Bangladesh
Deadly floods sweep through South Asia
Nazarenes provide disaster aid in Bangladesh
Extraordinarily heavy monsoon rains have devastated areas in South Asia recently, including Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. More than 1,200 people have died in the floods — including many children — and more than 40 million people have been affected.
Thousands of cities and villages have been completely inundated. Countless homes have been swept away, and buildings are collapsing under the weight of the water. On Thursday, an apartment building collapsed in Mumbai, India, killing at least 33 people. The floodwaters have damaged or destroyed 18,000 school buildings, affecting the education of nearly 2 million children.
“People across South Asia are used to the monsoon season and often depend on it for their crops, but the amount of rain this year and the flooding that has followed have devastated the region,” said Brandon Sipes, disaster management and humanitarian crisis advisor for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. “The situation is worsened because a well-developed relief infrastructure is not in place in many areas there.”
Some estimate that one-third of Bangladesh is flooded. In communities surrounding local Nazarene churches, approximately 63,000 people were affected, including more than 7,800 church members from 948 local churches.
Nazarenes provide disaster aid in Bangladesh
Extraordinarily heavy monsoon rains have devastated areas in South Asia recently, including Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. More than 1,200 people have died in the floods — including many children — and more than 40 million people have been affected.
Thousands of cities and villages have been completely inundated. Countless homes have been swept away, and buildings are collapsing under the weight of the water. On Thursday, an apartment building collapsed in Mumbai, India, killing at least 33 people. The floodwaters have damaged or destroyed 18,000 school buildings, affecting the education of nearly 2 million children.
“People across South Asia are used to the monsoon season and often depend on it for their crops, but the amount of rain this year and the flooding that has followed have devastated the region,” said Brandon Sipes, disaster management and humanitarian crisis advisor for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. “The situation is worsened because a well-developed relief infrastructure is not in place in many areas there.”
Some estimate that one-third of Bangladesh is flooded. In communities surrounding local Nazarene churches, approximately 63,000 people were affected, including more than 7,800 church members from 948 local churches.
Flooding in Bangladesh (Reuters photo)Church leaders began mobilizing relief efforts almost immediately. Nazarenes in Bangladesh are providing food and water purification tablets for approximately 50,000 people affected by flooding in more than 20 communities. After the waters recede, they will also provide rehabilitation programs designed to assist families with growing gardens for food.
In India, plans are in place for churches to deliver food and hygiene items to 12,000 people in affected communities. An immediate response to the Mumbai flooding is being developed, as church leaders visit the affected areas and develop a plan for response. Mumbai is also the location of a new ministry to children and women in a red-light area near a Nazarene church.
According to the World Bank, natural disasters disproportionately affect those living in poverty who are already vulnerable.
“We are grateful for our local and international church, who are actively working to support those impacted by the floods,” Sipes said.
Mumbai, India. (CBS News photo)More information will be updated as it is made available.
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Bangladesh in 1992 and has more than 3,000 churches there. More than 100 Nazarene churches exist in Nepal, which the denomination officially entered in 1998. There are more than 2,000 Nazarene churches throughout India, where the church began work as early as 1898.
How to help
Pray
Please pray for those facing the sudden and unexpected loss of loved ones, for those who lost their homes and have nowhere to go, and for the protection of lives, especially from cholera and other illnesses. Also pray for the churches working to care for their neighbors and meet urgent needs.
GiveChurches and individuals around the world can provide support through the South Asia Flood Responsefund. Donations will be used for immediate needs, including food and water purification tablets, as well as long-term rehabilitation and food security.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
The Global Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, Missouri 64184-3116, United States
Be sure to put 128210 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
The Global Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 128210 in the Memo area.
For additional countries, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to South Asia Flood Response.
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 128210 in the Memo area.
For additional countries, give through your local church or district, designating your gift to South Asia Flood Response.
Texas Nazarenes mobilize in wake of Hurricane HarveyHarvey submerged Interstate highway 45 in Houston with record, widespread flooding on August 27 (Reuters photo).
