two daughters. She wanted to hear from them. The group prayed for that.
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.
Indiana church ministry provides household items for those in need
Greenfield, Indiana
By Samm Quinn for the Greenfield Daily Reporter
A new local outreach aims to make a difference in the lives of community members who are starting over.Fill the Cupboard, a ministry of Love In the Name of Christ of Greater Hancock County, is organized by New Hope Church of the Nazarene and is providing everyday household items to needy local families.
"The ministry sprouted after Love INC learned of Hancock County resident needs for items such as linens, dishware, and cookware when moving into a new home," said executive director Jim Peters.
The program targets those who have been released from jail, are moving out of homeless shelters, or have other special needs.
"They are moving out basically with their clothes but none of the other essentials to set up a home," Peters said.
Peters contacted New Hope Church pastor Josh Robertson to ask if his congregation would be interested in helping with the program.
Church members were looking for a way to make a difference in the community and thought Fill the Cupboard was the right fit.
They embraced the program and began donating household items and volunteered to help direct the ministry.
"We just want people to know that we are there for them as a church in their time of need," Robertson said.
Church member Phyllis Walker has been the driving force of the ministry, Peters said. The church has a wall of pantry space, and Walker helped to organize donations and has worked with the families who have utilized the program so far.
She's been attending the church for about four years and enjoys directing the program.
She feels helping is what she's supposed to do, Walker said.
"There's a lot of people out there who really don't have anything, for whatever reason," Walker said. "Anybody who has a roof over their head, heat, and running water is blessed."
The church pantry is filled with slow-cookers, pots and pans, sheets, blankets, bed spreads, coffee pots, dishes, glasses, and utensils.
So far, two families have visited the church for help, but Walker is hopeful that number will grow.
And the church will work to get families what they need. Walker was able to give one woman a coffee pot so she could brew coffee instead of using an instant mix, she cited as one example.
"It's a great ministry. It's just so neat," Walker said. "It's such a wonderful feeling to be able to help those people like we did."
Community members who need assistance from Fill the Cupboard can call Love INC, and the office can put them in touch with the church.
Peters said there aren't strict guidelines for qualifying to use the program. A Love INC employee will talk with the prospective client and figure out what he or she needs.
The church is also accepting donations. Those who would like to make a donation can contact Love INC, and the organization will put them in touch with New Hope.
"So far, the families the church has served have been very grateful," Walker said.
And helping with the program makes her feel closer to Jesus.
"My husband and I have had some really hard times," she said. "To be able to turn around now and help other people is really overwhelming."
HOW TO GET HELPNeedy Hancock County residents and families can visit the Fill the Cupboard ministry at New Hope of the Nazarene Church to pick up household items such as sheets, blankets, utensils, glasses, and pots and pans.
Contact Love INC's clearinghouse at (317) 468-6300 for more information. The clearinghouse is open from 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.--Reprinted with permission from the Greenfield Daily Reporter
Kansas City, Missouri
The USA/Canada Regional Office revealed two new mega seminars for the Mission 2015 Conference (M15). The first seminar, featuring Tom Noble and his book Holy Trinity: Holy People, will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in Kansas City Convention Center room 2215 on Tuesday, February 10. The second mega seminar will be led by Alan Hirsch from 12 to 1:45 p.m. in room 1501 of the convention center on Wednesday, February 11. Click here to access a complete list of M15 workshops.To keep costs for attendees at a minimum, the regular registration rate for M15 of $39 per person has been extended to January 23.
Tom Noble is a professor of theology at Nazarene Theological Seminary and senior research fellow in theology at Nazarene Theological College-Manchester. He studied ecclesiastical history under Thomas Torrance at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and is a former president of the Wesleyan Theological Society. Noble has spent many years writing and lecturing about holiness, including the 2013 publication of Holy Trinity: Holy People: The Theology of Christian Perfecting, which was originally given as the Didsbury Lectures at NTC-Manchester.
Alan Hirsch, a native of South Africa, is a thought leader, conceptual architect, and strategist for the missional church. He is the founding director of the Forge Mission Training Network and has lectured at Wheaton College, Fuller Theological Seminary, and George Fox Seminary, as well as spoken in churches and schools throughout Australia, Europe, and the U.S. He is the author of such books as The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church and The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st-Century Church, co-authored with Michael Frost.
Several M15 mega seminars will be held during mealtimes, and attendants will need to bring their own food. Since concessions are limited at the convention center, boxed meals have been made available for pre-order and will be available for pickup in Lobby 2200. Attendants' name tags will serve as their meal vouchers and enable them to pick up their pre-ordered meals.
