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Los miembros de varias iglesias nazarenas locales comenzaron a visitar el albergue para ministrar a los residentes, en particular para proveer tutoría para los niños y jóvenes. Ellos están haciendo esto a través del nuevo ministerio de compasión del Distrito Pacífico de Hawái, Kokua Compassion Group (Grupo de Compasión Kokua) <www.kokuacompassiongroup.com> .
Varias mujeres voluntarias que se encuentran tutelando a Lily han invertido en su vida, invitándola a actividades para jóvenes en sus iglesias, llevándola al cine o a cenar, y pasando tiempo junto a ella.
En la iglesia, Lily se enteró de que Jesús la ama, y ella lo invitó a que entrara en su vida. Emocionada acerca de las historias que escuchaba, ella le preguntó al pastor de jóvenes si éstas estaban escritas en algún libro que ella pudiera leer. Sorprendido de que ella no sabía qué era una Biblia, él le obsequió una inmediatamente.
“A través de nuestro programa de tutoría, los niños forman relaciones sólidas y profundas con todos los voluntarios”, dijo Rachel Campbell, supervisora de programa para el Kokua Compassion Group. “Gracias a las familias que se presentan y donan su tiempo … [Lily] ha encontrado una segunda familia”.
Lily es a penas una de varias personas en el albergue que están experimentando el amor de Jesús en nuevas maneras, como resultado del cuidado y la atención de las iglesias locales de su comunidad.
¿Paraíso?
Con playas mundialmente famosas, clima tropical, palmeras, y surf todo el año, las islas Hawaianas atraen a millones de visitantes cada año, quienes concurren para distenderse y disfrutar de lo que aparenta ser un trozo de paraíso.Pero Hawái también atrae a miles de inmigrantes de otras islas del Pacífico, quienes llegan en busca de trabajo y de una mejor vida para sus familias.
“Muchas personas vienen a Hawái como familias parciales o como indigentes, quienes no tienen educación, habilidades laborales o contactos en las islas”, dijo el Rvdo. Rick Power, superintendente de distrito.
Tristemente, muchos no se dan cuenta de que Hawái tiene el costo de vida más elevado de los 50 Estados Unidos (www.civilbeat.com). Ellos quizás ni siquiera sepan lo difícil que puede ser obtener un empleo. Muchas familias se mudan a Hawái solamente para terminar sin hogar, viviendo en las playas, en los parques o en las calles delas ciudades.
“En un lugar como Hawái, el cual es percibido como un paraíso y como un gran destino turístico, cuando uno escarba tan sólo un poco por debajo de la superficie es posible descubrir que existe un gran quebrantamiento; la gente vive atormentada debido al alto costo de vida. El ambiente multicultural, a pesar de ser hermoso en varias maneras, también lleva consigo complejas tensiones raciales”, dijo Power. “Todo esto provee una gran oportunidad para que todos en el pueblo de Dios ... se conviertan en constructores de puentes. Somos llamados a encontrar a los grupos más vulnerables y débiles entre nosotros y a ir hacia ellos en el nombre de Jesús para proveer amistad, hospitalidad y apoyo, ofreciendo esperanza y la oportunidad de convertirse en contribuyentes de nuestra cultura local. Esto es lo que el Grupo de Compasión Kokua está haciendo”.
El Distrito Pacífico de Hawái registró el año pasado el ministerio de compasión Kokua para apoyar a diferentes tareas de compasión presentes en las cuatro islas, como forma de crecimiento de las iglesias nazarenas locales.
La tarea de Kokua en el albergue Nuevos Commienzos se trata de un esfuerzo cooperativo de las iglesias nazarenas de la isla de Oahu.El ministerio tuvo sus inicios en la visión de George Bennet, un miembro laico nazareno con pasión por servir a los habitantes de Leeward Oahu. Su pasión armonizó con la tarea de la iglesia Living Waters (Aguas Vivas), quien ya se encontraba alcanzando a marginados que viven en las playas y alrededor de Honolulu.
Los miembros de Aguas Vivas estaban “involucrados en visitar las playas para alimentar a los marginados o para llevarles ropa y artículos de limpieza”, dijo Kacy Strickland, miembro de Aguas Vivas y directora ejecutiva de Kokua. “Todo eso es maravilloso, pero empezamos a darnos cuenta de que muchas familias en las playas son marginadas generacionalmente, y el ciclo de marginalidad es muy marcado”.
Kacy, su esposo, RJ, (foto, a la derecha) quien es el pastor de Aguas Vivas, y la congregación querían hacer algo para enfrentar las necesidades a largo plazo de los individuos y las familias, ayudando a los niños a tener éxito en su educación para así poder ser eventualmente empleados y dejar las calles en forma permanente.
Rompiendo el ciclo
El albergue Nueva Esperanza es un lugar de emergencia donde las familias pueden permanecer mientras que transicionan hacia un empleo y tienen la posibilidad de arrendar un lugar donde residir.
El albergue se encuentra en unas antiguas barracas militares. Una familia es asignada a cada habitación tipo dormitorio, y comparten baños y una cocina junto con otros residentes. Por motivos de seguridad, los niños no tienen permitido dejar la habitación sin ser acompañados por un miembro adulto de la familia. La mayoría de las familias no tienen vehículo y se encuentran limitadas en lo que respecta a salir del albergue para hacer excursiones familiares.
“Estamos tratando de conseguir un préstamo para construir un patio de juegos donde las familias puedan llevar a sus hijos y sociabilizar, utilizar su imaginación y hacer ejercicio”, dijo Kacy.
Kokua reúne a unos 10-15 voluntarios cada semana para ofrecer tutoría a los niños luego de la escuela. La educación es una de las mayores prioridades de Kokua, ya que tanto el personal como los voluntarios creen en la educación de los niños para romper el ciclo de pobreza. Muchos de los niños quedan tan atrasados en su educación que acaban por dejar la escuela antes de terminar la educación primaria.
“El director del albergue dijo que ellos sólamente vieron a los niños hacer su tarea domiciliaria una vez que comenzaron a ofrecer tutoría”, dijo R.J. “Los maestros estaban enviando notas a las casas para ser firmadas por los padres. Pero los padres no pueden leer inglés. Nuestros trabajadores intentan ser el nexo entre las familias y la escuela. Nuestros voluntarios abren los paquetes de tarea domiciliaria y ven las notas de los maestros, e intentan explicarle a los padres en un inglés rudimentario”.
Los padres desean que sus hijos tengan éxito en la escuela, pero muchos de ellos, careciendo de educación o no siendo capaces de hablar inglés, no se encuentran equipados para ayudar a sus hijos con su tarea o siquiera hablar por ellos ante la administración de la escuela.
Es por eso que en el futuro el equipo de Kokua espera poder ofrecer clases de inglés para los padres.
Un esfuerzo de equipo
Además de ofrecer servicios educativos, Kokua organiza eventos de mayor perfil tales como ferias, jornadas de higiene y abrigo, noches de películas, carnavales y otros tipos de actividades.
Durante los eventos más grandes se ha contado hasta con 60 voluntarios que brindan su ayuda.
“Cuando tenemos un evento o actividad especial, generalmente cada iglesia envía un grupo y ellos traen cosas para donar y así apoyan al evento” dijo Kacy. “Es hermoso ver a todas las iglesias trabajando juntas”.
Organizada como entidad no religiosa y sin fines de lucro, Kokua ha tenido la ventaja de no tan sólo involucrar a voluntarios cristianos sino que también colabora con empresas no religiosas y con organizaciones e individuos en la ciudad que desean ayudar. Kokua opera gracias a un fondo otorgado al distrito por parte de un antiguo miembro, el cual es administrado por el Bank of Hawai. Sin embargo, esto no prohibe que la organización comparta a Jesús con sus residentes.
