The Global Church of the Nazarene news: "The good news of Easter" of The Global Nazarene Communication Network News for Thursday, March 24, 2016 - This week in the Church of the Nazarene... Volume 1612

The Global Church of the Nazarene news: "The good news of Easter" of The Global Nazarene Communication Network News for Thursday, March 24, 2016 - This week in the Church of the Nazarene... Volume 1612

Global Ministry Center

Celebrating the good news of EasterThe Easter season reminds us of the central truths of the good news of Jesus Christ. Join us in sharing God’s truth to everyone. Read more
The Easter season reminds us of the central truths of the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul captured this gospel of God beautifully:
The gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:2-4, NIV)
The long-awaited promises of a Messiah through the Old Testament prophets found fulfillment when Jesus came to earth. The Father revealed Himself to us through His one and only Son. Jesus Christ came both human and divine. In His human nature He descended from David, fulfilling Jewish expectations of the coming Messiah. The Holy Spirit revealed His divine nature to us in power by resurrecting Him from physical death. The Spirit replaced the humiliation of the Cross with the exaltation and glorification of resurrection. We now proclaim the incredible confession: Jesus is Lord!
The Easter message offers us the opportunity to declare this life-giving truth to our world. Jesus came to us humbly in word and deed to offer new birth, restored relationship with His Father, and eternal life. The Holy Spirit validated His earthly life and message when He raised Him from the dead. His resurrection became the model for our resurrection from a life of sin and the hope of our eternal resurrection.
Good news is in short supply in today’s world. We have this incredible message to share with every man, woman, youth, and child. Join us in sharing God’s truth to everyone. Join us is working together “to make Christlike disciples in the nations.” Jesus is Lord!
Board of General Superintendents Church of the Nazarene
David A. Busic
Gustavo A. Crocker
Eugénio R. Duarte
David W. Graves
Jerry D. Porter
J. K. Warrick
For a printable version of this letter, click here or on the image below.
Korea, Asia-Pacific Region



Korea National District elects superintendent
Kim, Young Su was elected district superintendent during the Korea National District's annual assembly. Read moreKim, Young Su was elected district superintendent during the Korea National District's annual assembly recently.
A graduate of Korea Nazarene University, Kim is currently senior pastor of Young Il Church of the Nazarene in Seoul. He has previously served in numerous pastoral and leadership roles, including secretary and advisory council member for the Korea National District, president of the Korea National District's Seoul Zone, secretary of the Korea Central District, co-president of the Korea National Association of Christian Pastors, and co-secretary of the Christian Council of Korea.
The Asia-Pacific Region welcomes Kim to his new assignment and invites prayer for Kim and the district leadership team.[Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region]
Panama Central District

Michigan church enters 5-year partnership with Panama Central District
The Panama Central District began a five-year partnership last year with Flint Central Church of the Nazarene in Michigan, USA. Several Flint teams have traveled to Panama to build or repair church spaces, conduct medical clinics and Vacation Bible Schools, and show the JESUSfilm. Read moreIn order to meet the needs of churches on the district, the Panama Central District began a five-year partnership last year with Flint Central Church of the Nazarene in Michigan, USA.
The work started in the Samaria Church of the Nazarene, where the Flint team built a dining room and a child development center and upgraded the sanctuary. The medical team that saw more than 100 people and conducted Vacation Bible School in the community and in an orphanage for girls.

A second group worked at Espave Church of the Nazarene, where they built a dining room and a Center for Holistic Children Development and Family Affairs, remodeled the parsonage, conducted Vacation Bible School, ministered to the women of the church, and delivered bags of food to the needy.

The third group worked in the church of Puerto Caimito, finishing the dining room and church remodel, conducting a Vacation Bible School, and presenting the JESUS film. They also made repairs to the San Jose church, where they also ministered to the women and children.
In Playa Chiquita, the Flint team worked on the church building and dining room, hosted Vacation Bible School, ministered to the women in the community, and delivered bags of food to the needy.

The district is grateful for the Flint church's work, as it is a response to years of prayer. The Panama Central District's pastors and congregations are thankful because that children now have appropriate places where they can be taken care.
Panama Central District Superintendent Carlos de la Cruz, Pastor Amable Polanco, Pastor Eusebio Bermudez, Pastor Melanio Ovalle, and Pastor Marisol Arenas would like to thank Pastor Rob Prince, Pastor Andrew Foster, Pastor Josh Kennedy, Pastor Jon Gildner, Jennifer Davis, Karen Donaldson, and Panama Work & Witness Coordinator Eliezel Soto for their work.[Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region]
Moscow, Idaho

Idaho church uses Skype call to connect to Jordan refugee ministry
On a recent Sunday morning, the congregation of First Church of the Nazarene in Moscow, Idaho, USA, was treated to an unusual service: a Skype video interview with Khalil and Randa Halaseh, pastor couple for the Al-ashrafieh Church of the Nazarene in Amman, Jordan. (via Engagemagazine) Read moreKhalil (second from left) and Randa Halaseh (far right) with their daughters.
On a recent Sunday morning, the congregation of First Church of the Nazarene in Moscow, Idaho, USA, was treated to an unusual service: a Skype video interview with Khalil and Randa Halaseh, pastor couple for the Al-ashrafieh Church of the Nazarene in Amman, Jordan.
The live interaction with the couple, who live and work nearly 11,000 km (6,700 miles) and nine time zones away from Moscow, Idaho, led to a deeper understanding of what the church only hears in the news regarding the Syrian refugee crisis. They also learned how Nazarenes in the Middle East are supporting the refugees who have moved into their communities.
Afterward, the church gave an offering of more than $7,500 toward the Amman church’s refugee ministry.
“The refugee situation and Europe’s problems with dealing with it is big news here, so most people in our church were interested in the refugee situation,” said John Merrick, a member of the Moscow church’s Nazarene Missions International council. “Jordan is about half the size of our state of Idaho here in the USA, and I thought about what it would be like if suddenly 1.5 million people suddenly came into our state who did not have any means of support or place to live. I knew there were Nazarene churches in Jordan and wondered if our congregation could be involved in supporting any effort those churches were doing in supporting the refugees.”
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.
"Idaho church uses Sunday morning Skype call to connect to Nazarene refugee ministry in Jordan" by Gina Grate Pottenger

On a recent Sunday morning, the congregation of First Church of the Nazarene, in Moscow, Idaho, U.S., was treated to an unusual service: a Skype video interview with Khalil and Randa Halaseh, pastor couple for the Al-ashrafieh Church of the Nazarene in Amman, Jordan.
The live interaction with the couple, who live and work nearly 11,000 km (6,700 miles) and nine time zones away from Moscow, led to a deeper understanding of what the church only hears in the news regarding the Syrian refugee crisis. They also learned how Nazarenes in the Middle East are supporting the refugees who have moved into their communities.
Afterward, the church gave an offering of more than $7,500 toward the Amman church’s refugee ministry.
“The refugee situation and Europe’s problems with dealing with it is big news here, so most people in our church were interested in the refugee situation,” said John Merrick, a member of the Moscow church’s Nazarene Missions International (NMI) council. “Jordan is about half the size of our State of Idaho here in the USA, and I thought about what it would be like if suddenly 1.5 million people suddenly came into our state who did not have any means of support or place to live. I knew there were Nazarene churches in Jordan, and wondered if our congregation could be involved in supporting any effort those churches were doing in supporting the refugees.”
Merrick presented the idea of inviting the Halasehs to share with the church over Skype during an upcoming Sunday morning service. The church’s leadership team agreed.
Jordan, which has a population of 9.5 million, has received up to 1 million Iraqi refugees in the past decade, and currently hosts more than half a million Syrian refugees, shouldering more than 60 percent of the costs for caring for them. The country has struggled with the finances and infrastructure to support the refugees, most of whom are in desperate need, as they left behind healthy businesses, resources, homes and families to flee for their lives.

Before meeting the Halasehs, the congregation watched a recorded news interview of Jordan’s reigning Prince Hassan describing the challenges the country is facing as it tries to provide for the refugees.
Then, Khalil and Randa Halaseh appeared on the large projector screen, live from their home in Amman. They shared their personal testimonies, as well as how their congregation has overcome its own fears in reaching out to the Syrians in their community.
For the first three years that Syrians moved into their economically depressed neighborhood, Pastor Khalil said he and his church went on with life as usual, which included ministering to the needs of the nominal Christians living nearby.
“Some people, they love their own life, or [think], ‘This is my pew, this is my church, this is my food.’ There is no vision for mission,” he said. “Now I feel our church has gone out of our walls. We start to serve this community. I start to be different and even my people start to act in a different way.”
God awakened many in the church to the opportunity He placed on their doorstep: Syrian refugees who would be open to the love of the church.
Khalil explained that now his church has a team of 13 part-time and full-time refugee workers, plus 17 volunteers. The congregation is ministering to 600 families, spending a total of $7,000 every month to give the families about $35, plus meat and other material assistance. The church also hosts women’s meetings and a kids’ club.
The Moscow church took a risk in trying its first ever international Skype call in their Sunday morning service. At one point, the call was disconnected, but they were able to quickly reconnect and continue the interview.
"It brought the refugee crisis into better focus," said Randy Craker, superintendent of the Northwest District of the United States. "The news reports share snippets of the greater, overwhelming story of tens of thousands of displaced people. Then, on this Sunday morning we were able to hear a simple and beautiful story of how a single Nazarene congregation was opening their hands and hearts through loving service to their 'new neighbors.'"
“For a lot of people, hearing [about the refugees] from a source on location had a lot more credibility than what you hear in the news. Actually, hearing from a Nazarene pastor,” said Eby. “Here’s a pastor, he’s sharing his heart with our congregation halfway across the world. It was definitely a very blessed time. The Holy Spirit was there ministering to our hearts. That was obvious by their response in the offering.”
Craker said that he's told other pastors on his district that they might consider using Skype to help their congregations connect more deeply and personally with God's work around the world.
"The eye can be a path to the heart, and as I witnessed in Moscow, when the people were able to see in a firsthand way how a frontline church was responding, they too wanted to share in the ministry."
Independence, Missouri

MNU women win first national championship
The No. 2-seed MidAmerica Nazarene University women's basketball team capped off its season with a championship title as the Pioneers knocked off Baker University, 49-35. Read moreThe No. 2-seed MidAmerica Nazarene University women's basketball team capped off its season with a championship title as the Pioneers knocked off No. 6-seed Baker University (Kansas) Tuesday night, 49-35.
The 2016 NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship was held at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence, Missouri, for the second-straight year.
“I knew our team was going take care of business, they know what to do in winning time,” said Jon Lewis, MNU head coach. “We were in winning time that entire quarter, so I knew that we were going to control the game and just let it ride with them. We knew that they were going to come out hot and heavy in the first half. We got back to our defensive principles and I knew that if we did that we could win this game.”
MNU used a 19-0 run from the last 2:43 of the second quarter util 30 seconds remaining in the third quarter to take a lead for good.
The Pioneers extended its lead to a game-high 15 points after a pair of free throws from Kyleesha Weston with 54 seconds left in the game. MNU outscored Baker 28-10 in the second half. The 10 points scored in a half by Baker ties the championship record for fewest points in a half with former member Nazareth (New York) and Southwestern Oklahoma in 1983.
Weston led the Pioneers with a career-high 21 points. Jasmine Webb added 11.
The Pioneers are the first team from the state of Kansas to win the NAIA Division I Women’s National Championship since former-member Fort Hays State defeated Southeastern Oklahoma in the 1991 title game. The 2016 event was the first time since 2009 that teams from the same conference squared off in the title game – Union (Tennessee) defeated Lambuth (Tennessee), 73-63, as part of the TranSouth Conference.
Baker finishes its season with a 28-9 overall record and 5-3 in the national championship. Baker, 0-4 against MNU this season, led at the half in all four games. The 35 points scored were a season low for the Wildcats.
MNU, 32-5, ran its championship record to 7-4 overall.
This is the first team national championship for the Pioneers since men’s basketball won the NAIA Division II title in 2007.
2016 NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Most Outstanding Player – Kyleesha Weston, MNU
2016 NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Hustle Award – Jasmine Webb, MNU
2016 NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year – Jon Lewis, MNU
2016 NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball All-Championship Team:
First Team:
Erin Legel, Great Falls (Montana)
Kelah Eldridge, Pikeville (Kentucky)
Ericka Simpson, Baker (Kansas)
Jami Hodge, Baker (Kansas)
Megan Balcom, MNU (Kansas)
Second Team:
Kristen Murphy, Benedictine (Kansas)
Lindsey Burd, Campbellsville (Kentucky)
Caelyn Orlandi, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
Kayla Styles, Lindsey Wilson (Kentucky)
Kandice Porter, Pikeville (Kentucky)[NAIA]
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Africa

Niger, Africa Region

Flags of the Nations: Niger
Each week, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center proudly flies a flag of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. This week's flag: Niger, Africa Region. Click "read more" for more information about the Church of the Nazarene in Niger, including what year the church entered the country and how many members there are today. Read moreSince 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: Niger
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Niger in 2009.
Niger had a population of 18,045,729 in 2015. That same year, Niger reported one officially organized Church of the Nazarene. Niger has 120 total members.
Niger is part of the Benin/Togo District, a Phase 2 district on the Africa Region. For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = 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.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Ambrose appoints president to second term
The Board of Governors at Ambrose University announced the appointment of Gordon T. Smith to a second term as president. Read moreThe Board of Governors at Ambrose University announced the appointment of Gordon T. Smith to a second term as president.
“Gordon’s first four–year term has been marked by growing student enrolment, a clarified mission, and an exciting and challenging vision of what it means to be an integrated university, school of ministry, and seminary,” said Ken Stankievech, board chair. “The addition of the Canadian Poverty and Flourishing Congregations Institutes — alongside the already established Jaffray Institute — under President Smith’s leadership speaks to the university’s commitment to social justice for the marginalized, the vital role of the church in society, and the global advancement of the gospel. The board, along with faculty and staff, is excited to join Dr. Smith as he continues to lead us in our vision to deliver excellent Christian post–secondary education.”
Smith’s ongoing leadership of Ambrose is complemented by his contributions to the academic community as a teacher and scholar. He serves as professor of systematic and spiritual theology at Ambrose and his most recent publications include Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential and Called to be Saints: An Invitation to Christian Maturity, which was selected by Christianity Today as one of the books “most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture” in 2014.
“I am very glad that the board has endorsed the overall direction of the university, affirming the quality faculty who teach our students, the staff and administrators who support our mission, and, of course, the work of the senior leadership team,” Smith said.


In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received March 21-24, 2016. Read moreThe following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received March 21-24, 2016.
Esther Franco, 89, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away March 23. She was the wife of retired minister and educator Sergio Franco, who served in Texas, California, and Mexico.
Clark Langford, 81, of Victoria, Virginia, passed away March 17. He was a retired minister, serving in Florida, Virginia, and North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Crystal Langford.
Fred Langford, 80, of Barnesville, Georgia, passed away March 19. He was a longtime member of Barnesville Church of the Nazarene, where he served in many capacities, including church board member, usher, and bus driver. He is survived by his wife, Runelle Langford.
Billy Ring, 82, of Waycross, Georgia, passed away March 20. He was a retired minister, serving in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Jeannette (Griffin) Ring.
Franklin Stephens, 82, of Eustis, Florida, passed away March 22. He was a retired minister, serving in Ohio and Florida. He is survived by his wife, Mildred Stephens.
Sharon Thompson, 78, of Archie, Missouri, passed away March 22. She was a retired International Headquarters employee. She is survived by her husband, George "Lloyd" Thompson.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section 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 news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]

Global praise reports and prayer requests
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners. Included this week: Attacks in Eurasia ... Updates on missionary children. Read moreRecent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners include:
PRAISES
JESUS Film - Nepal
"She preserved her faith inwardly," said a team member in Nepal. "Nara was happy to meet followers of Christ. She was a believer for 15 years but had no fellowship with others because of oppression from her husband. He was a heavy drinker and died a few months ago. Even though he was no longer alive, she feared going to church. Our visit encouraged her to embrace the freedom she had in Christ. She is now attending church and her children are with her.
JESUS Film - Pakistan
"I had no peace in life," said Pervaiz in Pakistan. "I had borrowed money, but was unable to pay it back. When I saw the JESUS Film, I felt so much hope. Jesus loves me, and He can help give me peace!"
PRAYER REQUESTS
Eurasia attacks
More than 30 people were killed Tuesday in Brussels, Belgium, at the international airport and a subway station with more than 250 people injured. The Church of the Nazarene does not have any active work in Brussels. Earlier, five people were killed Saturday in an attack at a shopping area in Istanbul, Turkey.
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Reuben Glendenning
Reuben Glendenning, the son of missionaries Martin and Cezi, was badly burned and rushed to the hospital this month. After a second cleaning, Martin posted the following on Facebook:
“They said he would not need any surgery or 'cleanings' that require anesthesia. We still have to keep a close eye on it, and there will be several trips to the hospital ahead for them to change bandages and check its progress, but we are grateful. The report was as good as it could have been, given the circumstances. The doctor even said that the skin color should even go back to normal in six months, so no permanent scarring is expected.”
The Glendennings are missionaries on the Eurasia Region.
Sylvia Potter
Sylvia “Sylvie” Potter came through surgery to close two holes in her heart March 8. While there are still some concerns the family would like to discuss with doctors but for now everyone is happy with how well the operation went.
Two sets of Sylvie’s grandparents are Nazarene missionaries — Jim and Kathy Radcliff, who serve in Papua New Guinea, and David and Sylvia Potter, who serve in Vanuatu.
Audrey Riggins
Toddler Audrey Riggins is doing well following a heart procedure. Her father, missionary Scot Riggins, says, "You can let everyone know that Audrey came through the procedure fine and is doing well. Thank you all for your prayers.” The Riggins family serves in the Philippines.
Lindsay Sidle
Lindsay Sidle came through surgery successfully. She planned to start back to classes at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio, USA, March 14. Lindsay is the daughter of Gary and Penney Sidle, missionaries to Zambia.
MORE...
For more global concerns and continued requests, see the NMI Prayer Mobilization Line by clicking here or JESUS Film Harvest Partners by clicking here. To share additional praises or prayer requests, please use the comment section below or see the Prayer Mobilization Line's Facebook page.
Human Resources

GMC employment opportunities
Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the Global Ministry Center is the administrative, mission, and service hub for the Church of the Nazarene's ministries in 159 world areas. The following positions are available: Read morePeople are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 159 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email bsikes@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
General Secretary's Office — Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager (Full time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: General Secretary's Office
Title: Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Description: This position offers a wide variety of management duties for the General Secretary’s Office with increasing responsibility for General Board and General Assembly. Tasks for managing the office include oversight of the responsibilities charged to the General Secretary. Time clock management, personnel reviews, morale, and training are among the other duties. Training during GA 2017 will be provided and this person will be hands-on with the planning. Housing for GA 2017 will be a large part of the involvement with GA 2017.
General Superintendents' Office — Administrative Director (Full time)
Office: General Superintendents
Ministry: General Superintendents' Office
Title: Administrative Director
Description: Responsibilities for this position include to serve the Board of General Superintendents by coordinating all activities of the office, keeping superintendents informed about all matters as appropriate. Serve as liaison between the general superintendents and Global Ministry Center personnel, college presidents, and regional personnel. Confidentiality required.
Pensions and Benefits USA — Technology Specialist (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Pensions and Benefits USA
Title: Technology Specialist
Description: This position will assist the technology supervisor in coordinating the technology resources available to each department within the Pensions and Benefits USA office (P&B) by making sure that 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.
Stewardship Ministries — Publications Manager (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Stewardship Ministries
Title: Publications Manager
Description: This position provides administrative, editorial, and workflow support for Stewardship Ministries. Communication through electronic and printed material is required, including content writing and proof reading. Directing general office workflow and specific project management is included in the duties of this position. In addition, this position performs daily, routine office and administrative tasks.
To obtain additional information, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Location of our Positions
The GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 159 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an “at will” employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are smoke-, alcohol-, and drug-free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best match the requirements of the open position for which the application was submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application 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 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.