Hurricane Harvey slammed into the Texas coast last week as a category-4 storm, dumping 20 trillion gallons of water on the city of Houston alone. The storm made landfall three times in Texas and Louisiana, killing at least 39 people and forcing more than 1 million people from their homes.
Church of the Nazarene leaders are on the ground in Texas assessing needs as volunteers from across the state mobilize to assist their neighbors in need. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries via Nazarene Disaster Response has sent hundreds of Crisis Care Kits have been sent to the Houston.
At least eight Nazarene churches were affected, and some of the most-affected areas have yet to be reached.
“We do have several churches with storm or flooding damage,” said Jeffrey Johnson, district superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene in South Texas. “Many of our brothers and sisters have flooded homes."
USA/Canada Regional Director Bob Broadbooks requested prayer for families and individuals in the affected communities.
“We encourage the church to join with others in prayer for those affected and first responders,” he said. “This flood is of historic proportions here.”
More information concerning disaster relief, reports, and the Church of the Nazarene will be updated here as it is made available.
How to help
Pray
Please pray for families and individuals affected by the storm and churches responding to the needs around them.
Volunteer
This disaster will require a long-term response. Leaders are currently identifying churches that can host disaster response volunteers. To learn more and fill out an information form, click here.
Give
Churches and individuals around the world can provide support through the Hurricane Harvey Fund.
To send donations by mail:
In the U.S., make checks payable to "General Treasurer" and send them to:
Global Treasury Services
The Global Church of the Nazarene
P.O. Box 843116
Kansas City, Missouri 64184-3116, United States
Be sure to put 128206 in the Memo area.
In Canada, make checks payable to "Church of the Nazarene Canada" and send them to:
The Global Church of the Nazarene Canada
20 Regan Road, Unit 9
Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3
Be sure to put 128206 in the Memo area.
For additional countries, please give through your local church or district, designating your gift to Hurricane Harvey. [Nazarene Compassionate Ministries]
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Madagascar Street Kids Center celebrates 20 years
Over the last 20 years, thousands of children have come through the doors of the AMI-4 Street Kids Center, a Nazarene compassionate ministry center, to receive holistic development through physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual support.
In observance of its 20th anniversary, the center kicked off six months of celebration 27 January by giving glory to God for what He has done at and for the center.
"The aim and spirit was always about giving God the glory and thanking Him," said Therese Ravelomanantsoa, the center's director.
Additional celebration activities included singing, dancing, hymns, and a poetry contest.
Over the last 20 years, thousands of children have come through the doors of the AMI-4 Street Kids Center, a Nazarene compassionate ministry center, to receive holistic development through physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual support.
In observance of its 20th anniversary, the center kicked off six months of celebration 27 January by giving glory to God for what He has done at and for the center.
"The aim and spirit was always about giving God the glory and thanking Him," said Therese Ravelomanantsoa, the center's director.
Additional celebration activities included singing, dancing, hymns, and a poetry contest.
The festivities continued until the week of the main celebration, 18 to 23 July."We did an open house for parents, children, and neighbors to learn more about the work we do at the SKC," Ravelomanantsoa said. "We also had different workshops to use this opportunity to further train and educate our people. There were also talent shows, crafts on display, and games for people to play — all with the help of our youth volunteers."
The celebration culminated in a special service with the local congregation as 850 people came together to celebrate God's mighty work.
"What a great and amazing celebration," Ravelomanantsoa said. "Besides the praise led by the youth and the preaching, we could share a lunch together and spend a wonderful time fellowshipping together."
When the Street Kids Center first began, staff had two choices: feed 500 street children for three months or feed 100 street children and provide literacy, Bible study, and health care through the support of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) for one year.
"The long-term choice was made, and now, looking back, God's mighty hand and His work can be seen," Ravelomanantsoa said. "The main mission of SKC is sharing. It started like that — by sharing food and care for the kids who were on the streets. Just as it did in June 1997, today kids from SKC do the same — they share God's love with the kids who are still begging in the streets. Because they have received the love of God, they want to share it with others."