Los padres desean que sus hijos tengan éxito en la escuela, pero muchos de ellos, careciendo de educación o no siendo capaces de hablar inglés, no se encuentran equipados para ayudar a sus hijos con su tarea o siquiera hablar por ellos ante la administración de la escuela.
Es por eso que en el futuro el equipo de Kokua espera poder ofrecer clases de inglés para los padres.
Un esfuerzo de equipo
Además de ofrecer servicios educativos, Kokua organiza eventos de mayor perfil tales como ferias, jornadas de higiene y abrigo, noches de películas, carnavales y otros tipos de actividades.
Durante los eventos más grandes se ha contado hasta con 60 voluntarios que brindan su ayuda.
“Cuando tenemos un evento o actividad especial, generalmente cada iglesia envía un grupo y ellos traen cosas para donar y así apoyan al evento” dijo Kacy. “Es hermoso ver a todas las iglesias trabajando juntas”.
Organizada como entidad no religiosa y sin fines de lucro, Kokua ha tenido la ventaja de no tan sólo involucrar a voluntarios cristianos sino que también colabora con empresas no religiosas y con organizaciones e individuos en la ciudad que desean ayudar. Kokua opera gracias a un fondo otorgado al distrito por parte de un antiguo miembro, el cual es administrado por el Bank of Hawai. Sin embargo, esto no prohibe que la organización comparta a Jesús con sus residentes.
Kokua ha desarrollado una sólida relación con el personal del albergue, quienes se ven sobrecargados con la tarea de administrar el albergue y no tienen tiempo para proveer servicios extra tales como el de tutoría o el realizar actividades de entretenimiento y paseos, ni tampoco cuentan con el tiempo para realizar todas las tareas de mantenimiento y cuidado de las premisas.
“Uno no puede enseñar acerca de Dios dentro del edificio, pero sí es posible hacerlo en el predio; están abiertos a que hagamos eso”, dijo Kacy. “Tenemos una sólida relación de trabajo con el personal porque saben que estamos aquí para apoyarlos a ellos así como a toda la población”.
"Algunos equipos de Trabajo y Testimonio van a venir para ayudarnos con el mantenimiento de la propiedad, así como también para realizar escuelas bíblicas y para participar en eventos. Necesitamos más equipos de Trabajo y Testimonio", dijo RJ.
Kokua no existe tan sólo para Aguas Vivas o para la isla de Oahu. El grupo ha sido concebido para servir como un ministerio de compasión con alcance distrital, bajo el cual las iglesias de todas las islas pueden registrarse y dar inicio a ministerios contextualmente apropiados dentro de sus comunidades. La iglesia en Maui recientemente votó para comenzar con un ministerio de jardines comunitarios bajo la cobertura del Grupo de Compasión Kokua.
“Lo que queremos es ser evidencia visible de un Dios amoroso”, dijo RJ. “Queremos que ellos sepan que Dios los ama, y eso cambia el resultado de sus vidas mientras que están aquí”.
Hawaii Pacific District churches cooperate in compassionate ministry by Gina Grate Pottenger on Apr 14, 2015Lily (not her real name) is a sixth grade girl who has lived for two years at the Hope for a New Beginning transitional shelter for the homeless at Onelau'ena in Kapolei, Hawaii, U.S. Lily’s mother died last year, leaving the girl alone with just a 19-year-old sister who has three boys of her own. Not even out of grade school, Lily spends most of her time caring for her nephews.
Members of local Nazarene churches began visiting the shelter to minister to the residents, particularly to provide tutoring to the children and youth. They are doing this through the Hawaii Pacific District’s new compassionate ministry, Kokua Compassion Group.
Several women volunteers who are tutoring Lily have invested into her life, inviting her to youth activities at church, taking her to movies or for dinner and spending time with her.
At church, Lily heard that Jesus loves her, and invited Jesus into her life. Excited about the stories she was hearing, she asked the youth pastor if they were written down in a book somewhere so that she could read them. Shocked that she didn’t know what a Bible was, he immediately gave her one.
“Through our tutoring program, kids form such deep, long-lasting relationships with all the volunteers,” said Rachel Campbell, program manager for Kokua Compassion Group. “Through families coming out and donating and spending time … [Lily] has found a second family.”
Lily is just one of many people at the shelter who are experiencing the love of Jesus in new ways as a
“Uno no puede enseñar acerca de Dios dentro del edificio, pero sí es posible hacerlo en el predio; están abiertos a que hagamos eso”, dijo Kacy. “Tenemos una sólida relación de trabajo con el personal porque saben que estamos aquí para apoyarlos a ellos así como a toda la población”.
"Algunos equipos de Trabajo y Testimonio van a venir para ayudarnos con el mantenimiento de la propiedad, así como también para realizar escuelas bíblicas y para participar en eventos. Necesitamos más equipos de Trabajo y Testimonio", dijo RJ.
Kokua no existe tan sólo para Aguas Vivas o para la isla de Oahu. El grupo ha sido concebido para servir como un ministerio de compasión con alcance distrital, bajo el cual las iglesias de todas las islas pueden registrarse y dar inicio a ministerios contextualmente apropiados dentro de sus comunidades. La iglesia en Maui recientemente votó para comenzar con un ministerio de jardines comunitarios bajo la cobertura del Grupo de Compasión Kokua.
“Lo que queremos es ser evidencia visible de un Dios amoroso”, dijo RJ. “Queremos que ellos sepan que Dios los ama, y eso cambia el resultado de sus vidas mientras que están aquí”.
Members of local Nazarene churches began visiting the shelter to minister to the residents, particularly to provide tutoring to the children and youth. They are doing this through the Hawaii Pacific District’s new compassionate ministry, Kokua Compassion Group.
Several women volunteers who are tutoring Lily have invested into her life, inviting her to youth activities at church, taking her to movies or for dinner and spending time with her.
At church, Lily heard that Jesus loves her, and invited Jesus into her life. Excited about the stories she was hearing, she asked the youth pastor if they were written down in a book somewhere so that she could read them. Shocked that she didn’t know what a Bible was, he immediately gave her one.
“Through our tutoring program, kids form such deep, long-lasting relationships with all the volunteers,” said Rachel Campbell, program manager for Kokua Compassion Group. “Through families coming out and donating and spending time … [Lily] has found a second family.”
Lily is just one of many people at the shelter who are experiencing the love of Jesus in new ways as a
result of the care and outreach of local churches in their community.
But Hawaii also attracts thousands of immigrants from other Pacific islands, seeking work and a better life for their families.
“Many folks come to Hawaii as partial families or as indigent persons who don’t have education or job skills or connections in the islands,” said Rev. Rick Power, district superintendent.
Sadly, many don’t realize that Hawaii has the highest cost of living of all 50 US states (http://www.civilbeat.com). They may not know how difficult it could be to get jobs. Many families relocate to Hawaii only to end up homeless, living on beaches, in parks and in cities.
“In a place like Hawaii that is perceived to be a paradise and a big tourist destination, when you get just a little below the surface, you discover there’s a lot of brokenness; people live in stress because of the high cost of living. The multicultural landscape, though beautiful in so many ways, also brings complex racial tensions,” Power said. “All of this provides a great opportunity for the people of God … to be bridge builders. We’re called to find the most vulnerable and weakest populations among us and then go to them in the name of Jesus and provide friendship, hospitality and support that offers hope and gives them a chance to become flourishing contributors to our local culture. That’s what Kokua Compassion Group is doing.”
