Monday, November 28, 2016

The Asia-Pacific Region of The Global Church of the Nazarene's Around The Region News... APNTS Celebrates 33rd Anniversary, Coverage of Singapore Church Launch,Passing of Two Leaders, Plus Praises, Prayer Requests and More! for Saturday, November 26, 2016 Volume 4 / Issue Number 43

The Asia-Pacific Region of The Global Church of the Nazarene's Around The Region News... APNTS Celebrates 33rd Anniversary, Coverage of Singapore Church Launch,Passing of Two Leaders, Plus Praises, Prayer Requests and More! for Saturday, November 26, 2016 Volume 4 / Issue Number 43


(Bold Items - Latest News)
Africa:
Eurasia:
Mesoamerica:
South America:
USA / Canada:
Collegiate:
Resources:
Passings:
Engage Magazine:

The Church of the Nazarene's annual Thank Offering for The World Evangelism Fund is the cooperative genius of the mission enterprise of the Church of the Nazarene. It is based on the concept that we can do more working together than could ever be done working alone.

The World Evangelism Fund was created to allow missionaries to work more effectively and to encourage all churches to support missions.
The World Evangelism Fund goes directly toward accomplishing the mission of the Church of the Nazarene, to make Christlike disciples in the nations. The World Evangelism Fund is the funding that operates the Church of the Nazarene and its mission efforts, from the operation of the Global Ministry Center to district compassion
centers and kingdom impact in unreached areas around the world.
Questions or Comments? Click here.
Luke 17:11-19
Luke 17:11 On his way to Yerushalayim, Yeshua passed along the border country between Shomron and the Galil. 12 As he entered one of the villages, ten men afflicted with tzara‘at met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out, “Yeshua! Rabbi! Have pity on us!” 14 On seeing them, he said, “Go and let the cohanim examine you!” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, as soon as he noticed that he had been healed, returned shouting praises to God, 16 and fell on his face at Yeshua’s feet to thank him. Now he was from Shomron. 17 Yeshua said, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found coming back to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And to the man from Shomron he said, “Get up, you may go; your trust has saved you.”
---
As we gather this season around Thanksgiving tables laden with the fruits of the earth that symbolize to us all the gifts of our Creator, let us remember our Pilgrim fathers and mothers who initiated this great tradition. But let us also remember the lesson the Pilgrims taught us: Thanks can be given, even following times of adversity. [Randy Hammer]
Thanksgiving Is an Attitude and a Way of Life - vs. 11-14: "Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, Jesus, Master, have pity on us! When he saw them, he said, Go, show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were cleansed."
Ten lepers experienced physical healing, but only one discovered wholeness .
Thankfulness completes healing
The most destructive acid in the world is found in a sour disposition.[Kevin Riggs]
Thanksgiving is Hindered by the Sin of Ingratitude - v. 15, One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
a. Pride - Romans 12:3 For I am telling every single one of you, through the grace that has been given to me, not to have exaggerated ideas about your own importance. Instead, develop a sober estimate of yourself based on the standard which God has given to each of you, namely, trust.
b. Affluence - 1 Timothy 6:6 Now true religion does bring great riches, but only to those who are content with what they have. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world; and we can take nothing out of it; 8 so if we have food and clothing, we will be satisfied with these. 9 Furthermore, those whose goal is to be rich fall into temptation; they get trapped in many foolish and hurtful ambitions which plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all the evils; because of this craving, some people have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves to the heart with many pains.
c. Greed- 1 John 3:16 The way that we have come to know love is through his having laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers! 17 If someone has worldly possessions and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how can he be loving God? 18 Children, let us love not with words and talk, but with actions and in reality!
d. Circumstances - Exodus 14:10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Isra’el looked up and saw the Egyptians right there, coming after them. In great fear the people of Isra’el cried out to Adonai 11 and said to Moshe, “Was it because there weren’t enough graves in Egypt that you brought us out to die in the desert? Why have you done this to us, bringing us out of Egypt?
Gratitude produces more positive emotional energy than any other attitude in life.[Hans Selyr]
Thanksgiving Is More than Food and Football - vs. 16-19: "He threw himself at Jesus feet and thanked him, and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner? Then he said to him, Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
1. We should be thankful for the opportunities of life - Psalm 100:4, Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
2. We should be thankful for the challenges of life - 1 Thessalonians 5:18, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
3. We should be thankful for the blessings of life - Romans 8:28, And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever (Psalm 107:1).[Stan Toler]
Please continue to pray for Stan's battle with cancer - for more information click here.
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Asia-Pacific Region
Prominent Church Leader in Papua New Guinea Passes After Battle With Cancer.
Papua New Guinea: After only a few short months of battling cancer, Baru Dirye, the National Health Secretary for the Nazarene Health Ministries (NHM), entered into the presence of his Savior on Thursday, November 24th, 2016.
Baru has motivated disciples to lead, started church plants, and guided hundreds to Christ. He was an inspiration to all who knew him, and the church mourns with his family.
Andy Bennett says, “During the night, Baru Dirye, our friend, brother in the Lord, leader, and man of God, quietly slipped into the arms of the One whom he had served faithfully these many years.”
“He was not only a top administrator in the health care ministry, but he and his wife Christina, have led a hugely successful Nazarene church plant. What initially started as a simple house church a few years ago eventually led to the single biggest baptism in the church’s history in PNG- with 75 people baptized in one service!” Dr. Scott Dooley, Nazarene Hospital Administrator
There is most definitely a tremendous reunion in heaven between Baru and his father Rev. Taime, who passed in 2014. Both of these men shared an insatiable passion for seeing souls won to the Lord. Rev. Taime was a long-time pastor, church planter, evangelist, the first national district superintendent in Papua New Guinea, and a chaplain for 20 years at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital. He was also the first ordained elder and first DS in Papua New Guinea. What a tremendous family legacy.
Please pray for Baru’s wife, Christiana, and their kids, ranging from college age down to early elementary age. Please pray for the ministry in Papua New Guinea, and pray that our church members will understand that godly men sometimes die for reasons that we don’t always understand.[Submitted by: Ingrid Kiper]
Australian District Advisory Board, Former General Board Member Passes Away *** Update
Graeme and Pauline Sheppard
Australia: Please pray for the family and many friends of District Advisory Board and Missional Leadership Team member & Australia-NZ Field Work & Witness Coordinator Graeme Sheppard, age 63, of Inala church. Sheppard passed away in the evening of 22 November 2016, at the St Andrews Hospital in Toowoomba, Queensland after a three-year battle with cancer. Our warmest and deepest condolences are extended to Graeme’s wife of 34 years, ANZ Field Nazarene Missions International (NMI) Coordinator and Asia-Pacific Regional NMI Global Council representative, Pauline Sheppard, and their 3 children: Paul Sheppard, Steph Sheppard, and Melody Ortado.
Please see end of story for funeral update
Graeme John Sheppard was born at the Mother’s Hospital in Toowoomba on 12 October 1953, the third and final child of the former Dorothy Hamlyn and her husband former Lieut. Clyde P. Sheppard (2/26th Battalion A.I.F), a former Prisoner of War in Changi and Sandakan for more than 3 years during World War 2; and the younger brother of Alan Clyde and Glenda.
Graeme – Circa 1975
As a young man, Graeme started attending the Coorparoo Church of the Nazarene, where he found the Lord under the ministry of the late Pastor John N. White. After graduating from Cavendish Rd High School in Holland Park, QLD in 1970, Graeme went to work as a clerk for the Queensland Housing Commission, before transferring to the QLD Main Roads (QMR) Department in 1972. While employed with Main Roads, Graeme studied part-time at the Queensland Institute of Technology, graduating with a Certificate in Civil Engineering in 1979. In August 1979, Graeme was transferred to Cloncurry, QLD, (1700km NW of Brisbane), where he was a Cadet Technician and later Laboratory Technician for QMR for the next 18 months.