In November 2016, as the staff began to think of ways to celebrate this milestone, they put everything in God's hands."As it says in Proverbs 16:3,'Trust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well.' The staff put everything in God's hands — everything that was even thought of — and trusted in Him with everything," Ravelomanantsoa said. "The celebration of 20 years was a great and important event for the Church of Nazarene in Madagascar and the world, as well as for the kids at the center where they are becoming Christlike disciples in Madagascar and beyond."
As the center looks forward, Ravelomanantsoa knows God will continue to be at the heart of the ministry.
"Jesus was and is and always will be with us," she said. "Greater work is still waiting for us here with the kids, but we thank God for what He has been doing for 20 years and what He will continue to do." [Church of the Nazarene Africa]
Olathe, Kansas
JESUS Film Harvest Partners officially turns 20
In this 1997 photo, World Mission Director Louie Bustle (left) and Jesus Film Project Director Paul Eshleman (right) sign a partnership agreement.
JESUS Film Harvest Partners continued its 20th anniversary celebration this week by marking its official creation date.
Twenty years ago, 29 August 1997, at the Jesus Film Project office in San Clemente, California, Louie Bustle and Paul Eshleman signed a historic partnership agreement between the Church of the Nazarene’s World Mission Department and the Jesus Film Project — Campus Crusade for Christ.
Bustle and Eshleman recounted JFHP’s origin story through a video, where Bustle highlighted the JESUS film’s impact on the church.
“I think this is the greatest tool God has given the Church in these years, and I’m just glad the Church of the Nazarene was a part of using this tool to build the kingdom of God,” Bustle said.
Leaders set the following initial goals for the project:
JFHP reports the following 2017 statistics:
JFHP held an anniversary celebration 20 June 2017 during the Church of the Nazarene’s General Assembly. Nearly 500 partners from around the world – Alaska to Zambia – attended the event. The theme of the celebration was “You get the thanks – God gets the glory!”
For more information on JESUS Film Harvest Partners, visit jfhp.org.
[JFHP]
In this 1997 photo, World Mission Director Louie Bustle (left) and Jesus Film Project Director Paul Eshleman (right) sign a partnership agreement.
JESUS Film Harvest Partners continued its 20th anniversary celebration this week by marking its official creation date.
Twenty years ago, 29 August 1997, at the Jesus Film Project office in San Clemente, California, Louie Bustle and Paul Eshleman signed a historic partnership agreement between the Church of the Nazarene’s World Mission Department and the Jesus Film Project — Campus Crusade for Christ.
Bustle and Eshleman recounted JFHP’s origin story through a video, where Bustle highlighted the JESUS film’s impact on the church.
“I think this is the greatest tool God has given the Church in these years, and I’m just glad the Church of the Nazarene was a part of using this tool to build the kingdom of God,” Bustle said.
Leaders set the following initial goals for the project:
- 100 million evangelistic contacts
- 10 million decisions for Christ
- 3 million initial discipleship follow-ups
- 10,000 preaching points
JFHP reports the following 2017 statistics:
- 77.8 million evangelistic contacts
- 15.1 million decisions for Christ
- 6.9 million initial discipleship follow-ups
- 69,800 preaching points
JFHP held an anniversary celebration 20 June 2017 during the Church of the Nazarene’s General Assembly. Nearly 500 partners from around the world – Alaska to Zambia – attended the event. The theme of the celebration was “You get the thanks – God gets the glory!”
For more information on JESUS Film Harvest Partners, visit jfhp.org.
Flags of the Nations: BrazilThe flag of Brazil is a blue disc depicting a starry sky spanned by a curved band inscribed with the national motto, within a gold rhombus, on a green field.
Since September 1, 2009, the Church of the Nazarene's Global Ministry Center (GMC) proudly flies a flag each week of one of the many nations in which the denomination is present in ministry. Leaders were invited to send a national flag to be flown at the GMC alongside the flag of the United States*. The national flags rotate weekly, and photos of them raised are sent to the church leaders of that country.
This week: Brazil
The Church of the Nazarene officially entered Brazil in 1958.