Paradise?
With world famous beaches, tropical weather, palm trees and year-round surfing, the Hawaiian Islands attract millions of visitors each year who come to relax and enjoy what seems like a taste of paradise.But Hawaii also attracts thousands of immigrants from other Pacific islands, seeking work and a better life for their families.
“Many folks come to Hawaii as partial families or as indigent persons who don’t have education or job skills or connections in the islands,” said Rev. Rick Power, district superintendent.
Sadly, many don’t realize that Hawaii has the highest cost of living of all 50 US states (http://www.civilbeat.com). They may not know how difficult it could be to get jobs. Many families relocate to Hawaii only to end up homeless, living on beaches, in parks and in cities.
“In a place like Hawaii that is perceived to be a paradise and a big tourist destination, when you get just a little below the surface, you discover there’s a lot of brokenness; people live in stress because of the high cost of living. The multicultural landscape, though beautiful in so many ways, also brings complex racial tensions,” Power said. “All of this provides a great opportunity for the people of God … to be bridge builders. We’re called to find the most vulnerable and weakest populations among us and then go to them in the name of Jesus and provide friendship, hospitality and support that offers hope and gives them a chance to become flourishing contributors to our local culture. That’s what Kokua Compassion Group is doing.”
The Hawaii Pacific District last year registered the compassionate ministry, Kokua Compassion Group, to support different compassionate works on four islands as outgrowths of local Nazarene churches.
Kokua’s work at Hope for a New Beginning Shelter is a cooperative effort of the Nazarene churches on the island of Oahu.
The ministry had its beginnings in the vision of George Bennet, a Nazarene layman with a heart to serve the people of Leeward Oahu. His passion harmonized with the work of Living Waters Church that was already reaching out to homeless people living on the beaches in and around Honolulu.
Living Waters members were “involved a lot in just going down to the beach and doing homeless feeding or bringing out clothing or doing hygiene drives,” said Kacy Strickland, a member of Living Waters, and executive director of Kokua. “Those are all wonderful things, but we started to realize a lot of families on the beaches are generationally homeless and the cycle of homelessness is pretty deep.”
Kokua’s work at Hope for a New Beginning Shelter is a cooperative effort of the Nazarene churches on the island of Oahu.
The ministry had its beginnings in the vision of George Bennet, a Nazarene layman with a heart to serve the people of Leeward Oahu. His passion harmonized with the work of Living Waters Church that was already reaching out to homeless people living on the beaches in and around Honolulu.
Living Waters members were “involved a lot in just going down to the beach and doing homeless feeding or bringing out clothing or doing hygiene drives,” said Kacy Strickland, a member of Living Waters, and executive director of Kokua. “Those are all wonderful things, but we started to realize a lot of families on the beaches are generationally homeless and the cycle of homelessness is pretty deep.”
Kacy, her husband, RJ, (photo right) who is the pastor of Living Waters, and the congregation wanted to do something to address the long-term needs of the individuals and families, helping the children succeed in their education so they can eventually be employed and leave the streets permanently.
That’s how they came up with the idea of Kokua Compassion Group.
Breaking the cycle
New Hope shelter is an emergency place for families to stay as they transition to employment and the ability to rent a residence.
The shelter is housed in old military barracks. One family is assigned to each dormitory-type room, and they share bathrooms and a kitchen with other residents. For safety reasons, children are not allowed to leave their room without being accompanied by an adult family member. Most families don’t have a vehicle and are limited in being able to leave the shelter for family excursions.
“We’re trying to get a grant for a playground so families can get their kids outside to play and socialize, use their imaginations and get exercise,” said Kacy.
Kokua brings about 10-15 volunteers each week for tutoring the children after school. Education is a major priority for Kokua because the staff and volunteers believe educating the children will help to break the cycle of poverty. Many of the children fall so far behind in their education that they drop out in middle school.
That’s how they came up with the idea of Kokua Compassion Group.
Breaking the cycle
New Hope shelter is an emergency place for families to stay as they transition to employment and the ability to rent a residence.
The shelter is housed in old military barracks. One family is assigned to each dormitory-type room, and they share bathrooms and a kitchen with other residents. For safety reasons, children are not allowed to leave their room without being accompanied by an adult family member. Most families don’t have a vehicle and are limited in being able to leave the shelter for family excursions.
“We’re trying to get a grant for a playground so families can get their kids outside to play and socialize, use their imaginations and get exercise,” said Kacy.
Kokua brings about 10-15 volunteers each week for tutoring the children after school. Education is a major priority for Kokua because the staff and volunteers believe educating the children will help to break the cycle of poverty. Many of the children fall so far behind in their education that they drop out in middle school.
“The director of the shelter said the only time they saw kids doing homework is since we started to offer tutoring,” said R.J. “The teachers were sending home notice sheets that needed to be signed. [But the parents] can’t read English. Our people try to be the liaison between the families and the school. Our volunteers open up the homework packets and see notes from the teacher and try to help explain in broken English to the parents what’s going on.”
The parents are eager for their children to succeed in school, but many of them, being uneducated themselves or not able to speak English, are not equipped to help their children with their homework or even to advocate for their kids with the school.
That’s why in the future, the team at Kokua hopes they can add English classes for the parents, too.
A team effort
In addition to educational services, Kokua schedules larger events, such as literacy fairs, hygiene or clothing drives, movie nights, carnivals and other types of activities.
For major events, they’ve had as many as 60 people helping.
“When we have a special event or activity, usually each church sends a group and they bring stuff to donate and they help support the event,” Kacy said. “It’s cool to see all of the churches working together.”
Organized as a non-religious, non-profit organization, Kokua has the advantage of not only involving Christian volunteers, but collaborating with non-religious businesses, organizations and individuals in the city who want to help. Kokua is operating on a trust bequeathed to the district by a former member and managed by the Bank of Hawaii. This doesn’t prohibit the organization from sharing Jesus with the residents, however.
The parents are eager for their children to succeed in school, but many of them, being uneducated themselves or not able to speak English, are not equipped to help their children with their homework or even to advocate for their kids with the school.
That’s why in the future, the team at Kokua hopes they can add English classes for the parents, too.
A team effort
In addition to educational services, Kokua schedules larger events, such as literacy fairs, hygiene or clothing drives, movie nights, carnivals and other types of activities.
For major events, they’ve had as many as 60 people helping.
“When we have a special event or activity, usually each church sends a group and they bring stuff to donate and they help support the event,” Kacy said. “It’s cool to see all of the churches working together.”
Organized as a non-religious, non-profit organization, Kokua has the advantage of not only involving Christian volunteers, but collaborating with non-religious businesses, organizations and individuals in the city who want to help. Kokua is operating on a trust bequeathed to the district by a former member and managed by the Bank of Hawaii. This doesn’t prohibit the organization from sharing Jesus with the residents, however.
Kokua has developed a solid relationship with the shelter staff, who are overwhelmed with the work of running the shelter and don’t have time to provide extra services like tutoring, fun activities or off-site trips, nor do they have time to do all the needed maintenance and upkeep.
“You can’t teach about God inside, but if you’re out on the lawn, they’re open to us doing that,” Kacy said. “We have a strong working relationship with the staff because they know we’re there to support them and the entire population of people.”
Work & Witness teams are coming to help with property maintenance as well as to hold vacation Bible schools and participate in events. More Work & Witness teams are needed, RJ said.
