South Sudan, Africa Region
Pastor requests prayer after hundreds killed in South SudanCTV News photo
Stephen, pastor of the South Sudan Church of the Nazarene in Mount Waverley, Australia, recently returned from a trip to South Sudan, where he found that as many as 208 of the Australia church member's family and friends have been killed. Additionally, another 102 are still missing and feared dead in the ongoing civil unrest that has plagued South Sudan since its independence in 2011.
“Our request is that you may join in our prayers, even in your own time," Pastor Stephen said. "Pray that the killing be stopped and that those missing may be found, alive and safe."
The Mount Waverly church asks Nazarenes around the world to join them in prayer as they intercede for South Sudan, its leaders, and for their families and friends who have been impacted by the ongoing unrest.[Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region]
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Nazarenes meet to develop unified refugee response strategyBrandon Sipes of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Inc. facilitated the meeting.
The refugee situation that has brought more than a million displaced people to the shore of the European Union also brought together 11 Nazarene leaders from the Northern Europe and Central Europe fields April 1 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Hosted by a Church of the Nazarene, Kirche in Aktion (Church in Action) Frankfurt, and facilitated by Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Inc., the meeting gathered voices from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.
The meeting’s focus was to explore a unifying compassion strategy for Nazarenes in Europe as the church responds to one of the most significant human migrations of the modern era.
The discussions showed that European Nazarenes are intentionally engaging in effective and compassionate response. They also highlighted the fact that Europe is in the beginning moments of a long journey toward resettlement and inclusion of those who seek refugee status.
“I have been really encouraged to see the passion and creative action being taken by churches throughout Europe to respond to asylum seekers as they transit through or try to settle into new host countries," said Tim Bowen-Evans, NCMI program coordinator. "The needs are overwhelming and change rapidly from week to week, so churches, along with everyone else responding to this current crisis, face many challenges in developing appropriate and effective response activities.”
The one-day meeting built upon a strategy base that was produced in December with the Central Europe Field’s Refugee Response Team. The Frankfurt group specifically focused on a unified response to asylum seekers in destination countries.
Central to the Frankfurt discussion was a common thread of belief among both theologians and practitioners that God is doing something unprecedented not only for the Middle East, but also for Europe. European Nazarenes are intentionally cultivating a narrative that this new reality of the broken and fearful arriving at its doors is an opportunity to re-awaken the Church.
In Germany, Kirche in Aktion talked about a planned June 2016 community musical program called Bridgesthat will bring together famous musicians from Europe and the Middle East.
”We must recognize that Syrians, Iraqis, and Afghanis have much to offer our [German] society," said Robert Stosser, project manager for Kirche in Aktion. "While their gifts are not only in the realm of music, Bridges is an opportunity to take that first step in both welcoming guests and appreciating the contribution that they make to us.”
Those who work with refugee communities acknowledged that the “otherness” of such a large number of people can be a disconcerting factor for a host community. However, Rolf Noordhof, appointed by Eurasia Regional Director Arthur Snijders to represent the Netherlands, observed that in neighborhoods where Dutch people proactively and compassionately engage new asylum seekers, fear is minimized by compassion. What develops very quickly is a grassroots support group, often linked by Facebook or other social media sites, that works toward a positive welcome. In the process, God’s prevenient grace can be seen effectively ministering to both volunteers and the newest members of society.
NCMI Mentoring Program Coordinator Brandon Sipes, who facilitated the meeting, helped the group appreciate the scope of the journey faced by asylum seekers.
“Most migrant asylum seekers will spend up to 17 years in some sort of temporary residency status, often in large camps or underdeveloped urban areas.”
Another sobering fact, said Sipes, is only 1 percent of 60 million people currently displaced globally will receive official refugee status. In essence, he said, this is a generation in limbo on the heels of the significant trauma of war. Yet, every number represents a story.
While in Germany for the meeting, Sipes connected with Saeed, an asylum seeker he met in Serbia who is now living in Berlin. He and eight members of his family live on a covered soccer field with two hundred other migrants.
“All day long I work on speaking German so that I can gain residency and find work," Saeed said. "But I often feel shame for the way we are living.”