Free webinar to address legacy, estate gifts
Stewardship Ministries will host a free School of Stewardship webinar, “5 Offerings You Never Thought to Ask For,” March 29 at 2 p.m. (CDT).Read moreStewardship Ministries will host a free School of Stewardship webinar, “5 Offerings You Never Thought to Ask For,” March 29 at 2 p.m. (CDT).
Finding funds for a church’s ministry can be difficult. In this webinar, Jonathan Twitchell and Mark Lail from the Nazarene Foundation will show participants five types of gifts that can provide a sustainable future for ministry — gifts that many pastors have never even considered. Learn why it’s both practically and spiritually important to ask for out-of-the-ordinary gifts from your congregation, as well as how the Foundation can help you process these gifts.
Time will be reserved for attendee questions. Lifelong learning hours will be credited to all eligible attendees.
Register now to reserve a place at this webinar.[Stewardship Ministries]
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Prayer Mobilization Line for Wednesday, March 23, 2016 "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."[Psalm 73:25-26 NKJV]
Print Version
PRAISES:
For believers in Christ, this is Holy Week—the week where we remember Jesus’s death on the cross and that he was buried in a tomb. We also remember that He rose from that grave and lives in our hearts today. Give praise that we serve the one true God who loved us so much that he allowed his only son to die for our sins.
PRAY FOR:
GLOBAL MINISTRY REQUESTS
Attacks
In recent days, the world has seen several acts of terror that have left people suffering unthinkable loss. We grieve alongside these people as they deal with the aftermath of the attacks, that they sense God’s closeness and comfort in powerful ways. Pray for the people who commit the acts of terror, may God’s love and reconciling peace penetrate their hearts and minds.
Africa West Conference
The Africa West Field* will hold a regional conference in Côte d’Ivorie next week. In light the March 13 terror attack in a city near to where the conference will be held, join our brothers and sisters in West Africa and pray for:
The victim's families as they mourn their loved ones
The Ivorian authorities that God gives them wisdom in this situation
The field leadership team and the district superintendent leadership team in Côte d'Ivoire, that God gives wisdom and discernment during these coming days
God's protection over the communities in Côte d'Ivoire and abroad
God to reveal clearly His will as conference preparations continue
For those traveling by road from other countries to the conference, that with the increased security on the borders there will be no problem with the making their way to the conference
*The Africa West Field is the countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivorie, Guinea Conakry, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.
March Missionary Prayer Focus
Following are requests sent in by missionaries who are part of the March prayer focus. Thank you for praying for:
Gary and Penney Sidle, serving in ZambiaPlease pray for:
Our daughter Lindsay, who is a student at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, is recovering from surgery
Home school for Alyssa and Josiah
An Urban Ministries conference in March, in Lusaka, for district superintendents and key leaders.
Click here to read more requests from the Sidles in Printable PML.
Liliana Reza, serving in ParaguayPlease pray for:
The overall ministry and leadership development in Paraguay
The completion of the Soccer Ministry Project in Fernando de La Mora
For my new home in Paraguay; smooth adaptation and transition
Click here to read additional requests from Liliana in Printable PML.
Anthony and Barbara Manswell, serving in TrinidadPray for Caribbean Nazarene College, that God would raise up young men and women who would be truly sold out to God, and willing to pick up their cross and follow Jesus daily.
Pray that God would raise up people around the world to support Caribbean Nazarene College with their prayers, time, resources, and finances.
Barbara’s father, Edgar Craig, passed away on March 10. Pray for the family during this time of loss.
Click here to read additional requests from the Manswells in Printable PML.
Click here to ream more about the Manswell’s ministry in Engage magazine.
Don and Evie Gardner, serving in KenyaPlease pray for us as we lead field discussions and strategy sessions to reach the cities of Africa East Field
Please pray for our fledgling church in Burundi
Evie’s mom has been facing some medical issues.
Click here to read more about the Gardners in Engage magazine.
Click here to read additional prayer requests from the Gardners in Printable PML.
David and Shelley Webb, serving in Costa RicaOur oldest, Joshua, will graduate from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University on April 30. Pray for God’s will as he seeks employment and also for God’s peace for him at this time.
Our youngest, Kayley, will graduate from high school in June. Pray for God’s will as she has applied to different Nazarene Universities.
We appreciate your prayers as we (David and Shelley) prepare for the transitions that will take place this year.
Click here to read more requests from the Webbs in Printable PML.
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Family of Beatrice Emslie Retired missionary, Beatrice “Betty” Emslie passed away on March 14. A memorial service will be held on March 24, in Durban, South Africa). Betty, together with her late husband, Rex, served in Africa for 31 years.
Family of Geneva Stipp Geneva Stipp, grandmother of missionary Jill Riggins (Philippines), passed away on March 18. Jill, and her youngest child, Audrey, have traveled to Illinois to be with the family. A celebration of Geneva’s life was held on March 23 in Hoopeston. Pray for the Stipp family and for Jill and little Audrey, as they are home with family and then as they travel back to the Philippines.
Thank you for praying.
"Trust God when you cannot trace him. Do not try to penetrate the cloud he brings over you; rather look to the rainbow that is on it.
The mystery is God’s; the promise is yours."[John R. Macduff, Scottish minister and hymn writer]
NMI Prayer Mobilization Line for Wednesday, March 23, 2016 "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."[Psalm 73:25-26 NKJV]
PRAISES
For believers in Christ, this is Holy Week—the week where we remember Jesus’s death on the cross and that he was buried in a tomb. We also remember with ; that He rose from the grave and
lives today in our hearts. Give praise that we serve the one true God who loved so much that he allowed his son to die for our sins.
PRAY FOR:
Attacks
In recent days, the world has seen several acts of terror that have left people suffering unthinkable loss. We grieve alongside these people as they deal with the aftermath of the attacks, that they sense God’s closeness and comfort in powerful ways. Pray for the people who commit the acts of terror, may God’s love and reconciling peace penetrate their hearts and minds.
March Missionary Prayer Focus
Following are requests sent in by missionaries who are part of the March prayer focus. Thank you for praying for:
Gary and Penney Sidle, serving in Zambia
Please pray for:
• Our daughter Lindsay, who is a student at Mt. Vernon Nazarene University, is recovering from surgery
• Home school for Alyssa and Josiah
• We are having an Urban Ministries conference in March, in Lusaka, for district superintendents and key leaders.
• We will be traveling to Zimbabwe in April for training on one of our districts; Gary will be holding leadership training and Penney will be holding children’s ministry training.
• We will be traveling to Malawi in May for graduation and a Board of Trustee meeting
• We have been asked to teach the integrated seminar for the graduates this year
• PALCONS (pastors and laity conference) for Zambia and Malawi in August
Liliana Reza, serving in Paraguay
Please pray for:
• The overall ministry and leadership development in Paraguay
• The completion of the Soccer Ministry Project in Fernando de La Mora
• The continued development of the Missionary Formation Center in Fernando de la Mora
• For a new generation of leaders, pastors, and a passionate Paraguayan church
• For my new home in Paraguay; smooth adaptation and transition
• For opportunities to connect with my new community and neighbors
• For the Work & Witness teams coming to Paraguay, that God may use us in great ways
• For the South American Regional Missions Conference in Rio de Janeiro, in April 2016
• For my overall good emotional, physical, and spiritual health
• For strength, wisdom, and creativity for the Carney family and myself as we work together
• For my home assignment in the USA, July - September 2016
Anthony and Barbara Manswell, serving in Trinidad
• Pray for Caribbean Nazarene College, that God would raise up young men and women who would be truly sold out to God, and willing to pick up their cross and follow Jesus daily.
• Pray that God would raise up people around the world to support Caribbean Nazarene College with their prayers, time, resources, and finances.
• Barbara’s father, Edgar Craig, passed away on March 10. Pray for the family during this time of loss.
Don and Evie Gardner, serving in Kenya
• Please pray for us as we lead field discussions and strategy sessions to reach the cities of Africa East Field
• Pray for Vision 20/20. *
• Please pray for our fledgling church in Burundi
• Evie’s mom has been facing some medical issues.
• Join us in prayer for a new and fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit in our lives, as well as throughout the church in Africa East Field.
• Please pray for the various Bible studies and small groups Evie is leading.
*Vision 20/20 is an initiative of the Board of General Superintendents that encourages every Nazarene pastor and church to envision what their church membership will be in the year 2020.
David and Shelley Webb, serving in Costa Rica
• Our oldest, Joshua, will graduate from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University on April 30. We appreciate your prayers for God’s will for him as he seeks employment and also for God’s peace for him at this time.
• Our youngest, Kayley, will graduate from high school in June. We appreciate your prayers for God’s will as she has applied to different Nazarene Universities and we pray for open doors for her as well.
• We appreciate your prayers as we (David and Shelley) prepare for the transitions that will take place this year.
• We also appreciate your prayers for the countries of Costa Rica and Panama. God is doing special things in both countries, pray for the youth here. We are so excited to see the youth continue to assume leadership roles and to be sensitive to calls to ministry. We
know that in Jesus the best is yet to come!
• Start praying now for the Mesoamerica Region’s Nazarene Youth Conference that will be held in Nicaragua.
BEREAVEMENT
Family of Beatrice Emslie
Retired missionary, Beatrice “Betty” Emslie passed away on March 14. A memorial service will be held on March 24, in Durban, South Africa). Betty, together with her late husband, Rex, served in
Africa for 31 years.
Family of Geneva Stipp
Geneva Stipp, grandmother of missionary Jill Riggins (Philippines), passed away on March 18. Jill, and her youngest child, Audrey, have traveled to Illinois to be with the family. A celebration of Geneva’s life was held on March 23 in Hoopeston. Pray for the Stipp family and for Jill and little Audrey, as they are home with family and then as they travel back to the Philippines.
Thanks for praying!
"Trust God when you cannot trace him. Do not try to penetrate the cloud he brings over you; rather look to the rainbow that is on it. The mystery is God’s; the promise is yours."[John R. Macduff, Scottish minister and hymn writer]
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The Global Church of the Nazarene News: General Assembly theme announced of Nazarene Communication Network News for Friday, March 18, 2016 - This week in the Church of the Nazarene...Volume 1611

Global Ministry Center

BGS announces theme for General Assembly 2017
The Board of General Superintendents announced that the theme for the Church of the Nazarene’s General Assembly and Conventions next summer will be “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.” Read more
The Board of General Superintendents announced that the theme for the Church of the Nazarene’s General Assembly and Conventions next summer will be “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.”
The event will be held June 21-30 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
“After a lot of prayerful discussion, we wanted to emphasize both the oneness of our global church and the diversity of our church,” said David A. Busic, chair of the BGS. “While we celebrate our diversity, we know that what unifies us is greater than our differences.
“There’s a difference between unity and uniformity. Uniformity is everybody has to be alike and act alike. For us, that’s not the best expression of the church as a body. The church is unified — with all of our differences — around one Lord, and so our theme is ‘One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.’”
During each of the event’s five corporate worship services, the general superintendents will focus on the first five “one” phrases in Ephesians 4:4-6, the verses upon which the assembly’s theme is based: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
“Underlying all of those ‘ones,’ one Lord is what holds it all together,” Busic said. “There is no ‘one body’ without one Lord and there is no ‘one spirit’ without one Lord. One Lord defines the unifying core of who we are as Nazarenes.”
Unlike the themes of past assemblies, “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope” will not continue after General Assembly as a quadrennial theme.
“We didn’t want anything to conflict with the ongoing mission of the church, to make Christlike disciples in the nations,” Busic said.
This will be the sixth time Indianapolis has hosted the event. Most recently, the Hoosier State hosted the 2013, 2005, and 2001 assemblies.
General Assembly is the "supreme doctrine-formulating, lawmaking, and elective authority of the Church of the Nazarene" (Manual, 300). The Assembly, conventions (Nazarene Missions International, Nazarene Youth International, and Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International), and additional activities bring Nazarenes from every world region together for a time of business, celebration, and worship.
Nampa, Idaho

Pearsall accepts presidency at NNU
The Northwest Nazarene University Board of Trustees announced Joel K. Pearsall accepted a four-year appointment as president of NNU.Read more
The Northwest Nazarene University Board of Trustees announced Joel K. Pearsall accepted a four-year appointment as president of NNU. Pearsall has been serving the university in an interim role as president since June 2015.
“Over the past nine months, Joel Pearsall has demonstrated that he is well qualified to lead Northwest Nazarene University,” said Randy Craker, chair of the Board of Trustees. “The board heard overwhelming support for his leadership and for his ongoing work. We are confident that the university is in good hands going forward.”
This invitation for Pearsall to serve as president followed input from multiple stakeholders both on and off campus, in-depth analysis, and prayerful consideration. Members of the board repeatedly expressed appreciation for the time and counsel that faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the university offered during this process.
“Joel is praised by his peers as a servant leader who demonstrates humility and integrity,” Craker said. “He has excellent relational skills and is a collaborative leader. He brings a listening ear, a sharp mind, a warm sense of humor, and an ability to make tough decisions. His years of experience on our campus have uniquely prepared him to be a visionary leader who will keep us on mission.”
Pearsall is a graduate of NNU and has a long history of service to the university. In addition to attending the university, he has served on the Board of Trustees, as vice president for Financial Affairs, as vice president for University Advancement and, most recently, as interim president. Pearsall’s father, Kenneth, also served as president of the university from 1973 to 1983.
“I am humbled by this invitation to serve,” Pearsall said. “It is incredibly rewarding to work in this community with such talented faculty and staff. My wife, Nikki, and I both experienced the transformative impact of NNU as students. I am honored to be a part of continuing that impact on the lives of students and the community in the coming years.”[Northwest Nazarene University]
Nepal, Eurasia Region

Nepal blockade over, ministry continues
Nazarenes in Nepal have been persistently pushing forward in all their district’s ministries across the country for the past year in spite of a massive earthquake in April 2015 that devastated entire communities and a six-month border blockade in place from September 2015 to February 2016. Read more
Nepal Nazarenes have persistently pushed forward in all their district’s ministries across the country for the past year in spite of a massive earthquake in April 2015 and a six-month border blockade in place from September 2015 to February 2016.
The border between India and Nepal was closed due to political disagreements. Because Nepal imports all its fuel through India, this created a fuel shortage. Additionally, unrest throughout Nepal added to ground transportation interruptions.
In spite of limited movement throughout the country, and resulting slower-than-expected progress in some ministries, the district organized 11 churches in 2015 with more than 700 new members received.
“Though we were able to organize only a few churches, we are not disappointed,” said Nepal District Superintendent Dilli. “We rely on God and on His strength. We pray for His help and guidance as we participate in the works to expand His kingdom.”
Church planting was less than had been planned but is explained by the fact that workers diverted their efforts from normal activities into earthquake emergency relief and recovery programs, according to Dilli’s report to the district assembly 14 February.
Since then, the district has continued with its holistic ministry efforts, such as a new partnership with Humedica, a medical nongovernmental organization in Germany, to sponsor 200 carefully selected families over three years to bring significant changes to their socio-economic status. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries-Nepal is also applying for funding to establish child-focused community development projects at four village development committees, a program expected to last three and a half years. The district also continues work on long-term rebuilding for families in earthquake-affected areas.
Effects of the fuel shortage
Jörg Eich, Eurasia Region coordinator for NCM, visited Nepal recently during the height of the fuel shortage.
“To visit a project site, it was only possible to go there by motorcycle because the Landcruiser uses too much fuel,” Eich said. “When I bought fuel, it was about 3.50 euros per liter — very expensive. That slows down everything.”
Fuel is not the only transportation hurdle.
“If you want to travel from one place to another place, they have a protest on the highway and have blockage from cities to cities and towns to towns,” Dilli said. “About 200 kilometers of highway links Kathmandu to the eastern part. The southern plain belt of Nepal was badly affected. Vehicles were not allowed to run in this section of the road and, if found, vehicles running there could be burned, damaged, or destroyed by masses of protesters. This is the reason, there was no daytime bus services for people traveling to Kathmandu from eastern Nepal and vice versa for more than four months…. To avoid long and exhausting travel, people needed to take flights.”
As a result, various nonprofit organizations have struggled to help people who lost homes in the 2015 earthquake rebuild with earthquake-proof materials and designs, according to Eich. The border closures meant that shipments of materials from outside Nepal was delayed. With a lack of fuel, delivery of those building materials within the country to reconstruction sites was often interrupted.
“The poverty in the area where the earthquake struck is even higher than before the earthquake because of the destruction,” he said.

Nepal District Superintendent Dilli
Moving forward
Fortunately, the fuel shortage did not seem to affect attendance at the more than 100 local Nazarene churches and the 12 child development centers because the buildings are within walking distance of their regular participants and activities normally occur during daylight hours.
The country’s 15 JESUS Film teams continued ministering during the fuel shortage but required extra persistence in reaching areas they’d chosen to share the film and invite new believers to participate in discipleship.
“Even in this situation, our team did not stop our task,” wrote one JESUS Film team in its monthly report. “We were inviting all village [residents] door-to-door [to watch the film.]”
Another team wrote about one JESUS Film trip: “The border has been blocked for a long time, so in these days no gas, no fuel in the whole country. No vehicles on the road. All Nepalese people have been suffering. We continued traveling eight and a half hours….Physically we became weak. When we reached the village, it was so dark already.”
People traveling to this village accompanied the team and helped them find the way in the dark. Then the team showed the JESUS film with 150 people in attendance, and some expressed a desire to follow Christ, including the family who had guided the team to the village.
Tough times in Kathmandu
Meanwhile, even in the best of times, electricity is often unreliable in Kathmandu, which means there are frequent power cuts to the Nazarene District Center. However, in those times, the center could rely on fuel-powered generators when government-provided electricity was off. Without consistent supplies of fuel, computers, phones, and Internet were inaccessible for many hours of each day without the center’s back-up generators, according to Dilli. For this reason, Eurasia Region Communications had difficulty reaching the center staff during the past several months.
“This really discourages not [just] me and my team and the staff in the center, but this has discouraged a lot of people in the country,” Dilli said when power was on for a few hours 10 February. “Strikes and minor problems, this and that, it’s very common over here. But border blockage we are facing this time, it’s quite different and strange.”
The two to three hours of electricity per day were unpredictable and might even happen in the middle of the night, meaning missed opportunities to charge dead cell phones and laptops. Many people in the cities and towns resorted to outdoor cooking over wood-fueled fire in order to eat. Yet, even this was not always possible: for families renting houses, there may not be enough space outside to cook and rooftops were reserved for use by the landlords.
“Thus families living on rented houses had to find cooking places either on the roadside or in an open field,” Dilli said. “More difficulties they had to face when there was rain and wind while cooking outside the house. Most of the time, families fed ready-to-eat junk foods, such as dry packaged Ramen noodles or potato chips, to their children before sending them to school. This situation compelled several families to leave their homes in the cities and towns and move back to their villages.”
The district is developing a proposal for funding to install solar-powered energy panels at the district center, where the city is blessed with sunlight nearly every day of the year. This will provide more consistent electricity so the staff at the center can work normal office hours and be able to communicate regularly with Nazarenes across the country and internationally.
God-sized goals
During the district's annual assembly 14 February, the district set a goal to organize 30 additional churches in 2016 for a total of 115 within three years. They also plan to start 45 mission churches this year and build four ministry centers.
The Nepal Nazarene church intends on training 300 people in disciple-making and church planting in the next three years and wants to become a self-supporting national church by 2017.[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
Astana, Kazakhstan

Interpreter becomes district superintendent
For Zhanna Yugay, who believed that her own knowledge and hard work were enough to secure a foundation for her life, what began as a simple interpreting job became the start of a faith journey. Read more
For Zhanna Yugay, who believed that her own knowledge and hard work were enough to secure a foundation for her life, what began as a simple interpreting job became the start of a faith journey.
It was 1996 when South Korean missionary Michael Park came to Astana, Kazakhstan. In those days, in a nation climbing out of the ruins of Communism, religious activities and missionaries were rare and many people visited his church out of curiosity.
During the first year, Park preached in the Russian language and, while he could speak it, he wasn’t fluent enough to share the Good News clearly with the people. A solution to this obstacle had to be found.
Knowing that his friend Zhanna Yugay, whose parents were originally from South Korea, could translate from Korean, Park approached her with a proposal to become an interpreter, and she agreed.
Zhanna began to attending the Church of the Nazarene as an interpreter — who did not believe in God. When she studied at the university in Saint Petersburg and later had practical lessons in Moscow, her friend showed her paintings of Jesus at the Tretyakov Gallery, but they never impressed Zhanna. Besides, no one talked about God with her, so faith was a foreign matter, and she knew she could rely on herself.
Park prayed for Zhanna every day to be found by Christ, yet she relied mostly on her mind’s abilities to translate the heartfelt sermons. She was not moved in her spirit by what she was interpreting for the congregation. It took two years from their meeting for the Good News to reach the heart of Zhanna.
Due to a flight delay, she stayed at a pastors’ conference for two additional hours in Chekhov, in the Moscow region.
All the missionaries and pastors prayed together on their knees and Zhanna pretended to do the same while she actually watched everyone. It stunned her to see all these people being so honest and sincere in their prayers, some even with tears in their eyes. A question was born in her mind: “Am I wiser than all these people? Why do I cling to my own way?”
A verse she had heard from 1 Corinthians 1:25 came to her: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” That truth became the catalyst to Zhanna sincerely joining the others in prayer.
“I asked God to forgive me and told Him that He can have my life," she said. "I wanted to be in His hands and to live according to His will. I opened my heart to Jesus Christ and my life has never been the same ever since. There were times when I was overwhelmed with joy and people back in our home church came up to me and told me that I have changed somehow. Within a week, I became a different person. I realized that my reaction to things happening around me has changed, as if my world became brighter.”
Granted, everyday life goes on and Christian faith is not based on emotions only, so Zhanna strives to do everything she can for other people to see the Lord every day in her.
“It’s not easy," she said. "Actually, it would’ve been impossible if not for the Holy Spirit’s support and strength.”
She became a pastor in 2001 after Park talked about the necessity for a local pastor for two years. Zhanna agreed with him but did not think he was actually praying for her to be the pastor, instead thinking about other younger people who were active at the church.
“It was a Sunday, and before the service, I felt so light, and then Pastor Michael asked me to take the role, and I felt the heavy weight settle on my shoulders. For two days, I kept thinking of the reasons why I couldn’t be a pastor," Zhanna said. "However, I did make my decision in the end.”
Later, when a district superintendent was needed, Zhanna was asked to be the interim superintendent after Park had to return to Korea. The other missionary who was getting ready to assume the role had trouble with documents and someone was needed in the meantime. Since she has spent many years working hand in hand with Park, everything was familiar to her. In 2009, former Eurasia regional director Gustavo Crocker decided Zhanna would remain in the superintendent position, and she has been serving ever since. She is also the administrator of the European Nazarene College Central Asia Learning Center.
Although it took several years for Zhanna to recognize her need for God, Michael Park’s prayers for her were finally answered.[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
Los Angeles, California

Bresee Youth Center creates young leaders in Los Angeles
The Bresee Youth Center, situated in a low-income neighborhood where 40 percent of students drop out of high school, is a safe haven where hundreds of youths' lives have been changed through mentoring relationships. Read more

Gabriela is a mentor to younger students through the Goals for Life program. (Photos by Scott Bennett)
Growing up, I watched my mom get abused regularly. My father was a drunk, and I always worried about him fighting with my mom. This went on for years. On the night of August 28, 2009, my father came into the room screaming. My mom sat on the floor with my 3-year-old sister on her lap and my 7-year-old brother standing beside her. She pleaded for him to calm down and sleep because he was scaring us. My father pulled out a gun and pointed it at my mom. I put my small hands on the gun and begged him to stop. He removed my hands and pulled the trigger. I turned to look at my mom, who was now on the floor. ... I lifted her head and held her as she took her last breaths. Moments later, she was gone.
Gabriela*, a high school senior, wrote these words as part of an essay for her college applications. When her mother died, Gabriela was 11, her brother was 7, and her sister was 3.
Statistics suggest that Gabriela’s chance at future success shouldn’t be high. In addition to experiencing trauma at a young age, she lives in a neighborhood known for gangs and poverty in central Los Angeles, California. Her grandparents, who moved from Guatemala to L.A. to care for Gabriela and her siblings, don’t speak much English and are unable to help with schoolwork. Despite the odds, though, Gabriela will graduate from high school later this spring, and in the fall she will begin her studies at a four-year university.
Transforming lives through relationships

Seth Eklund, executive director (third from left), poses with three young men who were part of covenant groups he has led over the years.
Gabriela’s story could have had a dramatically different ending, particularly in a neighborhood with a 40 percent school dropout rate. The same can be said of hundreds of other youth who come to the Bresee Youth Center each day.
The center sits in the middle of a 1.75-square mile area known as the Rampart GRYD (Gang Reduction Youth Development) Zone. It’s the most densely populated area in Los Angeles County, with more than 75,000 people per square mile — including an estimated 805 active gang members who are responsible for nearly 25 percent of the city’s gang-related crimes. More than half of adults age 25 or older never finished high school. In this area of central Los Angeles, about one-third of families are living in poverty. At the Bresee center, though, about 90 percent of the youth served come from low to very low-income levels, and 80 percent come from single parent households.
The numbers can be overwhelming, but instead of focusing on large numbers and statistics, the center’s programs emphasize one-on-one connections.
“Relationships transform lives,” said Seth Eklund, executive director of the Bresee Youth Center, repeating the center’s foundational truth.

Covenant groups are the cornerstone of the relationship-building that takes place with youth at Bresee. In these small groups, a staff member meets regularly with three to five students, typically over a meal, for a full year. The groups use a character-based curriculum, but it’s not a class. Instead, the groups become a place where students can talk openly and honestly about what’s really going on in their lives with a mentor and peers.
“It’s important for kids to connect to each other and to an adult on a deeper level,” Eklund said. “Over weeks, the groups have a deeper bond. ... They’re grounded.”
According to Eklund, the groups, which focus on middle school students, are key because “you’re finding your identity in middle school.”
When students find a sense of identity and belonging through Bresee, they are less likely to seek out those things through gang affiliation. In fact, Bresee’s Gang Prevention program team has provided more than 400 of the most at-risk youth and their family members in their GRYD Zone with intensive case management, family counseling, and youth development activities.
Staff members tell stories of the impact the Bresee center has had by steering youth away from gangs. Gabriel Diaz, who teaches graphic design to students at Bresee and is responsible for the center’s website design, grew up down the street. While he got involved in activities at the center, his best friend got caught up in a gang and wound up being killed. That could easily have been Gabriel’s story as well.
Cynthia Calvillo, who has worked for two years as a family case manager at Bresee, also grew up down the street.
“I was introduced to Bresee in ’98,” she said. “My parents had split up, and I was hanging out on streets a lot. It would have been easy for me to join a gang. I was looking for a support system, to feel like part of something. ... Personally for me, Bresee has been a life changer.”
Learning to lead
Gabriela credits her own covenant group and relationships at Bresee with shaping her life, too.
“At Bresee, you build relationships with the staff,” she says. “I see them as friends, as people I can trust and talk to. Those relationships have changed my life. ... They [the staff] listen to what you have to say and you have a lot of opportunities to speak your mind. They don’t shut you out.”

Now, Gabriela is providing those kinds of opportunities for other students as a mentor through the center’s Goals for Life program. Through the program, older students work with younger students to provide homework help, lessons in life skills and boundaries, and a listening ear.
Luis, a student at a local community college, also served as a mentor through Goals for Life. He says the center was instrumental in his own journey as well.
“I didn’t think I had the leadership ability, but this [program] brought leadership out of me,” he said. “Here, youth take charge. Little by little, you get more responsibility. It has shaped my outlook on life.”
Chheav Em, 30, who has directed Goals for Life for the past few years, says, “The programs here [at the Bresee center] give kids very specific opportunities. We’re trying to grow these kids. We say, ‘You take ownership of this,’ — helping them to see themselves as the change in their community.”
Chheav understands the importance of exposure to opportunities and learning to lead at a young age. Like 40 percent of the staff members, she is a product of the Bresee center herself.

Left to right: Fonda Whitehead, Cristina Aviles, Chheav Em, Cynthia Calvillo, Jasmine Desenclos
Without her time at Bresee, she says, “Many things would be different. ... I don’t think I would have been exposed to the same opportunities.”
Through Bresee, Chheav was able to attend and graduate from Northwest Nazarene University on a scholarship. She says her parents, who fled to the United States from Cambodia, were unable to help her through tough times in college.
“[But] I could always call my mentors and others from Bresee when I felt like I wanted to leave college or whatever,” she said.
Chheav, who is the only Christian in her family, also credits relationships at Bresee with her coming to faith.
“It [Bresee] shaped my worldview in more than one way,” she said. “Then, I questioned everything [about faith], but people would have conversations with me.”
Giving back

Youth leadership shows up throughout the Bresee center, which has employed hundreds of young people over the past 10 years.
Students came up with the idea for the center’s longstanding interactive youth bank, which allows students to earn points they can “bank” to pay for activities such as field trips or outings to amusement parks. Points are earned by doing homework and other activities. The bank is also used to teach the concepts of saving, borrowing, spending, and investing. Youth are the ones who teach the financial literacy class. The motto that goes with the youth bank is “spend some, save some, give some away.”
The concept of giving away goes beyond money and points to lives as well, according to Fonda Whitehead, director of development at Bresee. In addition to building relationships and developing leadership skills, she says Bresee helps students learn to go beyond themselves by giving back.