Kokua isn’t just for Living Waters or for the island of Oahu. It is designed to be a district-wide compassionate ministry, under which churches on all the islands can register and start up contextually appropriate ministries to their communities. The church in Maui recently voted to start a community garden ministry under the umbrella of Kokua Compassion Group.
Missionary profile: George and Nancy
“You can’t teach about God inside, but if you’re out on the lawn, they’re open to us doing that,” Kacy said. “We have a strong working relationship with the staff because they know we’re there to support them and the entire population of people.”
Work & Witness teams are coming to help with property maintenance as well as to hold vacation Bible schools and participate in events. More Work & Witness teams are needed, RJ said.
Kokua isn’t just for Living Waters or for the island of Oahu. It is designed to be a district-wide compassionate ministry, under which churches on all the islands can register and start up contextually appropriate ministries to their communities. The church in Maui recently voted to start a community garden ministry under the umbrella of Kokua Compassion Group.
“What we want to be is visible evidence of a loving God,” said RJ. “We want them to know God cares for them and that changes the outcome of their life while here.”
George and Nancy Miller are missionaries serving in the Philippines since June 2014. George is the chaplain at Philippine Nazarene College (formerly Luzon Nazarene Bible College), which also offers kindergarten through high school education (La Trinidad Nazarene Learners Center). He teaches one class per term at the college, and teaches Christian Education to the grade 6 students. Nancy teaches one class at the college and is an English proctor.
Previously, they served in Papua New Guinea from 1989 to 1999, and George as the district superintendent of the Solomon Islands from 1999 to 2014, where, additionally, he was the principal of the Solomon Islands Campus of South Pacific Nazarene Theological College from 2005.
They have four adult children: Gloria, Greg, Geoffrey, and Gary.
Engage: How did you first recognize God’s call to be involved in missions?
George: Nancy and I both first felt a tug on our hearts to be a missionary as children. From the age of 5 years old I wanted to be a missionary. I'm not sure now how this first came about but probably a combination of all of these elements: We avidly read the denomination's missionary books; my mother was a Nazarene Missions International president (Nazarene World Mission Society in those days); we always attended the district assembly and missionary convention, and from birth I always accompanied Mother; we were members of a small congregation but always traveled to hear missionaries speak anywhere on the zone.
Engage: What is your favorite aspect of what you do in your present assignment?
George: I am a people person, and so my favorite thing is to interact with people and to be involved in peoples' lives. So I take the student to lunch on their birthdays. One high school girl told me, "Thank you pastor, for making me feel special."
Many students in the Philippines are separated from one or both parents, as adults will jump at any chance to go overseas for employment. The children miss these parents [OFWs - Overseas Filipino Workers] that are away. I cannot substitute for their parent, but I want to show them that someone cares and I enjoy being there if or when they want or need someone to talk to. Many of the children will tell me though their actions and often through their words, "Pastor, we love you." I most of all want them to see Jesus through us and to be drawn to him.
Engage: What are some of the challenges that you face in carrying out your work?
George: The main challenge in this current assignment is I am the chaplain of the Philippine Nazarene College Campus that has the Bible college with 90 students, the LaTrinidad Nazarene Learners Center (LTNLC) which is kindergarten through grade 10 and has 500 students and we have a staff of 50+. I am having trouble learning all the names and keeping them straight. I have learned the names of all the students who live on campus, all the staff of LTNLC, and those students who visit with me, but there are probably 350+ students that I do not yet know their name.
One of the challenges we face is not having dependable Internet at our house. It is very ironic to me that this technology that was kind of science fiction when we were young has become so important that we cannot function without it. Our Internet is slow and drops off. Skype with voice works OK, but often when trying to use the picture to see the grandchildren it doesn't work.
The other challenge in this current assignment is the language. It would be a blessing and a plus if we could speak Filipino.
Engage: Please share a story of a significant event or moment that has happened in your current assignment.
George: One chapel service for the high school students three weeks or so ago, I preached a message on committing their life to God, and the altar was lined. There were only a few girls who did not come to the altar and probably half the boys came forward. When I see people respond to the gospel, that is always a highlight for me.
Previously, they served in Papua New Guinea from 1989 to 1999, and George as the district superintendent of the Solomon Islands from 1999 to 2014, where, additionally, he was the principal of the Solomon Islands Campus of South Pacific Nazarene Theological College from 2005.
They have four adult children: Gloria, Greg, Geoffrey, and Gary.
Engage: How did you first recognize God’s call to be involved in missions?
George: Nancy and I both first felt a tug on our hearts to be a missionary as children. From the age of 5 years old I wanted to be a missionary. I'm not sure now how this first came about but probably a combination of all of these elements: We avidly read the denomination's missionary books; my mother was a Nazarene Missions International president (Nazarene World Mission Society in those days); we always attended the district assembly and missionary convention, and from birth I always accompanied Mother; we were members of a small congregation but always traveled to hear missionaries speak anywhere on the zone.
Engage: What is your favorite aspect of what you do in your present assignment?
George: I am a people person, and so my favorite thing is to interact with people and to be involved in peoples' lives. So I take the student to lunch on their birthdays. One high school girl told me, "Thank you pastor, for making me feel special."
Many students in the Philippines are separated from one or both parents, as adults will jump at any chance to go overseas for employment. The children miss these parents [OFWs - Overseas Filipino Workers] that are away. I cannot substitute for their parent, but I want to show them that someone cares and I enjoy being there if or when they want or need someone to talk to. Many of the children will tell me though their actions and often through their words, "Pastor, we love you." I most of all want them to see Jesus through us and to be drawn to him.
Engage: What are some of the challenges that you face in carrying out your work?
George: The main challenge in this current assignment is I am the chaplain of the Philippine Nazarene College Campus that has the Bible college with 90 students, the LaTrinidad Nazarene Learners Center (LTNLC) which is kindergarten through grade 10 and has 500 students and we have a staff of 50+. I am having trouble learning all the names and keeping them straight. I have learned the names of all the students who live on campus, all the staff of LTNLC, and those students who visit with me, but there are probably 350+ students that I do not yet know their name.
One of the challenges we face is not having dependable Internet at our house. It is very ironic to me that this technology that was kind of science fiction when we were young has become so important that we cannot function without it. Our Internet is slow and drops off. Skype with voice works OK, but often when trying to use the picture to see the grandchildren it doesn't work.
The other challenge in this current assignment is the language. It would be a blessing and a plus if we could speak Filipino.
Engage: Please share a story of a significant event or moment that has happened in your current assignment.
George: One chapel service for the high school students three weeks or so ago, I preached a message on committing their life to God, and the altar was lined. There were only a few girls who did not come to the altar and probably half the boys came forward. When I see people respond to the gospel, that is always a highlight for me.
In my attempt to connect with students so I can connect them with God I take them to lunch on their birthdays. Recently twin girls in the 9th grade had a birthday and it was exam day, so I took them to Jolly Bee's, a fast food place, with four of their friends. It is always a wonderful time interacting with young people and molding them.
Engage: How do you maintain a close relationship with God and your family in the midst of the demands of missionary service?
George: With God: I get up early somewhere between 4 and 5 a.m. and spend time with the Lord. I read something from the Word and have prayer. I also read from a devotional book. Often it is Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest.
Nancy: We eat breakfast and dinner together, and often lunch. We spend time together in the evening. We use the devotional Reflecting God.
Engage: What are the rewards of what you do?
George: Two days ago I was eating lunch with some 5th grade boys. The boys said, "Pastor George, you are the best chaplain we have ever had. (I think I'm the first and only full-time chaplain they've had.) We don't want you to leave. Next year we want you to be our Christian Education teacher." (This year I taught 6th grade Christian Education.) Those are some of the small awards on this ground.