Brazil had a population of 205,823,665 in 2016. That same year, Brazil reported 643 Churches of the Nazarene, 558 of which had been officially organized. Brazil has 153,002 total members.
Located on the South America Region, Brazil has 12 Phase 3 districts, five Phase 2 districts, and two Phase 1 districts. For more information about the South America Region, visit samnaz.org.
* = The weekly highlighted flag is raised on the middle of three poles in compliance with U.S. government protocols. It flies to the left of the GMC host-nation United States flag, which flies above the host-state flag of Kansas. The Christian flag flies on the third pole.
The Global Ministry Center is the mission and service hub of the Church of the Nazarene.
Global Ministry Center
Stewardship Ministries announces 2017-2018 scholarship contest for USA/Canada students
Each year, the Church of the Nazarene's Stewardship Ministries invests in Christian education and religion students by awarding scholarships to up to five winners of a sermon contest.
"We recognize that understanding the blessing and communicating the discipline of generosity is an important skill for ministers to attain," said Mark Lail, Stewardship Ministries director. "We challenge ministry students to write and submit a stewardship sermon in the hopes that they will learn to teach the blessing of generosity to their congregations."
This year's submissions should be based on Philippians 4:10-20[Philippians 4:
Each year, the Church of the Nazarene's Stewardship Ministries invests in Christian education and religion students by awarding scholarships to up to five winners of a sermon contest.
"We recognize that understanding the blessing and communicating the discipline of generosity is an important skill for ministers to attain," said Mark Lail, Stewardship Ministries director. "We challenge ministry students to write and submit a stewardship sermon in the hopes that they will learn to teach the blessing of generosity to their congregations."
This year's submissions should be based on Philippians 4:10-20[Philippians 4:
10 In union with the Lord I greatly rejoice that now, after this long time, you have let your concern for me express itself again. Of course, you were concerned for me all along, but you had no opportunity to express it. 11 Not that I am saying this to call attention to any need of mine; since, as far as I am concerned, I have learned to be content regardless of circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in want, and I know what it is to have more than enough — in everything and in every way I have learned the secret of being full and being hungry, of having abundance and being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who gives me power.
14 Nevertheless, it was good of you to share in my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the early days of my work spreading the Good News, when I left Macedonia, not a single congregation shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving — only you. 16 Indeed, in Thessalonica when I needed it, you sent me aid twice. 17 I am not seeking the gift; rather, I am looking for what will increase the credit balance of your account. 18 I have been more than paid in full: I have been filled, since I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent — they are a fragrant aroma,[
Philippians 4:18 Genesis 8:21; Exodus 29:18
] an acceptable sacrifice, one that pleases God well. 19 Moreover, my God will fill every need of yours according to his glorious wealth, in union with the Messiah Yeshua. 20 And to God our Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.], explore tithing and sacrificial giving, relate to funding the mission of the Church of the Nazarene (to make Christlike disciples in the nations), and exemplify a Wesleyan-Holiness perspective. Full-time religion and Christian education students attending Nazarene colleges, universities, and seminaries in the USA and Canada are eligible to participate.
The submission deadline is April 9, 2018. Winners will be announced in May 2018. The $1,000 scholarship funds will be credited directly to each winner's student account balance.
For example sermons and additional instructions, click here. [Stewardship Ministries]
For example sermons and additional instructions, click here. [Stewardship Ministries]
In MemoriamThe following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received 28 August - 1 September 2017.
John Anguish, 81, of South Paris, Maine, passed away 27 August. He was a retired minister, serving in New York and Maine. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Anguish, in 2013.
Modena Conrad, 88, of Temple City, California, passed away 28 August. She was a retired missionary, serving in Cuba, Peru, and Costa Rica. She was preceded in death by her husband, retired educator and missionary Howard Conrad, in 2011.
Helen (Waldron) Pierce, 82, of Hamden, Ohio, passed away 27 August. She was the widow of retired minister Kenneth Pierce, who served in Ohio. Kenneth Pierce passed away in 1998.