The December meeting in Budapest and the April meeting in Frankfurt are proactively compassionate steps toward a hope expressed by Sipes — a catalyst of ideas to be incorporated into the life of church and community. He went on to summarize: “How well our churches embrace those who are arriving in their communities will determine not only the migrants’ health and well-being, but will also affect the long term stability of their communities and, I’d even say their nations.”[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
-------Frankfurt, Germany
Nazarenes meet to develop unified refugee response strategyBrandon Sipes of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Inc. facilitated the meeting.
The refugee situation that has brought more than a million displaced people to the shore of the European Union also brought together 11 Nazarene leaders from the Northern Europe and Central Europe fields April 1 in Frankfurt, Germany.
Hosted by a Church of the Nazarene, Kirche in Aktion (Church in Action) Frankfurt, and facilitated by Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Inc., the meeting gathered voices from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Hungary, and the United Kingdom.
The meeting’s focus was to explore a unifying compassion strategy for Nazarenes in Europe as the church responds to one of the most significant human migrations of the modern era.
The discussions showed that European Nazarenes are intentionally engaging in effective and compassionate response. They also highlighted the fact that Europe is in the beginning moments of a long journey toward resettlement and inclusion of those who seek refugee status.
“I have been really encouraged to see the passion and creative action being taken by churches throughout Europe to respond to asylum seekers as they transit through or try to settle into new host countries," said Tim Bowen-Evans, NCMI program coordinator. "The needs are overwhelming and change rapidly from week to week, so churches, along with everyone else responding to this current crisis, face many challenges in developing appropriate and effective response activities.”
The one-day meeting built upon a strategy base that was produced in December with the Central Europe Field’s Refugee Response Team. The Frankfurt group specifically focused on a unified response to asylum seekers in destination countries.
Central to the Frankfurt discussion was a common thread of belief among both theologians and practitioners that God is doing something unprecedented not only for the Middle East, but also for Europe. European Nazarenes are intentionally cultivating a narrative that this new reality of the broken and fearful arriving at its doors is an opportunity to re-awaken the Church.
In Germany, Kirche in Aktion talked about a planned June 2016 community musical program called Bridgesthat will bring together famous musicians from Europe and the Middle East.
”We must recognize that Syrians, Iraqis, and Afghanis have much to offer our [German] society," said Robert Stosser, project manager for Kirche in Aktion. "While their gifts are not only in the realm of music, Bridges is an opportunity to take that first step in both welcoming guests and appreciating the contribution that they make to us.”
Those who work with refugee communities acknowledged that the “otherness” of such a large number of people can be a disconcerting factor for a host community. However, Rolf Noordhof, appointed by Eurasia Regional Director Arthur Snijders to represent the Netherlands, observed that in neighborhoods where Dutch people proactively and compassionately engage new asylum seekers, fear is minimized by compassion. What develops very quickly is a grassroots support group, often linked by Facebook or other social media sites, that works toward a positive welcome. In the process, God’s prevenient grace can be seen effectively ministering to both volunteers and the newest members of society.
NCMI Mentoring Program Coordinator Brandon Sipes, who facilitated the meeting, helped the group appreciate the scope of the journey faced by asylum seekers.
“Most migrant asylum seekers will spend up to 17 years in some sort of temporary residency status, often in large camps or underdeveloped urban areas.”
Another sobering fact, said Sipes, is only 1 percent of 60 million people currently displaced globally will receive official refugee status. In essence, he said, this is a generation in limbo on the heels of the significant trauma of war. Yet, every number represents a story.
While in Germany for the meeting, Sipes connected with Saeed, an asylum seeker he met in Serbia who is now living in Berlin. He and eight members of his family live on a covered soccer field with two hundred other migrants.
“All day long I work on speaking German so that I can gain residency and find work," Saeed said. "But I often feel shame for the way we are living.”