I have received so many cards, letters, gifts, words of encouragement, that I can't count.
Engage: What are some aspects of the culture where you live that you have come to love or embrace?
George: I love the people and their friendliness.
Engage: What do you like to do for fun?
George: Sit down and watch a movie, or do a crossword puzzle or Sudoku. Also I enjoy playing chess or sitting and talking to people.
Engage: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
George: I have a strong stomach and eat almost anything. I've eaten or tasted spiders, grub worms, squid, octopus, snail, mountain oysters (the farmers from the Mid-West know about these), intestines of pig, rabbit and chickens, raw sea cucumber, crocodile, snake and other exotic things I am unable to remember or things you would not know if I mentioned them.
Engage: What advice would you have for others exploring a possible call to missions, or embarking on their first missionary assignment?
George: Go on a short trip and see how you fit and adjust. As you go, be open to the leading of the Lord. Allow HIM to reaffirm your call. Before committing a long time to a foreign mission assignment, be assure of your call and don't go for selfish reasons.
Self-doubt and identity in Christ by Anndee StringerEditor's note: Missionary Anndee Stringer reflects on her own call to serving in ministry in the Church of the Nazarene, as well as the calling that God has placed on all believers, whether they remain in their home cultures or serve interculturally.
Today Chris and I are in central Arkansas. This afternoon we had our district license renewal interview with the North Arkansas District Credentials Board. The board will recommend to our district assembly that our ministerial credentials are renewed.
This is my fifth interview with this board and I look forward to the short time with the great pastors on our district who fill the board. That wasn’t always the case…
The first couple of years, I would get nervous before the interview. What if my answers aren’t clear? What if I’m wrong and this isn’t what God’s called me to and they’re going to tell me? What if I’m just not good enough, spiritual enough, pastor-ly enough or just plain... enough?
Then God softly and persistently increased my confidence in His call and all that it meant. It wasn’t that I ever questioned God, it was that I wondered if I had somehow misunderstood. In spite of my doubts in myself, He has confirmed to me, affirmed in me, shown me that He wants me to use the ways He has created me in vocational ministerial service. I add “vocational” because in my life, my service is my vocation, the part of my life that I train for, study for and work at as the majority time-share of my life. ALL who are Christians are called to do many of the same things in their lives: share Christ, care for the hurting, love people because God loves us. It’s just in my case, while someone else is becoming a professional ___________ (fill in the blank), I’m becoming a professional cross-cultural Gospel share-er.
Engage: How do you maintain a close relationship with God and your family in the midst of the demands of missionary service?
George: With God: I get up early somewhere between 4 and 5 a.m. and spend time with the Lord. I read something from the Word and have prayer. I also read from a devotional book. Often it is Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest.
Nancy: We eat breakfast and dinner together, and often lunch. We spend time together in the evening. We use the devotional Reflecting God.
Engage: What are the rewards of what you do?
George: Two days ago I was eating lunch with some 5th grade boys. The boys said, "Pastor George, you are the best chaplain we have ever had. (I think I'm the first and only full-time chaplain they've had.) We don't want you to leave. Next year we want you to be our Christian Education teacher." (This year I taught 6th grade Christian Education.) Those are some of the small awards on this ground.
I have received so many cards, letters, gifts, words of encouragement, that I can't count.
Engage: What are some aspects of the culture where you live that you have come to love or embrace?
George: I love the people and their friendliness.
Engage: What do you like to do for fun?
George: Sit down and watch a movie, or do a crossword puzzle or Sudoku. Also I enjoy playing chess or sitting and talking to people.
Engage: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
George: I have a strong stomach and eat almost anything. I've eaten or tasted spiders, grub worms, squid, octopus, snail, mountain oysters (the farmers from the Mid-West know about these), intestines of pig, rabbit and chickens, raw sea cucumber, crocodile, snake and other exotic things I am unable to remember or things you would not know if I mentioned them.
Engage: What advice would you have for others exploring a possible call to missions, or embarking on their first missionary assignment?
George: Go on a short trip and see how you fit and adjust. As you go, be open to the leading of the Lord. Allow HIM to reaffirm your call. Before committing a long time to a foreign mission assignment, be assure of your call and don't go for selfish reasons.
Today Chris and I are in central Arkansas. This afternoon we had our district license renewal interview with the North Arkansas District Credentials Board. The board will recommend to our district assembly that our ministerial credentials are renewed.
The first couple of years, I would get nervous before the interview. What if my answers aren’t clear? What if I’m wrong and this isn’t what God’s called me to and they’re going to tell me? What if I’m just not good enough, spiritual enough, pastor-ly enough or just plain... enough?
Then God softly and persistently increased my confidence in His call and all that it meant. It wasn’t that I ever questioned God, it was that I wondered if I had somehow misunderstood. In spite of my doubts in myself, He has confirmed to me, affirmed in me, shown me that He wants me to use the ways He has created me in vocational ministerial service. I add “vocational” because in my life, my service is my vocation, the part of my life that I train for, study for and work at as the majority time-share of my life. ALL who are Christians are called to do many of the same things in their lives: share Christ, care for the hurting, love people because God loves us. It’s just in my case, while someone else is becoming a professional ___________ (fill in the blank), I’m becoming a professional cross-cultural Gospel share-er.
This growing confidence in my call is very important to me. It’s knowing that I’m called to this journey, to leave home and what I know that becomes my anchor on the difficult days. It’s knowing that I’m called that gives me the grace to accept transitions and changes that I never imagined I’d face. It’s knowing that I’m called that makes talking about my life and my ministry a breeze.
Of course, as I prepare for ordination in the Church of the Nazarene, it’s important that I am tested and approved by my district leadership and my peers. That’s a vital component of serving with a community of believers. But my nervousness was laid aside when I remembered that God is the author of this plan and I need only to be who I am in Him to be approved for the role He has for me. I think that’s pretty great!
The wonderful thing is that this idea of my identity in Christ being the determining factor of my life isn’t just reserved for pastors or missionaries or people who have a “call.” It’s for each of us. I firmly believe that God not only calls people out of where we are, but He also calls us into where He has placed us. He calls us to look into the relationships in our lives for places to bring His light and truth. He calls us to look into the communities where we live and extend grace, mercy and compassion to those around us. He calls us into our various vocations because if we were all pastors and missionaries we would miss out on countless opportunities to take Christ into our meeting rooms, factory floors, classrooms and more.
God has uniquely equipped and positioned you to spread the Gospel. How are you responding?
This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
1 Corinthians 4:1-4 (NIV)
Of course, as I prepare for ordination in the Church of the Nazarene, it’s important that I am tested and approved by my district leadership and my peers. That’s a vital component of serving with a community of believers. But my nervousness was laid aside when I remembered that God is the author of this plan and I need only to be who I am in Him to be approved for the role He has for me. I think that’s pretty great!
The wonderful thing is that this idea of my identity in Christ being the determining factor of my life isn’t just reserved for pastors or missionaries or people who have a “call.” It’s for each of us. I firmly believe that God not only calls people out of where we are, but He also calls us into where He has placed us. He calls us to look into the relationships in our lives for places to bring His light and truth. He calls us to look into the communities where we live and extend grace, mercy and compassion to those around us. He calls us into our various vocations because if we were all pastors and missionaries we would miss out on countless opportunities to take Christ into our meeting rooms, factory floors, classrooms and more.
God has uniquely equipped and positioned you to spread the Gospel. How are you responding?