Click here to view the list of mega seminars and order boxed meals through your M15 registration. On the main registration page, select "Already Registered." Enter your registration confirmation number. Click "Modify." Click through the first three screens to find the meal options. The deadline for boxed meal orders is January 31.
The discounted rate of $129 for hotel room reservations at the Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown or The Aladdin Holiday Inn Hotel will continue through January 23. Participants are encouraged to reserve a room before this discount expires.
For more information and to register for M15, visit the website at m15conference.org or contact M15 Logistics Coordinator Loretta Cloud atm15@nazarene.org.--Church of the Nazarene USA/Canada Region
 | Global Ministry Center News |
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 January 12-16, 2015.E. Drell Allen, 97, of North Richland, Texas, passed away January 11. He was a retired minister, chaplain, and educator, serving in Michigan, Alberta, Minnesota, and Tennessee. He is survived by his wife, Geraldine Allen. (story)
William Chambers Jr., 95, of Homestead, Florida, passed away December 25. He was a retired minister and chaplain, serving in Florida. He is survived by his wife, Venetia Chambers.
Cora (Osborne) Konkle, 97, of Anderson, Indiana, passed away January 10. She was the widow of retired minister Donald Konkle, who served in Indiana, Minnesota, and Oklahoma. Donald Konkle passed away in 1991. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Clarence "Tude" Cotton.
Betty Martin, 90, of Hartford City, Indiana, passed away January 8. She was the widow of retired minister Jesse Martin, who served in Indiana. Jesse Martin passed away in 2004.
James Sherman, 82, of Nashville, Michigan, passed away January 12. He was a retired minister, serving in Illinois and Michigan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma Sherman, in 2011.
Wesley Weber, 57, of Corvallis, Oregon, passed away January 13. He was the husband of Katy Weber, who is the Oregon Pacific District children's ministry director.
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
Global Ministry Center
By NCN News Staff
The following positions are available at the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center:
Financial Services — Administrative Assistant
This position works under the direction of the general treasurer, primarily providing administrative and clerical support. This position also provides administrative and clerical support to the Donor Services manager and Global Treasury Services controller as needed.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Computer Programming CoordinatorThe person in this position will lead NCM's development team in developing and maintaining NCM's Web applications, systems, and websites.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Inc — Mentoring Coordinator
The person in this position is responsible for the NCMI Compassion Kids Mentoring Initiative and will support the expansion of mentoring and youth development activities across the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries network. For a full description of the position, click here. Applicants should send a resume or CV to ncmi@ncmi.org.
Pensions & Benefits USA — Technology SpecialistThis position will assist the technology supervisor in coordinating the technology resources available to each department within the Pensions and Benefits USA office by making sure internal and external education/training efforts are meeting P&B requirements. This includes benefit plan system development, Web development, document storage/retrieval, and equipping staff with the necessary computer/phone equipment.
AboutLocated 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 PolicyThe 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 OrganizationWe 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 ProcessingOur 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 GMCApplication forms may be requested by calling (913) 577-0500, emailing bsikes@nazarene.org, or obtained in person from Human Resources at the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas, 66220, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.
For more information, see the GMC's Human Resources page by clicking here.
This position works under the direction of the general treasurer, primarily providing administrative and clerical support. This position also provides administrative and clerical support to the Donor Services manager and Global Treasury Services controller as needed.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries — Computer Programming CoordinatorThe person in this position will lead NCM's development team in developing and maintaining NCM's Web applications, systems, and websites.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Inc — Mentoring Coordinator
The person in this position is responsible for the NCMI Compassion Kids Mentoring Initiative and will support the expansion of mentoring and youth development activities across the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries network. For a full description of the position, click here. Applicants should send a resume or CV to ncmi@ncmi.org.
Pensions & Benefits USA — Technology SpecialistThis position will assist the technology supervisor in coordinating the technology resources available to each department within the Pensions and Benefits USA office by making sure internal and external education/training efforts are meeting P&B requirements. This includes benefit plan system development, Web development, document storage/retrieval, and equipping staff with the necessary computer/phone equipment.
AboutLocated 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 PolicyThe 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 OrganizationWe 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 ProcessingOur 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 GMCApplication forms may be requested by calling (913) 577-0500, emailing bsikes@nazarene.org, or obtained in person from Human Resources at the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas, 66220, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.
