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Top Stories for the week of April 17, 2015
ANU supports community through prayer, volunteerism following Garissa attack
April 2, 2015, will remain a day forever etched in minds and hearts of Kenyans as news of the
Garissa University College attack hit the airwaves, revealing the loss of 148 lives.
The Africa Nazarene University community, through the Spiritual Development Department,
delivered donated food and drinks April 7 to the Kenya Red Cross based at the Chiromo
Morgue to aid in assisting the counselors, relief workers, and the slain victims’ families, most of
whom were lodged in camps pending DNA results to identify their loved ones.
Leading the team, University Chaplain Cindy North believes the traits displayed through the
university’s generous support are a reflection of unity to serve to the community.
The Counseling Psychology Department joined the team to offer counseling services to
survivors and the victims' families.
On April 10, the university gathered in demarcated booths to pray for the following:
• Families of deceased students and soldiers
• Injured students and soldiers
• Missing students
• Rescued students
• Counselors and medical staff at Kenyatta National Hospital and Garissa Referral
Hospital, members of Ministry of Health, and staff at Chiromo Mortuary
• Kenya's government
• The Body of Christ in Kenya
• The ANU community
The university community continues to demonstrate its commitment to serving the community
through an ongoing campaign seeking donations to meet the needs of the families, counselors,
and relief workers.
“In the aftermath of the Garissa attack, our ANU community continues to mourn while seeking
opportunities to come alongside those who are hurting to share hope and encouragement,"
North said. "Prayerful discernment led our Spiritual Development team to collect donations for
the many traumatized families and to provide a quiet place to pray over the many issues and
concerns this event has brought to everyone in Kenya. The Holy Spirit has strengthened our
own hearts in this week through the words of Psalm 119:98: ‘Your commandment makes me
wiser than my enemies, for it is always with me’ (NRSV). May we continue to respond with
grace through the power of our resurrected Lord Jesus in all circumstances.”
--Africa Nazarene University
Nazarene Essentials leads to revival in Myanmar
It is said that perception defines reality. In Myanmar, a new perception of what it means to be
“church” has redefined leaders' reality and planted a vision for revival.
From March 23 to 25, 12 pastors and lay leaders from the Myanmar District met with District
Superintendent Bill Kwon to take an in-depth look at the structure of districts and what it means
to be the local church.
One of the primary resources used for this training was the newly released Nazarene
Essentials, a brief and easily accessible publication, written in plain language, that covers the
basics of the church’s teaching, history, theology, mission, funding, and connections.
As Kwon began to share about the vision of the church, revelation began to show on
leaders' faces. Throughout their 31-year history in Myanmar, they had come to understand that
a church was only established when there were funds available for a building and the support
of a pastor.
In the Church of the Nazarene, our definition of church reads: Any group that meets regularly
for spiritual nurture, worship, or instruction at an announced time and place, with an identified
leader, and aligned with the message and mission of the Church of the Nazarene may be
recognized as a church and reported as such for district and general church statistics (Board of
General Superintendents). In other words, a church is a cluster of believers, not a building or
property. — Nazarene Essentials
Participants discussed that the Christian church constructed no church buildings during its first
200 years and that the concepts of dedicated church buildings, property, and full-time pastors
for churches came later.
Excitement began to build in the room. With this definition of church in mind, leaders
immediately identified 10 to 12 new churches that already existed on the Myanmar District
and began to dream. Currently there are 23 churches and approximately 2,500 members on
the Myanmar District; where could they be in five years?
By 2020, they envision 200 churches, 15,000 members, 200 pastors, and 500 small
groups with work in six areas of the country.
While the meeting was intended for district leaders, a lay evangelist, Mr. Thana, came to
explore his own calling to serve the church. Thana was moved to tears as he listened to the
discussion and definition of “church.”
He approached Kwon, saying he already had several small groups but never realized that
these groups, which meet regularly, could be considered churches.
"He never realized until now that he was actually planting churches!" Kwon said.
The meeting continued as the leaders made plans for opening the Course of Study to lay
leaders in the fall. They will prioritize lay leadership development, churches planting churches,
and children’s evangelism and discipleship. They will also begin sending a three to four
member team into a new area that does not yet have a gathering for the Church of the
Nazarene.