This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.
1 Corinthians 4:1-4 (NIV)
[Anndee Stringer is a missionary serving as the short-term communications coordinator for Extreme Nazarene Ministries in South America. She and her husband, Chris, the short-term volunteer manager, live in Quito, Ecuador, with their two daughters, Genevieve and Juliana.]
Haiti districts desperate for pastors' houses, church buildings by Gina Grate PottengerUntil this winter, Pastor Civil and his family were one of the 85 percent of Nazarene pastors in Haiti to live in extreme poverty; many of those families are homeless, some, like Civil’s, due to the devastating earthquake of 2010.
Civil and his wife (photo left), two children and a grandchild at least had a roof over their head, even if it was a crude pen formerly used to house pigs. For the next four years, the family prayed that God would give them a new home.
Missionaries Darin and Tonya Kucey were appalled when they saw the conditions this Nazarene leader and his family were living in. They wanted to do something not only for them, but for the other pastors living in inadequate housing.A Work & Witness team from the U.S. state of Washington came and, raising $12,000 for the project, they built Civil’s family a small earthquake and hurricane resistant cement-block house with three bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and living room (photos above and below).
Since last summer – and since Engage magazine first wrote about the need – mission teams have been able to complete three pastor’s homes, and a fourth is planned for May, which is progress, but just a drop in the bucket of need. (Watch a video about the need for pastor's homes in Haiti.)
As the Work & Witness coordinators for Haiti, the Kuceys have been juggling the equally urgent priorities of trying to bring work teams to build pastors’ homes, schools and structures for the staggering number of congregations that are bursting to life around the island, a result of the Mesoamerica Region’s new church planting strategy called Missional Zone Planting (see Engage article), which uses the JESUS Film as a tool for evangelism.
The Kuceys say a movement of God is underway, as the number of Nazarene churches has exploded in the past two years. The statistics, provided by Bernie Slingerland, evangelism coordinator for the Mesoamerica Region, show a dramatic increase in the growth of new believers and those journeying through discipleship since the 2010 earthquake.
2010-2011: 3,758 people accepted Christ.
2011-2012: 5,025 people accepted Christ
2012-2013: 8,271 people accepted Christ.
2013-2014: 14,468 people accepted Christ.
Since October 2014, 2,746 people have accepted Christ.
The discipleship numbers follow a parallel increase, with percentages of people going through discipleship as high as 138 percent of new believers.
Just last year, the missional zone planters started 675 preaching points, which are gatherings of new believers and other people interested in the gospel who meet regularly for prayer, discipleship and worship; eventually they will become officially organized churches, once they have met denominational criteria.
With 675 preaching points comes the need for 675 new structures where the new believers can meet. And the need for an astounding number of new pastors, who will need places to live.
That’s why strategies to build structures for housing and worship need to change to catch up with the need, the Kuceys say. And they have some creative ideas that are becoming reality.
“Preaching points meet in somebody’s home, in a field, so they have no permanent structure with a roof over it,” Darin said.
As the Work & Witness coordinators for Haiti, the Kuceys have been juggling the equally urgent priorities of trying to bring work teams to build pastors’ homes, schools and structures for the staggering number of congregations that are bursting to life around the island, a result of the Mesoamerica Region’s new church planting strategy called Missional Zone Planting (see Engage article), which uses the JESUS Film as a tool for evangelism.
The Kuceys say a movement of God is underway, as the number of Nazarene churches has exploded in the past two years. The statistics, provided by Bernie Slingerland, evangelism coordinator for the Mesoamerica Region, show a dramatic increase in the growth of new believers and those journeying through discipleship since the 2010 earthquake.
2010-2011: 3,758 people accepted Christ.
2011-2012: 5,025 people accepted Christ
2012-2013: 8,271 people accepted Christ.
2013-2014: 14,468 people accepted Christ.
Since October 2014, 2,746 people have accepted Christ.
The discipleship numbers follow a parallel increase, with percentages of people going through discipleship as high as 138 percent of new believers.
Just last year, the missional zone planters started 675 preaching points, which are gatherings of new believers and other people interested in the gospel who meet regularly for prayer, discipleship and worship; eventually they will become officially organized churches, once they have met denominational criteria.
With 675 preaching points comes the need for 675 new structures where the new believers can meet. And the need for an astounding number of new pastors, who will need places to live.
That’s why strategies to build structures for housing and worship need to change to catch up with the need, the Kuceys say. And they have some creative ideas that are becoming reality.
“Preaching points meet in somebody’s home, in a field, so they have no permanent structure with a roof over it,” Darin said.
He designed what he calls a “patio church” which is just a simple roof suspended on poles at a 12 foot by 24 foot ratio to provide some relief from heat or rain while allowing breezes to pass through the open sides. It’s a semi-permanent solution that gives a new group of believers a place to meet until they can build a permanent building.
In March, two of these patio churches were constructed. And people in three districts are now trained to take over building more patio churches in their districts. One missional zone planter requested eight patio churches for new preaching points in his zone. And a district superintendent requested materials to construct four patio churches in his district.
“My goal is to have someone in each district be able to build these patio churches,” Darin said. “There is an overwhelming need for these here in Haiti, but I believe the bottleneck, so to speak, will be the funding.”
The patio churches cost $700 USD. Darin says they need to be building at a pace of 25 to 50 patio churches a month.
Patio churches are only a temporary solution, however. Eventually the preaching points will become officially organized churches and they’ll need permanent spaces for ministry to their communities, because church buildings in Haiti tend to be used for many different things: schools, shelters during natural disasters, compassionate ministry centers for food and clothing distribution, places for discipleship and Bible studies, all in addition to Sunday worship services.
(Watch the below video of a patio church under construction.)
In March, two of these patio churches were constructed. And people in three districts are now trained to take over building more patio churches in their districts. One missional zone planter requested eight patio churches for new preaching points in his zone. And a district superintendent requested materials to construct four patio churches in his district.
“My goal is to have someone in each district be able to build these patio churches,” Darin said. “There is an overwhelming need for these here in Haiti, but I believe the bottleneck, so to speak, will be the funding.”
The patio churches cost $700 USD. Darin says they need to be building at a pace of 25 to 50 patio churches a month.
Patio churches are only a temporary solution, however. Eventually the preaching points will become officially organized churches and they’ll need permanent spaces for ministry to their communities, because church buildings in Haiti tend to be used for many different things: schools, shelters during natural disasters, compassionate ministry centers for food and clothing distribution, places for discipleship and Bible studies, all in addition to Sunday worship services.
(Watch the below video of a patio church under construction.)
Darin recently toured a factory in Guatemala that manufactures modular chapels, mass producing them cheaply, so that they can be easily transported to a site and constructed by the local people. Darin envisions replicating that factory in Haiti so that it can pump out hundreds of modular chapels for the preaching points. Whereas a typical church in Haiti might cost $20,000 to build now, the modular chapels, which are offered in different sizes, would start at roughly $2,000. It would cost $350,000 to build the factory, and provide start up materials, tools, vehicles and staff.
Slingerland recently gave a presentation that said the church in Haiti could build 50 to 100 of the modular chapels a year for the next 10 years. The factory can build all the pieces and deliver them to the site for the new church; if the property is prepped, the frame and roof can be assembled in one day.
If the modular chapel factory became a reality, the country would need to train national workers who would know how to construct the modular chapels, so that the Haitians are not dependent on the comparatively small number of American Work & Witness teams and their finances to put up the buildings at the rate they are needed.
Although the need far outstrips what Work & Witness teams can reasonably accomplish, the Kuceys say Haiti still needs them to come, not only for the work, but for their witness.
