Most-read stories of 2016
Global Ministry Center
BGS statement on Orlando shooting(June 13) Our hearts are grieved and saddened by another act of hatred and violence. We extend our sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the Orlando, Florida, USA, shooting and to those injured in this incident.
May the words of Jesus spur us to exemplify His desire for all His children, “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). In this crisis and others like it, may all we do and say reflect God’s love and compassion.
Serving in Christ’s love,
The Board of General Superintendents
Church of the Nazarene
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Winchester, Tennessee
East Tennessee District family grieves after deadly car accident
(January 4) Seven-year-old John and James Hill died from injuries sustained in a car accident on New Year's Eve and their father remains hospitalized with serious injuries. The Hill family attends Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Facebook photoAaron and Lynetta Hill and their 7-year-old twins, John and James, were stopped at a red light on New Year's Eve when the Hills' minivan was hit from behind, pushing the van into oncoming traffic.
John and James died from injuries sustained in the crash, as did the driver of the car that hit the van. Aaron remains hospitalized with serious injuries. Lynetta was discharged Wednesday.
The Hills attend Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Lynetta's father, Marvin Bunde, is a professor at Trevecca Nazarene University and the former district secretary for East Tennessee.
Prayer is requested for the Hill and Real Life church families.
The Real Life church is accepting donations on behalf of the family. Checks can be mailed to:
The Hill Family
c/o Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene
2022 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Write "Hill Family Fund" in the memo field at the bottom of your check.
For more information about the crash, visit News Channel 5.
(January 4) Seven-year-old John and James Hill died from injuries sustained in a car accident on New Year's Eve and their father remains hospitalized with serious injuries. The Hill family attends Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Facebook photoAaron and Lynetta Hill and their 7-year-old twins, John and James, were stopped at a red light on New Year's Eve when the Hills' minivan was hit from behind, pushing the van into oncoming traffic.
John and James died from injuries sustained in the crash, as did the driver of the car that hit the van. Aaron remains hospitalized with serious injuries. Lynetta was discharged Wednesday.
The Hills attend Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Lynetta's father, Marvin Bunde, is a professor at Trevecca Nazarene University and the former district secretary for East Tennessee.
Prayer is requested for the Hill and Real Life church families.
The Real Life church is accepting donations on behalf of the family. Checks can be mailed to:
The Hill Family
c/o Real Life Community Church of the Nazarene
2022 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37130
Write "Hill Family Fund" in the memo field at the bottom of your check.
For more information about the crash, visit News Channel 5.
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Olathe, Kansas
Prayer requested after MNU coach's daughter killed in accident
(July 28) Harper Kay Rodden, the 1-year-old daughter of MidAmerica Nazarene University Coach Whitney Rodden, passed away after being hit by a car.
Harper Rodden with her siblings, Cole and Kinsley. (GoFundMe page photo)Harper Kay Rodden, the 1-year-old daughter of MidAmerica Nazarene University Coach Whitney Rodden, passed away July 27 after being hit by a car. (July 28) Harper Kay Rodden, the 1-year-old daughter of MidAmerica Nazarene University Coach Whitney Rodden, passed away after being hit by a car.
The accident occurred Wednesday afternoon outside of the home day care Harper attended. The day care provider's husband told FOX4 a worker put Harper down to keep another child from running into the street. The worker was unaware Harper followed her into the street.
The driver remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation, according to KMBC.
Whitney, a 2001 MNU graduate, is the head strength and conditioning coach for Pioneer Athletics.
"Our family is heartbroken and request that your prayers surround us as we mourn the loss of this little life," the family wrote on a GoFundMe page created for funeral expenses.
Harper is survived by her parents, Whitney and Geoff, and two older siblings, Cole and Kinsley.
MNU held a special time of prayer Thursday afternoon. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. August 1 at the Olathe College Church of the Nazarene with a memorial service immediately following.
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Bourbonnais, Illinois
Illinois pastor remembered for his ‘outpouring of love’
(September 7) Edward "Ed" Heck, senior pastor of Kankakee, Illinois, First Church of the Nazarene and an adjunct professor at Olivet Nazarene University, passed away September 6.
Edward "Ed" Heck, senior pastor of Kankakee, Illinois, First Church of the Nazarene and an adjunct professor at Olivet Nazarene University, passed away September 6. He was 62.