Virginia Webb, 86, of Boulder Creek, California, passed away 13 August. She was the of retired minister Bruce Webb, who served in California, Idaho, and Washington. Bruce Webb passed away in 2008.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to news@nazarene.org. [Compiled by NCN News]
Human Resources
GMC employment opportunities
People are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 162 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email jveigl@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
Events Program Assistant (Part-time, 30+ hours/week, temporary – September 1, 2017, through August 31, 2019)
USA/Canada Regional Office – Nazarene Youth International
Description: The person in this position will assist the USA/Canada NYI Office team in coordinating USA/Canada NYI events, including NYC 2019. Tasks consist of working with registration, housing, exhibits, food and beverage orders, volunteer personnel, program coordination, and other duties as assigned.
Sr. Office Assistant (Full-time)
USA/Canada Regional Office (UCRO)
Description: The person in this position will provide assistance to the UCRO Administrative Coordinator with event planning, scheduling, correspondence, website maintenance, and other tasks as needed.
To obtain additional information for GMC positions, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
People are our most valued resource. Our committed employees are involved in "Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations" in 162 world areas.
The Global Ministry Center Human Resources Office professionals strive to deliver the highest possible service to our employees, and are responsible for the recruitment, placement and retention of qualified individuals to staff the ministry and administrative positions of the GMC. The many employee services include compensation and benefit administration, payroll, employment, employee relations, training, counseling, organizational communication and events, and workplace programs.
*Volunteer opportunities for GMC ministries are available now. Email jveigl@nazarene.org for details.
Employment Opportunities
Events Program Assistant (Part-time, 30+ hours/week, temporary – September 1, 2017, through August 31, 2019)
USA/Canada Regional Office – Nazarene Youth International
Description: The person in this position will assist the USA/Canada NYI Office team in coordinating USA/Canada NYI events, including NYC 2019. Tasks consist of working with registration, housing, exhibits, food and beverage orders, volunteer personnel, program coordination, and other duties as assigned.
Sr. Office Assistant (Full-time)
USA/Canada Regional Office (UCRO)
Description: The person in this position will provide assistance to the UCRO Administrative Coordinator with event planning, scheduling, correspondence, website maintenance, and other tasks as needed.
To obtain additional information for GMC positions, please call 913-577-0500 and ask for Human Resources.
Nazarene Bible CollegeTo learn more about positions available at the NBC Administrative Offices, visit nbc.edu/jobs. All positions are located within the Global Ministry Center in Lenexa, Kansas.
Location of Global Ministry Center PositionsThe GMC is the administrative hub for the Church of the Nazarene denominational ministries in 162 world areas. The GMC is conveniently located in Lenexa, Kansas, with easy access to I-35 and I-435 and within short driving distance to Kansas City International airport. All GMC positions report to this location.
Our Non-Discrimination Policy
The Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center offers equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, disability, race, creed, sex, or veteran status. The Global Ministry Center is an “at will” employer.
Our Faith-Based Organization
We are a faith-based organization. Acceptance of our Christian Code of Conduct is required and membership in the Church of the Nazarene is required for certain positions. The GMC and applicable remote work sites are smoke-, alcohol-, and drug-free Christian workplaces.
Application Processing
Our Human Resources Office receives and processes many employment applications annually for a limited number of positions. While we regret that we cannot respond to each applicant, we do contact those individuals possessing the skills, education/training, and experience that best match the requirements of the open position for which the application was submitted.
An application must be completed by all applicants and an application must be completed for each position for which one wishes to be considered. Applications are retained for one year. Resumés are not necessary for entry-level positions, but they are preferred for professional level positions.
Applying for Employment with the GMC
Application forms may be requested by calling 913-577-0500, emailing humanresourcesgroup@nazarene.org, or obtained in person from Human Resources at the Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center, 17001 Prairie Star Parkway, Lenexa, Kansas, 66220, Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 4:30 U.S. Central Time. Completed applications may be mailed or emailed to the attention of the Human Resources Office.
Copyright © 2017 NCN News, All rights reserved.
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ABOUT US
The Global 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 162 world areas.
Address:
The Global 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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