In addition to casting a vision for the future, leaders began moving forward immediately. The
district secretary is holding revival services from April 12 to 19 during a national holiday
season. Leaders also realized they already have funds available to send their first district
missionary to a neighboring province, one of the new areas.
In order to prepare for a large number of new members over the next five years, the district
feels it is vital to translate membership material into three languages.
The district also proposes translating Nazarene Essentials into Mizo Chins, Burmese, and
possibly Karen.
"I think [Nazarene Essentials] is the best material for this time," Kwon said.
--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region
Florida church helps provide shelter for unaccompanied minors
Oliver Phillips, pastor of the Lake Como, Florida, Connexions Church of the Nazarene and
director of the Connexion Empowerment Center Inc., shared the following story about a new
initiative on the Florida District to provide shelter for unaccompanied minors:
It all began with a get-acquainted lunch in July 2014 with Agustin “Gus” Quiles, national field
director for the National Latino Evangelical Coalition (NaLEC). His face drenched with tears,
Gus brought to my attention the plight of thousands of children who had crossed the U.S.
borders without visas in search of a place to escape the gang violence in their countries of El
Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.
We made several attempts to complete the lunch we had ordered, but the scope of the
discussions about answers to the debacle made it impossible to do so. Gus apprised me about
Urban Strategies, an organization in which his wife, Cristina, was involved. Urban Strategies
has an extensive record of being an intermediary for the delivery of human services to low
income communities, especially those of color. The organization partners with organizations
that share their commitment to strengthening, supporting, and connecting community-serving,
faith-based organizations, and in improving the human condition of all people.
After the memorable lunch, the wheels began to turn. Leaders from NaLEC and Urban
Strategies covenanted to secure places of refuge throughout the U.S. to bring liberation for
these children from the squalid conditions they were forced to endure during their temporary
stay until the immigration courts decide their fate.
A federal grant to provide temporary shelter and foster care services for the Office of Refugee
Resettlement under the Unaccompanied Alien Children program was secured by Urban
Strategies. The dominant theme of the grant was to bring liberation to thousands of
unaccompanied victims of war.
Under the auspices of the Florida District Church of the Nazarene, a local congregation has
become a refuge of liberation. A dedication service was held on Sunday, April 12 to celebrate
the initiative to provide temporary shelter.
In his dedicatory address, District Superintendent Larry Dennis recounted the early history of
the Church of the Nazarene when it erected a Home for Unwed Mothers in 1903. He reminded
the audience that Phineas Bresee, one of the founders of the Church of the Nazarene, became
restless with the unwillingness of those with whom he worked to be engaged in compassionate
ministry. He paraphrased Bresee: “I would rather preach in a barn than in high steeple
churches.” Dennis applauded the denomination’s record of reaching out “even when it is
politically incorrect to do so.” He closed his address with an admonition from the Scriptures,
“When a foreigner lives with you in your land, don’t take advantage of him. Treat the foreigner
the same as a native. Love him like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners
in Egypt. I am God, your God” Leviticus 19:33.
Through the Refugio Initiative, liberation has arrived for unaccompanied children.
We are grateful to the leaders of Urban Strategies with Lisa Cummings and NaLEC, led by
Nazarene pastor Gabriel Salguero, for their commitment to bring relief to the unfortunate
victims of societal and systemic injustices.
--NCN News submissions
Stories to share? Send an email to news@nazarene.org.
Belize District installs new superintendent
The Belize District installed its new district superintendent, Keith Joseph, at the district's 69th
assembly. Joseph was appointed by General Superintendent Gustavo A. Crocker and installed
by Caribbean Field Strategy Coordinator Alphonso Porter.
"Under the leadership of Rev. Joseph, the best days for the Belize Church of the Nazarene are
not behind us, but just around the corner," said Darin Pound, former Belize District
superintendent. "The district of Belize has grown significantly in recent years and
should continue to see great development under Rev. Joseph's leadership. Please pray for
Rev. Keith and Judy Joseph and the Belize District Church of the Nazarene."