In January 1981 Graeme returned to Brisbane, where he worked as a marketing consultant for 3 years and resumed attending the Coorparoo church. Soon after he met his future wife Pauline, and they were married on 8 May 1982. In 1982 Graeme enrolled part-time at the Southern QLD Institute of TAFE in Toowoomba, Queensland, graduating with a Diploma of Business Management in 1986. In January 1984 Graeme became the Lab Manager of DJ Brown and Partners in Toowoomba, forcing the Sheppards to move to Toowoomba, where they were key members and lay leaders of the fledgling Church of the Nazarene in the “Garden City”.
In March 1991, Graeme began a 25 year association with Soiltech Testing Services, a successful private civil and geotechnical Testing Authority for the building and construction industry based in Toowoomba, serving for ten years as Senior Engineering Technician, before buying the company in July 2001 and becoming the managing director.
Inspired by the words of missionary martyr Jim Elliot, who said “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose,” Graeme was a dedicated layman, serving faithfully as a church board member, bus driver, and visitor in local churches at Coorparoo, Toowoomba, and Inala. Graeme served on local church and district IMPACT teams, and was elected to the District Advisory Board on the former Australia Northern Pacific District and later the Missional Leadership Team on both the ANPD and the new Australia North & West District (ANWD). Graeme also served on the National Board of the Church of the Nazarene; was a mentor for the ANPD Leadership Development Initiative and was a member of the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene from 2005 to 2013, serving on its Finance Committee, and a member of the International Church Commission of the Church of the Nazarene (2005-2009).
Graeme served as a delegate several times to both the General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene and to the Global NMI Convention, as well as to Asia-Pacific Regional Conferences.
2016 NMI Global Council Meeting, Left to Right, Connie Aebischer, Pauline and Graeme Sheppard
Passionate about Christian missions and especially the global ministry of the Church of the Nazarene, Graeme served for more than 15 years as a member of the District Nazarene Missions Council of the former Australia Northern Pacific District, including 11 years under the leadership of District NMI President Pauline Sheppard, and for another year on the new Australia North & West District NMI Council. Graeme was the ANPD Work & Witness Team Coordinator organizing W&W teams to serve on 3 occasions in Papua New Guinea, as well as to the Solomons, and Vanuatu. In recognition of his effective leadership, Graeme was appointed as the Work & Witness Coordinator for the Australia-New Zealand Field of the Church of the Nazarene, and was at the time of his death, organizing a W&W team to Fiji for August 2017.
In appreciation of his sacrificial service to the Lord, the Living Hope Church of the Nazarene was planning to present him a Distinguished Service Award on 27 November 2016. Since 1995, Graeme and Pauline have sponsored a young girl in the Philippines through Compassion International and were able to meet her in Manila for her 21st birthday in 2011.
Graeme’s pastor, Emman T Chapman wrote elsewhere:
“Graeme Sheppard, one of God’s most faithful saints and holy ones, while surrounded by his family, went to be fully in the peaceful and joyous presence of God this evening. Please pray for Pauline, Paul, Melody, Steph, and the rest of their family and friends who, in the midst of their joy for the end of his suffering, are in indescribable sorrow for the loss of a Husband, Dad, and Mate so very dear to them. Please give the family space to grieve and hold each other through this by holding your calls and visits at the moment. They know very much that you love them and that God is with them.’”
Asia-Pacific Regional Director Dr Mark Louw wrote:
“We thank God for Graeme’s amazing witness and know that the God of all Peace will be with Pauline, Paul, Melody, Steph, and the rest of the family and friends during this time of grief.”
Update: 25 Nov 2016
The following message was received from one of Graeme Sheppard’s daughters, Steph: “We are so incredibly humbled by the outpouring of thoughts, prayers and kind words. We have read each one of your messages of love and support and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
All are welcome to attend Dad’s funeral service on Wednesday, 30th November 2016, at 2.30pm at Burstows Chapel, 1020 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.”[Submitted: Steve Walsh – Australia New Zealand Field]
7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks New Zealand. Update Received From Local Nazarene Churches!
New Zealand: In the early hours of Monday morning 14 November 2016, an earthquake measuring 7.5 shook the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island, and was felt as far north as Auckland in the North Island.
The epicentre was located in a rural area, almost 100kms north of Christchurch. Christchurch was devastated by a major earthquake in 2011, when almost 200 residents were killed.
Photo Credit: AP/SNPA: David Alexander
To date there have been two fatalities, the east coast’s major state highway has been cut off due to a major landslide, and at least 400 aftershocks have continued to be of concern. A tsunami alert was lifted, with a coastal and marine warning remaining in place.
Australia New Zealand’s Field Strategy Coordinator, Rev. Dr. John Moore, was briefed by New Zealand’s District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. Neville Bartle, just hours after the incident. Dr Bartle indicated that our churches and congregations in Christchurch and Wainuiomata (an outer suburb of the nation’s capital, Wellington, in the North Island) were relatively unaffected by the quake.
Image Credit: www.facebook.com/quakefeed
Nazarene Compassionate Ministry Australia New Zealand’s co-ordinator, Rev. David Harris, is liaising with the local pastors in Christchurch and Wainuiomata to determine what, if any response may be implemented to support residents. The 2011 quake provided an opportunity for the local congregations in Christchurch, in partnership with the district, field, region and global church, to extend their hands in assisting local residents with clean-up crews, providing a charging station for mobile phones, as well as access to clean drinking water.
Prayer is requested for victims of the quake, for those areas across the country that will continue to experience aftershocks in the days, weeks, and likely months to follow. Pray also that God will grant wisdom and grace, as Nazarenes reach out to family, friends, neighbors… and strangers, offering Christlike compassion.
DS. Dr. Neville Bartle also requests prayer for those pastors and families who have been impacted. They are safe, but obviously a bit shaken by the experience: Premda, Beena, Lesniaks, Andrew, Emi, Pele, Leonor and family, Matt and family.[Submitted: Rev. David Harris, NCM Coordinator, Australia / New Zealand Field][Feature Image Credit: www.newsradio.lk]
VICTORY WEEK! Saturday, November 5, 2016 8:00 PM
This has been one of the most remarkable weeks of our lives--John successfully completed 6 weeks of radiation and chemo therapy AND his beloved Cubs won the World Series!! Cubs' President Theo Epstein may believe that the 17 minute rain delay in Game 7 was "divine intervention," but we KNOW John's "side-effects-free" treatment definitely was the result of the intervening grace of God in response to your prayers, and we are immensely grateful!! I am including some pictures this week, so you can share in John's "ringing of the bell" ceremony on Friday! We saw a new radiologist who was also surprised at how well he is doing--she was obviously startled to find that while his blood counts had been stable throughout treatment, the one Wednesday of this week was the best one he'd had since this began! When a doctor's eyes widen in amazement, and she gets a big smile on her face, we know we have been given another opportunity to talk about your unwavering support in prayer AND God's faithfulness! Admittedly, this was probably the most exhausting week of John's treatment--not because of the radiation and chemo, but because of the nerve-racking, late nights watching the Cubbies make history! We ate "Chicago mix" popcorn (caramel and cheddar cheese--YUMMY, but definitely not on his list of healthy foods!), and we are still SO excited, we can hardly stand it!! We had the most wonderful time with family last weekend, even though the Cubs lost both games we watched together...we promised each other we would never do that again! One of the surprises that continues to delight my heart is the pure joy and bright laughter that has marked these days! We are living Psalm 126 verses 2-3: "We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, 'What amazing things the Lord has done for them.' Yes, what amazing things the Lord has done for us! What joy!" John now begins a month of rest and recuperation during which time we will not only celebrate THANKSGIVING together, but we will also welcome the newest member of the family--Baby Seaman is due November 19th, and, no, we don't know yet whether it's a boy or girl! Haverty and Channing are rooting for a little sister--we're just hoping Lauren doesn't name him/her Rizzo or Zobrist! Wednesday, November 30th, John will have the enhanced MRI, then he has appointments with all three of his doctors. Please join us in praying that this MRI will show absolutely no trace of cancer in John's brain. We have been praying throughout his treatment that the cancer would be "obliterated," but one of its synonyms also happens to be one John's favorite words--"eradicated," so let's go with that!! "To God be the glory--great things He has done!!" Linda for John and the family