Cindi Schimmelpfennig, executive pastor of Family Life Ministries at Kankakee First Church, told the Daily Journal Heck helped coach his church's team to victory at the National Nazarene Softball Tournament September 5 in Springdale, Ohio.
"He felt wonderful," she said. "He was staying overnight to rest for the trip home."
Heck, who was recently diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, became extremely ill that evening and died the next day after being admitted to the ICU, according to a Facebook post from the church.
He became the senior pastor at Kankakee First Church in 2000.
"He really cared about the city of Kankakee and backed it up with action," said fellow Kankakee pastor Ken Tueck, who leads Life Compass Church. "He had an outpouring of love. Not just for the church but for humanity."
Heck was also an adjunct professor of leadership at his alma mater, Olivet Nazarene University.
In 2014, Heck received a Ministerial "O" Award from the university.
"Dr. Ed Heck is one who lives out what it means to be an Olivetian and a minister of the gospel," Olivet President John Bowling said in a 2014 press release about the award. "His service for our Lord in the global Church marks him as a good and faithful servant. This award is one small way to recognize the great impact of his dedicated service."
Heck previously served at churches in Morenci, Michigan; Flint, Michigan; Vicksburg, Michigan, and Vandalia, Ohio, and was the Chicago Central district secretary for 12 years. He served on the Future of the Church Commission for General Assembly, as well as on other boards and committees for the global Church of the Nazarene.
In addition to a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Literature from Olivet, he held a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and a daughter, Alea.
"Let me declare it while I still have the ability to do so: I am right with God, I am right with things, and I’ve put things right with others," Heck wrote in a blog post September 5.
Visitation for will be held September 16 at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene from 3 to 8 p.m. A celebration of life service will be September 17 at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene at 11 a.m. with General Superintendent David W. Graves officiating.
There will be no visitation on Saturday. The church will provide a lunch immediately following the celebration service for all in attendance. Interment rights will take place at a later time.
The Heck family asks that family and friends wear cheerful clothing to the celebration service. To watch the celebration of life service via live streaming, click here.
Prayer is requested for the Heck and Kankakee First Church families.
(September 7) Edward "Ed" Heck, senior pastor of Kankakee, Illinois, First Church of the Nazarene and an adjunct professor at Olivet Nazarene University, passed away September 6.
Edward "Ed" Heck, senior pastor of Kankakee, Illinois, First Church of the Nazarene and an adjunct professor at Olivet Nazarene University, passed away September 6. He was 62.
Cindi Schimmelpfennig, executive pastor of Family Life Ministries at Kankakee First Church, told the Daily Journal Heck helped coach his church's team to victory at the National Nazarene Softball Tournament September 5 in Springdale, Ohio.
"He felt wonderful," she said. "He was staying overnight to rest for the trip home."
Heck, who was recently diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, became extremely ill that evening and died the next day after being admitted to the ICU, according to a Facebook post from the church.
He became the senior pastor at Kankakee First Church in 2000.
"He really cared about the city of Kankakee and backed it up with action," said fellow Kankakee pastor Ken Tueck, who leads Life Compass Church. "He had an outpouring of love. Not just for the church but for humanity."
Heck was also an adjunct professor of leadership at his alma mater, Olivet Nazarene University.
In 2014, Heck received a Ministerial "O" Award from the university.
"Dr. Ed Heck is one who lives out what it means to be an Olivetian and a minister of the gospel," Olivet President John Bowling said in a 2014 press release about the award. "His service for our Lord in the global Church marks him as a good and faithful servant. This award is one small way to recognize the great impact of his dedicated service."
Heck previously served at churches in Morenci, Michigan; Flint, Michigan; Vicksburg, Michigan, and Vandalia, Ohio, and was the Chicago Central district secretary for 12 years. He served on the Future of the Church Commission for General Assembly, as well as on other boards and committees for the global Church of the Nazarene.
In addition to a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Literature from Olivet, he held a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary.
He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and a daughter, Alea.
"Let me declare it while I still have the ability to do so: I am right with God, I am right with things, and I’ve put things right with others," Heck wrote in a blog post September 5.
Visitation for will be held September 16 at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene from 3 to 8 p.m. A celebration of life service will be September 17 at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene at 11 a.m. with General Superintendent David W. Graves officiating.
