I have spent my life in the Church of the Nazarene, but my local church was not very involved on a district level. Because of this, I never really realized what kind of a global church I was a part of.
Late in my high school years, I got my first glimpse of this larger picture at the Global NYI Convention that was held in my hometown of San Antonio, Texas. I suddenly understood what the "big deal" was about General Assembly.
My perspective was broadened and enriched throughout the years and even more profoundly so when we were sent as missionaries to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I saw how the individual churches, districts, and countries within the Africa Region truly depended on one another. General Assembly was finally starting to make sense. The entire event is a commitment to being a global church community. It is a chance for us to see the strengths and weaknesses of our brothers and sisters in Christ so that we may know how to better serve one another. Yes, it is about the boring business stuff too; the kind of stuff that my teenage mind dreaded so intently. But I see now just how much it means to be able to do the business of running our church together.
In the DRC, there are more than 22,000 active members in the Church of the Nazarene. However, finding the funds to send more than a handful of delegates is quite difficult. In addition, visas are not often granted to Congolese applicants. This year, we will have only seven delegates, yet they are thrilled and honored to carry the voice of the Congolese Nazarenes to the General Assembly.
Let's continue to bring the General Assembly and Conventions before the Lord in prayer; that they would be a means of fellowship for our global community and an avenue to more effectively make Christlike disciples in the nations. [Rev. Gavin Fothergill, FSC Africa Central Field]
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