Special Ministry, Hurricane Matthew Update, Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, Seminary Anniversary,
NZ Earthquake

Great Missions Moment
/ Service Opener
Philippines
Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS) is very blessed as they celebrated their 33rd founding anniversary on November 17, 2016.
It was a day of worship, songs, praises and inspiring messages that left the attendees inspired and filled with God's grace.
May APNTS continue to flourish as they groom our church's future leaders.
APNTS Celebrates 33rd Anniversary!
Manila: On November 17th, Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS) celebrated the 33rd anniversary of its official opening in 1983. The seminary held a campus-wide celebration where students, faculty, and alumni from around the world worshipped in prayer, song, and the Word.

Dr. Angelito Agbuya, one of the first faculty members when APNTS was founded, delivered a challenging message that encouraged the community and its supporters to continue walking with God. Dr. Agbuya was also honored for his many contributions to APNTS during the worship celebration.

Newly elected President Dr. Bruce Oldham said, “What an honor it was for me to join our APNTS community in celebration of who we are as a community in Christ — past, present, and future. Our heritage anchors us in the mission of Christ and the initiatives of the Church of the Nazarene to equip and mobilize believers to ‘make Christlike disciples of the nations.’ Dr. Agbuya represented so many who have invested their passion into our seminary over the past 33 years, and His challenge to us charted our course for the years to come. Praise the Lord for what He is doing through our alumni around the world, and through our current students now and into the future!”