There will be no visitation on Saturday. The church will provide a lunch immediately following the celebration service for all in attendance. Interment rights will take place at a later time.
The Heck family asks that family and friends wear cheerful clothing to the celebration service. To watch the celebration of life service via live streaming, click here.
Prayer is requested for the Heck and Kankakee First Church families.
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USA/Canada Region
Nazarenes respond as Louisiana flooding creates major disaster
(August 15) A deluge of unusually heavy rains caused unprecedented flooding in southern Louisiana and parts of Mississippi. At least 13 people died in the record-level floods, which also forced tens of thousands of people from their homes, including at least one Nazarene pastor.
A boat motors between flooded homes on Saturday after heavy rains in the region in Hammond, Louisiana. (AP photo)A deluge of unusually heavy rains late last week caused unprecedented flooding in southern Louisiana and parts of Mississippi. At least 13 people died in the record-level floods, which also forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. Thousands of families are in shelters and cannot return home.
Entire neighborhoods have been swamped since approximately 25 inches of rain fell over the course of just a few days.
More than 20,000 people had to be rescued from flood waters by the Coast Guard. Victor and Teese Boyd, who pastor the Baker, Louisiana, Church of the Nazarene, were among those rescued with only what they could carry.
The Boyds “lost everything—vehicles, contents, and parsonage,” said Chuck Fountain, Louisiana district superintendent.
According to Fountain, several Nazarene churches were also affected by the flooding, and several church members were displaced after their homes flooded.
"Our hearts are heavy with the loss of life, property, and livelihoods as a result of the horrendous floods in Louisiana,” said Bob Broadbooks, director of the Church of the Nazarene’s USA/Canada Region. “Compassionate Nazarenes are already mobilizing resources to help. Thank you for your prayers and support."
(August 15) A deluge of unusually heavy rains caused unprecedented flooding in southern Louisiana and parts of Mississippi. At least 13 people died in the record-level floods, which also forced tens of thousands of people from their homes, including at least one Nazarene pastor.
A boat motors between flooded homes on Saturday after heavy rains in the region in Hammond, Louisiana. (AP photo)A deluge of unusually heavy rains late last week caused unprecedented flooding in southern Louisiana and parts of Mississippi. At least 13 people died in the record-level floods, which also forced tens of thousands of people from their homes. Thousands of families are in shelters and cannot return home.
Entire neighborhoods have been swamped since approximately 25 inches of rain fell over the course of just a few days.
More than 20,000 people had to be rescued from flood waters by the Coast Guard. Victor and Teese Boyd, who pastor the Baker, Louisiana, Church of the Nazarene, were among those rescued with only what they could carry.
The Boyds “lost everything—vehicles, contents, and parsonage,” said Chuck Fountain, Louisiana district superintendent.
According to Fountain, several Nazarene churches were also affected by the flooding, and several church members were displaced after their homes flooded.
"Our hearts are heavy with the loss of life, property, and livelihoods as a result of the horrendous floods in Louisiana,” said Bob Broadbooks, director of the Church of the Nazarene’s USA/Canada Region. “Compassionate Nazarenes are already mobilizing resources to help. Thank you for your prayers and support."
How to help
Pray
Please pray for those grieving the loss of loved ones. Pray for individuals and families who lost their homes, especially vulnerable children and senior adults. Pray that people would know God’s comfort and peace, and for churches working to meet their neighbors’ urgent needs.
Give
Churches and individuals around the world can provide support through the USA/Canada Disaster Response Fund. Donations will be used for immediate needs, as well as long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, MO 64184-3116
Be sure to put 127078 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 127078 in the Memo area.
For any other country, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to USA/Canada Disaster Response.
Go
If you are interested in taking a volunteer team to help with the clean-up efforts, email brnazrelief@gmail.com.
Send
Specific items have been requested, as listed. Before collecting items, please email brnazrelief@gmail.com to get any updates on needs and instructions on how to ship them. (Note: Please do NOT send items that are not on this list. The Nazarene response teams are not set up to distribute additional items.) Also, keep in mind that unless you are receiving corporate donations, it will often be cheaper to send financial donations that allow teams to purchase supplies locally without the costs of shipping.