“Buildings come down in 30 seconds here in Haiti. They’re temporary. The witness part of it – the building of relationships and reaching out cross culturally with the compassion of Christ – has eternity stamped on it,” said Tonya. “The Haitians want to see you leave your comfort zone and care about us and come and spend time. They’re about relationships.”
WEF-funded scholarships provide education to pastors by Gina Grate Pottenger on Apr 7, 2015
Elma Mago, pastor of the International Church of the Nazarene in Hong Kong, heard God calling her into pastoral ministry just after she graduated high school in the Philippines. She had been a delegate to a Sunday school convention when the keynote speaker, from India, talked about the need for the gospel to be preached in his country.
“I thought to myself, ‘How about the Philippines?’ He gave a challenge and I decided to answer the call.”
She enrolled in Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary to study theology and prepare to lead a local church. Like many other students, she benefitted from support through the denomination's World Evangelism Fund.
Although she was studying for ministry, she never imagined she would get involved in cross-cultural ministry. Attending APNTS exposed her to different cultures, because many of the students were from other nationalities.
“As a result, I was able to do away with that ethnocentric attitude; instead I’ve learned to respect and really appreciate others’ cultures.”
After graduation, she was invited to become lead pastor at the church in Hong Kong. The congregation is made up of Filipina women with jobs as domestic helpers to Chinese families.
In Hong Kong and the Philippines there are several fast growing cults that attract thousands of people who do not have a solid grounding in Christian beliefs. Relying on her theological education at APNTS, Pastor Elma has had multiple opportunities to guide and teach women who have come out of several cults.
"Christian theology is necessary in the ministry as the foundation of the church," she said. "People serving in the ministry should know what to believe and why they believe; they should be able to defend what they believe scripturally. The people they're serving have theological issues that should be addressed rightly; if not they can be a potential target, and may fall into the traps of false teachings, false religions and self-made prophets."
When Mildred came to Hong Kong for work, there she joined a religious cult, believing it was a Christian church. Later, Mildred found the International Church of the Nazarene, where Pastor Elma taught her the truths of the Bible and Mildred accepted Jesus Christ as her savior.
Mildred shared about Jesus with her sister, Shirley, who also received Christ and was baptized. They are actively sharing Christ with their parents and siblings, who are members of the cult.
They also invited their friend Jovita to the Nazarene church, where she accepted Jesus into her life. Jovita invited her sister-in-law, Glenda, who also was a member of the cult. Mildred shared the truth about Jesus to Glenda, who joyfully accepted Him into her life.
“I thought to myself, ‘How about the Philippines?’ He gave a challenge and I decided to answer the call.”
She enrolled in Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary to study theology and prepare to lead a local church. Like many other students, she benefitted from support through the denomination's World Evangelism Fund.
Although she was studying for ministry, she never imagined she would get involved in cross-cultural ministry. Attending APNTS exposed her to different cultures, because many of the students were from other nationalities.
“As a result, I was able to do away with that ethnocentric attitude; instead I’ve learned to respect and really appreciate others’ cultures.”
After graduation, she was invited to become lead pastor at the church in Hong Kong. The congregation is made up of Filipina women with jobs as domestic helpers to Chinese families.
In Hong Kong and the Philippines there are several fast growing cults that attract thousands of people who do not have a solid grounding in Christian beliefs. Relying on her theological education at APNTS, Pastor Elma has had multiple opportunities to guide and teach women who have come out of several cults.
"Christian theology is necessary in the ministry as the foundation of the church," she said. "People serving in the ministry should know what to believe and why they believe; they should be able to defend what they believe scripturally. The people they're serving have theological issues that should be addressed rightly; if not they can be a potential target, and may fall into the traps of false teachings, false religions and self-made prophets."
When Mildred came to Hong Kong for work, there she joined a religious cult, believing it was a Christian church. Later, Mildred found the International Church of the Nazarene, where Pastor Elma taught her the truths of the Bible and Mildred accepted Jesus Christ as her savior.
Mildred shared about Jesus with her sister, Shirley, who also received Christ and was baptized. They are actively sharing Christ with their parents and siblings, who are members of the cult.
They also invited their friend Jovita to the Nazarene church, where she accepted Jesus into her life. Jovita invited her sister-in-law, Glenda, who also was a member of the cult. Mildred shared the truth about Jesus to Glenda, who joyfully accepted Him into her life.
Jovita was diagnosed with cysts in both of her breasts, and so she needed to have an operation. The church prayed over her and she miraculously experienced a process of healing, so that the cysts were gone. Recently doctors found another cyst which was removed surgically and found to be benign.
"She still keeps her faith that God is her healer," Pastor Elma said.
When she was recently baptized (fourth from left in photo left), she shared her testimony, during which she shared that she had had a broken relationship with her mother, whom she hated. But after deciding to follow Jesus, in her heart she forgave her mother. She called her mother and told her, “Mother, I love you.” Now they have reconciled and have a healed relationship.
Because Pastor Elma studied theology for three years at APNTS, she has helped many women understand Christian truth so that they are transformed by the love of Jesus. In turn they embrace their missional calling to share Jesus with their family, friends and employers, thus growing the church.
Your generous giving to the World Evangelism Fund supports scholarships and funding so students, including Pastor Elma, can study at one of the Church of the Nazarene’s 53 higher learning institutions around the world. Through a quality Christian education in not only theology but other degree areas, including medicine, education, science, the arts, journalism, technology and many more, Nazarenes are being prepared and equipped to share the love of Jesus Christ in their families, communities and around the world.
Becas del FEM proveen educación para pastores by Gina Grate Pottenger
"She still keeps her faith that God is her healer," Pastor Elma said.
When she was recently baptized (fourth from left in photo left), she shared her testimony, during which she shared that she had had a broken relationship with her mother, whom she hated. But after deciding to follow Jesus, in her heart she forgave her mother. She called her mother and told her, “Mother, I love you.” Now they have reconciled and have a healed relationship.
Because Pastor Elma studied theology for three years at APNTS, she has helped many women understand Christian truth so that they are transformed by the love of Jesus. In turn they embrace their missional calling to share Jesus with their family, friends and employers, thus growing the church.
Your generous giving to the World Evangelism Fund supports scholarships and funding so students, including Pastor Elma, can study at one of the Church of the Nazarene’s 53 higher learning institutions around the world. Through a quality Christian education in not only theology but other degree areas, including medicine, education, science, the arts, journalism, technology and many more, Nazarenes are being prepared and equipped to share the love of Jesus Christ in their families, communities and around the world.
Becas del FEM proveen educación para pastores by Gina Grate Pottenger
Elma Mago, pastora de la Iglesia Internacional del Nazareno en Hong Kong, escuchó el llamado de Dios para involucrarse en el ministerio pastoral en seguida de haberse graduado de la secundaria en las Filipinas. Ella se encontraba participando como delegada en una convención de escuela dominical cuando el presentador principal, de India, habló acerca de la necesidad de que el evangelio fuera predicado en su país.
“Me pregunté entonces, ‘¿Y qué tal en Filipinas?’ Él propuso un desafío y yo decidí responder al llamado”.
Ella se inscribió en el Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (Seminario Teológico Nazareno de Asia-Pacífico, o APNTS) para estudiar teología y para prepararse para liderar una iglesia local. Así como muchos otros estudiantes, ella se benefició del apoyo brindado por el Fondo para el Evangelismo Mundial de la denominación.