The vision of APNTS since its founding year has been to bridge cultures for Christ. After thirty-three years of equipping and preparing men and women for Christ-like leadership and excellence in Christian ministries, APNTS has more than 480 graduates in 24 countries performing pastoral, teaching, missional, administrative and many other forms of ministry.
Continue to pray for the seminary as it prepares students and serves its community, not just across the region but around the world.
Australia 
Graeme & Pauline Sheppard
After a three-year battle with cancer, District Advisory Board, Missional Leadership Team Member & Australia- New Zealand Field Work & Witness Coordinator Graeme Sheppard passed away in the evening of 22 November 2016 at the St. Andrew's Hospital in Toowoomba, Queensland.
The Asia-Pacific Region is very grateful for all the things he did to make Kingdom Impact. He will be truly missed. 
Get to know Graeme, his ministry and his contributions to the Australia-New Zealand Field.
Australian District Advisory Board, Former General Board Member Passes Away *** Update
Graeme and Pauline Sheppard
Australia: Please pray for the family and many friends of District Advisory Board and Missional Leadership Team member & Australia-NZ Field Work & Witness Coordinator Graeme Sheppard, age 63, of Inala church. Sheppard passed away in the evening of 22 November 2016, at the St Andrews Hospital in Toowoomba, Queensland after a three-year battle with cancer. Our warmest and deepest condolences are extended to Graeme’s wife of 34 years, ANZ Field Nazarene Missions International (NMI) Coordinator and Asia-Pacific Regional NMI Global Council representative, Pauline Sheppard, and their 3 children: Paul Sheppard, Steph Sheppard, and Melody Ortado.
Please see end of story for funeral update
Graeme John Sheppard was born at the Mother’s Hospital in Toowoomba on 12 October 1953, the third and final child of the former Dorothy Hamlyn and her husband former Lieut. Clyde P. Sheppard (2/26th Battalion A.I.F), a former Prisoner of War in Changi and Sandakan for more than 3 years during World War 2; and the younger brother of Alan Clyde and Glenda.
Graeme – Circa 1975
As a young man, Graeme started attending the Coorparoo Church of the Nazarene, where he found the Lord under the ministry of the late Pastor John N. White. After graduating from Cavendish Rd High School in Holland Park, QLD in 1970, Graeme went to work as a clerk for the Queensland Housing Commission, before transferring to the QLD Main Roads (QMR) Department in 1972. While employed with Main Roads, Graeme studied part-time at the Queensland Institute of Technology, graduating with a Certificate in Civil Engineering in 1979. In August 1979, Graeme was transferred to Cloncurry, QLD, (1700km NW of Brisbane), where he was a Cadet Technician and later Laboratory Technician for QMR for the next 18 months.
In January 1981 Graeme returned to Brisbane, where he worked as a marketing consultant for 3 years and resumed attending the Coorparoo church. Soon after he met his future wife Pauline, and they were married on 8 May 1982. In 1982 Graeme enrolled part-time at the Southern QLD Institute of TAFE in Toowoomba, Queensland, graduating with a Diploma of Business Management in 1986. In January 1984 Graeme became the Lab Manager of DJ Brown and Partners in Toowoomba, forcing the Sheppards to move to Toowoomba, where they were key members and lay leaders of the fledgling Church of the Nazarene in the “Garden City”.
In March 1991, Graeme began a 25 year association with Soiltech Testing Services, a successful private civil and geotechnical Testing Authority for the building and construction industry based in Toowoomba, serving for ten years as Senior Engineering Technician, before buying the company in July 2001 and becoming the managing director.
Inspired by the words of missionary martyr Jim Elliot, who said “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose,” Graeme was a dedicated layman, serving faithfully as a church board member, bus driver, and visitor in local churches at Coorparoo, Toowoomba, and Inala. Graeme served on local church and district IMPACT teams, and was elected to the District Advisory Board on the former Australia Northern Pacific District and later the Missional Leadership Team on both the ANPD and the new Australia North & West District (ANWD). Graeme also served on the National Board of the Church of the Nazarene; was a mentor for the ANPD Leadership Development Initiative and was a member of the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene from 2005 to 2013, serving on its Finance Committee, and a member of the International Church Commission of the Church of the Nazarene (2005-2009).
Graeme served as a delegate several times to both the General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene and to the Global NMI Convention, as well as to Asia-Pacific Regional Conferences.
2016 NMI Global Council Meeting, Left to Right, Connie Aebischer, Pauline and Graeme Sheppard
Passionate about Christian missions and especially the global ministry of the Church of the Nazarene, Graeme served for more than 15 years as a member of the District Nazarene Missions Council of the former Australia Northern Pacific District, including 11 years under the leadership of District NMI President Pauline Sheppard, and for another year on the new Australia North & West District NMI Council. Graeme was the ANPD Work & Witness Team Coordinator organizing W&W teams to serve on 3 occasions in Papua New Guinea, as well as to the Solomons, and Vanuatu. In recognition of his effective leadership, Graeme was appointed as the Work & Witness Coordinator for the Australia-New Zealand Field of the Church of the Nazarene, and was at the time of his death, organizing a W&W team to Fiji for August 2017.
In appreciation of his sacrificial service to the Lord, the Living Hope Church of the Nazarene was planning to present him a Distinguished Service Award on 27 November 2016. Since 1995, Graeme and Pauline have sponsored a young girl in the Philippines through Compassion International and were able to meet her in Manila for her 21st birthday in 2011.
Graeme’s pastor, Emman T Chapman wrote elsewhere:
“Graeme Sheppard, one of God’s most faithful saints and holy ones, while surrounded by his family, went to be fully in the peaceful and joyous presence of God this evening. Please pray for Pauline, Paul, Melody, Steph, and the rest of their family and friends who, in the midst of their joy for the end of his suffering, are in indescribable sorrow for the loss of a Husband, Dad, and Mate so very dear to them. Please give the family space to grieve and hold each other through this by holding your calls and visits at the moment. They know very much that you love them and that God is with them.’”
Asia-Pacific Regional Director Dr Mark Louw wrote:
“We thank God for Graeme’s amazing witness and know that the God of all Peace will be with Pauline, Paul, Melody, Steph, and the rest of the family and friends during this time of grief.”
Update: 25 Nov 2016
The following message was received from one of Graeme Sheppard’s daughters, Steph: “We are so incredibly humbled by the outpouring of thoughts, prayers and kind words. We have read each one of your messages of love and support and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
All are welcome to attend Dad’s funeral service on Wednesday, 30th November 2016, at 2.30pm at Burstows Chapel, 1020 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.”[Submitted: Steve Walsh – Australia New Zealand Field]
Prominent Church Leader in Papua New Guinea Passes After Battle with Cancer
Papua New Guinea
After only a few shorts months of battling cancer, Nazarene Health Ministries (NHM) National Health Secretary Baru Dirye passed away on Thursday, November 24.
Baru lived his life motivating disciples to lead, planting churches and guiding hundreds to Christ. He was an inspiration to all who knew him, and the church mourns with his family.
Baru's passing is a great loss to the church. The Asia-Pacific Region is thankful for all that he had done in Papua New Guinea. Please pray for his family during this difficult time.
Prominent Church Leader in Papua New Guinea Passes After Battle With Cancer.
Papua New Guinea: After only a few short months of battling cancer, Baru Dirye, the National Health Secretary for the Nazarene Health Ministries (NHM), entered into the presence of his Savior on Thursday, November 24th, 2016.
Baru has motivated disciples to lead, started church plants, and guided hundreds to Christ. He was an inspiration to all who knew him, and the church mourns with his family.
Andy Bennett says, “During the night, Baru Dirye, our friend, brother in the Lord, leader, and man of God, quietly slipped into the arms of the One whom he had served faithfully these many years.”
“He was not only a top administrator in the health care ministry, but he and his wife Christina, have led a hugely successful Nazarene church plant. What initially started as a simple house church a few years ago eventually led to the single biggest baptism in the church’s history in PNG- with 75 people baptized in one service!” Dr. Scott Dooley, Nazarene Hospital Administrator
There is most definitely a tremendous reunion in heaven between Baru and his father Rev. Taime, who passed in 2014. Both of these men shared an insatiable passion for seeing souls won to the Lord. Rev. Taime was a long-time pastor, church planter, evangelist, the first national district superintendent in Papua New Guinea, and a chaplain for 20 years at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital. He was also the first ordained elder and first DS in Papua New Guinea. What a tremendous family legacy.
Please pray for Baru’s wife, Christiana, and their kids, ranging from college age down to early elementary age. Please pray for the ministry in Papua New Guinea, and pray that our church members will understand that godly men sometimes die for reasons that we don’t always understand.[Submitted by: Ingrid Kiper]
Singapore
I am convinced and experientally aware that, "God accomplishes His mission through the Body of Christ." Our compelling vision is that every person should be a Christlike disciple in Singapore and our missional thrust will be accelerated and amplified as in the words of Neil Cole, "The gospel flies best on the wings of relationships."
Congratulations once again to the Singapore Church of the Nazarene! Please include in your prayers the church, its leaders and members and its mission to instill God in the hearts of more people in the area.[Submitted by: Shireen Elliot]
Launch of the Singapore Church of the Nazarene
Singapore: I am convinced and experientially aware that, “God accomplishes His mission through the Body of Christ.” Our compelling vision is that every person should be a Christlike disciple in Singapore and our missional thrust will be accelerated and amplified as in the words of Neil Cole, “The gospel flies best on the wings of relationships.”
At our launch service on October 1 2016, invited guests and our very own Nazarene family celebrated God’s presence through praise and worship and rendition of items in song by our House of Bread members and our Burmese groups. The exhortation from God’s Word as preached by Asia Pacific Regional Director, Dr. Mark Louw, entitled, Living Freedom Excellently against the backdrop from Luke 4:14-20. He skillfully wove the truth into the fabric of our post-modern era and created an ambience of how we need to live out our freedom fully as holy people of God! Our take- away from his message is that we need “to be a network of interconnected organic churches, making Christlike disciples intentionally, reproducing exponentially, worshipping corporately and expanding geographically.”Fellowship, follow-up discussion of the message and vision for this newly launched church propelled us into feverish enthuasiam to “go and make Christlike Disciples in Singapore.”[Submitted by: Shireen Elliot]
Asia-Pacific
ASIA- PACIFIC REGION CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
DATE
FIELD
DISTRICT
November 2016
25-27
South Pacific
Fiji
26-27
South Pacific
Vanuatu
29
Philippines
Southern Tagalog
30
Philippines
Eastern Visayas
30
Philippines
Bicol
Access the complete schedule on the Asia-Pacific website!