Fonda models that principle herself.
When she was a student at Bresee, she received the center’s first college scholarship, which allowed her to attend Northwest Nazarene University. After graduation, she came back to work at the center and has been instilling leadership in students for 19 years.
Emma, a high school senior involved in Goals for Life, mentored eighth-grade students last year and is mentoring the same group this year as high school freshmen. She shares the story of one student who struggled with math last year and the way their work together helped that student to improve her grades. Goals for Life has changed the way Emma sees herself and her leadership abilities.
“I feel like my life can impact other people’s lives,” she said. “Before, I didn’t see it, but now I do.”
You can walk throughout the building and see the way the concept repeats itself over and over again. Pedro Joel Espinoza, for example, learned how to make films as a student at Bresee. After earning a university degree, he used video and photography as a documentarian and community organizer. Today, he coordinates Bresee’s teen technology center.

Cesar Ramirez teaches karate at the Bresee Center
As a teen, Cesar Ramirez came to Bresee because they were offering a free karate class. He stuck with it and then started his own martial arts studio. He wanted to give back, so he started a new karate program for the students at Bresee.
Greg Monterrosa, another Bresee alum, co-founded the company MyLLC.com. As a way to give back, he has served on the scholarship board at Bresee, which has awarded more than US$530,000 in scholarships over the past 10 years. More than 110 students have been able to attend universities including the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Pennsylvania, and Smith College.
As a student who is looking ahead to her own future, Gabriela says, “People have changed because of Bresee. It’s changing the lives of kids.”
To learn more about the Bresee Youth Center, visit bresee.org
*Name changed to protect privacy.[Republished with permission from the Spring 2016 edition of NCM Magazine]
Note: The Bresee Youth Center is named after Phineas F. Bresee, first general superintendent and one of the Church of the Nazarene's founders. Bresee spent many of his early years in ministry pastoring and reaching out to the homeless in Los Angeles.

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Eurasia
Idomeni, Greece

Nations close borders to refugees, Nazarenes seek way forward
Nazarene leaders continue to seek a way forward in supporting refugees along the "Balkan Highway" after several nations abruptly closed their borders and the European Union made a deal to send migrants back to Turkey, in exchange for resettling Syrians in Europe. (via Engage magazine) Read more
When missionaries Joshua and Shannon Herndon arrived at the Idomeni refugee camp, at the Greek border with Macedonia, they were struck by the sight of children running barefoot in the mud. Or those who each wore just one shoe.
“Maybe they’re sharing the other shoe with a sibling, or lost it along the way,” Shannon surmised (pictured above).
The Herndons, who are planning to start Nazarene work northern Greece when they relocate there this summer from their current assignment in Spain, visited Greece recently with Western Mediterranean Field leader Bruce McKellips. They had been invited by evangelical leaders already at work in the country, who offered to help the Herndons make connections before they arrive. The group arranged a prayer tour of the country, including a final stop 4 March at Idomeni, where some evangelicals are working alongside other nonprofit organizations to serve Middle East refugees who are waiting to cross into Macedonia.
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.
"Nations close borders to refugees, Nazarenes seek way forward" by Gina Grate Pottenger

When missionaries Joshua and Shannon Herndon arrived at the Idomeni refugee camp, at the Greek border with Macedonia, they were struck by the sight of children running barefoot in the mud. Or those who each wore just one shoe.
“Maybe they’re sharing the other shoe with a sibling, or lost it along the way,” Shannon surmised (pictured above).
The Herndons, who are planning to start Nazarene work in northern Greece when they relocate there this summer from their current assignment in Spain, visited Greece last week with Western Mediterranean Field leader Bruce McKellips. They had been invited by evangelical leaders already at work in the country, who offered to help the Herndons make connections before they arrive. The group arranged a prayer tour of the country, including a final stop 4 March at Idomeni, where some evangelicals are working alongside other nonprofit organizations to serve Middle East refugees who are waiting to cross into Macedonia.

Idomeni had long been just a small, sleepy Greek village situated on a wide open border that allowed locals to cross back and forth freely. Refugees began passing through Idomeni last year on their way from Turkey, leading to an unplanned refugee camp when Macedonia closed off the border several months ago with a chain link fence topped with razor wire.
Just a few weeks ago, Michael Long, a Free-Methodist missionary, had visited Idomeni and told the Herndons he saw just several hundred refugees. The camp was set up for a maximum capacity of 2,000. When he returned with the Herndons and McKellips last week, he was shocked to see it had swelled to thousands. On 9 March, ABCNews.com and DeutscheWelle reported the camp’s population numbered 14,000.

The refugees are standing in lines up to three hours to receive food, which is reaching a point of shortage.
“We were observing that if you were going to eat three times a day, by the time you got your food, you’d have to go to the end of the line and start over,” said McKellips.
“Young men were talking about their entire villages -- the men were being killed. The option was to join [extremist groups], or be killed, or run, so they chose to leave. We heard that story echoed many times,” Shannon said. “They talked about the experience of being stuck. So many people said they had been already a few months in Greece. Once you get from Turkey to the islands, you have to figure out [how to get] from the island you landed on to mainland Greece. A lot of them get stuck on the island for months before they have the finances and ability to move on.”

Many migrants may be stuck a lot longer, or even sent back, as political dominoes fell in rapid succession this week.
On Wednesday, Serbia, Slovenia, Croatia and Macedonia closed their borders to migrants, stranding thousands of people between countries.
Slovenia said no one could cross without valid EU visas.
A number of countries said they would no longer allow Afghani refugees through their borders.
On Tuesday, European Union (EU) leaders made a deal with Turkey that stipulated all new migrants to reach the Greek islands would be returned to Turkey. For each migrant returned to Turkey, one Syrian waiting in Turkey would be officially resettled in the EU (2.75 million refugees are currently in Turkey). One stated objective is to remove the incentive for migrants to embark on dangerous ocean journeys or to be made vulnerable to unscrupulous people smugglers. The details are still being determined.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees swiftly declared the deal illegal and a violation of human rights.

The longer the people are packed into crowded camps, the more vulnerable they become to numerous dangers, from trafficking to illness. One refugee told McKellips that he worried an epidemic could sweep through the camp.
“The majority [of children] you see were sick, whether it was cold or coughs, because they’re in the cold and the wet,” Shannon said. “They don’t have good food to eat, not healthy things that keep your immune systems up and going. You don’t sleep well when you’re in a tent with large numbers of people. The kids, you see them suffering.”

In spite of the short-term and long-term uncertainty created by the rapidly shifting political climate, the Nazarene church in Eurasia, and internationally, is committed to ministering to the needs of refugees in the countries of origin in the Middle East, in their places of transit where the denomination has presence, and in the nations where they are permanently settling, including Germany and Poland. (Read more.)
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Budapest, Hungary
"Region develops coordinated refugee strategy"
Eurasia Region and global Nazarene Compassionate Ministries leaders met with representatives from the Eastern Mediterranean, Central Europe, and Northern Europe fields in early December for the first phase of a plan to develop a coordinated strategy for engaging refugees as they exit their origin countries and travel through or settle on the three fields. The meetings were held in Budapest, Hungary, both in person and through Skype.
Leaders discussed creating a consistent identity for Nazarene workers across the three fields as they intentionally strive to be a safe, dependable, and compassionate presence. Each field is exploring avenues of compassion and opportunities to offer intentional relationship while acknowledging that the influx of people require all cultures to make room, be flexible, and learn from one another.
In an examination of terminology, participants agreed to no longer negatively refer to the current events as a “crisis,” but rather, in recognition that God is sovereignly guiding a kairos (Greek for “right” or “opportune”) moment for the Church, to describe it as a “refugee situation” or “event.” Since some fields, such as Central Europe, are comprised of both transit and destination countries, references to the refugee exodus will be distinguished by origin country, transit country, and destination country.
While three fields were represented in the current meeting, the refugee exodus, transit, and resettlement includes countries from additional Nazarene fields that are also being considered in the strategy.
Eurasia Regional Director Arthur Snijders and Eurasia NCM Coordinator Joerg Eich are meeting this week to review the developed strategy and the funds donated by Nazarenes around the world. [Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
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On 10 March, five people representing the Central Europe Refugee Response Team began a road-trip from Hungary to visit four to five refugee camps at the Serbia-Macedonia border, in Belgrade, and at the Macedonia-Greek border, including Idomeni, according to Teanna Sunberg, who coordinates communication for Central Europe.
“The story of a young Afghani man whose entire family had been killed by [extremists] -- this is the story that captured my heart last night at dinner with 20+ Macedonian and Albanian pastors. Two days ago, [that Afghani man] became a believer,” wrote Teanna on her Facebook page Friday.

One of the group’s objectives is to meet with local, indigenous pastors near these border camps and understand how they are already responding to the refugees. Another objective is to finalize plans to receive a shipment of 300 winterized, multi-family tents that are being provided by Nazarene Compassionate Ministries International (NCM).
“We ordered them a while ago because we realized that when a disaster strikes, it takes a lot of time to get tents ordered and shipped, so we bought a bunch to have on hand for situations like this when they’re requested,” wrote Beth Luthye, NCM communications manager. “The tents are very large and will fit many people, so 300 tents will serve many hundreds of people.”
Jay Sunberg, field strategy coordinator for Central Europe, where most of the migrants are in transit, and McKellips, in whose field Greece is located and where most refugees are first arriving in Europe, have entered into a partnership between their fields to coordinate refugee response going forward. The Central Europe Field is putting into place the framework to bring Nazarene volunteers willing to give up to one month to support ministry to refugees in the camps. Now the leaders are evaluating how they can bring teams of Nazarene volunteers to support other nonprofits already working with the refugees in Greece.
NCM International has established a fund for supporting the Church of the Nazarene’s Refugee Response in Central Europe.
“We have budgets made for refugee response in Croatia and Serbia where we already have ministry happening,” Teanna said. “We know that we will encounter overwhelming needs this week in Macedonia and Greece. We believe that Albania may become a crisis point. If you want to give, this NCM link is dedicated completely to NCM-Central Europe Refugee Response. 100% of what you give goes directly to refugees in the Balkans and our response.”
https://give.nazarene.org/donate/f/125967[ Photos courtesy Joshua and Shannon Herndon.]
Mesoamerica

Flags of the Nations: Nicaragua
Each week, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center proudly flies a flag of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. This week's flag: Nicaragua, Mesoamerica Region. Click "read more" for more information about the Church of the Nazarene in Nicaragua, including what year the church entered the country and how many members there are today. Read more
The national flag of Nicaragua has three equal horizontal bands of blue, white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band. The coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words Republica de Nicaragua on the top and America Central on the bottom.
Since September 1, 2009, each week the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center (GMC) proudly flies a flag 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: Nicaragua
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Nicaragua in 1937.
Nicaragua had a population of 5,907,881 in 2015. That same year, Nicaragua reported 188 Churches of the Nazarene, 181 of which had been officially organized. Nicaragua has 15,820 total members.
Nicaragua has two Phase 3 districts, one Phase 2 district, and one Phase 1 district. It is part of the Mesoamerica Region.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene.
USA/Canada
Cactus, Texas

Building bridges: Texas center ministers to ethnically diverse town
Cactus, Texas, is home to 3,791 people with ethnicities stretching across more than 20 different countries. In this impoverished, highly diverse town, the staff and volunteers of Cactus Nazarene Ministry Center are intentionally and holistically addressing the issues affecting their community. Read more
As the staff of Cactus Ministry Center grows, so do the ministries they are able to offer to children and families. (Photo by Teanna Sunberg)
Nobody around the table at the Cactus Nazarene Ministry Center understood just how prophetic Dana Franchetti’s words really were.
“The face of the U.S. is changing, and it is the responsibility of the Church to answer,” she said. “The fad for my generation is the Great Commissional ‘go,’ but in reality, the nations are coming to us.”
Cactus is a small, impoverished, and highly diverse town in the Texas panhandle. The ministry center sits across the highway from an enormous meat-packing plant — the town’s main employer. It’s tucked behind a Family Dollar discount store.
“You are not in the U.S. anymore,” said Vito Monteblanco, the center’s executive director, a role he shares with his wife, Jenni.
Cactus is home to 3,791 people with ethnicities stretching across more than 20 different countries, including Somalia, Myanmar, Guatemala, and South Sudan. Approximately 50 percent of the people here are of Latino ethnicity; the remaining half come from a range of places yet have one thing in common: They’re all refugees.
Imagining something different

The Cactus center offers recreation activities for children—something the public schools are unable to do. (Photo by Teanna Sunberg)
Vito’s statement is meant to be an orienting marker for people outside the community. Though the postal code of Cactus is in the United States, much of the community’s resources don’t reflect a land of plenty.
Cactus has no after-school activities, no secondary school, and no health care. The nearest doctor is 10 miles away. It’s also classified as a food desert, a place where residents can’t easily access fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy whole foods.
The Nazarene church is intentionally and holistically addressing these issues.
The Monteblancos and their two young children moved to Cactus in 2013 for the purpose of community development and outreach. The family lives in a single-wide trailer that shares acreage with the ministry center.
“We can imagine something different for Cactus,” Vito said. “We do not want to give fish to people. We want to teach them to fish and then help them start a fish market.”
This is the guiding ethos of the ministry center. Emily Burke, a volunteer, expresses intentionality toward humanizing the challenging situation that defines reality for Cactus residents.
“We want everyone in the community to believe what we believe: You have something to offer, no matter what," she said. "We are equal in our humanity.”
Multi-layered ministries

The Cactus Ministry Center hosts scores of volunteers each year to teach English to adults, host summer camps for children, and more. (Photo courtesy of Cactus Ministry Center)
Dana Franchetti, a graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University, is the center’s children and youth program director. She recalls how a city soccer league led to dignity. Two years ago, the center helped 95 children participate in the neighboring city’s soccer program. The next year, Franchetti believed Cactus could sustain its own league. Her decision to charge participants a small fee brought criticism from outside, but Franchetti believed viewing people as capable to pay for something they value, rather than depending on handouts, was a step toward empowerment. If statistics tell a story, then Franchetti was right — 115 kids played soccer, and only five families were unable to pay.
The list of ministries the center hosts is multi-layered and growing. To address the lack of access to healthy, affordable food, the center partnered with Baylor University to provide healthy lunches every day last summer. They served 1,559 meals to children. This summer, they’ll participate again and, with the help of interns from Trevecca, expand it into a summer day camp.
The center serves adults through English classes and parenting courses and will soon include U.S. citizenship classes and GED courses to help people earn a high school equivalency diploma. The aim is to also add a food pantry. By taking a class, individuals can earn points to “spend” at the pantry. It’s a way to validate clients while helping them meet their own needs — a step on the journey to that metaphorical fish market.
Breaking down barriers

The Cactus Ministry Center hosts scores of volunteers each year to teach English to adults, host summer camps for children, and more. (Photo courtesy of Cactus Ministry Center)
Everyone knows that those from the Cactus ministry center are Christians. In fact, the center is home to three Nazarene congregations: one African, one Spanish-speaking, and one English-speaking. Yet a third of Cactus is Muslim, a number that far exceeds the average in most U.S. communities. The Monteblancos and Franchetti function as community chaplains and are frequently invited into the homes of Muslim families.
Learning to be accessible, loving, and Christlike to their Muslim neighbors is not only a priority, it’s also a source of insight and growth. Franchetti remembers talking with a group of Rohingya boys — refugees from Myanmar — before an event called Bundle Up Cactus, which provides coats for kids. It was cold, and not one of the boys was wearing a coat. “Come to the ministry center,” she encouraged. They said they couldn’t take anything with a “t” on it. When the boys saw her confusion, one led her to a nearby church and pointed at the cross. Franchetti understood: Free help from well-meaning Christian organizations often came with a price. At the Cactus center, though, they can find unconditional love.
Just as the nationalities in Cactus transcend borders, so does the ministry there. This spring, a whirlwind 14 teams begin to arrive from other states to help with day camp, feeding programs, English classes, and construction. Then in July, the Cactus ministry team will travel to Serbia and Croatia with the West Texas District. There, they’ll partner with Central Europe Nazarenes in refugee response to thousands of people transiting through the Balkans. The hope is that the teams, separated by an ocean yet dealing with similar challenges, can learn from each other.
“We are building bridges — connecting people,” Franchetti said. “You begin to see that we are all people trying to make connections, raise our kids, feed our families. We are not as different as we think we are. ... The kingdom of God is here."[Republished with permission from the Spring 2016 edition of NCM Magazine]

Quincy, Massachusetts

ENC announces college chaplain
Eastern Nazarene College announced Montague Williams will serve as chaplain to the college. Currently the chair of ENC’s Division of Religion and Philosophy, Williams will continue in that role while assuming leadership of campus efforts to strengthen and unify the college’s academic and spiritual character. Read more
Eastern Nazarene College announced Montague Williams will serve as chaplain to the college. Currently the chair of ENC’s Division of Religion and Philosophy, Williams will continue in that role while assuming leadership of campus efforts to strengthen and unify the college’s academic and spiritual character.
“I have full confidence in Montague’s commitment to Eastern Nazarene College and her mission,” said Timothy Wooster, provost and dean. “It is gratifying to affirm the call of God on his life and to partner toward the academic and faith formation of our students.”
Williams first came to the ENC campus in 2009 as a speaker and adjunct professor before joining the college’s tenure-track faculty in 2012. As chair of the Division of Religion and Philosophy, he oversaw a thorough reexamination of its model of theological education that resulted in a greater emphasis on the role of worship in students’ lives. The division also plans to create a new major in intercultural studies and mission and a summer conference for high school students who sense a call toward missions.
Williams said he is looking forward to strengthening the connection between ENC’s Office of Spiritual Development and the Division of Religion and Philosophy.
“I believe this opportunity to reunite ENC’s efforts in theological formation and theological education is quite timely,” Williams said. “It’s an important move as our college students prepare for lay and vocational leadership in the life of the church in society.”
Williams holds a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in religion from Olivet Nazarene University and a Masters of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary. He is currently completing a doctorate in theological studies at Boston University, where he has served in residential life. He has also served as director of the Summer Institute for the Gifted on the Harvard University campus and pastored youth and families in Chicago, Illinois, and Kansas City, Missouri.
He and his wife, Jennie, live near the ENC campus in Quincy with their newborn daughter, Sophia.[Eastern Nazarene College]


In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received March 14-18, 2016. Read more
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received March 14-18, 2016.
Martin Arni, 79, of Leland, Illinois, passed away March 10. He was a retired minister, serving in Texas, New Mexico, Illinois, and Mississippi. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Arni.
James Blackerby, 86, of Childersburg, Alabama, passed away March 11. He was a retired minister, serving in Florida and Alabama. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Blackerby, in 2006.
Karen Chambers-Zakarian, 77, of Strasburg, Pennsylvania, passed away March 13. She was the widow of retired minister Howard Chambers, who served in Pennsylvania. Howard Chambers passed away in 2003.
Beatrice "Betty" Emslie, 91, of Durban, South Africa, passed away March 14. She was a retired missionary, serving in South Africa. She was preceded in death by her husband, retired missionary Rex Emslie, who served in South Africa. Rex Emslie passed away in 1982. More information will be posted as it is made available.
Robert Griffin, 90, of Denver, Colorado, passed away March 12. He was a minister, previously serving in Indiana and Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Griffin.
Betty Livingston, 90, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away March 14. She was the widow of retired minister W. B. Livingston Jr., who served in Oklahoma and Missouri. W. B. Livingston Jr. passed away in 1992.
Claude Snodgrass, 87, of Bourbonnais, Illinois, passed away March 12. He was a retired minister, evangelist, and educator, serving in Illinois and Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Verneta Snodgrass, in 2011.
John Utterback, 82, of Tipton, Indiana, passed away March 14. He was a retired minister, serving in Ohio and Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Nila (Shaffer) Utterback.
Virginia Wiggins, 86, of Cheraw, South Carolina, passed away March 10. She was the widow of retired minister Paul Wiggins, who served in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Indiana. Paul Wiggins passed away in 2015.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section 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 news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]
Human Resources

GMC employment opportunities
Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the Global Ministry Center is the administrative, mission, and service hub for the Church of the Nazarene's ministries in 159 world areas. The following positions are available: Read more
People are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 159 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email bsikes@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
General Secretary's Office — Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager (Full time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: General Secretary's Office
Title: Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Description: This position offers a wide variety of management duties for the General Secretary’s Office with increasing responsibility for General Board and General Assembly. Tasks for managing the office include oversight of the responsibilities charged to the General Secretary. Time clock management, personnel reviews, morale, and training are among the other duties. Training during GA 2017 will be provided and this person will be hands-on with the planning. Housing for GA 2017 will be a large part of the involvement with GA 2017.
General Superintendents' Office — Administrative Director (Full time)
Office: General Superintendents
Ministry: General Superintendents' Office
Title: Administrative Director
Description: Responsibilities for this position include to serve the Board of General Superintendents by coordinating all activities of the office, keeping superintendents informed about all matters as appropriate. Serve as liaison between the general superintendents and Global Ministry Center personnel, college presidents, and regional personnel. Confidentiality required.
Pensions and Benefits USA — Technology Specialist (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Pensions and Benefits USA
Title: Technology Specialist
Description: This position will assist the technology supervisor in coordinating the technology resources available to each department within the Pensions and Benefits USA office (P&B) by making sure that 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.
Stewardship Ministries — Publications Manager (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Stewardship Ministries
Title: Publications Manager
Description: This position provides administrative, editorial, and workflow support for Stewardship Ministries. Communication through electronic and printed material is required, including content writing and proof reading. Directing general office workflow and specific project management is included in the duties of this position. In addition, this position performs daily, routine office and administrative tasks.
To obtain additional information, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Location of our Positions
The GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 159 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an “at will” employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are smoke-, alcohol-, and drug-free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best match the requirements of the open position for which the application was submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application 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 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.
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The Global Church of the Nazarene News: "General Board exceeds expectations" Nazarene Communication Network News for Friday, March 11, 2016 - This week in the Church of the Nazarene...Volume 1610


First General Board outside USA exceeds expectations
The 93rd Session of the General Board was held 26 to 29 February in Ede, Netherlands, near Amsterdam. It was the first General Board meeting held outside the USA. (slideshow)​ Read more










Ede, Netherlands
The 93rd Session of the General Board was held 26 to 29 February in Ede, Netherlands, near Amsterdam. It was the first General Board meeting held outside the USA.
“This year’s General Board exceeded our expectations,” said David Wilson, general secretary for the Church of the Nazarene. “The Netherlands district superintendent, Antonie Holleman, and Erik Visser, the assistant district superintendent, did an outstanding job of hosting us, and we’re very grateful to them. It was a great experience for us to be there.”
A non-USA location has been a longtime dream of many Nazarenes, including Wilson.
"Ever since I've been general secretary, people have been asking me, 'Are we going to do a general assembly outside of the United States?' and my response has been, 'We need to start with something a little bit simpler,' so we began thinking about taking General Board outside the United States," Wilson said in advance of the meetings.
The sessions were held at Hotel Belmont, a four-star hotel owned by The Salvation Army.
"This location choice is very much a partnership,” Wilson said when announcing the 2016 location. “The mission that they have at the Belmont is incredible. They grow their own organic crops for the hotel and train recovering alcoholics and addicts on how to farm. They also train them in the hospitality industry, so through this partnership, we are contributing to their mission and they are contributing to our mission."
In appreciation of The Salvation Army’s support, the Board of General Superintendents presented Hans Van Vliet, territorial commissioner for the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, a gift to support work at the Belmont.
The Salvation Army and the Church of the Nazarene are both members of the Global Wesleyan Alliance.
General Board highlights included General Superintendent Jerry D. Porter's presentation of the Board of General Superintendents’ annual report, "VISION 2020—Multiplying Christlike Disciples,” 28 February, the recognition of Marilyn McCool for her service as general treasurer, and the missionary sending service, where seven missionary couples were commissioned and two retiring couples were recognized for more than 154 years of combined service.
Convening in late February each year, the General Board has governing responsibility for the international Church of the Nazarene between general assemblies. The board is made up of more than 50 ministers and lay leaders elected by the regional caucuses at the denomination's largest quadrennial event, General Assembly.Darkhan, Mongolia

Missionaries establish yurt churches in Mongolia
The Church of the Nazarene is growing in Mongolia, where three missionary couples have established churches in yurts. (via Engage magazine) Read moreIn the year 1206, Genghis Khan founded the Mongol Empire. Today, 3 million people live in vast expanse of high plains that we call the country of Mongolia. It is the most sparsely populated nation in the word. Most Mongolians are either Tibetan Buddhists or atheists.
Nazarene missionaries Sunny and Lisa Um moved to Darkhan, Mongolia, in 2012. The temperatures in parts of Mongolia are below freezing from November to March, and -40 is common. (-40 degrees happens to be the point where the temperature is the same for both Fahrenheit and Celsius.) Many of the people still live in heavily insulated “Yurts,” locally known as “Gers.” They are round structures covered with tarps and animal skins with thick carpets inside and an oil or wood stove as the heat source.
Their initial assignment, besides surviving the dark bitter cold winter, was to learn Khalkha, the language that 90 percent of Mongolians speak. Language acquisition would be critical if they hoped to make Christlike disciples in this nation with a Christian population of only 2 percent. For many months, their Sunday worship service consisted of Sunny, Lisa, and their daughter. But slowly, they began to see fruit in their ministry and others joined them.
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.
"First Yurt of the Nazarene - Mongolia" by Dave Hane
In the year 1206, Genghis Khan founded the Mongol Empire. Today, 3 million people live in the vast expanse of high plains called the country of Mongolia. It is the most sparsely populated nation in the world. Most Mongolians are either Tibetan Buddhists or atheists.