For those wishing to send supplies, the following are needed: Bottled water, bleach, gloves, masks, boots, 2-gallon yard sprayers, mops, buckets (1-5 gallons), shovels, utility knives, spray bottles (for bleach), battery-powered power tools, fans, generators, gift cards (for stores in the Baton Rouge area).[Nazarene Compassionate Ministries]Read more
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Global Ministry Center
BGS asks for peace, healing, reconciliation(July 8) We are reminded again that our world continues to be divided by many political, ethnic, racial, and cultural issues. It is our hopeful prayer that wherever there are Nazarenes, they will stand for peace, healing, and reconciliation.
Recent global events remind us yet again that our world continues to be divided by many political, ethnic, racial, and cultural issues.
Horrific violence in places such as the Middle East, Belgium, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Louisiana, Minnesota, Florida, and Texas, USA, cast images of hatred that illustrate these divisions and lead to alienation, strife, and brokenness.
Our call to stand against hatred and for peace has not changed since we first issued the following statement in 2014:
The prophet Isaiah had a vision of God's people traveling through a very difficult wilderness. Their road went through a desert with valleys, hills, curves, and rough spots. Isaiah 40:1 states, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God." The prophet goes on to promise the coming of a Messiah who will care for us. He uses this powerful imagery: "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart" (Isaiah 40:11, NIV).
The Father sent His Son to live among us and be Immanuel, "God with us." He came to provide the way for our salvation and reconciliation to God and fellow human beings. This gospel message is for all people and makes us one at the foot of the Cross. "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28, NIV). This declaration calls all followers of Christ to come together in love.
We are ambassadors of this gospel (2 Corinthians 5:20). In our world, we best reflect the example of Christ and the ones who live out the vision of Isaiah 40:1–11 when we:
Father, thank you for sending your Son into our divided world. Grant us the power of your Holy Spirit to be agents of support, comfort, peace, and healing. In Jesus' strong name we pray. Amen.[Board of General Superintendents]
Recent global events remind us yet again that our world continues to be divided by many political, ethnic, racial, and cultural issues.
Horrific violence in places such as the Middle East, Belgium, Bangladesh, Turkey, and Louisiana, Minnesota, Florida, and Texas, USA, cast images of hatred that illustrate these divisions and lead to alienation, strife, and brokenness.
Our call to stand against hatred and for peace has not changed since we first issued the following statement in 2014:
The prophet Isaiah had a vision of God's people traveling through a very difficult wilderness. Their road went through a desert with valleys, hills, curves, and rough spots. Isaiah 40:1 states, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God." The prophet goes on to promise the coming of a Messiah who will care for us. He uses this powerful imagery: "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart" (Isaiah 40:11, NIV).
The Father sent His Son to live among us and be Immanuel, "God with us." He came to provide the way for our salvation and reconciliation to God and fellow human beings. This gospel message is for all people and makes us one at the foot of the Cross. "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28, NIV). This declaration calls all followers of Christ to come together in love.
We are ambassadors of this gospel (2 Corinthians 5:20). In our world, we best reflect the example of Christ and the ones who live out the vision of Isaiah 40:1–11 when we:
- Speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
- Mourn with those who mourn.
- Comfort people wherever we find them.
- Feel the pain of those who are hurting.
- Seek to alleviate that pain whenever possible.
- Be slow to speak and quick to listen to the positions of others.
- Seek to understand the situations of others.
- Show dignity and respect to everyone.
- Break down walls that separate.
- Build bridges that connect.
- Follow in the footsteps of the Prince of Peace.
- Extend grace and mercy to others as God has extended it to us.
- Pray for wisdom and direction to better reflect the example of Christ to others.
Father, thank you for sending your Son into our divided world. Grant us the power of your Holy Spirit to be agents of support, comfort, peace, and healing. In Jesus' strong name we pray. Amen.[Board of General Superintendents]
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Cleveland, Ohio
Former Olivetian's story now includes World Series MVP
(November 4) The doors keep opening for Ben Zobrist. The former Olivet Nazarene University baseball star and university spokesperson was part of a Major League Baseball World Series championship for the second consecutive year as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians for their first title since 1908.
Ben Zobrist speaking at Olivet Nazarene University, where the World Series MVP played baseball from 2001-2003.The doors keep opening for Ben Zobrist.