For more information, see the GMC's Human Resources page by clicking here.
 | Resources |
Global Ministry Center
Sunday School and Discipleship Ministry International's The Discipleship Place congratulates the following individuals approved by their pastor and local church board to receive a certificate of lay ministry. Upon approval, they will complete lay ministry courses.- Dennis J. Baker, Kingfisher Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma District
- Jennifer Emery, Traverse City Church of the Nazarene, Northern Michigan District
- Frances Ginn, Bethel Church of the Nazarene, Southwestern Ohio District
- William G. Guensch, Indian Head Church of the Nazarene, Mid-Atlantic District
- Donna R. Sutfin, Sutter Creek Church of the Nazarene, Sacramento District
- Martha Adair, Crawfordsville Church of the Nazarene, Northwest Indiana District
- II Corinthians
- Dennis J. Baker, Kingfisher Church of the Nazarene, Oklahoma District
- Theological and Doctrinal Studies
- John Baxter, Adelaide Croydon Park Church of the Nazarene, Australia Southern District
- Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World, Exploring Nazarene History and Polity, Practicing Wesleyan-Holiness Spiritual Formation, Telling the New Testament Story of God, Telling the Old Testament Story of God
- James N. Edwards, Lincoln Place Church of the Nazarene, Pittsburgh District
- Men's Ministries
- Ally Fletcher, Connecting Point Church of the Nazarene, Central California District
- Exploring Nazarene History and Polity
- William G. Guensch, Indian Head Church of the Nazarene, Mid-Atlantic District
- Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World
- Norma Heater, Crawfordsville Church of the Nazarene, Northwest Indiana District
- II Corinthians
- Suzanne Michelle Hoepfl, Orlando Metro West Church of the Nazarene, Florida District
- Telling the New Testament Story of God
- Jerry Kline, Oakdale Family Church of the Nazarene, Central California District
- Exploring John Wesley's Theology
- Anita Long, Crawfordsville Church of the Nazarene, Northwest Indiana District
- II Corinthians
- Wiliam Marsdel, Seahorse Community Church of the Nazarene, Philadelphia District
- Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World, Telling the New Testament Story of God
- Denise McCoy, Lehigh Acres Church of the Nazarene, Southern Florida District
- Women's Ministries
- Ripton P. Morris, Orlando Metro West Church of the Nazarene, Florida District
- Exploring John Wesley's Theology, Practicing Wesleyan-Holiness Spiritual Formation, Telling the Old Testament Story of God
- Sharon Shuman, Crawfordsville Church of the Nazarene, Northwest Indiana District
- II Corinthians
- Carla Spurgeon, Springs Valley Church of the Nazarene, Southwest Indiana District
- Communicating the Gospel in a Pluralistic World, Exploring John Wesley's Theology, Exploring Nazarene History and Polity, Telling the New Testament Story of God, Telling the Old Testament Story of God
- Erin Smith, Indian Head Church of the Nazarene, Mid-Atlantic District
- Children's Ministry Course
- Doris Steele, Crawfordsville Church of the Nazarene, Northwest Indiana District
- II Corinthians
- Kenfer St. Rose, Beacon Light Church of the Nazarene, Leeward/Virgin Islands District
- Children's Ministry Course
- Ken Turney, Starting Grounds Church of the Nazarene, Washington Pacific District
- Theological and Doctrinal Studies
Please note: The above individuals are being recognized because they contacted DiscipleshipPlace.org to request a certificate of completion. Many individuals complete courses but do not contact organizers to be recognized.--Compiled by DiscipleshipPlace.org of Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International
 | Collegiate News |
Nashville, Tennessee
Trevecca Nazarene University announced the addition of Johnna Vanover as its first director of online recruitment, a new position in its College of Lifelong Learning.
Vanover will work to build a dynamic online recruitment team for all undergraduate and graduate programs offered in conjunction with Trevecca's College of Lifelong Learning. Prior to accepting this position at Trevecca, she had an online recruitment career at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and most recently at Ohio Christian University. A graduate of Hawaii Pacific University and Mount Vernon Nazarene University, she resides in Newark, Ohio, with her husband, Joshua, and their two sons, Jett and Jaxx.
Trevecca offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs fully online. To request information on these programs, visittrevecca.edu/admissions/inquire or call 1-800-818-4256.--Trevecca Nazarene University
____________________________Trevecca offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs fully online. To request information on these programs, visittrevecca.edu/admissions/inquire or call 1-800-818-4256.--Trevecca Nazarene University
| Senior Editor: Frank M. Moore Managing Editor: Chad E. Schnarr Associate Editor: Sarah A. Glass |  |
Nazarene Communications Network
17001 Prairie Star Parkway
Lenexa, Kansas 66220 United States
Voice: (913) 577-0562
Fax: (913) 577-0857
Email: ncnnews@ncnnews.com
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