The December meeting in Budapest and the April meeting in Frankfurt are proactively compassionate steps toward a hope expressed by Sipes — a catalyst of ideas to be incorporated into the life of church and community. He went on to summarize: “How well our churches embrace those who are arriving in their communities will determine not only the migrants’ health and well-being, but will also affect the long term stability of their communities and, I’d even say their nations.”[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
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Traverse City, Michigan
Northern Michigan District elects new superintendentGeneral Superintendent Gustavo A. Crocker announced the election of Daniel T. Gilmore as superintendent of the Northern Michigan District.
Elected April 23 on the fifth ballot, Gilmore replaces Wayne Brown, who retired from the position in December after 13 years.
Gilmore currently pastors the Charlevoix Church of the Nazarene and is the Northern Michigan district secretary. He will begin his new assignment May 23.
"My wife, Jackie, and I were overwhelmed and deeply humbled by the action of the 31st Northern Michigan District Assembly," Daniel said. " Many feelings and emotions competed within us as we sought the Lord for clear confirmation as to whether this is His will for our lives and for the Northern Michigan District. After prayer and seeking prayerful counsel from our denominational leadership, we came to the determined purpose to step through this door of the unknown. As a churchman, I believe that God the Holy Spirit directs through His Church. Though many questions abound and even though a continued (at times overwhelming) sense of insufficiency and amazement persists, we believe we must obey and take up this mantle. Please keep us and our district family in your prayers!"
Prior to accepting the Charlevoix pastorate in 2002, Gilmore served at Phoenix, Arizona, First Church of the Nazarene. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Vennard College.
Daniel and Jackie reside in Charlevoix.
Northern Michigan District elects new superintendentGeneral Superintendent Gustavo A. Crocker announced the election of Daniel T. Gilmore as superintendent of the Northern Michigan District.
Elected April 23 on the fifth ballot, Gilmore replaces Wayne Brown, who retired from the position in December after 13 years.
Gilmore currently pastors the Charlevoix Church of the Nazarene and is the Northern Michigan district secretary. He will begin his new assignment May 23.
"My wife, Jackie, and I were overwhelmed and deeply humbled by the action of the 31st Northern Michigan District Assembly," Daniel said. " Many feelings and emotions competed within us as we sought the Lord for clear confirmation as to whether this is His will for our lives and for the Northern Michigan District. After prayer and seeking prayerful counsel from our denominational leadership, we came to the determined purpose to step through this door of the unknown. As a churchman, I believe that God the Holy Spirit directs through His Church. Though many questions abound and even though a continued (at times overwhelming) sense of insufficiency and amazement persists, we believe we must obey and take up this mantle. Please keep us and our district family in your prayers!"
Prior to accepting the Charlevoix pastorate in 2002, Gilmore served at Phoenix, Arizona, First Church of the Nazarene. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Vennard College.
Daniel and Jackie reside in Charlevoix.
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Dordrecht, Netherlands
Dutch church expands to unreached areaIlse was reluctant to visit the new Nazarene church near her home even though her social worker thought it would be good for her. The 70-year-old Dutch woman had recently divorced from her husband of 39 years and her son’s family lives in England. Now she resides alone.
Ilse suffered with depression and poor self-esteem throughout her life. She has attempted suicide many times — beneath the sleeve of her sweater remain the thin, white scar lines.
It’s not that she had never tried church, but she has bad memories of the church she attended as a youth, which she describes as legalistic and judgmental, amplifying her lack of self-worth.
The social worker persisted until she allowed him to take her one Sunday about a year ago. At first she visited once a month. Then twice a month. Now, every Sunday.
“During the week, I feel terrible, but when I come on Sunday, all the bad feelings go out. Here, it’s very warm. I feel like here… ” she said, demonstrating a hug.
Ilse says the people at the Nazarene church love her and welcome her, and she’s been learning about God’s love.
“I need Him, I need Him,” she said with a smile, pointing upward.
Kruispunt Reeland Kerk van de Nazarener (Crossroads Reeland Church of the Nazarene) was planted two years ago, a missional outreach of its mother church, Kerk van de Nazarener Dordrecht, which first formed in the 1980s and now numbers about 600 people, including about 150 children.
The Church of the Nazarene denomination has about a dozen churches in the Netherlands. Over several decades, many Dutch Christians have become dissatisfied with other denominations and began attending Nazarene churches, feeding much of the denomination’s growth in the Netherlands.