Aunque estaba estudiando para el ministerio, ella nunca se imaginó que se vería involucrada en ministerios intercultutales. El concurrir al APNTS la expuso a diferentes culturas, ya que muchos de los estudiates eran de diferentes nacionalidades.
“Como resultado, me fue posible deshacerme de mi actitud etnocéntrica; por el contrario, aprendí a respetar y a apreciar las culturas de los otros estudiantes”.
Luego de graduarse, ella fue invitada a convertirse en pastora principal de la iglesia en Hong Kong. La congregación se encuentra compuesta de mujeres filipinas que realizan tareas como empleadas domésticas en los hogares de familias chinas.
En Hong Kong y en las Filipinas existen varias sectas crecientes que atraen a miles de personas que no cuentan con fundamentos sólidos en la fe cristiana. Apoyándose en la educación teológica que recibió en APNTS, la pastora Elma ha tenido múltiples oportunidades de guiar y de enseñarle a muchas mujeres que han salido de estos diversas sectas.
“La teología cristiana es necesaria como fundamento de la iglesia”, dijo Elma. “Las personas que sirven en el ministerio deben de saber en qué creen y por qué creen, y deben de poder defenderse espiritualmente. Las personas a quienes sirven tienen problemas teológicos que deben ser atendidos de la manera correcta; de lo contrario, pueden convertirse en potenciales objetivos de falsas enseñanzas y de profetas autodenominados, y pueden ser fácilmente persuadidas”.
Cuando Mildred vino a Hong Kong para trabajar, ella se unió a una secta religiosa creyendo que se trataba de una iglesia cristiana. Más tarde, Mildred encontró la Iglesia Internacional del Nazareno, donde la pastora Elma enseñaba sus verdades acerca de la Biblia, y Mildred aceptó a Jesucristo como su salvador.
Mildred compartió acerca de Jesús con su hermana, Shirley, quien también recibió a Cristo y fue bautizada. Ellas se encuentran compartiendo activamente a Cristo con sus padres y sus hermanos, quienes son miembros de la secta.
Ellas también invitaron a su amiga Jovita a la iglesia nazarena, donde ella aceptó a Jesús en su vida. Jovita invitó a su cuñada, Glenda, quien también era miembro de la secta. Mildred compartió la verdad de Jesús con Glenda, quien gozosamente lo aceptó en su vida.
“Me pregunté entonces, ‘¿Y qué tal en Filipinas?’ Él propuso un desafío y yo decidí responder al llamado”.
Ella se inscribió en el Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (Seminario Teológico Nazareno de Asia-Pacífico, o APNTS) para estudiar teología y para prepararse para liderar una iglesia local. Así como muchos otros estudiantes, ella se benefició del apoyo brindado por el Fondo para el Evangelismo Mundial de la denominación.
Aunque estaba estudiando para el ministerio, ella nunca se imaginó que se vería involucrada en ministerios intercultutales. El concurrir al APNTS la expuso a diferentes culturas, ya que muchos de los estudiates eran de diferentes nacionalidades.
“Como resultado, me fue posible deshacerme de mi actitud etnocéntrica; por el contrario, aprendí a respetar y a apreciar las culturas de los otros estudiantes”.
Luego de graduarse, ella fue invitada a convertirse en pastora principal de la iglesia en Hong Kong. La congregación se encuentra compuesta de mujeres filipinas que realizan tareas como empleadas domésticas en los hogares de familias chinas.
En Hong Kong y en las Filipinas existen varias sectas crecientes que atraen a miles de personas que no cuentan con fundamentos sólidos en la fe cristiana. Apoyándose en la educación teológica que recibió en APNTS, la pastora Elma ha tenido múltiples oportunidades de guiar y de enseñarle a muchas mujeres que han salido de estos diversas sectas.
“La teología cristiana es necesaria como fundamento de la iglesia”, dijo Elma. “Las personas que sirven en el ministerio deben de saber en qué creen y por qué creen, y deben de poder defenderse espiritualmente. Las personas a quienes sirven tienen problemas teológicos que deben ser atendidos de la manera correcta; de lo contrario, pueden convertirse en potenciales objetivos de falsas enseñanzas y de profetas autodenominados, y pueden ser fácilmente persuadidas”.
Cuando Mildred vino a Hong Kong para trabajar, ella se unió a una secta religiosa creyendo que se trataba de una iglesia cristiana. Más tarde, Mildred encontró la Iglesia Internacional del Nazareno, donde la pastora Elma enseñaba sus verdades acerca de la Biblia, y Mildred aceptó a Jesucristo como su salvador.
Mildred compartió acerca de Jesús con su hermana, Shirley, quien también recibió a Cristo y fue bautizada. Ellas se encuentran compartiendo activamente a Cristo con sus padres y sus hermanos, quienes son miembros de la secta.
Ellas también invitaron a su amiga Jovita a la iglesia nazarena, donde ella aceptó a Jesús en su vida. Jovita invitó a su cuñada, Glenda, quien también era miembro de la secta. Mildred compartió la verdad de Jesús con Glenda, quien gozosamente lo aceptó en su vida.
Jovita fue diagnosticada con quistes en ambos senos, de modo que requiría de cirugía. La iglesia oró por ella y milagrosamente experimentó un proceso de sanidad, y al día de hoy los quistes han desaparecido. Poco después de haber sido bautizada (cuarta a partir de la izquierda en la foto), ella compartió su testimonio durante el cual declaró que ella había terminado su relación con su madre, a quien odiaba. Pero luego de decidirse por seguir a Jesús, ella pudo perdonar a su madre en su corazón. Ella llamó a su madre y le dijo, “Madre, te amo”. Al día de hoy ellas están reconciliadas y disfrutan de una relación reestablecida.
Desde que la pastora Elma culminó sus estudios de teología, luego de tres años en el APNTS, ella ha ayudado a varias mujeres a entender la verdad cristiana para poder ser transformadas por el amor de Jesús. Como respuesta, ellas se unen a su llamado misional de compartir a Jesús con sus familias, sus amigos y empleados, haciendo crecer deesta manera a la iglesia.
Sus generosas ofrendas al Fondo para el Evangelismo Mundial proveen becas y fondos para hacer posible que estudiantes, tales como la pastora Elma, puedan estudiar en una de las 53 instituciones de educación terciaria que la Iglesia del Nazareno tiene alrededor del mundo. A través de una educación cristiana de alta calidad, no tan sólo en teología sino que también en muchas otras áreas tales como la medicina, la educación, las ciencias, las artes, el periodismo, tecnología, y muchas otras, los nazarenos se están preparando y equipando para compartir el amor de Jesucristo con sus familias, sus comunidades, y con el resto del mundo.
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Desde que la pastora Elma culminó sus estudios de teología, luego de tres años en el APNTS, ella ha ayudado a varias mujeres a entender la verdad cristiana para poder ser transformadas por el amor de Jesús. Como respuesta, ellas se unen a su llamado misional de compartir a Jesús con sus familias, sus amigos y empleados, haciendo crecer deesta manera a la iglesia.
Sus generosas ofrendas al Fondo para el Evangelismo Mundial proveen becas y fondos para hacer posible que estudiantes, tales como la pastora Elma, puedan estudiar en una de las 53 instituciones de educación terciaria que la Iglesia del Nazareno tiene alrededor del mundo. A través de una educación cristiana de alta calidad, no tan sólo en teología sino que también en muchas otras áreas tales como la medicina, la educación, las ciencias, las artes, el periodismo, tecnología, y muchas otras, los nazarenos se están preparando y equipando para compartir el amor de Jesucristo con sus familias, sus comunidades, y con el resto del mundo.
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