Schedule of Asia-Pacific Region District Assembly Dates
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
District Assembly Schedule 2016-2017

Date

Field

District

November 2016

25-27
South Pacific
Fiji
26-27
South Pacific
 Vanuatu
29
Philippines
Southern Tagalog
30
Philippines
Eastern Visayas
30
Philippines
Bicol

January 2017

4
Philippines
Central Visayas
6
Philippines
Metropolitan Luzon
7
Southeast Asia
CAA #3
7
Philippines
Metro Manila
11
Philippines
Negros
13
Philippines
Panay
14
Australia- New Zealand
Southern
20
Philippines
Mindanao East
21
Australia- New Zealand
North & West
22
Philippines
Mindanao West
 25
 Southeast Asia
 Cambodia
28
Philippines
Luzon
28Southeast AsiaMyanmar
31Southeast AsiaCAA #1

February 2017


3
Southeast Asia
Northern Thailand
11
Southeast Asia
Thailand

March 2017

19CMF Hongkong
Member Care
Burn-out \Ėˆbərn-ĖŒau̇t\
noun
the condition of someone who has become very physically and emotionally tired after doing a difficult job for a long time
the time when a jet or rocket engine stops working because there is no more fuel available For this article, Member Care Regional Coordinator Cindy Schmelzenbach tackles another important issue that shouldn't be taken lightly. More than its textbook definition, find out what Burnout is, why it matters and what could be done about it.