Nazarene missionaries Sunny and Lisa Um moved to Darkhan, Mongolia, in 2012. The temperatures in parts of Mongolia are below freezing from November to March, and -40 is common. (-40 degrees happens to be the point where the temperature is the same for both Fahrenheit and Celsius.) Many of the people still live in heavily insulated “Yurts,” locally known as “Gers.” They are round structures covered with tarps and animal skins with thick carpets inside and an oil or wood stove as the heat source.
Their initial assignment, besides surviving the dark, bitter, cold winter, was to learn Khalkha, the language that 90 percent of Mongolians speak. Language acquisition would be critical if they hoped to make Christlike disciples in this nation with a Christian population of only 2 percent. For many months, their Sunday worship service consisted of Sunny, Lisa, and their daughter. But slowly, they began to see fruit in their ministry and others joined them.

In 2014, they obtained a long-term lease on property in a poor community outside of Darkhan. Sunny and Lisa observed that many people in that community were sick since their water sources were shallow wells or dirty streams.
In the dry, cold grasslands of Mongolia, water is a precious commodity. So one of their first projects was to drill a deep well on the property that would help provide water for the community. During the week, they charge a minimal fee for the water to help maintain the equipment. But on Sunday, the water is free to everyone! What a beautiful expression of the Gospel Message. “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.'” (John 7:37)
One way the Ums have shared about Jesus' love with the people is through the JESUS film. To make this possible, the Christian Motorcycle Association donated a motorcycle, which they use to reach people with the film. Before Easter one year, they took the film to a community where 30 to 40 adults watched JESUS, and from that group eight began regularly attending worship. Of 20 children who watched the film, about 13-15 regularly attend the church.
On Easter and Christmas, the church prepares a feast and invites neighbors to come eat with them. Afterward they watch the JESUS film together. They also gathered and distributed rice, flour and cooking oil to struggling families on Christmas Day.
As they formed a small congregation, they needed to construct a simple place of worship. With the help of the community, they built a yurt. Every Sunday, a group of faithful Mongolian believers meets in the “First Yurt of the Nazarene.” The next year, a second yurt was constructed.

Although Sunny and Lisa are currently on their home assignment in Korea, a Mongolian believer continues to lead the group each Sunday. Sunny says, “She is doing well as a disciple who disciples others. She already opened a Tuesday Bible group at her friend’s house and through this meeting three new believers come to church… all without my help! Wonderful!”

Last year, the Ums were able to move from just leasing the property to purchasing it. Their next step is to construct a permanent Mongolian-style building, one of the requirements for official recognition by the government. Also, two other Nazarene missionary couples have now joined them in Mongolia, resulting in a growing Nazarene presence in three of the nation’s major cities.
Pray for those who are laboring to make Christlike Disciples where the Church is not yet established in the nation of Mongolia.
Watch a video about this ministry.
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="//www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x3loyl0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3loyl0_%25E3%2585%2581%25E3%2584%25B1-%25E3%2585%2585%25E3%2584%25B1-%25EB%25B3%25B4%25EA%25B3%25A0_people" target="_blank">ㅁㄱ ㅅㄱ 보고</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/sunnyum" target="_blank">sunnyum</a></i>
ㅁㄱ ㅅㄱ 보고 by sunnyum
Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Community shows support for Prince Edward Island church targeted by thieves
Summerside Church of the Nazarene in Prince Edward Island, Canada, received numerous donations after a thief stole a laptop and projector from the building last month. Read moreEdwin Rossiter, who leads the congregation at Summerside Church of the Nazarene, shows two of the laptops donated after one, along with a projector, was stolen from the church in late February. (Journal Pioneer photo)
Rev. Edwin Rossiter is humbled by the outpouring of support his church has received since news broke it was targeted by thieves.
Rossiter leads the congregation at the Summerside Church of the Nazarene.
Late in the day on February 27, someone entered the church, situated in the city’s downtown, stealing a laptop and projector.
The matter remains under investigation by Summerside Police Services.
After a story appeared in this newspaper, Rossiter was flooded with calls and donations, most anonymous, by people wishing to replace the stolen items.
One woman, days after the crime, dropped off “an almost new computer,” while a business that was upgrading their computer system donated its used equipment.
“We had a few more computers dropped off,” Rossiter said with a laugh. “We had a projector donated, as well, from another business that wants to remain anonymous.
“It has just been overwhelming. People cared and were touched by that story and gave us what they had to replace these things for us.”
The reverend called the experience “an opportunity to grow” for his congregation.
“We just want to be part of a loving community and reach out to people who are in need,” he added. “We look out for each other. It is a good thing. We even had a couple of senior citizens ... on fixed incomes say ‘we can’t give a whole lot’ but they donated some money for a new projector.”
Then, Rossiter, who has led the congregation at the church for little over two years, said something many might find surprising.
“That person who took the computer and projector, we have no animosity, we forgive him and wish them all the best.”
Now, thanks to the donations, there’s an excess of laptops for the church to use, one of which will replace the one stolen used by the youth program; the second, to be used by a staffer; and the third, a backup.
“Actually, it has been perfect timing because a lot of our computers were getting older and we needed to look at replacing them,” Rossiter said. “This has been a real blessing for us, as well.”[Republished with permission from the Journal Pioneer]
Tegucigalpa, Honduras

Honduras church removes walls to create community soccer field
Tres de Mayo Church of the Nazarene in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, tore down the classrooms on the first floor of the church facility and replaced them with a soccer field where more than 160 youth play each week. (via Engagemagazine) Read more
It began as a set of classrooms housing ministry to 20 children and youth. It became a soccer field reaching out to 160 young people around the neighborhood. A pastor’s passion and the voice of God prompted the change.
Cristian Juarez is pastor of Tres de Mayo Church of the Nazarene in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras. He was a man on a search. Like most Hondurans, Pastor Cristian is an avid soccer fan, but he also has a passion for ministering to youth. The mix of these two passions is where our story begins.
Cristian had a vision for a soccer field near his Tres de Mayo church where he could invite youth from his neighborhood to come and play. The church occupies a two-story building. The upper level is a new, very commodious sanctuary. The ground level was divided into Sunday school rooms, with twenty children in average attendance. For two years, he searched for an affordable nearby property. Two Nazarene churches in the United States were ready to back the project if he found something suitable. When he could find nothing, one of the churches moved on to support another project.
It looked like his dream had hit a dead end. Then early one morning during his devotional time, he sensed God speaking to him. This is what he heard: “Use what you have. Get rid of the classrooms and open up the space for a soccer field.”
For the rest of the story, see Engage magazine.
"Removing the walls in Honduras" by Richard Gammill

It began as a set of classrooms housing ministry to 20 children and youth. It became a soccer field reaching out to 160 young people around the neighborhood. A pastor’s passion and the voice of God prompted the change.
Cristian Juarez is pastor of Tres de Mayo Church of the Nazarene in Tegucigalpa, capital of Honduras. He was a man on a search. Like most Hondurans, Pastor Cristian is an avid soccer fan, but he also has a passion for ministering to youth. The mix of these two passions is where our story begins.
Cristian had a vision for a soccer field near his Tres de Mayo church where he could invite youth from his neighborhood to come and play. The church occupies a two-story building. The upper level is a new, very commodious sanctuary. The ground level was divided into Sunday school rooms, with twenty children in average attendance. For two years, he searched for an affordable nearby property. Two Nazarene churches in the United States were ready to back the project if he found something suitable. When he could find nothing, one of the churches moved on to support another project.
It looked like his dream had hit a dead end. Then early one morning during his devotional time, he sensed God speaking to him. This is what he heard: “Use what you have. Get rid of the classrooms and open up the space for a soccer field.”

The pastor was shocked at the idea. He went to his church board with his new vision, and they were shocked as well. “Our classrooms are only three years old. They are nice classrooms; why would you want to get rid of them?”
He went to his father, who assisted him in the ministry. The elder Juarez also thought it was a ridiculous idea. “Are you sure it was God’s voice you heard?”
Feeling twice rejected, he spent more time in prayer, seeking assurance of God’s will. He went back to his board and his father. “I truly believe this is how God is leading us, for the sake of the youth in our neighborhood.” Although still skeptical, his board and his father consented to the radical project and agreed to give it their support. The classroom walls soon disappeared, replaced by artificial turf and goals.
Honduran youth are always looking for a place to play soccer. In 2013, when Pastor Cristian’s invitation went out to the neighborhood, two dozen players showed up. In his first year, he had three teams of eight players participating in the ministry. Over the following two years, the ministry grew rapidly. Today, just three years into the ministry, more than 160 youth lace up their shoes every week and play soccer where walls once stood.
The church sees the league as an outreach. The athletes are not required to be Christians but they do agree to attend a youth service every Thursday evening. The players hear the Gospel during Thursday night worship, and they share in team devotions on game days.
Before the walls went down, 20 children and young people attended the Sunday school. Now, over 160 youth who were beyond the reach of the church are presented with the gospel. However, it doesn’t stop there. Pastor Cristian is actively reaching out to the neighborhoods where his players live and there he has established six preaching and teaching points. He also leads an adult league at a soccer field a few blocks from the central market downtown. Through that league, Cristian is ministering to over 200 men each week. Pastor Cristian’s love of youth and soccer have merged into a large field of witness and ministry.

Twenty-five Nazarene churches are located in the Tegucigalpa metro area, notorious for its violence and crime. Hundreds of Honduran children and youth have fled to the United States. As word of Pastor Cristian’s success has spread, many of these churches seek to establish a soccer ministry as a dynamic way to reach out to these at-risk youth.
Tres de Mayo is the first Nazarene church in Honduras to employ an onsite soccer field as an evangelistic tool. That’s about to change. The church leadership in Honduras plans to replicate this ministry throughout the country. Nearly a dozen Honduran churches have property that would accommodate the same type of soccer field that Tres de Mayo utilizes. Other churches will need to find nearby property that is suitable and affordable.
The two districts in Honduras are looking for partner churches (or districts) that will collaborate with them and help this vision become a reality. The concept is to host leagues for youth teams during the day and permit adult teams to rent the fields in the evenings. Once established, each soccer center could be self-sustaining and even help support other types of compassionate ministries.
Jason Courtney, Work & Witness Coordinator, is watching this venture closely. He estimates each soccer field will cost around $10,000 for the building materials, lights, and equipment. He is looking for Work & Witness teams to support this project.
Watch a video about this ministry.

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Swim team gives Olivet first national title
After only four seasons in existence, the Olivet Nazarene University men's swimming and diving team captured the university’s first NAIA national championship. Read more

After only four seasons in existence, the Olivet Nazarene University men's swimming and diving team captured the university’s first NAIA national championship, clinching the 2016 title last weekend in Columbus, Georgia.
The Olivet women’s swimming and diving team, also a four-year-old program, won the National Runner-Up title, marking the team’s highest-ever finish. Amanda Moran became the first swimmer in program history to be named NAIA Swimmer of the Year, and Olivet’s Scott Teeters was named NAIA Men's Coach of the Year for the second time.
“While we have had numerous final four finishes and several national runner-up finishes, this in our first national champion,” said Gary Newsome, director of Athletics at Olivet. “There's just something special about being the best in your field. We are so proud of our swimming program and the accomplishments and dedication of our young men and women."
Men’s team results
The Olivet men’s team won seven individual national championships and two relay titles on its way to 714.5 points and the national title. There were 16 individual All-American performances and five relay All-American honors. Daniil Kuzmin finished with the most honors, winning two individual titles and helping win two relays. He swam a total of eight All-American performances.
Kuzmin, Guilherme Magnoler and Calvin Price all earned their first national champion honors. Tyler Timmer became the Tigers’ first All-American diver.
Four seniors made their final collegiate swim during the championships. Andrew Fischer finished second in the 200-yard butterfly, touching the pad in 1:49.78. Sam Borgman posted a 16:19.49 in the 1650-yard freestyle to finish fourth. Jacob Anderson finished third in the 200-yard backstroke, posting 1:51.39.
Calvin Price took the silver in the 200-yard breaststroke with a time of 2:01.32. Kuzmin earned the seventh of his team-leading eight All-American honors in the 100-yard freestyle, finishing in second place in 45.36. Josh Bouma picked up a third-place finish in the 1650-yard freestyle, touching in 16:11.03.
Anderson finishes his Olivet career as the most decorated swimmer in school history. He has won three individual national titles and three relay titles. In all, he has eight individual All-American awards and 11 relay.
Women’s team results
Olivet Tigers women’s swimming and diving team amassed 502.5 points to secure second place and capture the 2016 NAIA National Runner-Up title. The team won three individual titles, as well as 10 individual and five relay All-American performances.
Amanda Moran inked her name in the NAIA and Olivet record books several times during the national competition. Moran opened the meet by becoming the first female swimmer to win multiple national championships, taking the 100-yard and 200-yard backstroke titles. Moran set a new school record with her 1:59.32 finish in the 200-yard backstroke, finishing the meet with a total of eight All-American performances, three individual and five relay.
Tiffany Ray took first place in the 200-yard individual medley, finishing in 2:05.84.[Olivet Nazarene University]Subscribe to NCN NewsFacebookTwitterContact

Africa

Flags of the Nations: Mali
Each week, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center proudly flies a flag of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. This week's flag: Mali, Africa Region. Click "read more" for more information about the Church of the Nazarene in Mali, including what year the church entered the country and how many members there are today. Read more

The flag of Mali is a tricolor made up of green, gold, and red. The green stands for fertility of the land, gold means purity and mineral wealth, and red symbolizes the blood shed for independence from the French.
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: Mali
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Mali in 2010.
Mali had a population of 16,955,536 in 2015. Mali has not yet reported any Churches of the Nazarene.
Mali is on the Africa Region. For more information about the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = 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.South AmericaPilar, Argentina

South America welcomes new communications coordinator
Lucas Nunes was appointed regional communications coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene's South America Region. Read more

Lucas Nunes was appointed regional communications coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene's South America Region. Lucas and his wife, Juliana, are new missionaries assigned to serve in the regional office in Pilar, Argentina.
Both were born in Brazil, where they married in 2012 and lived until their assignment to Argentina.
As local ministers at Castelo Church of the Nazarene, they served in youth and praise ministries. Lucas was the Nazarene Youth International coordinator for the Sao Paulo Southeast District, where he united 60 churches and 4,500 young people under the theme Unity and Holiness.
The couple wanted to serve God fully through their professions, beyond what they were already able to do in their local church and district and accepted the invitation to serve as missionaries.
Juliana will collaborate with Lucas in this ministry, helping to disseminate the resources produced by the regional ministries.[Church of the Nazarene South America Region]USA/Canada

Moving Ministers: February 2016
Compiled by the General Secretary's Office from district reports, Moving Ministers is a monthly listing of Nazarene ministers in new assignments on the USA/Canada Region. Read more

Compiled by the General Secretary's Office from district reports, Moving Ministers is a monthly listing of Nazarene ministers in new assignments on the USA/Canada Region.
Roles included in the latest report are pastor and pastoral service. Entries were received from February 1 to February 29, 2016.
To view the February report, click here.
For previous reports, see usacanadanazarene.org.Moving Ministers As of:  Tuesday, 8 March 2016 from 2/1/2016 to 2/29/2016
Rev. Matthew R. Angell from Pastoral Service
San Angelo First
San Angelo TX
to Pastoral Service on 2/1/2016
Bartlesville First
Bartlesville OK
Rev. Brandon Michael Arbuckle from Unassigned
MidSouth
Nashville TN
to Pastoral Service on 1/17/2016
Chicago Northside
Chicago IL
Rev. Todd Barker from Pastoral Service
Tulsa Central
Tulsa OK
to Pastor on 1/24/2016
Wayfinders
Rev. Benjamin Beck from Pastoral Service
Lansing First
Lansing MI
to Pastoral Service on 2/1/2016
Lansing BreakThrough
Lansing MI
Rev. Kyle E. Boils from Pastor
Gagetown
Gagetown MI
to Pastor on 1/3/2016
Ridgeway
Britton MI
Rev. Alan Bradley from Pastoral Service
Winter Garden Faith Family Community
Winter Garden FL
to Pastoral Service on 12/13/2015
Minot First
Minot ND
Rev. Timothy L. Bremer from Pastor
Crows Nest
Bellevue NE
to Pastoral Service on 12/1/2015
Omaha Living Faith Community
Omaha NE
Rev. J. Michael Buck from Unassigned
South Central Ohio
Grove City OH
to Pastoral Service on 1/1/2016
Lifepoint
Columbus OH
Rev. Chip K. Bullock from Pastor
Mackey
Mackey IN
to Pastor on 2/1/2016
Napoleon
Napoleon OH
Rev. Lance M. Conn from Pastoral Service
Dothan First
Dothan AL
to Pastoral Service on 12/13/2015
Gallatin First
Gallatin TN
Rev. Michael A. Curry from Pastor
Corcoran Community
Corcoran CA
to Pastor on 2/7/2016
McCall
McCall ID
Rev. Bryan L. Davis from Pastor
O'Fallon New Life
O'Fallon MO
to Pastor on 12/28/2015
Topeka Fairlawn
Topeka KS
Rev. Colin A. Duffy from Pastoral Service
San Diego Mission
San Diego CA
to Pastor on 1/4/2016
Dewsbury
Dewsbury
United Kingdom
Rev. Tyler E. Dunlop from Pastoral Service
Bartlesville First
Bartlesville OK
to Pastoral Service on 1/11/2016
Rochester Calvary Community
Henrietta NY
Rev. Todd M. Ferring from Pastoral Service
Bradenton First
Bradenton FL
to Pastoral Service on 12/1/2015
Severn Grace Pointe Community
Severn MD
Rev. Grant E. Harder from Student
Northwestern Ohio
Saint Marys OH
to Pastoral Service on 2/8/2016
Kingfisher
Kingfisher OK
Rev. Andy Inskeep from Unassigned
Kansas City
Overland Park KS
to Pastor on 2/21/2016
Colville
Colville WA
Rev. Joshua O. Jones from Pastoral Service
Lake City
Lake City FL
to Pastor on 1/3/2016
Crawfordsville
Crawfordsville IN
Rev. Rob Kazee from Pastor
Washington Mosaic
Washington DC
to Pastor on 2/21/2016
New Cumberland
New Cumberland PA
Rev. Susan Kelley from Unassigned
MidSouth
Nashville TN
to Pastor on 3/6/2016
Harvest
Conway AR
Rev. Benjamin G. LaPlace from Pastor
Aiken Ebenezer
Aiken SC
to Pastoral Service on 12/13/2015
Greenville First
Greenville SC
Rev. Caleb L. Miles from Pastor
Clarksville New Hope
Clarksville AR
to Pastor on 2/8/2016
Goodland
Goodland KS
Rev. Michael D. Morris from Pastor
Bridgeway Community
Goshen AR
to Pastor on 12/27/2015
Owensboro First
Owensboro KY
Rev. Richard D. North from Unassigned
Kansas
Wichita KS
to Pastoral Service on 2/8/2016
Dayton Parkview
Dayton OH
Rev. David A. Perdomo from Unassigned
Sacramento
Loomis CA
to Pastor on 1/3/2016
Winona
Winona MN
Rev. Joel Pupo Pupo from Unassigned
Southern Florida
Lake Placid FL
to Pastoral Service on 1/17/2016
Live Oak
Live Oak FL
Rev. Brian L Robbins from Student
Chicago Central
Bourbonnais IL
to Pastor on 3/20/2016
Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph MI
Rev. James J. Rose Jr. from Pastoral Service
Lifepoint
Columbus OH
to Pastor on 1/1/2016
Glasgow First
Glasgow KY
Rev. Wayne L. Searls from Pastor
Jackson
Jackson OH
to Pastor on 1/3/2016
Longwood Parkside Fellowship
Longwood FL
Dr. Michael G. VanZant from Pastor
Louisville Grace Community
Louisville KY
Pastor on 1/3/2016
to Fairmont First
Fairmont WV
Rev. Benjamin T. Vavold from Pastoral Service
Kuna
Kuna ID
to Pastor on 1/24/2016
Hood River
Hood River OR
Rev. Benjamin D. Wallace from Pastoral Service
Bradenton First
Bradenton FL
to Pastoral Service on 12/1/2015
Severn Grace Pointe Community
Severn MD
Rev. Todd R. Wilkes from Pastor
Bernie
Bernie MO
to Pastoral Service on 1/1/2016
Green Bay Hope Community
Green Bay WI
Minot, North Dakota

Prime Time Nazarenes to gather for retreat
Prime Time Nazarenes will gather September 27 to 29 in Minot, North Dakota, for a celebration of holiness, heritage, and harmony.​ Read more

Prime Time Nazarenes will gather September 27 to 29 in Minot, North Dakota, for a celebration of holiness, heritage, and harmony.
Through Prime Time Ministries, the Church of the Nazarene is responding to the large and growing group of mature adults within churches and communities across the USA/Canada Region who offer wisdom, experience, traditions, stability, spiritual maturity, and love for their church and church family. Prime Time Ministries emphasizes the ministry potential that still resides within this age group. Twenty-first-century grandparents are looking toward the future, recognizing the spiritual battle for the bodies and souls of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. These senior adults can model godly characteristics, demonstrate virtuous living, and mentor those coming after them in the Christian faith.
The retreat will be a time of inspiration, relaxation, education, and renewal while also incorporating activities at the 39th annual Norsk Hostfest, North America’s largest Scandinavian festival. Guest speaker will be Don Walter, with worship music by Adam’s Voice. Learn more at primetimeusacanada.org.[Church of the Nazarene USA/Canada Region]

In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received March 7-11, 2016. Read more

The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received March 7-11, 2016.
Walter Boomer, 83, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, passed away March 6. He was a retired minister, serving in Oklahoma and Kansas. He is survived by his wife, Addye "Carole" Boomer.
Edgar Craig, 92, of High River, Alberta, Canada, passed away March 10. He was a retired minister, serving in Saskatchewan and Alberta. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Craig.
Ernestine (Tentori) Reza, 96, of Payson, Arizona, passed away February 2. She was the widow of retired minister and educator Honorato Reza, who served in Mexico and California. Honorato Reza passed away in 2000.
Héctor Santín, 91, of Mission Hills, California, passed away March 1. He was a retired minister, serving in California. He is survived by his wife, Alicia Santín.
Kathryn (Starr) Storey, 82, of Paso Robles, California, passed away March 2. She was the wife of retired minister Leroy Storey, who served in California and Virginia.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section 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 news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]
Global praise reports and prayer requests
Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners. Included this week: Pastors in accident. Read more

Recent praise reports and prayer requests from NCN News, Nazarene Missions International, and JESUS Film Harvest Partners include:
PRAISES
JESUS Film - Cuba
“My husband felt trapped,” said a wife in Cuba. “He felt empty and without a purpose for living. He was addicted to alcohol using all our money to the point of debt. This addiction caused him problems in life, work, and in our family. I prayed for him constantly. He started to have extramarital relations. We were on the brink of divorce. He tried to turn his life around many times, but it was not possible. When he watched theJESUS film, he found himself in Christ. He accepted Jesus as his Savior. He immediately abandoned the wrong ways in his life and is serving the Lord. Our marriage is stable and happy. We go to church together regularly.”
JESUS Film - DRC
“The ladies are working hard,” said Mastaki in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Many faiths do not allow women to be leaders. I have seen the effectiveness of the women who work with the JESUS film and it’s an encouragement to me.”
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Bangladesh pastors
Two pastors in Bangladesh had a motorbike accident on the way to a meeting this week and one is in critical condition.
John Anderson
Retired missionary John Anderson has fast-growing esophageal cancer and the family has been told to enjoy the next few weeks together. As the doctor was delivering the news, John said, “I’ve spent my life telling others about Jesus and I am ready.” The doctor quickly responded, “I am an Egyptian Christian and I grew up with missionaries who are in Egypt in secret.” The Andersons served in India for 32 years.
Sylvia Potter
Sylvia Potter, the 6-year-old daughter of Joel and Bekah Potter, underwent open-heart surgery March 8 to close two small holes in her heart she's had since birth. Both holes were successfully closed and while there is still some concern for her aortic valve, which does not close completely, her parents will talk to the doctor about that later. Sylvia is the granddaughter of missionaries Jim and Kathy Radcliffe (Papua New Guinea) and David and Sylvia Potter (Vanuatu).
BEREAVEMENT
Friday Ganda's father
The father of missionary Friday Ganda passed away March 4, just months after Friday's brother also died. Friday and his wife, Mary, serve in Burundi.
MORE...
For more global concerns and continued requests, see the NMI Prayer Mobilization Line by clicking here or JESUS Film Harvest Partners by clicking here. To share additional praises or prayer requests, please use the comment section below or see the Prayer Mobilization Line's Facebook page.
Human Resources
GMC employment opportunities
Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the Global Ministry Center is the administrative, mission, and service hub for the Church of the Nazarene's ministries in 159 world areas. The following positions are available: Read more