Within that context, about four years ago the Dordrecht church began dreaming of developing a missional outreach to reach completely unchurched people. Dordrecht’s population is 130,000, but some of its neighborhoods have no church presence.
Pastor Michel Meeuws noticed that one of his lay leaders, a neighborhood chief of police named Bas Breekveldt, had the qualities to be a missional church planter. Breekveldt agreed to lead a pioneer effort in addition to his full-time night shift work, and eventually eight people from the congregation, including his wife, Inge, joined him.
The church prayed and fasted for three Saturdays, seeking God’s leading, particularly about where to start the new work, Meeuws said.
“There are a lot of churches, but we started looking for a neighborhood where there is need,” Breekveldt said. “The people in need are the ones who are open to all kinds of questions.”
The group researched different areas where they could work, and through a process of elimination narrowed the possibilities to Reeland, an economically struggling neighborhood with no other church presence. Then they formed a two-part strategy to launch the work: first by voluntarily doing community improvement work and helping people with practical needs, and secondly by starting a loosely traditional Sunday worship service where people they meet could come together for social interaction and to learn about God.
They went into the community to pick up trash and organized a barbecue so they could start meeting people. They also joined with existing organizations to support their community work.
The Kruispunt church, which now numbers between 30 to 40 adults, meets on Sundays in a school.
The core of the Sunday gathering is a meal, usually soup and bread with some sides.
“Because Jesus eats with everyone, he invited himself to all kinds of people and they eat…. It binds together. So that’s where we started. We want to eat,” Breekveldt said.
At first the group wanted to make their gathering very different from a traditional church service so the unchurched would feel comfortable. Yet, when it came time to design the gathering, it was hard to imagine something different.
“These are people who have been Christians all their lives, so 30, 40, 50 years; they don’t know anything else but being a church like we know here in Holland – mostly the Reformed church," Breekveldt said. "So you have a clear liturgy that this is what we do, you just sit and listen, you sing your song, you listen to a sermon, and you go home.”
Eventually, the team found a format that worked.
The Sunday worship services are casual, with a 10 a.m. prayer time, a 10:30 coffee and cake fellowship as people begin to enter the building, and then a short 11 a.m. worship service with a few songs and a brief, simple sermon. At the conclusion, the team offers creative opportunities for active response to the sermon. For instance, one Sunday the group was invited to nail pieces of paper on which they had written their burdens to a wooden cross.
Kruispunt also offers the Alpha Course several times a year. Alpha is a 10-week introduction to faith through discussion and study. In the first series, about 16 people participated; the second series, there were 12. A new Alpha Course is planned for this fall.
Hilde Verbueken (left) is a Sunday school teacher at Kruispunt Reeland Kerk van de Nazarener. She and several others joined the team to start the new work two years ago in an unreached neighborhood. Natascha Kleton van Gils (right) became a believer through the group’s Alpha Course.
A year ago, Natascha Kleton van Gils’ neighbor invited her to visit the church. When she heard about the Alpha Course, Kleton van Gils decided it would be a good way to learn more. After six weeks she said, “I think I’m going to just start to believe.” She accepted Jesus as her Savior. The panic attacks she had suffered from gradually ceased. Although her neighbor no longer comes, Kleton van Gils is a regular attendee and is going to start helping with children’s Sunday school. Now her husband and son are coming as well.
“They are further than we expected them to be,” Meeuws says of Kruispunt’s development. “They are getting non-Christian, postmodern people. They are not getting church people, and sometimes they have 70 or 80 people.”
Meeuws, who is studying for a master’s degree in missiology, said it is projected in 10 years more than 1,000 established Dutch churches will disappear, and will be replaced by a movement of small, unconventional churches in unreached neighborhoods. The Nazarenes in Dordrecht want to be on the cutting edge of that social shift.
Encouraged by Kruispunt’s growth, the Dordrecht church is planning a second church plant. They’ve chosen the neighborhood and are talking to a potential pastor to lead the effort. They may try a different method to get the new plant going, as Kruispunt took a lot of time, energy, and money to get started, Meeuws said.