Breathing Deep… Burnout
Burn-out \Ėˆbərn-ĖŒau̇t\
noun
the condition of someone who has become very physically and emotionally tired after doing a difficult job for a long time
the time when a jet or rocket engine stops working because there is no more fuel available
What is it?
Professional Christian Coach, Gary Wood writes that burnout is,
“fatigue, frustration, or apathy resulting from prolonged stress, overwork or intense activity… a progressive loss of idealism, energy and purpose…. it’s, a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by long term involvement in emotionally demanding situations. Did you catch that? “Emotionally demanding situations.” People, emotions, demand.” (2014 G.E. Wood & Associates. www.gewood.com)
Burnout is “the time when a jet or rocket engine (or human being?) stops working because there is no more fuel available.” It’s been said that “Stress feels like ‘there’s too much’”; Burnout feels like “I don’t have enough.”
Burnout is on the far end of the continuum of stress and it develops in stages:
  1. Stage 1: Enthusiasm – high hopes and unrealistic expectations
  2. Stage 2: Stagnation – increased feelings that my own needs are not being met I feel “stalled out” or “stuck”
  3. Stage 3: Frustration – questioning my effectiveness, my value, my impact
  4. Stage 4: Apathy – Apathy is Burnout – Chronic Indifference; a state of immobility
Why does it matter?
Some research indicates that up to 80% of cross cultural ministry workers experience Burnout at some point in their career. Here are 6 consequences of Burnout that matter.
  1. Loss of energy – I may sense a loss of energy, maybe physical, emotional or spiritual. I may be feeling drained and even a holiday isn’t going to do it for me.
  2. Loss of involvement – I may withdraw from things I would normally be involved in. When once I was out there with people, now I’ve pulled back and stay more to myself.
  3. Loss of effectiveness – I’m not doing my work as effectively as I once did. The quality of my work is going down and I know that I’m not on top of my game.
  4. Loss of health and a sense of well-being – I may be experiencing any number of minor health problems which don’t seem to tie together and don’t seem to have an explanation. I may have a sense of just not feeling as well as I normally do.
  5. Sense of a loss of control – It seems like things are slowly (or quickly?) going out of control. Generally I’m feeling powerless to affect my own situation. 
(1-6 from Professional Coach, Gary Wood)
  6. Physiological changes in the brain – Research indicates that neurological changes take place that make me more susceptible to fear, depression and anxiety and less capable to access clear, creative mental processes. “It’s called ‘burnout’ for good reason—at the cellular level, our bodies are literally inflamed”. (Parneet Pal, MBBS, MS)
What Can I Do About It?
By understanding the following 6 cornerstones that lead to Burnout, we can identify the most effective ways to prevent, or recover from Burnout:
#1 Role Ambiguity: Feeling a lack of clarity concerning my role, expectations, responsibilities.
  1. Where do I need increased clarity regarding my role or assignment? What conversations do I need to have, and with whom, in order to gain the clarity that would make a difference?
  2. As a leader, what do I need to do to ensure that those who are accountable to me have this clarity?
#2 Values Conflict: Feeling that demands placed on me at work are incompatible with my values and ethics.
  1. In what ways do I experience alignment between my values and ethics, and my role or assignment?
  2. How do my values and priorities for my family align with expectations in my role?
  3. What conversations do I need to have to bring increased alignment?
  4. How do I, as a leader, allow for those working with me to live out their values? How open am I to making a safe place for this conversation?
#3 Role Overload – Feeling that the demands placed on me in my role or assignment are too much.
  1. What time or space boundaries do I need to put in place regarding my work load in order to be at my best?
  2. As a leader, what can I do to become more aware of my team’s capacity and energy levels? What do I have in place to protect those who have a hard time saying “no”?
#4 Inconsequentiality – Feeling that no matter how hard I work, the outcome means little in terms of accomplishment, appreciation or success.
  1. What can I do to be more aware of the long-term outcome of my work? How can I know that what I do makes a difference?
  2. What can I do as a leader to make sure my team knows the value of their contribution? How often do I show appreciation? What can I do to ‘systematize’ my acknowledgement of accomplishment so it doesn’t get pushed aside?
#5 Isolation – Feeling little social support – aloneness
  1. What habits do I have in place to intentionally connect with others – either those I work with or friends outside of work?
  2. What can I do when I become aware that I feel alone?
  3. Who do I have in my life that will hold me accountable for staying connected?
  4. What am I doing as a leader to stay aware of my team members’ social support? What can I do to encourage social connection among those on my team?
#6 Restricted Autonomy – Feeling that my ability to make decisions that affect me is restricted unreasonably.
  1. In what ways do I feel freedom to make decisions that effect me, both at work and when I am away from the work place?
  2. What can I do to respectfully express my opinions and perspectives at work?
  3. For team leaders: “One of the toughest balances to achieve within an organization is between building a culture that gives people space while maintaining an environment of accountability. The line between managing and micro-managing is very fine and in some cases, blurry.” (Karim Abouelnaga, founder of “Practice Makes Perfect”.
  4. So, as a leader, in what ways might I be extending my influence or control beyond what is appropriate and healthy? In what ways do I respect my team members’ autonomy, especially in their life away from work?[Submitted by: Cindy Schmelzenbach]
More on burnout:
Board of General Superintendents
Dr. Jerry D. Porter
Leadership is all about loving relationships.
Jesus told Nicodemus, "God so loved the world..." (John 3:16). The law of reciprocity makes me feel indebted to return kindnesses to those who are kind to me. My response to John 3:16 might be, "God loves me, and I love God." In 1 John 3:16, however, the senior apostle writes: "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters" (NIV).
Sometimes it is easier to love God than to love those I am called to lead! I cry out, "I love you, Lord, but people can really test my patience!" John, however, teaches, "God loves me; and therefore, I love you."
"My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love-so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about-not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God. My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other" (1 John 4:7-11, MSG).
Leadership is Love by Jerry D. Porter
Leadership is about loving others.
You cannot motivate or lead someone you do not love,
and you cannot lead someone who does not love you.
Leadership is all about loving relationships.
Jesus told Nicodemus, “God so loved the world…” (John 3:16). The law of reciprocity makes me feel indebted to return kindnesses to those who are kind to me. My response to John 3:16 might be, “God loves me, and I love God.” In 1 John 3:16, however, the senior apostle writes: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (NIV).
Sometimes it is easier to love God than to love those I am called to lead! I cry out, “I love you, Lord, but people can really test my patience!” John, however, teaches, “God loves me; and therefore, I love you.”
“My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God. My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other” (1 John 4:7–11, MSG).