The former Olivet Nazarene University baseball star and university spokesperson was part of a Major League Baseball World Series championship for the second consecutive year as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians Wednesday for their first title since 1908. Zobrist was a part of the 2015 champion Kansas City Royals last year before signing with Chicago as a free agent last winter.
This year’s team accomplishment came with an individual honor as Zobrist was named World Series Most Valuable Player, in part because it was his go-ahead double in the 10th inning of Game 7 that propelled the Cubs to the win. Zobrist won a new Chevy Camaro as part of the honor.
Don't want to go to sleep yet. I'm still shocked. Thank you Lord for this special blessing. Thank you Cubs fans. #2016WorldSeriesChamps[Ben Zobrist (@benzobrist18) November 3, 2016]
Olivet became the official education partner of the Cubs organization in March. Zobrist, who played at Olivet from 2001 to 2003, was named university spokesperson.
“I would not be where I am today without Olivet and the education the university provided," Zobrist said at the time of the announcement.
Ben, a 2004 draft pick of the Houston Astors, and his wife, Christian recording artist Julianna, both come from pastors’ homes are quick to share their faith.
According to a Kansas City Star story on Ben, the night before he left home to join the Astros’ affiliate in Troy, New York, he told his father, “I’m going to be a missionary in the big leagues.”
“It’s not this blustery, dominating, in-your-face kind of thing,” his father, Tom, told The Star. “It can be very gentle and quiet: the way you live your life, the way you treat your family, the way you treat other people …
“He lives his life and lets his actions speak.”
Ben has organized Bible studies with teammates and spoken at many events, including college and university chapels at Olivet, Trevecca Nazarene University, and Eastern Nazarene College.
Much like well-known Christian athlete Tim Tebow, Ben and Julianna use their celebrity platforms as a means to share their faith as their young family of five lives under a media microscope.
“For us, it’s been important to maintain a life that extends beyond baseball and money and our professional success,” Julianna recently told the Huffington Post. “Our faith is very important to us, and we want to help our kids grow to have unshakable faith in the God who loves them and matters most.”
(November 4) The doors keep opening for Ben Zobrist. The former Olivet Nazarene University baseball star and university spokesperson was part of a Major League Baseball World Series championship for the second consecutive year as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians for their first title since 1908.
Ben Zobrist speaking at Olivet Nazarene University, where the World Series MVP played baseball from 2001-2003.The doors keep opening for Ben Zobrist.
The former Olivet Nazarene University baseball star and university spokesperson was part of a Major League Baseball World Series championship for the second consecutive year as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians Wednesday for their first title since 1908. Zobrist was a part of the 2015 champion Kansas City Royals last year before signing with Chicago as a free agent last winter.
This year’s team accomplishment came with an individual honor as Zobrist was named World Series Most Valuable Player, in part because it was his go-ahead double in the 10th inning of Game 7 that propelled the Cubs to the win. Zobrist won a new Chevy Camaro as part of the honor.
Don't want to go to sleep yet. I'm still shocked. Thank you Lord for this special blessing. Thank you Cubs fans. #2016WorldSeriesChamps[Ben Zobrist (@benzobrist18) November 3, 2016]
Olivet became the official education partner of the Cubs organization in March. Zobrist, who played at Olivet from 2001 to 2003, was named university spokesperson.
“I would not be where I am today without Olivet and the education the university provided," Zobrist said at the time of the announcement.
Ben, a 2004 draft pick of the Houston Astors, and his wife, Christian recording artist Julianna, both come from pastors’ homes are quick to share their faith.
According to a Kansas City Star story on Ben, the night before he left home to join the Astros’ affiliate in Troy, New York, he told his father, “I’m going to be a missionary in the big leagues.”
“It’s not this blustery, dominating, in-your-face kind of thing,” his father, Tom, told The Star. “It can be very gentle and quiet: the way you live your life, the way you treat your family, the way you treat other people …
“He lives his life and lets his actions speak.”
Ben has organized Bible studies with teammates and spoken at many events, including college and university chapels at Olivet, Trevecca Nazarene University, and Eastern Nazarene College.
Much like well-known Christian athlete Tim Tebow, Ben and Julianna use their celebrity platforms as a means to share their faith as their young family of five lives under a media microscope.