--NCN News submissions
Stories to share? Send an email to news@nazarene.org.
France church attracts neighbors with concerts
For more than 30 years, the Versailles Church of the Nazarene existed quietly in a
neighborhood just outside Paris, France. The church was so inconspicuous that most
neighbors didn’t even know it was there, although they walked, drove, or jogged past it every
day.
That is starting to change with the church’s new series of free public concerts, which began
last fall.
In an effort to reach people in the community with the love of Christ, the congregation had the
idea to host free concerts and invite residents to come enjoy the music. The concerts would be
a gift to the community that would also create awareness and make people more comfortable
entering the church.
About 12 of the church’s regular attenders joined more than 50 curious people from the city for
a classical music concert featuring a local composer, a soprano vocalist, and a pianist.
“I watched a lot of faces and a lot of people were really enchanted by the music,” said Melody
Terrien, a member of the congregation. “Some of them actually closed their eyes and nodded
with the music. It was really exciting to see the sanctuary filled with more than just Nazarenes.”
Afterward, attendees mingled over coffee and snacks. The visitors admired the stained glass
windows and the elegance of the stone chapel, which is about 100 years old. Terrien heard
many say they would be back for future concerts.
There were also brochures available on the tables about how Protestants — among which is
the Church of the Nazarene denomination — are different from Catholics, the dominant branch
of Christianity in the French culture. Many French believe that evangelical churches are
cults and are equally suspicious of other Protestant denominations. This skepticism has made
it difficult for the Church of the Nazarene in France to reach the native French population over
the years.
Missionary Brian Ketchum, who is involved in the Versailles church, said that four visitors
asked him questions about the church during the coffee time.
The next concert — a Gospel music presentation — will be held in May.
The concerts are just the first of a series of services to the community that the church is
planning. During the past month, Versailles has begun a food distribution ministry to people
who are struggling economically, and they are discussing the possibility of offering art and
language classes, as well.
These type of activities demonstrate to the French that “there are some things we hold as
common points of value, like the arts and music,” Ketchum said. “For French people that’s very
important."
“This isn’t about direct evangelism,” he added. “There won’t be an altar call or any
announcements made to people who want to know Christ. If that comes out in conversation
afterwards, awesome, but we really want to allow the community to get to know the church, the
values of the church, the people of the church.”
For a church that has been invisible in the community for many years, “the first step is to
become known, and that worked really well with the first concert,” Terrien said. "I really hope
that souls will be brought into the Kingdom, and in order to get there, we have to become
known.”
--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region
Asia-Pacific staff member recommended for no-cost study after cancer diagnosis
Asia-Pacific Regional Communications Coordinator Todd Aebischer provided the following
update about Liza Halbrook, a system/network administrator at the Asia-Pacific Resource
Center who has served in various capacities with the Church of the Nazarene for more than 15
years:
I was in downtown Manila when I received the text message from Liza Halbrook. The large,
inoperable tumor in her abdomen had been confirmed: Stage 2 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Then she gave me the rest of the news. The oncologist was recommending eight
chemotherapy treatments, 21 days apart, with a cost of more than $2,500 USD per treatment.
My mind raced. How on earth could we help with this dire need? The pressure in her abdomen
was already causing tremendous pain. There were more CTs and tests needed, and due to the
size of the mass, chemo needed to start sooner than later.
Driving down the street, I stopped at an intersection for a red light. As I gazed at the light I
began to think, this is greater than anything we can handle, but with God, nothing is
impossible. I began to praise God for what He was going to do.
A few hours later after arriving at the campus of Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary, I
found Liza and her husband, Brooks, who had also just arrived.
The smiles on their faces were not what I had expected, and then they gave us the new word.
While they were still in the office of the oncologist, he told them about a special study for
patients with “interesting” presentations of cancer. He believed that Liza’s case was just such a
situation. He immediately placed her on the list of patients for consideration for the study. This
study would cover all medication costs for the participants!
We are praising God for His incredible working in the lives of Liza, Brooks, and their two
children. Our God does answer prayer, and we are diligently lifting Liza before the Lord,
praying for a complete healing and for the provision for their needs.