As you lead, you will encounter strong, differing opinions. This reflects the beautiful, diverse kaleidoscope of gifts, ministries, and perspectives in the Body of Christ. Toxic dissension poisons the fellowship and paralyzes our outreach. Choosing not to love those around me shows that I do not truly love Christ. “And he (Jesus) has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister” (1 John 4:21, NIV). Love is more than an emotion. It is grace-empowered obedience.
On the final judgment day, we will be separated as sheep and goats. Our Lord will ask, “Didn’t you understand that when you loved others, you were loving me?” Maybe the best way to say, “I love you, Lord” is to show love to those I lead.
Feature
Mention Millennials and money, and images of Ramen-eating college students crying over student loan bills might come to mind. Despite our famed empty wallets, Millennials are, in fact, a generous generation, and we are ready and eager to discuss and live out a stewardship-mindful life. The challenge is having those conversations in a way that fosters active communication and comprehension.
So how do we talk to Millennials about Stewardship? Get some suggestions from a Millennial!
A Millennial’s Perspective on Stewardship by Rachel Libick
Mention Millennials and money, and images of Ramen-eating college students crying over student loan bills might come to mind. Despite our famed empty wallets, Millennials are, in fact, a generous generation, and we are ready and eager to discuss and live out a stewardship-mindful life. The challenge is having those conversations in a way that fosters active communication and comprehension.
Here are some suggestions from a Millennial on how to approach stewardship for this generation:
1. Please don’t come to the conversation expecting us to be resistant.
According to the Millennial Impact Report by research group Achieve, 84% of Millennials gave money to charitable causes (which includes houses of worship) in 2014. We want to do what we can to make a difference in the world. The impulse isn’t limited to the Christians in this generation—it’s all of us. It’s built into the fabric of our thinking. Discussions about tithing don’t need to come from a place of convincing us of our duty. The Millennials I know give what they have—time and talent—more generously than I’ve ever seen. Couching sermons or conversations about tithing in terms of, “I know it’s not fun” or “I know you don’t want to” can come across as belittling and make it hard for us to tune in to the rest of the message.
2. Be transparent and clear about how tithing works.
We are an enthusiastic, but skeptical group. We were brought up on stories of televangelists running scams and charities spending more on director bonuses than actual aid. Our passion for positive change is perhaps only matched by our understanding that simply giving money on command might not actually create that change. Talk openly about where the money goes. Help us see how we are actually furthering the Kingdom by giving. (There are some great resources at www.nazarene.org/stewardship that help explain how the World Evangelism Fund works and the use of mission gifts across the denomination.)
3. Give us a voice wherever you can.
Millennials love to collaborate. We think in terms of problem-solving, especially when we are passionate about something. For those of us who are born-again Christians, our love of Christ spills out through this simple question: “How do I most effectively be His hands and feet?” We tend to look for ways to use our talents and strengths in volunteer projects, even if we don’t have much money to drop in the plate. And that means when you talk about local budgets and goals, we’re likely to have suggestions and ideas. When you talk about supporting missionaries in other parts of the world, we’re likely to ask if there’s something specific we can do. Don’t ask us to just nod and smile. Let us become the Church of today by helping allocate resources and finding creative ways to use our tithes to reach out to others. Otherwise, we’re likely to tune out.
4. Listen without defensiveness.
This is perhaps the most important point I want to share. When we voice our ideas and suggestions, it is not meant as an indictment of the job that has been done, or the decisions that are already in place. Rather, it is a desire to always be doing better than we did before. We aren’t trying to disrespect the pastor, or the denomination, or the general superintendents, or the Church Universal. So when we start conversations with, “What if we did…” or “Why do we…,” understand that our desire is for ideas to be discussed and understood. If we see shoulders stiffen and hear answers like, “Things are already set…,” it’s likely to discourage us from donating our money to the Church. We believe we have a seat at the table when it comes to furthering the Kingdom. We’re just trying to use it.
5. Feel free to challenge us.
Fuller Theological Seminary recently conducted a study asking what young people want out of their church. 40% of respondents specifically mentioned that they want to feel “challenged” by their church. Despite all the Millennial tropes, believe me when I say we already know that life is hard and living a life of faith is harder. We’re not expecting everything to be laser shows and lattes. So whether it’s Faith Promise or asking for more volunteer hours for a new ministry, or simply talking about the faithful habit of tithing, please hold us accountable and push us to live out our faith. We will thank you for it.[By: Stewardship E-Newsletter]
Manila, Philippines 
Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary is inviting leaders to the upcoming Asia-Pacific Ministry Symposium that will be held on November 30, 2016.
The focus of the symposium will be Contextual Ministry Among Traditional Peoples. APNTS has invited Dr. Darrell Whiteman as the event's guest speaker, where he will share his extensive experience in cross-cultural missions.
It will be an exciting day of worship, presentation and meaningful discussion!
Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn from the best and connect with others who share the same interest!
The Discipleship Place
Free webinar, Friday 9 December 2016,
2:00am - 3:00am CST
Click here for link to Show in You Time Zone
In this webinar, Brad Huddleston will replace your confusion, hesitancy, and fear as it relates to the digital world with the facts that can make you and your family safer and more secure.
Whether it's gaming, pornography, cyberbullying, or the decline in grades, you'll get a look inside your wonderful, God-designed brain so that you will understand how it interacts with the exploding world of digital communication and how you can keep your family safe.
Your smartphone, tablet, and computer can be powerful tools to help you . . . or not. The choice is yours. Brad's work gives you the power to make that choice.
If you are a pastor, you can receive Lifelong Learning credit for this webinar. If you watch with laity in your church you can receive 50% more Lifelong Learning credit.
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Halil's* father was kidnapped in Syria. His mother fled to Lebanon to protect Halil and his brother. There, a Nazarene church reached out to his family and gave the boys a way to attend school. "I love my father, and I am missing him every day," Halil says. Still, he is working hard and says that the Nazarene school gives him hope.
Halil has also found hope in his newfound faith. "I know Jesus, and I took Him as a personal savior," he says.
Halil is one of the ones who have been reached...yet there are still many children who face an uncertain future.
What if more children like Halil could experience hope in the midst of loss?
This year, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) invites you to make a difference in the lives of these children, through their Christmas Project.
* Name has been changed.
Resources