“For us, it’s been important to maintain a life that extends beyond baseball and money and our professional success,” Julianna recently told the Huffington Post. “Our faith is very important to us, and we want to help our kids grow to have unshakable faith in the God who loves them and matters most.”
In 2014, Ben and Julianna wrote an autobiographical book titled Double Play: Faith and Family First.For Ben, learning how to balance faith and sports took shape at Olivet.
“When I came in as an athlete to Olivet, it was really important to me that there was a Christian side of the athletic programs,” he said in a 2014 interview with the university. “I was really impressed with the balance that I felt Olivet strikes between how do I be a competitor and work hard and give it everything I’ve got, but also represent Christ as I do that, and I learned some of those things from Olivet – being here around the athletic teams and the things that they stood for.”
The Nazarene connection to Zobrist, who played at Olivet under from 2001 to 2003 as a pitcher, second baseman, and shortstop, was not lost on Nazarenes on social media Wednesday night after the Cubs won.
Leave it up to the Nazarene... #WorldSeries #Olivet grad Zobrist[Matt Price (@JaMaPrice) November 3, 2016]
Ben Zobrist the Nazarene guy gets the MVP! (He went to NNU's sister school Olivet for a year) guy is a beast[Coltin Brink (@ColtinBrink) November 3, 2016]
So now @OlivetNazareneU renames itself Ben Zobrist Nazarene University, right? #BZNU #webelieveBenbelongshere[Andrew Breeden (@andybredn) November 3, 2016]
After Olivet, Zobrist played at Dallas Baptist University before starting his professional career in the Astros organization. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (now Rays) in 2006, then from the Rays to Oakland in January 2015. The Royals acquired Zobrist six months later. He signed a 4-year, $56 million contract with the Cubs in December.
Zobrist batted .357 in the 2016 World Series, batting in two runs. The second just happened to be the go-ahead run in extra innings of Game 7 to end a 108-year championship drought for the Cubs.
Fifteen years ago, after a $50 baseball tryout he paid for with birthday money from his grandparents, Zobrist was considering his baseball future at a school called Olivet Nazarene University.
"It really comes down to God opening the doors for me, and I'm trying to walk through them doing the best I can,” Zobrist told The Daily Herald after the 2015 championship.
"I just think there was a plan all along, and that's why I'm here.”
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Rio de Janiero, Brazil
Brazil Nazarenes carry torch to 2016 Olympic Games
(August 25) Two Church of the Nazarene members in Brazil carried the torch to the 2016 Olympic Games.
Silvia Lana, an assistant at the Southeast Paulista District Office, carries the Olympic torch.
Two Church of the Nazarene members in Brazil were chosen to carry the torch to the 2016 Olympic Games.
The torch is a symbol of unity among the nations and was carried from Olympia, Greece, to Rio de Janiero, Brazil, over a three-month period prior to the start of the games August 5.
(August 25) Two Church of the Nazarene members in Brazil carried the torch to the 2016 Olympic Games.
Silvia Lana, an assistant at the Southeast Paulista District Office, carries the Olympic torch.
Two Church of the Nazarene members in Brazil were chosen to carry the torch to the 2016 Olympic Games.
The torch is a symbol of unity among the nations and was carried from Olympia, Greece, to Rio de Janiero, Brazil, over a three-month period prior to the start of the games August 5.
Silvia Lana, an assistant at the Southeast Paulista District Office, takes a photo with the Olympic torch and fellow martial artists.Silvia Lana, the administrative and finance assistant on the Church of the Nazarene's Southeast Paulista District, entered a contest for stories through Nissan, an Olympic sponsor. In her story, she shared about her success in martial arts, which she began to practice at age 52. She graduated five levels within three years.More than 80,000 stories were received, and Lana's was among the 1,700 selected.
Sandra Giannoni Ferreira, a member of Atibaia Church of the Nazarene, carries the Olympic torch.
Sandra Giannoni Ferreira was also chosen to carry the Olympic torch. Sandra, her husband Luiz, and their family are members of the Church of the Nazarene in Atibaia. Sandra gives her mother, Maura, the credit for encouraging her during her adolescent years to become involved in sports. Last year at age 80, Maura won gold and silver medals in a regional swimming competition in Sao Paulo.