Continued prayer is requested for the Halbrook family. To read updates from Liza, visit
her Facebook page.
--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region
Costa Rica team brings vaccines, JESUS film to indigenous area
The Costa Rica Central District evangelism ministry, led by Pastor Leyla Ramirez, recently
visited six communities of the Star Valley Tayni Zone, an indigenous area of the country, to fill
both physical and spiritual needs.
The evangelism team travelled with a survey group updating population data. The team
provided vaccinations and health education in addition to showing the JESUS film. The
outreach led to 38 salvations and eight baptisms.
A new evangelistic site was opened in the Bella Vista community. Team members also
connected with four mission-type churches that began the process of joining the Church of the
Nazarene. They have an average of 120 people under the leadership of Brother Paul.
"We ask for your prayers for these communities," Ramirez said. "Nazarene educators taught
distance education courses to leaders of these missions. Enthusiasm and love for the church
was so great that soon an educational center in one of these communities will open. It is
planned that by August they will be formally integrated into our denomination during an
assembly."
--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region
Peru compassionate ministry center receives wheelchair donation
The MINCODIS Project, a ministry of the Peru Northeast District, recently received 13
wheelchairs and other equipment donated to children with disabilities.
The Ministerio Infantil de Compasión Distrital (District Children’s Compassionate Ministry)
Project began three years ago when Peru Northeast District Superintendent Adán Sánchez
and physical therapist Pilar Tuestas began accepting children from various parts of the
Peruvian jungles for rehabilitation therapy. The project has a rehabilitation room for children
with physical limitations, but services were limited by the lack of equipment.
In November 2014, in celebration of the Church of the Nazarene's centennial in Peru,
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Perú presented a detailed report of the work of
MINCODIS and its needs to Regional NCM Coordinator Tabita González. News of the project
reached the U.S., where some individuals promised to make a donation that would address the
biggest needs.
After the necessary coordination, children, parents, authorities, and ministry leaders gathered
to celebrate and accept the donation March 23. The parents showed gratitude to God and to
the donors for this gift. One mother thanked God because her child had needed a wheelchair
for seven years.
The MINCODIS Project and NCM Perú leaders thank González and Donor Coordinator
Monica Fraizer for coordinating the gift.
--Church of the Nazarene South America Region
In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to
be with the Lord. Notices were received April 13-17, 2015.
Albert Cramer passed away March 14. He was an educator and administrator, teaching church
history and Old Testament at Canadian Theological Seminary (now Ambrose University) and
serving as dean.
Mildred (Campbell) Crane, 83, of Hamilton, Ohio, passed away April 13. She was the wife of
retired minister and evangelist Billy Crane, who served in Tennessee and West Virginia.
Avis Hobbs, 89, of Robertsdale, Alabama, passed away April 15. She was the widow of retired
minister William Hobbs, who served in Florida and Alabama. William Hobbs passed away in
2009.
Earl Hunter, 99, of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, passed away April 8. He was a retired minister and
missionary, serving in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Oklahoma, California, Wyoming,
Guatemala, Bolivia, and Nigeria. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel (Allen) Hunter,
in 2012.
Elsie (Meyer) Mosgrove, 83, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away April 10. She was a
retired minister, serving in Florida. She is survived by her husband, retired minister Ralph
Mosgrove, who served in Florida.
Charles Paul, 87, of Sparta, Tennessee, passed away April 9. He was a retired evangelist
based on the Tennessee District. He is survived by his wife, M. Joyce Paul.
Brady Riffle, 88, of Bradenton, Florida, passed away April 13. He was a retired minister and
evangelist, serving in West Virginia. He is survived by his wife, A. Maxine Riffle.
Alfredo de los Rios, 73, of Argetina, passed away March 28. He was a minister, serving in
Argentina. He is survived by his wife, Beatriz Norma Hernandez.
Shirley (Hadwin) Shults, 98, of Mountain Home, Arkanas, passed away April 11. She was the
widow of retired minister Eldon Shults, who served in Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, and Missouri.
She was also preceded in death by her first husband, retired minister and evangelist John
Wright, who served in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join with 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