Although the neighborhood demographic will be different and the approach may be different, the message will be the same: No matter who you are, you are welcome.
“People [will come] who will never want to or have never had the experience to be seen and be welcomed the way they are. That’s why we really try to proclaim, ‘You are welcomed just the way you are,’” Breekveldt said. “After that we will see who you are and that’s OK. God loves you.”[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
The Sierra Leone flag is a horizontal tricolour of green, white, and blue. The green is symbolic of the agricultural and natural resources of the country, while the white represents justice and the blue is symbolic of Freetown's harbor. Dutch church expands to unreached areaIlse was reluctant to visit the new Nazarene church near her home even though her social worker thought it would be good for her. The 70-year-old Dutch woman had recently divorced from her husband of 39 years and her son’s family lives in England. Now she resides alone.
Ilse suffered with depression and poor self-esteem throughout her life. She has attempted suicide many times — beneath the sleeve of her sweater remain the thin, white scar lines.
It’s not that she had never tried church, but she has bad memories of the church she attended as a youth, which she describes as legalistic and judgmental, amplifying her lack of self-worth.
The social worker persisted until she allowed him to take her one Sunday about a year ago. At first she visited once a month. Then twice a month. Now, every Sunday.
“During the week, I feel terrible, but when I come on Sunday, all the bad feelings go out. Here, it’s very warm. I feel like here… ” she said, demonstrating a hug.
Ilse says the people at the Nazarene church love her and welcome her, and she’s been learning about God’s love.
“I need Him, I need Him,” she said with a smile, pointing upward.
Kruispunt Reeland Kerk van de Nazarener (Crossroads Reeland Church of the Nazarene) was planted two years ago, a missional outreach of its mother church, Kerk van de Nazarener Dordrecht, which first formed in the 1980s and now numbers about 600 people, including about 150 children.
The Church of the Nazarene denomination has about a dozen churches in the Netherlands. Over several decades, many Dutch Christians have become dissatisfied with other denominations and began attending Nazarene churches, feeding much of the denomination’s growth in the Netherlands.
Within that context, about four years ago the Dordrecht church began dreaming of developing a missional outreach to reach completely unchurched people. Dordrecht’s population is 130,000, but some of its neighborhoods have no church presence.
Pastor Michel Meeuws noticed that one of his lay leaders, a neighborhood chief of police named Bas Breekveldt, had the qualities to be a missional church planter. Breekveldt agreed to lead a pioneer effort in addition to his full-time night shift work, and eventually eight people from the congregation, including his wife, Inge, joined him.
The church prayed and fasted for three Saturdays, seeking God’s leading, particularly about where to start the new work, Meeuws said.
“There are a lot of churches, but we started looking for a neighborhood where there is need,” Breekveldt said. “The people in need are the ones who are open to all kinds of questions.”
The group researched different areas where they could work, and through a process of elimination narrowed the possibilities to Reeland, an economically struggling neighborhood with no other church presence. Then they formed a two-part strategy to launch the work: first by voluntarily doing community improvement work and helping people with practical needs, and secondly by starting a loosely traditional Sunday worship service where people they meet could come together for social interaction and to learn about God.
They went into the community to pick up trash and organized a barbecue so they could start meeting people. They also joined with existing organizations to support their community work.
The Kruispunt church, which now numbers between 30 to 40 adults, meets on Sundays in a school.
The core of the Sunday gathering is a meal, usually soup and bread with some sides.
“Because Jesus eats with everyone, he invited himself to all kinds of people and they eat…. It binds together. So that’s where we started. We want to eat,” Breekveldt said.
At first the group wanted to make their gathering very different from a traditional church service so the unchurched would feel comfortable. Yet, when it came time to design the gathering, it was hard to imagine something different.
“These are people who have been Christians all their lives, so 30, 40, 50 years; they don’t know anything else but being a church like we know here in Holland – mostly the Reformed church," Breekveldt said. "So you have a clear liturgy that this is what we do, you just sit and listen, you sing your song, you listen to a sermon, and you go home.”
Eventually, the team found a format that worked.