Sandra and Luiz came to know Jesus before they married and their lives were transformed. Today they are church leaders involved in a ministry through which God has shown them as an effective evangelism tool.
Sandra and Luiz came to know Jesus before they married and their lives were transformed. Today they are church leaders involved in a ministry through which God has shown them as an effective evangelism tool.
Retired Brazil missionaries Stephen and Brenda Heap hold the Olympic torch.The Olympics concluded August 21.
Jordan Mageo, a former Point Loma Nazarene University student, competed in the women's 100-meter dash. She was not able to advance past the preliminaries, finishing with a time of 13.72, but enjoyed her experience.
"What an honor to be representing American Samoa in Rio," Mageo wrote on her Facebook page. "I feel incredibly blessed by everyone's support and can't say thank you enough. Shoutout to Jesus for being so good even when I'm so undeserving of His goodness."[Church of the Nazarene South America Region]
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Heeley, England
Retired pastor holds services in English pub(July 28) A recently retired pastor shares a first-hand account of starting a church at a local pub in Heeley, England.
The Sheffield Church of the Nazarene is in the Heeley suburb, about one mile (1.5 kilometers) from the Sheffield city centre, in England. It was established 35 years ago and has always been at the heart of the local community with activities for all ages.
I recently retired as the church’s pastor, and I, along with others, have felt for some time a desire to start a church that’s different — for people who don’t attend “normal church,” especially those who have attended the midweek activities of the church down through the years, but for whatever reason chose not to join in Sunday morning worship services.
Just after I retired, the Waggon & Horses public house, which is about 100 metres from the church, had a new manager.
The Waggon & Horses pub has had a long reputation as a place of violence and petty crime, but when I went to see the new manager, I discovered that, like myself, she is a former probation officer and keen to develop the pub as more of a community resource. She also had a church upbringing and she willingly agreed to let me start Heeley Pub Church in the smaller function room, especially after I and a church friend re-decorated it for her.
Initially, a trial run of monthly services was set up for March, April, and May, each one starting at 4 p.m. on Sundays and lasting about 45 minutes, followed by refreshments.
God’s timing is amazing. I never had time to do this sort of thing when I was a full-time pastor, but now that I have the time, God has opened up the opportunity.
The Pub Church is about faith, hope, and love in a very relaxed and informal setting where people don’t have to worry about what to wear or where to sit. The style/content of the services is aimed at non-church people and includes secular and spiritual music, chat, interviews, stories, guest singers, video clips, prayer, and humour in a “magazine” format with no item lasting longer than five minutes.
The first two services saw 20 to 25 in attendance. Most of these were existing church people who came to see what a pub church would be like before they invite their non-church family and friends. The small number of non-church people who have already come to the initial services have shown particular interest in the prayer spot, asking for prayers for their families.
One lady who doesn’t attend “normal” church said that she really liked the Heeley Pub Church because the minister was “not up there looking down on us but down there walking among us.” She also said she was going to invite three friends to the next one.
Those attending asked if we could make it a permanent thing. After the three-month experiment, the Pub Church is still going.
The manager has been serving afternoon tea with cream cakes after the service, which is very popular with virtually all of those attending.
There are difficult issues to face, such as doing church in a place that serves alcohol. Jesus has called us to go into the world with His life-transforming gospel of forgiveness for sins — resulting in abundant life before the grave and eternal life beyond it.
We believe that we need to look at the bigger picture of our call to make new disciples by finding new ways of connecting and communicating with those outside the church.
I believe we have been challenged by God to make this first step of faith, leaning very much on His strength, compassion, and wisdom. We will never know where God will lead us unless and until we make that first step of faith — which is always scary, but also exciting!
We have made that first step.[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
The Sheffield Church of the Nazarene is in the Heeley suburb, about one mile (1.5 kilometers) from the Sheffield city centre, in England. It was established 35 years ago and has always been at the heart of the local community with activities for all ages.
I recently retired as the church’s pastor, and I, along with others, have felt for some time a desire to start a church that’s different — for people who don’t attend “normal church,” especially those who have attended the midweek activities of the church down through the years, but for whatever reason chose not to join in Sunday morning worship services.
Just after I retired, the Waggon & Horses public house, which is about 100 metres from the church, had a new manager.