Excitement is growing as Nazarenes from around the world anticipate gathering for worship, fellowship, and business next summer in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, at the 2017 General Assembly and Conventions. Housing and event registration is now open.
The General Assembly is the "supreme doctrine-formulating, lawmaking, and elective authority of the Church of the Nazarene" (Manual, 300). The General Assembly and auxiliary conventions (Nazarene Missions International, Nazarene Youth International, and Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International) convene every four years, bringing together Nazarenes from around the globe.
Asia-Pacific Region

Has God gifted you with a passion for teaching English? Has God also been touching your heart, perhaps calling you to experience taking your passion for English into a cross-cultural setting?
A school on the Asia-Pacific Region is now accepting applications for part-time and full-time English teachers for 2017 and 2018. Applicants must be native English speakers, have teaching experience, a university degree, and a love for teaching children!
Nazarene Youth International

The countdown to the Global NYI Convention continues.... We are 10 months away! Each district NYI convention should be electing youth, lay, and ministerial delegates and alternates at this time. The deadline to elect NYI delegates is 31 March 2017.
Each month leading up to the Global NYI Convention, we are highlighting various aspects of the convention to help delegates prepare. The focus of this highlight is on resolutions.
Learn more about the 10 important things about resolutions, and access more information on the NYI website and Facebook page!
Asia-Pacific Region
INITIAL PUBLIC LAUNCH!
Does engaging the Word of God truly lead to life transformation?
The Center for Bible Engagement has surveyed more than 200,000 people, ages 8-80, across 20 countries, 75 denominations and most major religions.

What did they find?
The Power of 4 Effect
APNaz Connect is the Asia-Pacific Region's Mobile Application to help you and those whom you are discipling, actively engage the Word! An included spiritual assessment will customize the app to deliver scriptures that speak to you personally. Sign up for a specialized devotional track on a topic of interest like Anger, Worry, When Life Hurts, Growing Spiritually, Engaging the Scriptures,and more.
Regional Announcement

As General Assembly 2017
draws closer and planning increases by the day, the Church of the Nazarene's General Secretary's Office requests opinions from Nazarenes around the world on their expectations for the event.
The denomination's 29th General Assembly and Conventions are 21-30 June 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Asia-Pacific
Do you remember seeing a particular story in one of our weekly newsletters?
Are you wishing you could send a copy of a previous newsletter to a friend? Be sure to check out the Around The Region Weekly Newsletter Archive.
------- Connie Aebischer - Editor - Around the Region News
Writers: Ingrid Kiper, Laurice Maggay
World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific
Ortigas Avenue Extension
Taytay, Rizal, Philippines
Around the Region is released each week on Saturday. If you have news to share, please forward to our office by Friday at noon (PHT).
Strategic Partners Ltd, Ortigas Avenue Extension, Kaytikling, Taytay, Rizal, Manila 1920 Philippines
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