People are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 159 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email bsikes@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
General Secretary's Office — Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager (Full time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: General Secretary's Office
Title: Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Description: This position offers a wide variety of management duties for the General Secretary’s Office with increasing responsibility for General Board and General Assembly. Tasks for managing the office include oversight of the responsibilities charged to the General Secretary. Time clock management, personnel reviews, morale, and training are among the other duties. Training during GA 2017 will be provided and this person will be hands-on with the planning. Housing for GA 2017 will be a large part of the involvement with GA 2017.
General Superintendents' Office — Administrative Director (Full time)
Office: General Superintendents
Ministry: General Superintendents' Office
Title: Administrative Director
Description: Responsibilities for this position include to serve the Board of General Superintendents by coordinating all activities of the office, keeping superintendents informed about all matters as appropriate. Serve as liaison between the general superintendents and Global Ministry Center personnel, college presidents, and regional personnel. Confidentiality required.
Pensions and Benefits USA — Technology Specialist (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Pensions and Benefits USA
Title: Technology Specialist
Description: This position will assist the technology supervisor in coordinating the technology resources available to each department within the Pensions and Benefits USA office (P&B) by making sure that 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.
Stewardship Ministries — Publications Manager (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Stewardship Ministries
Title: Publications Manager
Description: This position provides administrative, editorial, and workflow support for Stewardship Ministries. Communication through electronic and printed material is required, including content writing and proof reading. Directing general office workflow and specific project management is included in the duties of this position. In addition, this position performs daily, routine office and administrative tasks.
To obtain additional information, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Location of our Positions
The GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 159 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an “at will” employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are smoke-, alcohol-, and drug-free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best match the requirements of the open position for which the application was submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application 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 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.Global Ministry Center

Easter Offering quickly approaching
Through the Easter Offering theme, “Lord of All,” we remind ourselves that the calling of our Lord in Matthew 28:19 is a mission with eternal significance. When we pray, give, and serve together, God uses our humble offerings to bring hearts to a saving knowledge of His Son.​ Read more

To Nazarenes around the world:
We eagerly anticipate how God will work through the upcoming Easter Offering for the World Evangelism Fund. For more than 75 years, Nazarenes everywhere have faithfully given of their time, talents, and fundsto make Christlike disciples in the nations through the offering. These gifts have gone on to bless ministries in 159 world areas.
Through the Easter Offering theme, “Lord of All,” we remind ourselves that the calling of our Lord in Matthew 28:19 is a mission with eternal significance. When we pray, give, and serve together, God uses our humble offerings to bring hearts to a saving knowledge of His Son. Gifts given by Nazarenes around the world to the World Evangelism Fund combine to deliver the gospel and compassionate help through schools, church plants, mission hospitals, and more.
We trust in a God who is “the Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.” Please pray for the upcoming offering, that God will lead us to more closely follow and serve Him as we share the message of the Lord of All.
The offering will be received globally on 27 March. Please note that this date may vary for some, depending on the calendar of each field or district.
To give or to download resources for this offering in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Korean, visitnazarene.org/generosity.
Yours in Christ,
The Board of General SuperintendentsForwardShareTweetShare+1

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Prayer Mobilization Line for Wednesday, March 9, 2016 "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."[Psalm 73:25-26 NKJV]
Print Version
PRAISES:
Thomas and James
Praise God for lay people like Thomas* and James*, who after their church's pastor had to flee the country due to death threats, they listened to God's leading and took over leadership roles, allowing the church to re-open. Read the whole story in this edition of Eurasia Snapshots.
*Names changed.
PRAY FOR:
GLOBAL MINISTRY REQUESTS
Burmese People
Leaders in Myanmar have a passion to bring Burmese people to the Lord, not only within the country of Myanmar, but also those who have left and are now in other parts of the world. Pray for the leader’s efforts and for the people who God reaches with the good news of the Gospel through their work.
Sri Lanka JESUS Film
In Sri Lanka, JESUS Film teams have encountered obstacles from people of other religions. Please pray for the safety of the team members and those attending film showings.
Venezuela Life
Venezuela is considered the murder capital of the world. Poverty is rampant. An average monthly income is $25. People stand in line for nine hours just to buy bread.
In the midst of the gloom churches are seeing dozens of people make life-changing professions of faith in Christ. Nazarene leaders ask you to join in prayer for the people of Venezuela. Pray for:
People’s safety
The emotional strain people are under as they work hard to provide even the most basic needs for themselves and their families
Pastors and leaders as they minister to their congregations and communities
That God will pour out His never-ending love and mercy on the people of Venezuela.
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Sylvia Potter
Sylvia Potter, the 6-year-old daughter of Joel and Bekah Potter (Anchorage, Alaska), was scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery on March 8th in Columbus, Ohio. Pray for Sylvia, the doctors treating her, and the family. She is the granddaughter of missionaries Jim & Kathy Radcliffe (Papua New Guinea) and David & Sylvia Potter (Vanuatu).
John Anderson
Retired missionary John Anderson has fast growing esophageal cancer and the family has been told to enjoy the next few weeks/month together. As the doctor was delivering the news, John said, “I’ve spent my life telling others about Jesus and I am ready.” The doctor quickly responded, “I am an Egyptian Christian and I grew up with missionaries who are in Egypt in secret.” Pray for John, his wife, Doris, and the family in the coming days. The Andersons served in India for 32 years.
Motor Bike Accident
Two pastors in Bangladesh had a motorbike accident on the way to a meeting this week. One of the pastors is in critical condition. Please pray for both pastors as they are treated for injuries and that they recover completely.
BEREAVEMENT
Ganda Father
The father of missionary Friday Ganda passed away on March 4. It was just a couple of months ago that his brother also died. Please pray for Friday and his family during this difficult time. He and his wife, Mary, serve in Burundi.
Thank you for praying.
"Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.."[Martin Luther (1483-1546) German theologian and reformer]
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NMI Prayer Mobilization Line for Wednesday, March 9, 2016 "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."[Psalm 73:25-26 NKJV]
PRAISES
Thomas and James
Praise God for lay people like Thomas* and James*, who after their church’s pastor had to flee the country due to death threats, they listened to God’s leading and took over leadership roles,
allowing the church to re-open. The country’s field strategy coordinator says, “Even though the spirit of fear from extremist groups is strong here, after the successful opening of the church we
feet that God will protect the city and build His church in Jesus’ name.” May it be so, Lord Jesus!
Read the whole story in this edition of Eurasia Snapshots.
*Names changed.

Dream inspires pastor to remain in troubled area

When their pastor fled because of death threats, a vibrant church in a secure area* was left without a shepherd. Several lay people stepped forward to take leadership and hold the church together.
One of those is a young business man, Thomas (not his real name), who has faced traumatic experiences and severe pressures from opponents in their society, yet persevered, alongside his wife and two children. This entrepreneur filled the role of pastor for several years.
Now the church is receiving a new pastor, James (not his real name). If not for a life-changing dream, James may not be the pastor today.
In February, the field strategy coordinator (an administrative leader of Nazarene churches over a large area) visited the Nazarene congregations in this difficult area to encourage them, and to issue licenses to Thomas and James to serve officially as pastors.
“We were humbled to see their dedication for the Lord and their support for the ministry,” the FSC said. “Thomas brought a group of young leaders from the church in [the city] to join for the teaching and church opening. I preached three nights in the church, including one service in which we officially reopened the church. It was packed and many pastors from different denominations joined us. It was such an amazing support. I gave the ministry license for Thomas and James and prayed for them.”
During the morning, the FSC and his wife gave discipleship training, finding the people are very hungry and humble to the Word of God.
When asked about his call, James told them that after his pastor was forced to leave for his own safety, James thought that he would leave, too, like many from the church, including almost all the leaders except him and his brother. The church doors were closed because it was built on the roof of the former pastor’s house. The congregation who were still left started to meet in another hall.
He started to sell his furniture. Yet, every time James was ready to leave, his wife got sick and the doctors could not diagnose the problem.
Then he saw a dream. In his dream, his father appeared like a shepherd with sheep around him. Between James and his father there was a river. In his dream, his father called him, “James, can you cross the river and come to me?” James said yes, so he did. His father gave him the shepherd rod and told him to care for the sheep. James looked up to the top of the mountain and saw there a man dressed in white who greeted him. Then the dream was over.
James knew what God was asking him to do. So he went to the Nazarene congregation. They asked him, “Who will take care of us?” He said, “I don’t know. Maybe another pastor.” But they told him, “We want you to lead us.” This was a confirmation from the Lord for him to stay.

James reopened the church, and contacted the FSC asking for funds to buy supplies – James is a carpenter and he wanted to build a new church with his own hands.
People started to attend again. One PhD university teacher, with his wife, said, “We wanted to leave the country after everyone left from the church, but now we will pray and ask what God wants from us.”
Please pray for James, his wife, and their young son, as well as for Thomas, his family, and this congregation.
God restored this Nazarene church after very discouraging times, and if that area will be protected from evil, if it can be protected by God’s power, pray He uses His people who are ready to stand in the gap and live a holy life.
“Please give thanks to the Lord: Even though the spirit of fear from extremist groups is strong there, after the successful opening of the church we felt that God will protect the city and build His church in Jesus’ name,” said the FSC.
*Location and names omitted for security reasons.
PRAY FOR:
Burmese People
Leaders in Myanmar have a passion to bring Burmese people to the Lord, not only within the country of Myanmar, but also those who have left and are now in other parts of the world. God has already opened many doors and there are three Burmese Nazarene churches in Bangkok, Thailand, and small groups meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the United States. The Burmese leaders disciple other Burmese people and help them plant churches wherever they are
located. Pray for the leader’s efforts and for the people who God reaches with the good news of the Gospel through their work.
Sri Lanka JESUS Film
In Sri Lanka, JESUS Film teams have encountered obstacles from people of other religions.
Please pray for the safety of the team members and those attending film showings.
Venezuela Life
Venezuela is considered the murder capital of the world. Poverty is rampant. An average monthly income is $25. People stand in line for nine hours just to buy bread.
In the midst of the gloom in Venezuela, churches are seeing dozens of people make life-changing professions of faith in Christ. Miraculous healings are taking place and the bondage of life-long
addictions and sin released. Nazarene leaders ask you to join in prayer for the people of Venezuela. Pray for:
• People’s safety
• The emotional strain people are under as they work hard to provide even the most basic needs for themselves and their families
• Pastors and leaders as they minister to their congregations and communities 
• That God will pour out His never-ending love and mercy on the people of Venezuela.
HEALTH-RELATED REQUESTS
Sylvia Potter
Sylvia Potter, the 6-year-old daughter of Joel and Bekah Potter (Anchorage, Alaska), was scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery on March 8th in Columbus, Ohio, to close the small hole in her heart that she was born with. Pray for Sylvia, the doctors who will treat her, and the family. She is the granddaughter of missionaries Jim & Kathy Radcliffe (Papua New Guinea) and David & Sylvia Potter (Vanuatu).
John Anderson
Retired missionary John Anderson has fast growing esophageal cancer and treatment would make him miserable and not prolong life. The family has been told to enjoy the next few weeks/month together. As the doctor was delivering the news, John said, “I’ve spent my life
telling others about Jesus and I am ready.” The doctor quickly responded, “I am an Egyptian Christian and I grew up with missionaries who are in Egypt in secret.” It was a God moment for
the whole family and the doctor. Pray for John, his wife, Doris, and the family in the coming days.
The Andersons served in India for 32 years.
Motor Bike Accident
Two pastors in Bangladesh had a motorbike accident on the way to a meeting this week. One of the pastors is in critical condition. Please pray for both pastors as they are treated for injuries and
that they recover completely.
BEREAVEMENT
Ganda Father
The father of missionary Friday Ganda passed away on March 4. It was just a couple of months ago that his brother also died. Please pray for Friday and his family during this difficult time. He and his wife, Mary, serve in Burundi.
Thanks for praying!
“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.”[Martin Luther (1483-1546) German theologian and reformer]
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The Global Church of the Nazarene News: 2016 "BGS Report" The Global Church of the Nazarene Communication Network News of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Friday, March 4, 2016 - This week in the Church of the Nazarene...Volume 1609
Ede, Netherlands