The Waggon & Horses pub has had a long reputation as a place of violence and petty crime, but when I went to see the new manager, I discovered that, like myself, she is a former probation officer and keen to develop the pub as more of a community resource. She also had a church upbringing and she willingly agreed to let me start Heeley Pub Church in the smaller function room, especially after I and a church friend re-decorated it for her.
Initially, a trial run of monthly services was set up for March, April, and May, each one starting at 4 p.m. on Sundays and lasting about 45 minutes, followed by refreshments.
God’s timing is amazing. I never had time to do this sort of thing when I was a full-time pastor, but now that I have the time, God has opened up the opportunity.
The Pub Church is about faith, hope, and love in a very relaxed and informal setting where people don’t have to worry about what to wear or where to sit. The style/content of the services is aimed at non-church people and includes secular and spiritual music, chat, interviews, stories, guest singers, video clips, prayer, and humour in a “magazine” format with no item lasting longer than five minutes.
The first two services saw 20 to 25 in attendance. Most of these were existing church people who came to see what a pub church would be like before they invite their non-church family and friends. The small number of non-church people who have already come to the initial services have shown particular interest in the prayer spot, asking for prayers for their families.
One lady who doesn’t attend “normal” church said that she really liked the Heeley Pub Church because the minister was “not up there looking down on us but down there walking among us.” She also said she was going to invite three friends to the next one.
Those attending asked if we could make it a permanent thing. After the three-month experiment, the Pub Church is still going.
The manager has been serving afternoon tea with cream cakes after the service, which is very popular with virtually all of those attending.
There are difficult issues to face, such as doing church in a place that serves alcohol. Jesus has called us to go into the world with His life-transforming gospel of forgiveness for sins — resulting in abundant life before the grave and eternal life beyond it.
We believe that we need to look at the bigger picture of our call to make new disciples by finding new ways of connecting and communicating with those outside the church.
I believe we have been challenged by God to make this first step of faith, leaning very much on His strength, compassion, and wisdom. We will never know where God will lead us unless and until we make that first step of faith — which is always scary, but also exciting!
We have made that first step.[Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region]
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
Nazarene Bible College to transition to online model
Nazarene Bible College announced it will transition to a fully online institution.It is with a sense of anticipation and a firm commitment to the mission of Nazarene Bible College that the NBC Board of Trustees announced the college is transitioning to a fully online institution. The new model will continue to serve the college’s 1,200 current students and prospective students effectively and efficiently.
“Once again, we face the challenge of choosing innovative change or simply accepting the conditions as they exist," said Harold B. Graves Jr., NBC president.
The proposal from Graves that has been unanimously accepted by the Board of Trustees is for a new NBC – one that reflects that the college is an online institution with a leaner operational and organizational structure.
The current school year will be completed on campus and, as the college celebrates 50 years of service (1967-2017) to the USA/Canada Region of the Church of the Nazarene, a transition to the online model of adult ministerial education will unfold. Future announcements will be made as to where the operational team and offices will be located.[Nazarene Bible College]
Nazarene Bible College announced it will transition to a fully online institution.It is with a sense of anticipation and a firm commitment to the mission of Nazarene Bible College that the NBC Board of Trustees announced the college is transitioning to a fully online institution. The new model will continue to serve the college’s 1,200 current students and prospective students effectively and efficiently.
“Once again, we face the challenge of choosing innovative change or simply accepting the conditions as they exist," said Harold B. Graves Jr., NBC president.
The proposal from Graves that has been unanimously accepted by the Board of Trustees is for a new NBC – one that reflects that the college is an online institution with a leaner operational and organizational structure.
The current school year will be completed on campus and, as the college celebrates 50 years of service (1967-2017) to the USA/Canada Region of the Church of the Nazarene, a transition to the online model of adult ministerial education will unfold. Future announcements will be made as to where the operational team and offices will be located.[Nazarene Bible College]
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ABOUT US
The Church of the Nazarene is a Protestant Christian church in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. Organized in 1908, the denomination is now home to about 2.3 million members worshipping in more than 29,000 local congregations in 159 world areas.
Address:
Church of the Nazarene
Global Ministry Center
17001 Prairie Star Parkway
Lenexa, Kansas, United States 66220
Phone: 913-577-0500
Email: info@nazarene.org
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