The Sunday worship services are casual, with a 10 a.m. prayer time, a 10:30 coffee and cake fellowship as people begin to enter the building, and then a short 11 a.m. worship service with a few songs and a brief, simple sermon. At the conclusion, the team offers creative opportunities for active response to the sermon. For instance, one Sunday the group was invited to nail pieces of paper on which they had written their burdens to a wooden cross.
Kruispunt also offers the Alpha Course several times a year. Alpha is a 10-week introduction to faith through discussion and study. In the first series, about 16 people participated; the second series, there were 12. A new Alpha Course is planned for this fall.
Hilde Verbueken (left) is a Sunday school teacher at Kruispunt Reeland Kerk van de Nazarener. She and several others joined the team to start the new work two years ago in an unreached neighborhood. Natascha Kleton van Gils (right) became a believer through the group’s Alpha Course.
A year ago, Natascha Kleton van Gils’ neighbor invited her to visit the church. When she heard about the Alpha Course, Kleton van Gils decided it would be a good way to learn more. After six weeks she said, “I think I’m going to just start to believe.” She accepted Jesus as her Savior. The panic attacks she had suffered from gradually ceased. Although her neighbor no longer comes, Kleton van Gils is a regular attendee and is going to start helping with children’s Sunday school. Now her husband and son are coming as well.
“They are further than we expected them to be,” Meeuws says of Kruispunt’s development. “They are getting non-Christian, postmodern people. They are not getting church people, and sometimes they have 70 or 80 people.”
Meeuws, who is studying for a master’s degree in missiology, said it is projected in 10 years more than 1,000 established Dutch churches will disappear, and will be replaced by a movement of small, unconventional churches in unreached neighborhoods. The Nazarenes in Dordrecht want to be on the cutting edge of that social shift.
Encouraged by Kruispunt’s growth, the Dordrecht church is planning a second church plant. They’ve chosen the neighborhood and are talking to a potential pastor to lead the effort. They may try a different method to get the new plant going, as Kruispunt took a lot of time, energy, and money to get started, Meeuws said.
Although the neighborhood demographic will be different and the approach may be different, the message will be the same: No matter who you are, you are welcome.
“People [will come] who will never want to or have never had the experience to be seen and be welcomed the way they are. That’s why we really try to proclaim, ‘You are welcomed just the way you are,’” Breekveldt said. “After that we will see who you are and that’s OK. God loves you.”[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
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: Sierra Leone
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Sierra Leone in 2004.
Sierra Leone had a population of 5,879,098 in 2015. That same year, Sierra Leone reported 69 Churches of the Nazarene, two of which had been officially organized. Sierra Leone has 891 total members.
Located on the Africa Region, Sierra Leone is a Phase 1 district. 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.
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USA/Canada
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USA/Canada
Lenexa, Kansas
Bridges Ministry Council meets to discuss young, single adult ministryThe Bridges Ministry Council met this month to discuss their initiatives and strategy for the 2016-2017 year. The ministry advocates for young and single adults in the Church of the Nazarene and is a resource for them as they look for ways to grow and serve. Council members span a variety of ages and come from various walks of life but unite around a singular passion: supporting the next generation of the church’s leadership.
With this in mind, the Council created a strategy to participate in upcoming events and conferences, such as hosting a table discussion during General Assembly 2017. Through networking and relationship building, the Council hopes to provide support to young adults in ministry, as well as find ways churches can both encourage and train new leaders. As part of these initiatives, the Council will be listening to young adults in the church to learn about their struggles, concerns, and recommendations. From this input, they hope to better reach their audience and continue to bridge the gap between generations within the Church of the Nazarene.
To learn more about Bridges Ministry, visit thebridgesministry.org.[USA/Canada Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries]
Bridges Ministry Council meets to discuss young, single adult ministryThe Bridges Ministry Council met this month to discuss their initiatives and strategy for the 2016-2017 year. The ministry advocates for young and single adults in the Church of the Nazarene and is a resource for them as they look for ways to grow and serve. Council members span a variety of ages and come from various walks of life but unite around a singular passion: supporting the next generation of the church’s leadership.