2016 Annual Report of the Board of General Superintendents
Jerry D. Porter delivered the annual Board of General Superintendents' Report during the 93rd Session of the General Board 28 February in Ede, Netherlands.​ Read more
Jerry D. Porter delivered the annual Board of General Superintendents' Report during the 93rd Session of the General Board 28 February in Ede, Netherlands. This was the first General Board held outside the U.S.
Porter's report, titled "VISION 2020—Multiplying Christlike Disciples," was enthusiastically received by the members of the General Board, officers, Global Ministry Center directors and staff, regional directors, Nazarene Publishing House leaders, and guests.
To view a transcript of this report, download a PDF file (7 MB) by clicking below:
English
Español
Français
한국어
PortuguêsANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF GENERAL SUPERINTENDENTS TO THE 93rd GENERAL BOARD of The GLOBAL CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
Monday, 28 February 2016
Ede, Netherlands
“VISION 2020 –
Multiplying Christlike Disciples”
INTRODUCTION
Where there is no vision, the people perish … (Proverbs 29:18, KJV).
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd …
‘this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams’(Acts 2:14, 16–17, NIV).
We, the global Church of the Nazarene, yearn for this prophesy to be fulfilled again. Our sons and daughters will prophesy Kingdom truth with loving courage. Our young persons will embrace bold VISION 2020 Faith Projections with humble enthusiasm. Our senior leaders will
dare to dream of a transforming global holiness movement for the glory of God.
In the majestic name of our liberating Lord, I welcome you on behalf of the Board of General Superintendents (BGS) to the 93rd General Board Session of the Church of the Nazarene.
The desire to further internationalize general meetings and an invitation from General Board member Robert Kegel set in motion the decision for Ede, Netherlands, to become the setting of the first General Board Session in our denomination’s 108-year history to be held outside the United States of America. We have gathered here to praise and worship God for all that has happened and for all that is yet to come in and through the Church of the Nazarene.
To God be the glory!
The General Board is convened not only for organizational purposes; we also pray that this unique General Board experience in the Netherlands will be a means of grace in your lives. You are a vital part of an international community of faith, focused on making Christlike disciples in the nations.
The Beginning Days
Our church’s history in Eurasia dates back to the arrival of our first missionaries to India to 1898, sent there by the general missionary secretary, Hiram F. Reynolds. By 1915, nearly 25 Nazarene
missionaries had served on that field. Reynolds visited the churches and missions in India in 1914—the first superintendent to do so.
Our second point of entry on the Eurasia Region dates to 1906, when Rev. George Sharpe and 80 others established Parkhead Pentecostal Church in Glasgow, Scotland. It was the mother church of the Pentecostal Church of Scotland, which merged in 1915 with the Church of the Nazarene.
A Nazarene presence in the Netherlands became possible in the 1960s through Jeanine van Beek, a Dutch Nazarene from New Zealand, who was on her way to pastor a church in West Germany.
She was joined by Cor and Miep Holleman, Hetty van Houweninge, Willem and Ria deVries, and Jerald Johnson in planting the Church of the Nazarene in a country which would become the 17th largest economy in the world.
It was Jerald Johnson, as district superintendent of the Middle European District, who organized the first church in Haarlem in January 1967 with seven charter members. He temporarily assigned himself as pastor and commuted 482 kilometers (300 miles) from Frankfurt, Germany.
In 1976, Cor Holleman was appointed as the first national district superintendent for the Netherlands.
2 To his son, District Superintendent Antonie Holleman, to Eurasia Regional Director Arthur Snijders, and to the 2,300 Nazarenes in the Netherlands, we say dank u wel for hosting the 2016 General Board!
Appreciation 
It is one thing to organize and plan a General Board less than 14 kilometers (nine miles) from the Global Ministry Center, Lenexa, Kansas, USA. It is quite another to work out the details of that
process 7,730 kilometers (4,493 miles) away.
To General Secretary David Wilson, Susan Metcalf, Diane Miller, Elizabeth Kuhns, Shirley Marvin, Allison Bergerat, Jeff Beam, and the Global Ministry Center information technology staff, the Board of General Superintendents offers its deepest appreciation for careful facilitation of this historic General Board Session.
To Renee Rotz and the BGS office staff for the preparation required for the Board of General Superintendents, thank you.
And to Dale Jones, Rich Houseal, and the Global Communications Office for their professional assistance, ¡Muchas gracias!
2015 IN REVIEW
Part I: External
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33, NIV).
Our denomination serves in 159 world areas and in countless cultures and subcultures. The external environment for our internal core values—Christian, holiness, and missional—varies dramatically over the earth’s estimated 7.3 billion inhabitants.
Most of the populace is connected by some form of media, social or otherwise, which permeates nearly every aspect of life. What happens in one part of the world, such as the terrorist attacks in Paris, San Bernardino, Istanbul, or a Starbuck’s coffee shop in Jakarta, Indonesia, immediately gets our attention.
Social Change
Nazarenes in certain countries continue to see increased social change, breaks from long-held cultural norms, and decreased freedom of religion. Changing laws relating to human sexuality pose serious challenges to churches, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and businesses that uphold biblical standards of marriage and the sanctity of human life.
On 26 June 2015, the general superintendents released a statement regarding decision of the Supreme Court of the United States to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide:
We remind our people that while the civil law of yet another country has changed, divine truth has not changed … Our commitment to the orthodox biblical Christian faith remains the same. We continue to call Nazarenes around the world to a life of holiness, characterized by holy love and expressed through the most rigorous and consistent
lifestyle of sexual purity. We further call our people to a generosity and graciousness of spirit that extends kindness to those who do not share our belief. We pray that God will help us be examples of His truth in a world that needs to see God’s love demonstrated in word and deed more than ever.
On 14 February 2016, through participation in Freedom Sunday, Nazarene congregations around the globe took a stand against human trafficking. Last year, more than 200 congregations worldwide participated in the event through prayer, worship, preaching, and support of church based anti-trafficking ministries. This is the third year the Church of the Nazarene has joined other denominations in observing Freedom Sunday.
It is when the world seems upside down that God strengthens our faith and opens new doors of opportunity:
At present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials. This is no accident. It happens to prove your faith which is infinitely more valuable than gold (1 Peter 1:6–7, Phillips).
Christians are called to prevail in prayer when reaching the lost and engaging the culture.
Writing to the church at Colossae, Paul says:
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:2–6, NIV).
“Take heart,” Jesus said to His disciples. “I have overcome the world.”
The Refugee Situation
For many, it is hard to comprehend the scope of the current refugee situation, as rarely in modern history have so many been so desperate to flee in search of refuge.
Perhaps the most shocking image last year was that of the body of a Syrian boy, three-year-old Aylin Kurdi, washed up on the Turkish shore.
The Kurdi family was making a final, desperate attempt to flee to relatives in Canada. Syria was already at war when Aylan Kurdi was born. He died, along with his five-year-old brother, Galip, and mother, Rehan. Their father, Abdullah, survived.
The scope of the refugee situation is staggering.
According to 2014 figures from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, right now there are almost 60 million refugees and internally displaced people around the globe—one in every 122 people worldwide, the equivalent of the entire population of Italy being forced from their homes.
During this refugee situation that is reshaping Europe and the world in which ministry takes place, the Board of General Superintendents called on the Church of the Nazarene to respond.
Nazarenes are among those who have had to flee their countries to escape violent conflict … Nazarenes are also among those who have had to flee because faith in Jesus has put their
lives in danger. And Nazarenes are among those who have been ministering to refugee families who are seeking safety and hope.
The denomination is working through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to support care for refugees through sensitive and generous local churches.
Middle East Field Strategy Coordinator Rev. Khalil testifies of bold Jordanian and Lebanese Nazarenes who are ministering to hundreds of Muslim Syrian families, offering them love and basic provisions. Nazarenes are also providing education for refugee children who are unable to enroll in local schools. As they embrace faith in Christ, scores of these displaced persons have asked to be included in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
In Hungary, Nazarenes have been providing food, blankets, and tents for refugee families caught in transit in both Budapest and Roszke on the Hungarian/Serbian border. Now that the border has closed, a team of Nazarenes on the ground in Serbia is partnering with another denomination to meet emergency needs of refugees there.
Many refugees headed for Europe come from cultures that place much value on hospitality, so there could be no greater expression of love and welcome than the community hosting an abundant meal for their new neighbors.
That is exactly what happened on 17 October 2015 when a network of churches and organizations in Gottmadingen, Germany, including the Church of the Nazarene, welcomed 60 refugees to their community by hosting a banquet with international foods, live music, cultural
presentations, and plenty of conversation.
“The refugees gave testimony of where they came from. There was a big map of the world and they showed the places they had gone through to reach Germany,” said Ludwig Duncker, pastor of the Gottmadingen church. “There were several activities to show the local people what the refugees had experienced.”
When leaders on the West Texas District, USA, were contacted by a nonprofit organization in need of space to house 200 immigrant and refugee children from Central America, they did not hesitate.
“It was a unanimous decision,” said the district superintendent. David Downs. “We are honored to receive these children while they are awaiting placement in the United States.”
The boys, ages 13 to 16, stayed at the district campground, Camp Arrowhead. Some will be reunited with their families in the United States, while others will go into foster care.
Word Action, an imprint of Nazarene Publishing House, in response to the refugee situation, has developed two free small group lessons that explain how Christians can engage in the social needs of today's world.
During this refugee situation, we remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was an immigrant (translation of Greek word: xenos) and you welcomed me.” The BGS, in a December 2015 letter, said, “We are asking our global church family to pray and minister to those in need.” This is a wonderful opportunity for the Church to demonstrate and embody Kingdom values.
Part II: Internal
Jesus said, “I will build my church … you make disciples”(Matthew 16:18, 28:19, NIV).
Jesus expected His disciples to reproduce His likeness in others. He imparted the message and mission to the disciples in order that they would reproduce themselves in others and make disciples who would make disciples, even in the midst of great strife. As we intentionally make disciples, Jesus builds the Church.
Christendom has become a 2.3 billion-member movement today, after starting with only twelve disciples. The analogy of the Vine in John 15:1–17 speaks to our mission. The purpose of the Vine (Jesus) and the branches (us) is to bear fruit. Christians are to work for and expect a harvest (Matthew 9:37–38, Luke 10:2).4
The Harvest
Churches of the Nazarene continue to be characterized by their evangelistic fervor. Evangelism is the first step in multiplying Christlike disciples. In 2015, pastors reported just over 209,000
conversions. Praise the Lord!
These new Christ-followers are embraced by the church in the sacrament of baptism. Likewise, Jesus was baptized by his cousin John: “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John” (Matthew 3:13, NIV).
In the Great Commission, we are commanded to baptize these new disciples:
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you … (Matthew 28:19–20, NIV).
John Wesley had this to say about baptism:
By baptism, we enter into a covenant with God, an everlasting covenant, are admitted into the church, and made members of Christ, made children of God.5
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, often referred to as the Prince of Preachers, said that up until the time he was baptized, he was afraid to confess Christ. Thereafter, he lost all fear of man and never again hesitated to boldly profess his faith.6
The 89,000 Nazarene baptisms in 2015 are testimonies to the church embracing and welcoming new believers. 
The General Secretary’s 2015 report also testifies to the addition of new congregations.
• 994 new “centers of holy fire”
• 656 churches organized 
• 29,945 churches worldwide, with 21,912 organized
• 28,658 active churches, up 517 from the previous year.
• 143,076 New Nazarenes
• A record total global membership of 2,441,372
• Average weekly worship attendance of 1,498,482
• A record average global Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries attendance of 1,210,871. The Church of the Nazarene Statement of Mission is “to make Christlike disciples in the nations.” We celebrate the continued attendance growth at Bible studies and
fellowship groups.
It is important for new disciples
• to join the fellowship as members.
• to regularly participate in worship.
• to be joined into small classes in order to grow into Christlikeness.
• to be personally, continually discipled, while intentionally discipling others.
We will obey the Lord’s instructions to make disciples! Who is discipling you? Who are you discipling?
Summary
The Annual Pastors’ Report records quantitative indicators of health and growth. Even these measurements are inadequate because of the creative access areas where it is difficult and dangerous to count disciples and churches. What is more difficult to measure, however, is thequalitative evidence of holiness, Christian maturity, and the spiritual power that God expresses in and through us to carry out the work to which we have been called.
In John 5:17 (NLT), Jesus responds to the complaint about healing the beggar on the Sabbath by saying, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” Our hope is in Christ who never ceases working and who never fails. This same Lord now sends us to work when He says, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard” (Matthew 20:1, NIV).
To our pastors, laity, district superintendents, educators, Sunday school teachers, evangelists, compassionate ministry workers, chaplains, JESUS Film crews, and those who represent the mission of the Church of the Nazarene—the general superintendents express heartfelt gratitude for your faithfulness and your fruitfulness. Ultimately, you serve for the approval and applause of an audience of one, the Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrate your prayers, your labor of love, your passion to bring others to Christ, and your obedience in personally and intentionally making Christlike disciples in the nations.
For what is recorded and unrecorded, we say:
Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.[Thomas Ken, 1674]
Missionaries
Phineas F. Bresee, one of the founders of our church and its first general superintendent, often said, “We are debtors to every man to give him the gospel in the same measure as we have received it.” That statement became the clarion call of the denomination. Out of it grew a flourishing world mission enterprise that has been the hallmark of the Church of the Nazarene.8
With an ever-increasing number of indigenous leaders, in 2015, the denomination reported 706 missionaries and their 327 children deployed from 50 world areas, including 302 Mission Corps
volunteers, 301 short-term volunteers, and 8,484 Work & Witness team members. All of these missionaries receive support from World Evangelism Fund through Global Mission and other offices of the Global Ministry Center.
During recent years, Extreme Nazarene has helped to mobilize over 300 missionaries from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Perú, Scotland, the United States of America, and Venezuela to work in church planting.
These are four pastors of newly launched congregations in Ecuador, Chile, and Argentina.
On Monday evening, fourteen candidates will be presented for missionary appointment, and two couples, Lindell and Kay Browning along with Jim and Kaye Williams, will be honored for their many years of service as they move into retirement.
Nazarene Publishing House Turnaround
Nazarene Publishing House (NPH) continues to make significant progress since the 2015 General Board met. NPH is making great strides toward regaining financial stability while maintaining its long-standing tradition of providing Wesleyan resources in the areas of discipleship curriculum, books, and music. The leaders have prayerfully restructured as they focused on increased efficiencies and cost savings.
As a result of the 2014 staff reduction and a changing business model, the NPH Board has approved the sale of the administrative offices located at 2923 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri, USA. That transaction will take place in early 2016 with administrative offices located close to the present site.
In another move forward, NPH announced the relaunch of Lillenas Publishing Company, which was founded in 1924. The production of new product was halted in late 2014.
The leadership team, led by Chief Executive Officer Mark Brown, is creating a new future for the 103-year-old NPH. The Board of General Superintendents expresses deep appreciation for the NPH turnaround. Special thanks goes to the loyal customers across the Church, the
committed NPH employees, and the NPH Board, comprised of Chair Bob Brower, Monte Chitwood, Keith Pardue, and David Graves.
NPH is vital to the overall global ministry of the Church of the Nazarene as Wesleyan holiness content continues to be produced, translated, and distributed worldwide. NPH currently has no debt, and it is anticipated that when the 2015 financial audit is released, NPH will have operated in the black for the first time since 2004.
NMI 100th Anniversary
October 2015 marked 100 years of Nazarene Missions International mobilizing the church. The anniversary culminated with the NMI 100th Anniversary Project.
Ninety districts around the world joined the celebration, adopting 283 initiatives submitted by the regions, and pledging more than $4 million. Projects included, among other things, flashlights to show the JESUS Film south of the equator and support of a Russian orphanage. Districts could adopt more than one project. The Netherlands District adopted 16 projects, providing poultry and
sheep so that Armenian women could better care for their families.
One of the most adopted initiatives included districts purchasing motorcycles to help pastors show the JESUS Film and build Nazarene churches in remote areas. West Virginia North District (USA) provided six motorcycles for Nazarene workers in Nepal.
The Papua New Guinea Kudjip hospital was another well-supported effort. The hospital was started by Nazarenes in 1967 to provide preventive and curative medicine, as well as spiritual healing through the message of the Lord Jesus Christ. Initiatives were submitted in hopes of raising $100,000 to provide housing and water for the hospital. Districts gave more than $200,000, which, through matching grants and other means, God multiplied to actually reach $2
million.
Thank you, Nazarene Missions International.
A GLOBAL SYSTEM OF MISSION—BETTER TOGETHER
“One of the practical reasons for the church lies in her cooperative service accomplishing that which cannot otherwise be done.”9
Samuel Young, General Superintendent (1948–1972)
Our History
The Church of the Nazarene has a storied history:
Our church is a Wesleyan denomination whose organization on a national basis took place at Pilot Point, Texas, USA, in 1908. Its membership at that time was drawn from associations of churches which had appeared within the previous two decades.
These parent bodies were products of a spiritual awakening which during the previous half-century had cultivated the doctrine and experience of Christian perfection, or entire sanctification.
The history of the Church of the Nazarene, therefore, properly begins with the story of what was called the “holiness movement” of the nineteenth century. The holiness movement was born of great revivals. It prospered from the newly employed energies of lay men and women preachers. And it was in large measure centered in the cities.
That is how a commission of Nazarene historians summed up the beginnings of our church ahead of the denomination’s 50th Anniversary in 1958.10
Creating a System of Mission
No religion can live without organization. It requires form and order.
As Oswald Sanders wrote in his classic work, Spiritual Leadership, “Subtle dangers lie in organizations, including an overreliance on structure as a substitute for the Holy Spirit. But lack of method and failure to organize has spelled doom for many promising ministries.”
Someone once characterized the Church of the Nazarene as having a “knack for organization.”
In the early days, that gift became evident during a series of financial crises in which young leaders used those critical moments to reshape the church’s unique system of mission.
In the 1920s, leaders such as R. T. Williams, E. A. Girvin, E. J. Flemming, J. G. Morrison, and Mervel S. Lunn were instrumental in creating the General Board and General Budget and gaining stronger footing for “foreign missions.” 
The ten board structures that predated the General Board’s creation in 1923 were consolidated into what was first called “General Council,” then “General Board.” That body consisted of six clergy and six laity chaired by the BGS. The recommendation from the general superintendents to create the General Board was approved by the 1923 General Assembly. “The assembly demolished with one blow” the old board structures, writes historian Timothy Smith.
Nazarenes responded accordingly, showing strong financial support in response to a “spiritual rejuvenation” taking place within the denomination during that time.11
Funding the Mission
In 2015, Nazarenes gave $38.1 million to World Evangelism Fund (WEF).
Based on 18,937 churches reporting financial data, 25.2 percent gave 5.5 percent or more to WEF, 46.0 percent gave something to WEF, and 28.8 percent reported no WEF giving. We celebrate this generous support of the Church of the Nazarene.
• $30.1 million was given to Mission Specials.
• The $68.2 million combined total for World Evangelism Fund and Mission Specials came from generous and sacrificial Nazarenes who know that one cannot out give God. Thank you for unselfishly funding the mission.
It was never the intention of the BGS or the General Board to ask local congregations to take 5.5 percent of their income and remit it to fund the global mission. The 5.5 percent global World Evangelism Fund is ONLY a way to calculate a generous visionary goal that will be reached by offerings such as Faith Promise, Easter, Thanksgiving, Prayer and Fasting, and other WEF contributions. We say thank you to every congregation that has invested in these Great Commission offerings. Is it time for every local church to embrace a 5.5 percent missions giving goal for this year? Is it time for every Nazarene congregation to testify to the reality of our Lord’s Kingdom principle that “it is more blessed to give than to receive”? (Acts 20:35, NIV)
Distribution of Funds
During the 2009 General Board Session, the BGS made a commitment to provide greater access to general church finances. Since funding the mission is built on trust, transparency, and accountability, the General Board and Nazarene donors need to know how much is given and
where those funds are invested.
The General Treasurer’s Office and Stewardship Ministries publish numerous information pieces in print and online to show the distribution of donor gifts from World Evangelism Fund and Mission Specials. The Distribution Report, which you have received, shows that 86.1 percent went toward field ministries, and 13.9 percent went to support and delivery.
The Mission Infrastructure
The purpose of financial and administrative infrastructure is to support the spiritual infrastructure. The general church has had several funding models since its inception in 1908.
Originally, multiple boards raised their own funds; then a unified system of giving called “General Budget” was created in 1923 and renamed “World Evangelism Fund” in 1997. The church has had a long history of managing the healthy polarity of unified and designated giving.
World Evangelism Fund, under general supervision of the BGS (Manual 317.11), continues to be the “lifeline” of discretionary ministry and organizational support. WEF is the basis for the general church budgeting process and provides needed assistance for the denomination’s longterm viability.
Mission Specials plays a vital role in ministry fulfillment as well. Mission Specials gives Nazarenes the opportunity to support Alabaster, LINKS, JESUS Film, Mission Corps, Work & Witness, and Compassionate Ministries, all of which are essential to the health and strength of the denomination. Mission Specials giving exists in tandem with World Evangelism Fund, making it possible for donors to personally engage in urgently needed, effective, specific
opportunities.
The Church of the Nazarene Foundation, which was begun in 2004, distributed $5.1 million for Kingdom work in 2015. Donor Advised Funds and Charitable Gift Annuities each now approach
$5 million dollars. Endowments that will provide revenue well into the future increased to over $7 million dollars (13.54 percent). We are grateful to districts and local churches that have invested over $65 million in assets for ministry under Foundation management.
Donors give through a system built by World Evangelism Fund, which ties together local churches, districts, regions, educational institutions, and compassion. For nearly eleven decades, Nazarene generosity has made missionaries, indigenous leaders, and wider ministry possible.
What Nazarenes often see and experience as an international church is the fellowship and inspiration of general assemblies, General Board sessions, and regional conferences. What they do not always see is that World Evangelism Fund is largely responsible for making those venues come to life.
For example, here are expenses for the 2001 through 2013 general assemblies:
This chart represents total expenses of General Board sessions 2012 through 2015:
And here is a summary of expenses for Global Mission regional conferences held in or scheduled for 2015–2016:
General assembly, General Board sessions, and Global Mission regional conferences are all made possible because of generous WEF giving. (Not in reading copy: General Assemblies, General Boards and Regional Conferences are funded with annual accruals for designated
purposes.)
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, JESUS Film Harvest Partners, and other global partnerships make critically important contributions to the church. Those entities exist and collaborate because there is a WEF-funded system in place to make Christlike disciples in the nations.
Here are two questions: Will succeeding generations of Nazarenes continue to value this “cooperative service accomplishing that which cannot otherwise be done”? Are we truly “better together”? That idea was at the heart of a mission funding discussion held at 2015 General Board. The focus of our time during the Monday morning plenary here in the Netherlands will be to look at next steps in crafting the right mission funding strategy. In doing so, it is essential that storehouse tithing (Manual, paragraph 33.1) be seen as foundational in support of the whole church.
The BGS will again want your feedback in Part 2 of this important discussion on financial stewardship.
BETWEEN TWO TRUTHS
As children, we enjoyed singing and doing the motions of the chorus, “Deep and Wide.” We sang, “Deep and wide, deep and wide, there’s a fountain flowing deep and wide.” This chorus may have been inspired by the prophecy of Isaiah:
Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower … God’s resplendent glory, fully on display. God awesome, God majestic … Tell fearful souls, “Courage! Take heart! God is here, right here, on his way to put things right …” Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness, streams flow in the desert. Hot sands will become a cool oasis, thirsty ground a splashing fountain … There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It’s for God’s
people exclusively … (Isaiah 35:1–8, MSG).
The glory and the beauty of God’s majestic fountain is that it flows both DEEP AND WIDE.
If it only flows deep, it is limited to the few who are near and can draw from the deep well. If it only flows wide, it is too shallow to go very far, and it will dissipate in the desert sands of life.
VISION 2020 foresees a gracious movement of God throughout the Church of the Nazarene that is both DEEP AND WIDE. 
I remember that one of my theology professors, Rob Staples, warned us about the dangers of heresies. “I have no doubt you students will preach and teach a heresy from time to time. I just want you to know when you are doing so. It will allow you to make the necessary correction the next time you teach or preach. Good theology is usually two truths in tension. If you exaggerate one truth too much, you fall into a heretical ditch. You stay on the orthodox path when you maintain both truths in healthy tension.”
We can see this in our cardinal doctrines. Is God one or is God three? If we emphasize “one” or “three” too much, we are teaching heresy. Is God one or is God three? That is a trick question because it tempts a person to emphasize one half of the theological truth. So, is God one or is God three? The only correct answer is YES!
Was Jesus Christ divine or human? If we emphasize either truth and diminish the other, we have fallen into one of the many Christological heresies. Is Jesus Christ all God or all man? YES!
Is God sovereign or are we responsible for our choices? YES! Some denominations have emphasized one half of the theological truth and have fallen into the heresy of teaching that God predestines some persons to be saved and some to be cursed. Other movements teach the heresy that God observes and reacts to our decisions but has no sovereign divine will.
When I was a seminary director in Costa Rica, I participated in many faculty discussions about how best to prepare women and men for ministry. Usually our heated and sincere exchange of ideas emphasized one strategic truth while undervaluing another. Should we emphasize resident or extension theological education? Do we want to graduate practitioners or theologians? Do we prefer single or married students? Do we recruit young, immature students or older, more mature students? Do we want high quality ministers or a great quantity of ministers? YES to all the above!
VISION 2020 must be DEEP AND WIDE. We are not satisfied with a small, dwindling, global huddle of deeply committed, entirely sanctified Nazarenes any more than we are satisfied with a
growing mass of shallow believers. As we invite every Nazarene pastor and congregation to embrace numerical VISION 2020 Faith Projections of membership, worship attendance, Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries attendance, and church multiplication, do we only care about the numbers? NO! VISION 2020 is an invitation to affirm again that quality and quantity are not mutually exclusive. In fact, if we decide to emphasize either half of this healthy
tension, we will fall off the “Highway of Holiness.”
The worship of numbers is idolatrous and arrogant. The study of numbers may also be diagnostic and celebrative. When I go to the doctor, I expect exact numbers that indicate my weight, cholesterol level, blood pressure, sugar level, etc. If my doctor tells me he does not worry about numbers but is only interested in my state of mind, I will change doctors. The Old Testament records a census of the Israelite nation that was condemned by God because of the arrogance of the King.
On another occasion, Jehovah mandated a census, as recorded in the book of Numbers. Some of the very persons who dislike numerical goals for evangelism, discipleship, and church planting are the same ones who carefully scrutinize the financial reports. We need to be as concerned about numbers of persons as we are about numbers of dollars.
As the BGS envisions a global church membership of 3.5 million Nazarenes in 50,000 congregations by 2020, do we emphasize evangelism or discipleship? YES! Do we emphasize strengthening existing congregations or launching new “centers of holy fire”? YES! When we embrace the faith projection of 2.5 million persons in worship and 2.5 million in discipleship groups, which of these is most important? YES!
The BGS and our representatives at every district assembly have been sharing global VISION 2020 Faith Projections:
2015 2020
Total Membership 2,441,372 3,500,000
Worship Attendance 1,498,482 2,500,000
SDMI Attendance 1,210,871 2,500,000
Total Churches and Missions 29,945 50,000
The BGS has invited every local Nazarene pastor and congregation to humbly embrace its own VISION 2020 Faith Projection. Our hearts have been deeply moved by the faith and vision of these godly leaders. Here are the current VISION 2020 Faith Projections from the Global
Mission regions:
VISION 2020 Faith Projections
Members Worship Attendance SDMI Attendance Total Churches*
Africa 1,012,000 658,000 708,000 10,270
Asia-Pacific 200,000 200,000 100,000 2,510
Eurasia 423,000 324,000 229,000 11,330
Mesoamerica 569,000 427,000 476,000 4,870
South America 550,000 350,000 400,000 4,655
USA/Canada 796,000 719,000 547,000 9,000
TOTAL 3,550,000 2,678,000 2,460,000 42,635
*Total churches = new church goal plus existing churches.
The local church faith projections match or surpass the BGS vision, except in the area of new congregations. We trust every Nazarene church to embrace the VISION 2020 Faith Projection of at least one new outreach ministry cell during the next four years.
The BGS invites the General Board to join us in prayer for a mighty Holy Spirit revival that would sanctify, empower, and mobilize our global family in the seven characteristics of a Nazarene:
1. Meaningful Worship
2. Theological Coherence
3. Passionate Evangelism
4. Intentional Discipleship
5. Church Development
6. Transformational Leadership
7. Purposeful Compassion
What motivates our work of “making Christlike disciples in the nations”? Why are we so desperate to reach the VISION 2020 Faith Projections?
There once was a rich man … wasting his days in conspicuous consumption. A poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, had been dumped on his doorstep … Then this poor man died, and was taken up by the angels to the lap of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. ‘Father Abraham, mercy! Have mercy! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water to cool my tongue. I'm in agony in this fire.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child … there is a huge chasm set between us …’ The rich man said, ‘Then let me ask you, Father: Send him to the house of my father where I have five brothers so he can warn them …’ Abraham answered, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets … Let them listen to them.’ ‘I know, Father Abraham, but they're not istening.’ Abraham replied, ‘If they won't listen to Moses and the Prophets, they're not going to be convinced by someone who rises from the dead’(Luke 16:19–31, MSG).
VISION 2020 is urgent because the eternal destiny of our generation depends on us.
In November 2014, I joined over 500 Peruvian Nazarene pastors who gathered in Chiclayo, Peru, as part of the Centennial Celebration of the Church of the Nazarene. We rejoiced to see all that God had done in raising up a glorious church of over 65,000 Nazarenes.
I told my Peruvian brothers and sisters that we had four basic options:
1. Shrink the church: Let’s get rid of some Peruvian Nazarenes who are not genuinely sanctified. No pastor agreed with that option.
2. Maintain the church: Let’s do whatever we have to do to maintain our current number of Nazarenes. No pastor agreed with that option.
3. Grow at the current rate: Let’s continue making slow, steady progress in evangelism, disciple making, and church planting. Again, no pastor agreed with that option.
4. Grow by multiplication: I told each pastor to tell his or her neighbor, “¡Pon la moto en segunda!” Shift the motorcycle to second gear!
We have been enjoying steady growth, adding believers and congregations. Would the Lord be pleased if the Peruvian Nazarene church moved to multiplication? Will the global church move to multiplication?
Luke records that there was a similar shift in the New Testament church. “The word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem …” (Acts 6:7, NKJV).
Later in the narrative, Luke reports the same shift took place with the churches: “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied (Acts 9:31, NKJV).
When we shift the motorcycle into second gear, the motor does not rotate any faster, but the wheel turns faster. When we go to third gear, the wheel turns even faster. It is time for the Church of the Nazarene to no longer be satisfied with adding and subtracting disciples and congregations. By the grace of God and with the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, we will not rest until we multiply disciples and churches.
If we experience the multiplication of disciples and congregations, will they truly be Nazarene?
Which do we prefer, qualitative growth in Christlikeness and holiness or quantitative growth by multiplication? YES!
Growth by multiplication must be by two or more. If we multiply by zero, we end up with zero; multiply by one and the number is the same. If the New Testament church was multiplying disciples, that meant that Luke saw 3,000 become 6,000; then there were 12,000 disciples who became 24,000! The New Testament churches were also indefinitely reproducible. They were not dependent on property, buildings, funding strategies, or ordained clergy. 
I was deeply moved when the Brazil district superintendents announced their VISION 2020
Faith Projection of doubling the Brazilian Church of the Nazarene by 2020. They want to see every disciple make a new disciple and every congregation launch a new church.
My wife and I have been honored to serve the Church of the Nazarene as pastor, missionary, seminary director, regional director, district superintendent, and general superintendent for 44 years. We have seen this church in all her glory and her occasional lethargy. As we move toward our retirement as general superintendent in 17 months, we celebrate the amazing advances of our beloved Zion around the world. We also yearn to see our church step into the full stream of the Holy Spirit’s activity in this amazing global harvest.
Last November my wife and I traveled to Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary. In the Spiritual Formation class, she taught awesome students from the Philippines, South Korea, China, Papua New Guinea, the United States, and Myanmar about prayer. Meanwhile, Clark Armstrong, Bill Wiesman, and I taught a class, “Urban Church Multiplication.” With more than 50 percent of the world’s population now living in towns and cities, we must find a way to multiply congregations in the urban areas. So, which is more important—prayer or church multiplication? YES!
You and I have a choice to make. Will we embrace the new vision and shift to multiplication?
Will we dare to believe that the Church of the Nazarene can grow in holiness while it also grows numerically?
Walls of Unbelief
[Jesus] returned to his hometown . . . On the Sabbath, he gave a lecture in the meeting place.
He made a real hit … “We had no idea he was this good!” they said … But in the next breath they were cutting him down: “He's just a carpenter—Mary's boy. We've known him since he was a kid … Who does he think he is?” They tripped over what little they knew about him …
Jesus wasn’t able to do much of anything there—he laid hands on a few sick people and healed them, that’s all. He couldn't get over their stubbornness (Mark 6:1–6, MSG).
The Lord could not do what he wanted to do because of the unbelief of the “Nazarenes.” Of course, they were Nazarenes because they lived in Nazareth, but we may also be guilty of unbelief. Do we ever put handcuffs on God, limiting the Lord’s activity? Yes, the Holy Spirit respects our free will. We will never be forced to pray, to have faith, or to obey the Lord’s mandates. We can quench, resist, or even disobey the Spirit. When we choose to be negative, critical, or cynical, we limit what God can do in us, in our family, in our church, and in our community.
My Faith Releases God
As Jesus entered the village of Capernaum, a Roman captain came up in a panic and said, “Master, my servant is sick. He can’t walk. He’s in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I’ll come and heal him.” “Oh, no,” said the captain. “I don’t want to put you to all that trouble. Just give the order and my servant will be fine …” Taken aback, Jesus said, “I’ve yet to come across this kind of simple trust in Israel, the very people who are supposed to know all about God and
how he works …” Then Jesus turned to the captain and said, “Go. What you believed could happen has happened.” At that moment his servant became well (Matthew 8:5–13, MSG).
In this passage, Jesus was amazed at the faith of the Gentile Roman soldier. The word that Matthew used to describe the Lord’s reaction in this passage is the same word that Mark used when describing the Lord’s amazement at the unbelief in Nazareth. While the military captain magnified Jesus’ action, the Lord’s hometown folks resisted, thereby diminishing the Lord’s activity.
Today we have a choice. Some have commented that the BGS should not set high faith projections. Some feel it is laughable to envision the gain of one million Nazarenes in only five years. The truth is, if we knew the Lord was coming back in 2020, we would all become bolder and more desperate in sharing the good news with those around us. If each Nazarene brings one person to Christ and the church, we will surpass the 5 million mark, to the glory of God!
What Is Our Motivation
Nine-tenths of the bickering and fault-finding and suspicion and criticism among us, laymen and preachers, general and district superintendents, would disappear if we were properly joined up in an all-out crusade for souls.[J. B. Chapman, General Superintendent, 1928–1947]
Perhaps the right question is, who is our motivation? The Vision 2020 Faith Projections are motivated by Christ’s love for the lost that overflows in our hearts.
Last month, I was honored to preach at the newly launched Ibarra, Ecuador, Open Door Church of the Nazarene. The response was heartwarming as over 30 persons embraced saving faith in Christ. Among them was a woman sitting next to my wife, Toni. She was weeping during my message on the new beginnings that Jesus Christ offered the Samaritan woman (John 4). Toni prayed with her as she moved from spiritual death to life. That is what stirs our hearts and motivates our evangelism, disciple making, and church multiplication.
Why is VISION 2020 so urgent?
The destiny of our generation is in our hands.
We are not satisfied with the results thus far.
We invite the General Board, the Global Ministry Team, district superintendents, pastors, and leaders around the world to take the handcuffs off the Lord by being persons of faith, obedience, and availability. If we describe what God cannot do, we become part of the reason the Lord’s activity is limited. However, if we embrace bold VISION 2020 Faith Projections, intercede for the lost and the church, and become radically obedient to the Spirit’s leading, we will bring to the Lord a precious harvest that is both DEEP AND WIDE! 
I prepared this report while visiting our brothers and sisters in Cuba. During the last two years, 800 lay leaders accepted the challenge to dedicate their Saturdays to training and church
planting. Six hundred new cell churches have been launched. Today, 111 pastors are training 2,272 lay church planters.
May we all join the faith, commitment, and vision of our Cuban colleagues.
Every region has VISION 2020 stories. I encourage you read and be inspired by the account of these miracles of God’s grace when this report is posted on Nazarene.org.
Remember this:
Anything that God has ever done … He can do now!
Anything that God has ever done anywhere … He can do here!
Anything that God has ever done for anyone … He can do for you![A.W. Tozer]
Joel prophesied: “What a day! Wine streaming off the mountains, milk rivering out of the hills, water flowing everywhere in Judah, a fountain pouring out of God's Sanctuary, watering all the parks and gardens!” (Joel 3:18. MSG)
There is a fountain flowing DEEP AND WIDE. With God’s help, we will do our small part.
And God will majestically intervene allowing us to participate in a gracious multiplying harvest of a host of radically committed, Christlike, Nazarene disciples who make disciples. Amen!
Prayerfully and respectfully submitted,
Board of General Superintendents
David A. Busic
Gustavo A. Crocker
Eugénio R. Duarte
David W. Graves
Jerry D. Porter
J. K. Warrick
Prepared and read by Jerry D. Porter
bgs@nazarene.org
Footnotes
1 Nazarene Archives, Global Ministry Center
2 Mission to the World, J. Fred Parker, Nazarene Publishing House, 1998
3 The Atlantic 2015
4 Christian Research Institute
5 John Wesley, A Preservative Against Unsettled Notions in Religion, p. 146-150, as quoted in Millennial Harbinger, Volume 1
by William Kimbrough Pendleton and Theological Writings on Various Subjects by Peter Nead.
6 Charles H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon at His Best, comp. Tom Carter (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1988), 20.
7 For consistency and accuracy, the general superintendents draw from the General Secretary’s Annual Statistical Report. The
source of that information is the Annual Pastor’s Report (APR).
8 Mission to the World, J. Fred Parker, Nazarene Publishing House, 1998
9 The Nazarene Pastor, August/September 1961, Vol. 14, No. 6, page 2
10 Called Unto Holiness, Vol. 1, Timothy Smith, Nazarene Publishing House, 1962
11 Ibid
12 Cash receipts from general treasurer’s office for each of these categories may be different from general secretary’s report.
13 General Treasurer’s Office
14 Office of the General Secretary
15 Global Mission Finance
Ede, Netherlands

Retiring missionaries recognized at 93rd General Board
The Church of the Nazarene's Global Mission office was pleased to announce the following retiring missionaries during the final meeting of the 93rd Session of the General Board in Ede, Netherlands. Read more
The Church of the Nazarene's Global Mission office was pleased to announce the following retiring missionaries during the final meeting of the 93rd Session of the General Board in Ede, Netherlands.
The missionaries were presented with a sculpture as a token of thanks. Global Mission, under the direction of Verne Ward III, would like to express its deep love and appreciation to all four individuals for their many years of selfless dedication to God, the church, and all of those whose lives have been impacted by their ministry. Together, they have given more than 154 faithful years of service to God through the Church of the Nazarene.

Lindell and Kay Browning
Years of service: 37
Locations: Jordan, Israel, Cyprus
Life Verse: "Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
Lindell and Kay are grateful to the Lord and the Church of the Nazarene for calling, equipping, and sending them to serve the people of the Middle East. In the part of the world that has been plagued by conflict and violence, God protected, provided for, and blessed their family. The Church of the Nazarene in the Middle East has not just survived, but thrived.
For more information on the Brownings' ministry, click here.

James and Kaye Williams
Years of service: 40
Locations: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Asia-Pacific Region
Life verses: "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others" (2 Timothy 2:2), "If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand" (Psalms 37:23-24).
A highlight of Jim and Kaye’s years of service is having the privilege to train many pastors and missionaries for the churches of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other areas of the Asia-Pacific Region. They quietly rejoice in the Lord each time they remember that some of them are training others among many people groups in at least 10 countries beyond the reach of their own ministry.
2016 Missionary Candidates
The Church of the Nazarene's Global Mission office recommended 14 missionaries for appointment. These seven couples were recognized before the General Board during its final session.Bourbonnais, Illinois

Leading voices to speak at Compassion Conference
The Church of the Nazarene, through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, is hosting a global Compassion Conference July 14 to 16. The event will feature leading voices on the role of the Church in engaging with communities through transformational ministry. Read more
The Church of the Nazarene, through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, is hosting a global Compassion Conference July 14 to 16. The event will feature leading voices on the role of the Church in engaging with communities through transformational ministry.
Speakers include Eugene Cho, founder of One Day’s Wages and author of Overrated: Are We More in Love With the Idea of Changing the World Than Actually Changing the World? and Jo Anne Lyon, founder and former CEO of World Hope International, member of the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and general superintendent of The Wesleyan Church.
The conference, which will be held at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois, will also feature David Busic, a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene and leader in the Swaziland Partnership to reduce the rate of HIV/AIDS and assist vulnerable children; Gustavo Crocker, a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene and former vice president for programs at World Relief; Celestin Chishibanji, a pastor and compassionate ministries coordinator in Democratic Republic of the Congo; and Deirdre Brower-Latz, principal of Nazarene Theological College in Manchester, England, and senior lecturer in pastoral and social theology.
Compassion Conference is a global event designed to bring together church and regional leaders alongside learners and practitioners to equip churches for holistic, transformational ministry.
The conference will also feature capacity-building workshops led by experts in areas including community development, disaster preparedness, holistic child development, anti-human trafficking, ministry to displaced persons, organizational capacity, holistic ministry, and more. Featured workshop leaders include Jennifer Roemhildt Tunehag, global human trafficking taskforce member for the World Evangelical Alliance; Matthew Soerens, U.S. director of church mobilization for World Relief; Jamie Aten, founder of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College; and Dan Brewster, director of holistic child development academic programs for Compassion International.
Pre-conference sessions will also be available, and any group within the church is encouraged to take advantage of the conference space to host meetings for their leaders or create their own pre-conference workshops.
“I’m so excited and privileged to be one of the speakers at your upcoming Compassion Conference,” said Eugene Cho, who also serves as pastor of Quest Church in Seattle, Washington. “I’m learning why theology matters so much. Our theology, rooted in Scripture, it really informs our practice, how we live these things out — why mercy, compassion, justice ought to matter to the church. … I hope that you’ll come and join us, and, together, we might encourage one another and grow deeper into the heart of the character of God."
Early Bird pricing is available through March 31. Student pricing is offered, and group rates are also available.
For more information or to register for the conference, visit compassionconference.com.
Questions regarding the conference, including group rates and preconference space, can be sent toinfo@ncm.org.[Nazarene Compassionate Ministries]Kansas City, Missouri

NPH provides free small group lesson for US election year
Nazarene Publishing House’s curriculum division — WordAction — has developed a special free lesson for U.S. small groups and Sunday school classes. Read more
Every U.S. presidential election is packed with emotion. This has never been more true than in 2016. Christians respond to this emotion in many ways — some work to ignore the sound bite publicity while others boisterously engage in promoting a specific candidate. There is so much emphasis tied up in talk of winners and losers that it’s easy to forget that a believer’s hope is in God, not an earthly ruler.
In view of the upcoming election, Nazarene Publishing House’s curriculum division — WordAction — has developed a special free lesson for small groups and Sunday school classes. The goal of this lesson is to help us recast our political hope by challenging the claim that history is written exclusively by the powerful. Through a careful study of 2 Kings, we find that trusting God’s faithfulness is plenty political; it has real implications for our communities, the world, and the kind of political hope we can find in it all.
To download this free lesson, click here.[Nazarene Publishing House]Scripture Focus
2 Kings 4:8 One day Elisha visited Shunem, and a well-to-do woman living there pressed him to stay and eat a meal. After this, whenever he came through, he stopped there for a meal. 9 She said to her husband, “I can see that this is a holy man of God who keeps stopping at our place. 10 Please, let’s build him a little room on the roof. We’ll put a bed and a table in it for him, and a stool and a candlestick. Then, whenever he comes to visit us, he can stay there.”
11 One day Elisha came to visit there, and he went into the upper room to lie down. 12 He said to Geichazi his servant, “Call this Shunamit.” He called her; and when she arrived, 13 he said to him, “Tell her this: ‘You have shown us so much hospitality! What can I do to show my appreciation? Do you want me to say anything to the king for you? or to the commander of the army?” She answered, “I’m happy living as I do, among my own people.” 14 He said, “What, then, is to be done for her?” Geichazi answered, “There’s one thing — she doesn’t have a son; and her husband is old. 15 Elisha said, “Call her.” After he called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 He said, “Next year, when the season comes around, you will be holding a son.” “No, my lord,” she answered. “Man of God, don’t lie to your servant!” 17 But the woman conceived and gave birth to a son the following year when the season came around, just as Elisha had said to her.
18 When the child was old enough, he went out one day to be with his father, who was with the reapers. 19 Suddenly he cried out to his father, “My head! My head hurts!” He said to his servant, “Carry him back to his mother.” 20 When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he lay on her lap until noon; and then he died. 21 She went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door on him and went out. 22 She called to her husband and said, “Please send me one of the servants with a donkey. I must get to the man of God as fast as I can; I’ll come straight back.” 23 He asked, “Why are you going to him today? It isn’t Rosh-Hodesh and it isn’t Shabbat.” She said, “It’s all right.” 24 Then she saddled the donkey and ordered her servant, “Drive as fast as you can; don’t slow down for me unless I say so.”
25 She set out and came to the man of God on Mount Karmel. When the man of God saw her in the distance, he said to Geichazi his servant, “Look, here comes that Shunamit. 26 Run now to meet her, and ask her, “Is everything all right with you? with your husband? with the child?” She answered, “Everything is all right.” 27 But when she reached the man of God on the hill, she grabbed his feet. Geichazi came up to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone. She is in great distress, but Adonai has hidden from me what it is, he hasn’t told me.” 28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Didn’t I say not to deceive me?” 29 Then Elisha said to Geichazi, “Get dressed for action, take my staff in your hand, and be on your way. If you meet anyone, don’t greet him; if anyone greets you, don’t answer; and lay my staff on the child’s face.” 30 The mother of the child said, “As Adonai lives, and as you live, I will not leave you. He got up and followed her. 31 Geichazi went on ahead of them and laid the staff on the child’s face, but there was no sound or sign of life. So he went back to Elisha and told him, “The child didn’t wake up.”
32 When Elisha reached the house, there the child was, dead and laid on the bed. 33 He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to Adonai. 34 Then he got up on the bed and lay on top of the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes and his hands on his hands. As he stretched himself out on the child, its flesh began to grow warm. 35 Then he went down, walked around in the house awhile, went back up and stretched himself out on the child again. The child sneezed seven times, then opened his eyes. 36 Elisha called Geichazi and said, “Call this Shunamit.” So he called her; and when she came in to him, he said, “Pick up your son.” 37 She entered, fell at his feet and prostrated herself on the floor. Then she picked up her son and went out.; Matthew 5:13 “You are salt for the Land. But if salt becomes tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except being thrown out for people to trample on.
14 “You are light for the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Likewise, when people light a lamp, they don’t cover it with a bowl but put it on a lampstand, so that it shines for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
17 “Don’t think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete. 18 Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pass from the Torah — not until everything that must happen has happened. 19 So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness is far greater than that of the Torah-teachers and P’rushim, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
The Word to Live By
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its salitiness, how can it be made salty again?" (Matthew 5:13)
Session Truth
Christian life calls us to the way of Jesus, which may be different than the political conventions of our time.
A Home Among My People
THE CAMPAIGN MESSAGE
From the dawn of creation, the God of Christian faith began to provide order in the midst of chaos. If you’ll notice, much of what is taking place in Genesis 1 has to do with placing things in order: light from dark, day from night, land from sea, and so on. It was that order that allowed life to flourish. Political life is really about how things ought to be best ordered for life to flourish: How should humans be ordered together? How should we order our resources so that our neighbors can flourish? 
Politics, seen in this list, isn’t about holding power for the sake of holding power. It is about faithfully stewarding our life and resources in this time between the beginning of God’s creation and the time when God will bring new creation. Is there a political vision that can guide Christians toward that kind of political life?
THE PRIMARY
On election night, 2012, I was at church. We were holding a service that night, and between elements of the service, I noticed a small group of young men who were huddled toward the back of the building, peering at cell-phone screens, looking for the latest election information. On the line was the political future of their country.
For some of them, they were nervously hopeful that the election results were trending Political Life and the Kingdom of God in a way that was favorable to them. For others, they were nervously hopeful that the trend wouldn’t hold. The significant point I saw in that group was that everyone was nervous.
Primarily, I think they were nervous because so much was on the line
for them. The way the world would be governed was going to be decided that night. Some hoped it would be governed according to a particular political party’s platform, and some hoped it would be governed according to an opposing party’s vision. Each were dedicated to some version of political options that were given to
them by the available selections.
The learning outcome of this lesson is not to argue for or against any of the political options given to us by the systems of governance, but to encounter a vision of political life in the way of Jesus Christ, who lived, preached, and taught a different vision of political life. Jesus’ life and ministry opens our eyes to an approach to political life which takes seriously the strange ways that God is redeeming the world, even when those ways make little
sense according to the political options given to us by the world around us.
2 Kings is a challenging, strange, and fascinating political book, which is why we will focus our attention there for this lesson. It continually presents differing approaches to political life and asks the reader, “Which of these political visions  will capture your imagination?” On the one hand is what we will call the “world of
kings.” It’s the political world as we often encounter it, a world that traffics in political agendas which favor the powerful and
insist that history is written by kings in their might. On the other hand is what we will call “the world of the kingdom,” a vision of political life which sees that God is writing history through God’s
own faithfulness to the weak, the poor, and those forgotten by human history.
The hope, then, is that a holiness engagement with political life will not primarily be about aligning ourselves with one of the political options given to us by the kingdoms which surround, but
about offering to the world a completely different vision of political life – that of the way of Jesus, who opened new options for political engagement by his path-carving embodiment of a king who is lifted up not on a throne, but on a cross.
STEPPING INTO THE STORY
Background
Many scholars believe that 2 Kings was composed during a time of Israel’s exile from their homeland. In the midst of being taken into political captivity by a foreign king, the composition of 2 Kings serves to remind a holy people of their calling and challenge them to not lose their distinctiveness, and to encourage one another to not be subsumed into a foreign culture.
Political Vision in 2 Kings
As a reminder to remain who they have been called to be, the author presents the people of Israel with a series of stories for the sake of contrasting them against one another. In one set of stories, the political vision of the kings are played out: the kings go to war, they flex their political power, they believe that they have what it takes to advance history in a way that will favor their kingdom. The contrasting stories are those of widows, mothers, lepers, slave girls – those who possess very little or no political power. These stories advance an alternative political vision because we see
that God is actually writing a history of salvation, rather than a history of conquest, through remaining faithful to those who are in deep need.
Kings
The king in this story is Joram, a king who does not find favor in the eyes of the author of 2 Kings (3:2). When this story opens, we find Joram has just returned from a military campaign to capture the wealth of a neighboring kingdom. The campaign is a disaster, many in Joram’s army are killed, and the king comes home with no profit to speak of.
Economics
2 Kings 4 is the story of a woman who is about to pass from being in a position of power to powerlessness. Unlike many of those who we encounter in the pages of 2 Kings, the Shunammite woman is economically well-off. She is married to a man who can afford to meet all of her needs. That provision, however, is about to run out.
Her husband is very elderly, and when he dies, so does her economic security.
Connections
This woman has a previous connection to Elisha. She used her economic abilities to build him a guest house on her property. Elisha would use this as his quarters when he was in the area. Elisha is a prophet, but he has political connections. He has the ear of Joram, the king. Joram has listened to Elisha in the past, and we are led to assume that he would listen to Elisha again in the future.
Plot
Knowing that her economic security is going about to run out, Elisha makes an interesting offer to the Shunammite woman, who had been gracious enough to provide housing to Elisha. He offers to speak to the king or the commander of the army on the woman’s behalf (4:13). We aren’t told directly in the text, but there are probably marital undertones to this question; the king may be willing to take her as a wife, and provide significantly more of the kind of economic security that she is about to lose. Her response is fascinating: “I have a home among my own people,” she says.
Seeing that she has declined his offer, Elisha wonders what he can offer to her, and instead promises that she will bear a son within a year. The child is eventually born, but dies a short time later. The woman begs Elisha to do something for him, and after going to the boy and lying on the boy’s body, the boy returns to life.
STEPPING INTO THE KINGDOM
• The woman’s response signals that there is a difference between the king and her own people. There is difference between them, between the way they operate, and between the way they see the world. The king may have his way of seeing the world, but that way is different from the way of the woman’s people, and she is choosing the way of her people.
• The woman doesn’t argue against the king, nor does she attempt to overturn him. She simply suggests that she wishes to go another direction. Her point is not political overturning, but faithfulness to the ways of God’s people, even in the midst of a king’s reign that is based on a fundamentally different political vision of the world.
• Aligning herself with the king would have aligned the woman with the king’s way of obtaining things, like economic security. The king, we have seen, obtains security by making war against neighboring kingdoms and taking that which will make him secure. The woman is opting to entrust herself to God’s very different way of making provision for God’s own people. That way is strange and different, but the woman opts for it because it is the way of her people.
• The options given to the woman were clear, based on the political realities of her day: she could align herself with the powerful, or she could condemn herself to join the weak. She sees another option that wasn’t given to her by the conventional political wisdom of the day. She is able to envision a political future according to God’s humble faithfulness, and she chooses that path instead of any of the political paths offered to her by conventional political wisdom.
• Her response is a subversion of the conventional political wisdom that would say that political life must be about aligning oneself with the powerful. She does not seek to tear down the world of kings, but humbly seeks to offer an alternative, that of the world of the kingdom of God, which does not depend upon war or the use of power to steal from neighboring kingdoms.
• The ‘given’ political world begins with the quest to gain power and ends with the quest to gain power. While power can be used for good just as much as it can be used for evil, the logic of ‘given’ political wisdom is that you must gain power by opposition, or you will lose power in defeat. If those are the only options we see to choose from, we will likely cease to offer the world a holy and refreshing difference. We will, to use Jesus’ language, lose our salty distinctiveness. Engaging the political world in the strange way of God offers a salty alternative to a world which is offered only a bland vision of political life.
www.NPH.com
1-800-877-0700
New from Shawna Songer Gaines and Tim Gaines
What if a faithful approach to politics wasn’t simply about who was going to win the next election? How might our political hope change when we encounter a God who offers us a different kind
of kingdom?
God isn’t asking the church to be politically uninformed, apathetic, or even bi-partisan. On the contrary. God is asking us to be faithful citizens of the kingdom—a kingdom of surprising hope
where the majority of God’s work to save the world will be done.
Kings and Presidents 
A STORY
Jacob and Dorothee Morris had been happily living in and around Nashville, TN since they were married in 2009. After completing seminary studies, Jacob entered pastoral ministry while Dorothee
accepted a position working in the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Trevecca Nazarene University. It was there, in Dorothee’s office, that they found themselves discussing a pressing 
political issue which was deeply rooted in a political vision of the world. While Dorothee had been at home in her native Germany, she noticed an influx of displaced refugees who were fleeing their homes
in Syria because the political instability and violence had become too dangerous to endure. Germany was a much safer and more stable place to live, and so many Syrians, at great risk to themselves and
their families, left everything they knew for fear of what was taking place in their home cities.
When the images of a young Syrian boy’s lifeless body, washed up on the beach near where his family had been attempting to flee the violence in their towns, began being shown in news media, Jacob and Dorothee were moved with compassion. After all, their own 3-year-old son wore the same kind of Velcro laced shoes and the same rocketship
t-shirt as the boy who had lost his life as his family fled for their lives.
It was around the same time that the Syrian refugee crisis also began to be debated in political centers around the United States. State capitol buildings, senate chambers, and public hearings became venues of airing out the given political options. One option was to welcome those refugees. The other option was to turn them away. The
debate spilled into the news media, classrooms, workplaces, and churches.
Each side argued their points: safety vs. hospitality, security vs. welcome. These were the given political options.
Jacob and Dorothee saw another option. It wasn’t an option offered to them by the political conventions of the day. They contacted the Church of the Nazarene’s Global Mission Department, resigned their jobs, sold their possessions, and made preparations to step into the flow of those who are fleeing for their lives. As Nazarene missionaries, Jacob and Dorothee will work among those who have been forced from their homes into refugee camps, working there for the sake of a God who heals by stepping into dark situations. This is
the way of Jacob and Dorothee’s people, called Nazarenes. That way opened a different kind of political vision. That kind of political vision allowed them to see other kinds of political options than
the ones being given to them by the political debates of the world. by TIMOTHY GAINES
Timothy Gaines used his time as pastor of Bakersfield First Church of the Nazarene to seek distinctly Christian approaches to pressing contemporary issues and to apply those resposes in faithful and
creative ways in the local church setting. Tim now serves as assistant professor of religion at Trevecca Nazarene University.
SESSION PRESENTATION
A. Stepping into the Story
a. Break into discussion groups and read 2 Kings 4:8-37.
b. Ask each group to identify:
i. The political vision of the king.
ii. The political vision of the Shunammite woman.
iii. How those might differ from one another.
B. The Strangeness of God’s Story
a. As a group, discuss the ways that:
i. You see the way God is working in this passage.
ii. Is the way God works something you think the people in the story
would have expected?
C. Ask the group to compile a list of political options that are given to us by the world, perhaps around a particular current issue. Look for common themes or ideas among those options. What kind of political vision is being given to us by these options?
D. Read Matthew 5:13-20 (You may wish to read through verse 48.)
a. When Jesus talks the Law, what kind of options did that Law provide to the people of his day? (The rest of the chapter may help.)
b. Does Jesus teach his disciples to live according to those options?
c. Does Jesus teach his disciples to destroy the Law?
d. What kind of political options does Jesus open up for his disciples?
e. What do you think it means to be “the salt of the earth” in this political context?
Summary
• The world often operates according to a certain political story, which makes political life about winning through beating the opposition.
• The Kingdom of God doesn’t want to destroy political life, but has
a different vision of it, which is about the way of holiness. It is the particular and peculiar way of God’s people.
• Often times, our peculiar way of seeing the world will mean we
can’t simply accept one of the options given to us by the political
systems of the world. We are often called to offer an alternative that is faithful to the way of Jesus, which means that it may call for humble engagement for the sake of serving others.
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Africa

Flags of the Nations: Madagascar
Each week, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center proudly flies a flag of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. This week's flag: Madagascar, Africa Region. Click "read more" for more information about the Church of the Nazarene in Madagascar, including what year the church entered the country and how many members there are today. Read more
The flag of Madagascar is divided horizontally, with a red stripe on top and green below. Along the hoist side is a white vertical stripe, the same width as the red and green stripes. The red on the flag traditionally represents the sovereignty of the nation, the green symbolizes hope, and the white shows purity. (via mapsofworld.com)
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: Madagascar
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Madagascar in 1993.
Madagascar had a population of 23,812,681 in 2015. That same year, Madagascar reported 21 Churches of the Nazarene, 11 of which had been officially organized. Madagascar has 1,690 total members.
Located on the Africa Region, Madagascar is a Phase 1 district. For more information on the Africa Region, visit africanazarene.org.
* = 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.MesoamericaBaie d’Orange, Haiti

NCM distributes food in Haiti
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Haiti recently delivered food packages to Baie d’Orange, a small community located in the mountains of Belle-Anse where there are few resources. The area is home to a church of 60 families. Read more

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Haiti recently delivered food packages to Baie d’Orange, a small community located in the mountains of Belle-Anse where there are few resources. The area is home to a church of 60 families.
"Because of the president stepping down, we anticipated political unrest," said Fleur van der Most, NCM Haiti. "We left earlier than planned."
The team distributed food to 22 families from the Nazarene church and another six families from the community. Supplies for 60 families were brought, and the leftover food packages were given to the pastor for distribution at a later date. Church member Patrik Tika made another distribution to 18 families the weren't able to attend in the morning.
The food kits contained:

• 25 pounds of rice
• 1 litre of oil
• 6 pounds of red kidney beans
• 2 packages of spaghetti[Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region]

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet announces education partnership with Chicago Cubs
Olivet Nazarene University announced a new partnership with Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs that makes Olivet the official education partner of the Cubs organization. Ben Zobrist, Cubs second baseman and a member of Olivet’s class of 2004, will serve as the university’s spokesperson.Read more

Ben Zobrist
Olivet Nazarene University announced a new partnership with Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs that makes Olivet the official education partner of the Cubs organization. Ben Zobrist, Cubs second baseman and a member of Olivet’s class of 2004, will serve as the university’s spokesperson.
Zobrist will appear in a series of promotional communications highlighting Olivet’s new ONU Global initiative, a program that oversees the university’s School of Graduate and Continuing Studies and administers non-traditional learning.
“We could not be more thrilled to announce this partnership with the Cubs organization and to find such an outstanding partnership ambassador in Olivet alumnus Ben Zobrist,” said Ryan Spittal, ONU vice president for strategic expansion. “Ben is a man of faith and an outstanding example of a friend and teammate, and we are so glad to have him as an ambassador for Olivet and this partnership.”
Zobrist, 34, was drafted in 2004. He played nine seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays and won a 2015 World Series ring as a key position player with the Kansas City Royals.
A native of Eureka, Illinois, Zobrist attended Olivet for three years. He played three seasons on the Tigers baseball team at pitcher, second base, and shortstop before transferring to Dallas Baptist University for his senior year.
“I would not be where I am today without Olivet and the education the university provided," Zobrist said. “With the flexibility and variety in programs offered by Olivet’s School of Graduate and Continuing Studies, now everyone can advance in both career and life by letting Olivet take them from where they are now to where they want to be.”
Allen Hermeling, senior director of corporate partnerships for the Chicago Cubs, is excited about the agreement.
“We’re pleased to welcome Olivet as the official education partner of the Chicago Cubs, and we look forward to working with an inspiring role model in Ben Zobrist to encourage future generations to pursue their dreams,” he said.
ONU Global has locations in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, offering more than 30 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs.
Partnered with more than 200 organizations across the U.S., ONU Global has more than 150 learning locations, including five regional centers. ONU Global also has a presence in Hong Kong along with partnerships in China, the Czech Republic, South Africa, Dubai UAE, and Israel.
More information on ONU Global and the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies is available atgraduate.olivet.edu.[Olivet Nazarene University]

In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received February 29 - March 4, 2016. Read more

The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received February 29 - March 4, 2016.
Theresa (Snodgrass) Branch, 78, of Parkersburg, West Virginia, passed away March 2. She was the widow of ordained elder George Branch, who passed away in 1983.
Hugh Bright Jr., 93, of Bethany, Oklahoma, passed away February 25. He was a retired minister, serving in Kansas and Missouri. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dolores (James) Bright, in 1995.
L. Irene Conkling, 84, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away February 27. She was the widow of retired minister William Conkling, who served in Iowa and Nebraska. William Conkling passed away in 1998.
Audrey Cross, 73, of Darby, Montana, passed away February 26. She was the wife of retired minister Melvin Cross, who served in New York.