With this in mind, the Council created a strategy to participate in upcoming events and conferences, such as hosting a table discussion during General Assembly 2017. Through networking and relationship building, the Council hopes to provide support to young adults in ministry, as well as find ways churches can both encourage and train new leaders. As part of these initiatives, the Council will be listening to young adults in the church to learn about their struggles, concerns, and recommendations. From this input, they hope to better reach their audience and continue to bridge the gap between generations within the Church of the Nazarene.
To learn more about Bridges Ministry, visit thebridgesministry.org.[USA/Canada Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries]
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Kansas City, Missouri
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Kansas City, Missouri
NTS seeks applicants for communications, accountant positionsNazarene Theological Seminary is seeking a full-time marketing and communications specialist and a full-time accountant.
Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, a resume and/or portfolio sample, and a completed application no later than Friday, May 13, to:
Human Resources
1700 East Meyer Boulevard
Kansas City, Missouri 64131, United States
Fax 816.268.5500
Email hr@nts.edu
For more information about this opening, visit nts.edu/employment-in-kansas-city.[Nazarene Theological Seminary]
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In MemoriamThe following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received April 25-28, 2016.
John Salyer, 82, of West Van Lear, Kentucky, passed away April 21. He was a retired minister, serving in Kentucky and Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Shelby (Horn) Salyer.
Dennis Shirer, 61, of Kingwood, West Virginia, passed away April 27. He was a minister, serving at Kingwood Church of the Nazarene. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen (Mitchell) Shirer, in 2011. More information will be posted next week.
M. Louise Womack, 88, of Eddyville, Kentucky, passed away April 21. She was the widow of Virgil Womack, who served in Kentucky. Virgil Womack passed away in 2010.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join 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]
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In MemoriamThe following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received April 25-28, 2016.
John Salyer, 82, of West Van Lear, Kentucky, passed away April 21. He was a retired minister, serving in Kentucky and Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Shelby (Horn) Salyer.
Dennis Shirer, 61, of Kingwood, West Virginia, passed away April 27. He was a minister, serving at Kingwood Church of the Nazarene. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen (Mitchell) Shirer, in 2011. More information will be posted next week.
M. Louise Womack, 88, of Eddyville, Kentucky, passed away April 21. She was the widow of Virgil Womack, who served in Kentucky. Virgil Womack passed away in 2010.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join 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]
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Human Resources
GMC employment opportunities
GMC employment opportunities
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
Communications/Information Technology — Social Media Specialist (Full time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: Communications/Information Technology
Title: Social Media Specialist
Description: This position carries out the organization’s social media and digital communications strategies via the organization's social media accounts and nazarene.org.
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.
Global Mission Administration — Administrative Assistant (Full time)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Global Mission Administration
Title: Administrative Assistant
Description: The primary objective of this position is to assist in the coordination of communications, strategies, events, and correspondence with the Global Mission Administration team.
Research Services — Ministerial Records Data Entry Clerk (Temporary)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: Research
Title: Ministerial Records Data Entry Clerk
Description: The primary responsibility for this position is to transfer data from 3x5 cards to the OPAL computerized database.
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.
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
Communications/Information Technology — Social Media Specialist (Full time)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: Communications/Information Technology
Title: Social Media Specialist
Description: This position carries out the organization’s social media and digital communications strategies via the organization's social media accounts and nazarene.org.
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.
Global Mission Administration — Administrative Assistant (Full time)
Office: Global Mission
Ministry: Global Mission Administration
Title: Administrative Assistant
Description: The primary objective of this position is to assist in the coordination of communications, strategies, events, and correspondence with the Global Mission Administration team.
Research Services — Ministerial Records Data Entry Clerk (Temporary)
Office: General Secretary
Ministry: Research
Title: Ministerial Records Data Entry Clerk
Description: The primary responsibility for this position is to transfer data from 3x5 cards to the OPAL computerized database.
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.
news@nazarene.org
Material created and owned by NCN News may be used for church newsletters and bulletins.
The Global Church of the Nazarene Communication Network News
Material created and owned by NCN News may be used for church newsletters and bulletins.
The Global Church of the Nazarene Communication Network News
17001 Prairie Star Parkway
Lenexa, Kansas 66220, United States
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