Welcome to the memorial page for

Audrey Ruth Cross (Owens)

October 6, 1942 ~ February 26, 2016 (age 73)

Audrey Ruth Cross, 73 of Darby passed away Friday, February 26th at the Marcus Daly Memorial Hospice Center in Hamilton.

A memorial service is being planned for Tuesday, March 8th at 11:00 a.m. at the Conner Wesleyan Church in Conner.

John Hickman, 77, of Cabot, Arkansas, passed away February 29. He was a retired minister, serving in Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Missouri. He is survived by his wife, E. Lynn Hickman.
Oscar Lopez, 52, of Maplewood, Minnesota, passed away December 3, 2015. He was a minister, serving at Manantial de Vida Eterna Iglesia del Nazareno in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is survived by his wife, Sonia Lopez, who also pastors the Manantial de Vida Eterna church.
Wendell Raney, 79, of Russellville, Indiana, passed away March 1. He was a retired minister, serving in Indiana. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Raney, in 2008.
I. Yvonne Saville, 86, of Wichita, Kansas, passed away February 26. She was a retired evangelist, serving in Kansas. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Saville, in 2003.
Norma (Stegner) Smith, 87, of Evansville, Indiana, passed away February 28. She was the widow of retired minister Samuel Smith, who served in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. Samuel Smith passed away in 2014.
Carol (Finney) Sparks, 77, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away February 29. She was the widow of retired minister Carlos Sparks, who served in Tennessee, Ohio, and Texas. Carlos Sparks passed away in 2003.
Willodean (Goggans) Woods, 80, of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away February 20. She was the widow of retired minister Charles Wood, who served in Alabama, Louisiana, and Florida. Charles Wood passed away in 1989.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section 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 news@nazarene.org.[Compiled by NCN News]
Human Resources
GMC employment opportunities
Located in Lenexa, Kansas, the Global Ministry Center is the administrative, mission, and service hub for the Church of the Nazarene's ministries in 159 world areas. The following positions are available: Read more

People are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 159 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email bsikes@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
General Secretary's Office — Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager (Full time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: General Secretary's Office
Title: Sr. Administrative Assistant/Office Manager
Description: This position offers a wide variety of management duties for the General Secretary’s Office with increasing responsibility for General Board and General Assembly. Tasks for managing the office include oversight of the responsibilities charged to the General Secretary. Time clock management, personnel reviews, morale, and training are among the other duties. Training during GA 2017 will be provided and this person will be hands-on with the planning. Housing for GA 2017 will be a large part of the involvement with GA 2017.
General Superintendents' Office — Administrative Director (Full time)
Office: General Superintendents
Ministry: General Superintendents' Office
Title: Administrative Director
Description: Responsibilities for this position include to serve the Board of General Superintendents by coordinating all activities of the office, keeping superintendents informed about all matters as appropriate. Serve as liaison between the general superintendents and Global Ministry Center personnel, college presidents, and regional personnel. Confidentiality required.
Pensions and Benefits USA — Technology Specialist (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Pensions and Benefits USA
Title: Technology Specialist
Description: This position will assist the technology supervisor in coordinating the technology resources available to each department within the Pensions and Benefits USA office (P&B) by making sure that 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.
Stewardship Ministries — Publications Manager (Full time)
Office: Financial Services
Ministry: Stewardship Ministries
Title: Publications Manager
Description: This position provides administrative, editorial, and workflow support for Stewardship Ministries. Communication through electronic and printed material is required, including content writing and proof reading. Directing general office workflow and specific project management is included in the duties of this position. In addition, this position performs daily, routine office and administrative tasks.
To obtain additional information, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Location of our Positions
The GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 159 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an “at will” employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are smoke-, alcohol-, and drug-free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best match the requirements of the open position for which the application was submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application 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 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.--------------------
 "Freedom in Jesus!" Blue Hills Community Church of the Nazarene of Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Thursday, March 3, 2016


Freedom in Jesus Healing & Deliverance Seminars
March 9th and 10th
All of us know someone who has been hurt so badly they just can't get over it. Maybe that person is you. Advice on forgiveness hasn't removed the hurt, and inner strength is all wrapped up in pain. Or perhaps you or a loved one suffers from chronic disease. Certain bad habits seem unbreakable and deliverance has only been temporary. Jay Bartlett uses the teaching of Jesus to bring complete healing and deals with demons as Jesus did.
The teaching in this seminar will prepare you to help your loved ones find complete healing and lasting deliverance.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
For more information, see our Facebook Events Page
Blue Hills Community Church of the Nazarene
10306 Blue Ridge Boulevard
Kansas City, Missouri 64138, United States
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Our mailing address is:
Blue Hills Community Church of the Nazarene
10306 Blue Ridge Boulevard

Kansas City, Missouri 64134, United States
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 Where Worlds Meet - March 2016 of The Eurasia Region of The Global Church of the Nazarene for Wednesday, 9 March 2016
Webversion


Where Worlds Meet - March 2016
Inside this month’s edition of Where Worlds Meet, you will:
learn how the Nepal Nazarene church has persevered in spite of a fuel shortage and unrest;
find out how the Central Asia district superintendent found Christ as an interpreter for the local pastor;
read a quick update on refugee ministry in the Eastern Mediterranean Field;
and more.
Download the March PDF edition of Where Worlds Meet.


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"WHERE WORLDS MEET" THE EURASIA REGION OF THE GLOBAL CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE YEAR 13, ISSUE 3 • MARCH 2016
NEPAL BLOCKADE OVER, MINISTRY CONTINUES by Gina Grate Pottenger, 
Eurasia Region CommunicationsDespite the recent fuel shortage created by a blockade along Nepal’s borders, Nazarenes in Nepal have persevered in their ministries, from church planting and JESUS Film to compassionate ministries and discipleship training.
Inside this issue:

• Pg. 2: District superintendent for
• Central Asia started as interpreter
• Pg. 4: E. Med refugee work thrives
• Pg. 5: Eurasia missionaries
• commissioned by General Board
• Pg. 6: 2016 Easter offering
• resources available for download
• Pg 7: Upcoming M+Power training
• events, registration info

Nazarenes in Nepal have been persistently pushing forward in all their district’s ministries across the country for the past year, in spite of a massive earthquake in April 2015 that devastated entire communities, and a border blockade that started in September 2015, ending in February 2016.
The border between India and Nepal was closed due to political
disagreements. Because Nepal imports all its fuel through India, this created a fuel shortage. Additionally, unrest throughout Nepal added to ground transportation interruptions.
In spite of limited movement throughout the country, and resulting
slower-than-expected progress in some ministries, the district organized 11 churches in 2015, with more than 700 new members received.
“Though we were able to organize only a few churches, we are not
disappointed,” said Nepal District Superintendent Rev. Dilli. “We rely on God and on His strength. We pray for His help and guidance as we participate in the works to expand His kingdom.”
Church planting was less than had been planned, but is explained by the fact that workers diverted their efforts from normal activities into earthquake emergency relief and recovery programs, according to Rev. Dilli’s report to the district assembly on 14 February. (Read
more: http://www.ncm.org/nepalearthquake.html)
Since then, the district has continued with its holistic ministry efforts, such as a new partnership with Humedica, a medical NGO in Germany, to sponsor 200 carefully selected families over three years to bring significant changes to their socio-economic status. NCM Nepal also is applying for funding to establish child-focused community development projects at four village development
committees, a program expected to last 3.5 years. And the district is still working on long-term rebuilding for families in
earthquake-affected areas.
Effects of the fuel shortage
Jörg Eich, Eurasia Region coordinator for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, visited Nepal recently, during the height of the fuel shortage.
“To visit a project site, it was only possible to go there through motorcycle because the Landcruiser uses too much fuel,” Eich said. “When I bought fuel, it was about 3.50 euros per liter – very
expensive. That slows down everything.”
“If you want to travel from one place to another place, they have a protest on the highway and have blockage from cities to cities and towns to towns,” Rev. Dilli said. “About 200 kilometers of highway links Kathmandu to the eastern part. The southern plain belt of Nepal was badly affected. Vehicles were not allowed to run in this section of the road and, if found, vehicles running there could be burned, damaged or destroyed by masses of protesters. This is the reason, there was no daytime bus services for people traveling to
Kathmandu from eastern Nepal and vice versa for more than four months…. To avoid long and exhausting travel people needed to take flights.”
As a result, various non-profit organizations have been struggling to help people who lost homes in the 2015 earthquake to rebuild with earthquake proof materials and designs, according to Eich. The border closures meant that shipments of materials from outside Nepal has been delayed. With lack of fuel, delivery of those building materials within the country to reconstruction sites was often interrupted.
“The poverty in the area where the earthquake struck is even higher than before the earthquake, because of the destruction,” he said.
Moving forward  Fortunately, the fuel shortage did not seem to affect attendance at the more than 100 local Nazarene churches and
the 12 child development centers because the buildings are within walking distance of their regular participants and activities
normally occur during daylight hours.
The country’s 15 JESUS Film teams continued ministering during the fuel shortage, but required extra persistence in reaching areas they’d chosen to share the film and invite new believers to
participate in discipleship.
“Even in this situation, our team did not stop our task,” wrote one JESUS Film team in its monthly report. “We were inviting all village [residents] door to door [to watch the film.]”
Another team wrote about one JESUS Film trip: “The border has been blocked for a long time, so in these days no gas, no fuel in the whole country. No vehicles on the road. All Nepalese people have
been suffering. We continued traveling eight and a half hours….Physically we became weak. When we reached the village it was so dark already.”
People traveling to this village accompanied the team and helped them find the way in the dark. Then the team showed the JESUS Film with 150 people in attendance, and some expressed a desire to follow Christ, including the family who had guided the team to the village.
Tough times in Kathmandu
Meanwhile, even in the best of times, electricity is often unreliable in Kathmandu, which means there are frequent power cuts to the Nazarene District Center. However, in those times, the center could rely on fuel-powered generators when government-provided
electricity was off. Without consistent supplies of fuel, computers, phones and Internet were inaccessible for many hours of each day without the center’s back-up generators, according to Dilli. For this reason, Eurasia Region Communications had difficulty reaching
the center staff during the past several months.
“This really discourages not [just] me and my team and the staff in the center, but this has discouraged a lot of people in the country,” Dilli said (photo left), when power was on for a few hours on 10 February. “Strikes and minor problems, this and that, it’s very common over here. But border blockage we are facing this time,
it’s quite different and strange.”
The two to three hours of electricity per day were unpredictable and might even happen in the middle of the night, meaning missed opportunities to charge dead cell phones and laptops. Many people in the cities and towns resorted to outdoor cooking over wood-fueled
fire in order to eat. Yet, even this was not always possible: for families renting houses, there may not be enough space outside to cook. And rooftops were reserved for use by the landlords.
“Thus families living on rented houses had to find cooking places either on the roadside or in an open field,” Dilli said. “More difficulties they had to face when there was rain and wind while cooking outside the house. Most of the time, families fed ready-to-eat junk foods, such as dry packaged Ramen noodles or potato chips, to their children before sending them to school. This situation compelled several families to leave their homes in the cities and towns and move back to their villages.”
The district is developing a proposal for funding to install solar-powered energy panels at the district center, where the city is blessed with some sunlight nearly every day of the year. This will
provide more consistent electricity so the staff at the center can work normal office hours and be able to communicate regularly with Nazarenes across the country and internationally.
God-sized goals
On 14 February, the district held its annual assembly. In addition to the churches that were reported organized in 2015, the district has set a goal to organize 30 additional churches in 2016, and a total of 115 within three years. They also plan to start 45 mission
churches this year, and build four ministry centers.
The Nepal Nazarene church has set a goal to train 300 people in disciple making movement and church planting in the next three years, and want to become a self-supporting national church by 2017.
‘Am I wiser than these?’ By Zee Gimon
YOUR STORY OUR STORY GOD's STORY
Interpreter turns district superintendent
For Zhanna Yugay, who believed that her own knowledge and hard work
were enough to secure a foundation for her life, what began as a simple interpreting job became the start of a faith journey.
It was 1996 when South Korean missionary Michael Park came to Astana, Kazakhstan. In those days, in a nation climbing out of the ruins of Communism, religious activities and missionaries were rare and many people visited his church from curiosity.
During the first year, Park preached in the Russian language and, while he could speak it, he wasn’t fluent enough to share the Good News clearly with the people. A solution to this obstacle had to
be found.
Knowing that his friend Zhanna Yugay, whose parents were originally
from South Korea, could translate from Korean, Park approached her with a proposal to become an interpreter, and she agreed.
Zhanna began to attend the Church of the Nazarene as an interpreter -- who did not believe in God. When she studied at the university in Saint Petersburg and later had practical lessons in Moscow, her friend showed her paintings of Jesus at the Tretyakov Gallery, but they never impressed Zhanna. Besides, no one talked about God with her, so faith was a foreign matter, and she knew she could rely on herself.
Every day, Park prayed for Zhanna to be found by Christ, yet she relied mostly on her mind’s abilities to translate the heartfelt sermons. She was not moved in her spirit by what she was interpreting for the congregation. It took two years since their meeting for the Good News to reach the heart of Zhanna.
Due to a flight delay, she stayed at a pastors’ conference for two additional hours in Chekhov, in the Moscow region. All the missionaries and pastors prayed together on their knees and Zhanna
pretended to do the same, while she actually watched everyone. It stunned her to see all these people being so honest and sincere in their prayers, some even with tears in their eyes. A question was
born in her mind: “Am I wiser than all these people? Why do I cling to my own way?”
A verse she had heard from 1 Corinthians 1:25 came to her: “For the
foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” That truth became the catalyst to Zhanna sincerely joining the others in prayer.
“I asked God to forgive me and told Him that He can have my life. I wanted to be in His hands and to live according to His will. I opened my heart to Jesus Christ and my life has never been the same ever since,” shares Zhanna. “There were times when I was overwhelmed
with joy and people back in our home church came up to me and told me that I have changed somehow. Within a week, I became a different person. I realized that my reaction to things happening around me has changed, as if my world became brighter.”
Granted, everyday life goes on and Christian faith is not based on emotions only, so Zhanna strives to do everything she can for other people to see the Lord every day in her.
She says, “It’s not easy. Actually, it would’ve been impossible if not for the Holy Spirit’s support and strength.”
She became a pastor in 2001, after Park talked about the necessity for a local pastor for two years. Zhanna agreed with him, but did not think he was actually praying for her to be the pastor, instead thinking about other younger people who were active at the church.
 “It was a Sunday, and before the service, I felt so light, and then Pastor Michael asked me to take the role, and I felt the heavy weight settle on my shoulders. For two days, I kept thinking of the reasons why I couldn’t be a pastor. However, I did make my decision in the end.”
Later, when a district superintendent was needed, Zhanna was asked
to be the interim superintendent after Park had to return to Korea. The other missionary, who was getting ready to assume the role, had trouble with documents and someone was needed in the meantime. Since she has spent many years working hand in hand with Park, everything was familiar to her. In 2009, the decision has been made by Gustavo Crocker, former Eurasia Regional director, that Zhanna would remain in the superintendent position, and she has been serving ever since. She is also the administrator of the EuNC Central Asia Learning Center.
Zhanna’s life is an example of the importance of persevering in
prayer for those who don’t yet know the Lord. Although it took several years for Zhanna to recognize her need for God, Michael Park’s prayers for her were finally answered.
“I asked God to forgive me and told Him that He can have my life. I wanted to bein His hands.”[Zhanna Yugay]
East Mediterranean refugee work thrives
Left: One church regularly distributes food packages to about 300
refugees.
Below: A church gave away electric heaters to families struggling with winter cold.
With Middle East countries hosting millions of Syrian and Iraqi
refugees, many of whom have exhausted their savings and cannot work due to host country laws, churches of the Nazarene continue to hold ministries for refugees who have moved into their communities.
On 9 February 2016, one church launched a special ministry for mothers.
A six-week mother’s training will discuss:
1. The role of parents
2. How to discipline your child
3. Trauma
4. Sexual abuse
5. Healthy food and healthy habits
6. Violence against women
The church also started a new children’s club for children from 4 to 6 years old but who don’t go to school. It will be twice a week for 12 weeks. The teachers will give basics of English and Arabic languages, colors, numbers, etc.
These two projects are reaching the community and we trust God to reach the hearts. Your prayers are very important.
Thank you for all your care and support for God’s kingdom.
Eurasia missionaries commissioned by General Board
Trino and Anna Jara (photo top right) and Martin and Cezarina Glendenning (below right) were commissioned as Global Missionaries in the Church of the Nazarene at the 2016 General Board meetings held in Ede, Netherlands, on 29 February.
During a special evening service at the conclusion of the gathering, the Glendennings and the Jaras were joined by five other couples, all of whom have been journeying through a process as intern missionaries in various assignments in the Asia-Pacific, Africa and Eurasia regions.
The missionary candidates had five days of retreat and training sessions leading up to interviews by the Global Mission Committee of the General Board, as well as the denomination’s six General Superintendents. The couples were asked about their personal testimonies, and sometimes other spontaneous questions, such as how they have experienced entire sanctification.
The weekend concluded with the service, during which time the candidates were presented to the board, several songs were sung together, Scriptures were read, and the General Superintendents laid hands on the missionaries to pray for them and their families.
Global Missionaries are understood by the denomination as people who have sensed a call from God to give their lives into full-time, cross-cultural ministry, using their unique gifts and talents and experiences to fulfill a specific assignment. These missionaries have agreed that they are willing to go anywhere the church sends them.
All candidates have several years of experience serving in their assignment before being commissioned.
The Church of the Nazarene denomination currently has sent out more than 700 missionaries, who are serving in about 40 world areas. About 40 percent of Global Missionaries originate from outside the United States.
Martin Glendenning, from the U.S., has served at the Eurasia Regional Office in Büsingen, Germany, as the regional finance coordinator.
He grew up the son of a Nazarene pastor. It was while studying for his accounting degree and involvement with several mission trips that he experienced God’s call to missions.
While in Büsingen, he met Cezarina, who was studying for her BA in
Theology at European Nazarene College.
Cezarina grew up in Albania, and found Christ through the Nazarene
church. She moved to Florence, Italy, to study engineering and became involved in the local Nazarene church as a lay leader. While there, she fully committed her life to serving God and the church,
and relocated to Büsingen to study for ministry at European Nazarene College.
In 2012, they were married. In 2015, Cezarina was ordained. She is the region’s prayer and fasting coordinator. Together they work with the youth of the Gottmadingen Church of the Nazarene on the Germany District.
Their son, Reuben, is about 18 months old.
Read Martin’s testimony here: http://engagemagazine.com/content/called-bemissionary-accountant
Trino Jara was born in Costa Rica, and found the Lord at age 15. He
gave his entire life to God at a regional conference in the Mesoamerica Region. For 10 years he worked for different non-government organizations in Costa Rica. Then he gave 10 years as
regional NCM coordinator for the Africa Region. In 2008, the Church sent Trino to serve in the Eurasia Region to lead compassionate ministries for the CIS Field. Today, he has added the roles of Armenia District Superintendent and Eurasia Region Holistic Child
Development (HCD) Coordinator, as well as global HCD coordinator for the church. He was ordained in 1997.
Born in Armenia, Anna gave her life to the Lord in 2009 during a church camp. She began helping with children’s ministry at her local church, and as she deepened her walk with the Lord, she also was given more leadership experience. She took the role of district
secretary, and district NCM coordinator.
In 2012, the Jaras were married, and Anna began her journey in missionary service. Today she continues as NCM coordinator for Armenia and as district secretary, and has added the responsibility of mission finance coordinator. She is currently studying toward ordination. 

• Trino and Anna Jara are serving in the CIS Field and in global NCM.
• Martin and Cezarina Glendenning minister in finance and prayer.

Download materials now for Easter offerings
Download materials now for Easter offerings
“The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.”[Romans 10:12b]
http://www.eurasiaregion.org/nmi/promotioninformation/world-evangelism-fund-promotion/
A life-changing story has to be shared. We can’t keep the gospel to ourselves, waiting for others to spread the hope we enjoy. Each time you give to the World Evangelism Fund, the message reaches further, through schools, church plants, mission hospitals, and more. When we join our gifts and prayers together, God uses our humble offerings, and new voices call on the Lord of All.
OFFERING DATE:
(Put your date here)
_______________________
http://www.eurasiaregion.org/nmi/promotioninformation/world-evangelism-fund-promotion/
Other upcoming training events:
• 3-5 August, Moscow
• 4-7 September, Hungary
• 9-11 October, India
“I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of
knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all
things.”[Philippians 3:8]
Do you have pictures of your church ministry in Eurasia that you
would like to share with the region?
Send them to communications@eurasiaregion.org and we’ll consider
posting them on our Facebook page.
We welcome stories, photos and prayer requests. E-mail submissions to communications@eurasiaregion.org
Gina Pottenger, Comm. Coordinator gpottenger@eurasiaregion.org
Randolf Wolst, Website Designer rwolst@eurasiaregion.org
Arthur Snijders, Regional Director awsnijders@eurasiaregion.org
Where Worlds Meet is the monthly newsletter for the Eurasia Region
of the Church of the Nazarene. To subscribe, e-mail communications@
eurasiaregion.org or visit www.eurasiaregion.org.
Transforming Our World:
Prayer Requests
•Please pray for Nazarenes and the people of Nepal, as they grapple with challenges that come with fuel shortages and unrest. Ask God to remove obstacles to ministry and to provide all the resources necessary for helping people rebuild after last year’s earthquake.
•Please pray for Zhanna Yugay, as she leads the Central Asia District. Ask God to empower and anoint her for the work, along with believers throughout these countries.
•Pray for churches across the Eastern Mediterranean Field as they continue supporting and ministering to refugees. Ask God to pour out abundant resources for their ministry, as well as healing and restoration for the refugees.
•Pray for Martin and Cezi Glendenning, and for Trino and Anna Jara, as they continue their missionary service to the Eurasia Region. Ask God to anoint them with a special outpouring of His Spirit, to empower and encourage them for the work.
Eurasia Regional Office
Postfach 1217
8207 Schaffhausen, Switzerland
Phone (+49) 7734 93050
Fax (+49) 7734 930550
E-mail whereworldsmeet@eurasiaregion.org
In Christ • Like Christ • For Christ
www.eurasiaregion.org
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