What is NEW?
The purposes of Nazarene Educators Worldwide are to resource and encourage all Christian educators associated with the Church of the Nazarene and provide a network of fellowship and professional enrichment to those ministering in a child care, public or private school, Christian school, or homeschool worldwide.

Historical background: Nazarene educators recognized the need for a support network to provide fellowship and strengthen their educational ministries. The Association of Nazarene Christian Schools (ANCS) was the first grass roots response to this need. In 1980, the General Assembly placed responsibility for Christian Schools in Children’s Ministries. In a 1982 report to ANCS, Miriam Hall, Director of Children’s Ministries, proposed a denominationally-sponsored organization. ANCS voluntarily disbanded in favor of a new organization. The Christian School Steering Committee adopted the concept and name of NIEA on April 17, 1984. In June of 1984, the NIEA Executive Council proposed a constitution and bylaws.  In February of 1985, the General Board approved the documents, paving the way for ratification by NIEA membership.

Changes: In June of 2008, a task force met in Kansas City to discuss a growing concern. Although the purpose of NIEA was to encourage and resource all Nazarene educators, this organization had mainly supported Nazarene Christian schools. The task force recommended an expanded focus to include homeschool, public school, global and international schools, and the university/college education departments.

In October of 2008, the NIEA Executive Council reviewed the task force recommendations. The executive council felt changes were needed to fulfill the purpose of the organization. This council recommended a new name—Nazarene Educators Worldwide, a new structure for the council, and new constitution and bylaws. The new website is www.naznew.org.

In February of 2009, the General Board approved the Nazarene Educators Worldwide Constitution. The NIEA membership ratified these changes.

In May of 2009, the 2009-2013 Nazarene Educators Worldwide Executive Council was elected. The members of this council are listed later in this article.

Who can join NEW?
Membership in Nazarene Educators Worldwide is open to all educators associated with the Church of the Nazarene and others interested in supporting the purposes of this organization. There are three types of membership.

Individual Membership is for any Nazarene educator, any pastor or board member of a Nazarene school, or any person interested in supporting the purposes of the organization.
Student Membership is for any person who is currently a student preparing for a career in education or full-time Christian ministry.

Institutional Membership will be for institutions associated with the Church of the Nazarene: schools (preschool through higher education), homeschool groups or co-cops, and child care centers. Group membership includes membership for four people.

To print a copy of the NEW Membership application, click here.

Annual NEW Conference
The NEW Conference, E3 (Educate, Equip, and Encourage), is an opportunity for fellowship, enrichment, and networking for Nazarene educators. The conference has been held in a different location each time. In 2009, the conference was held in Orlando, Florida, previous to the General Assembly events. The date and place for the next conference will be determined by the newly-elected executive council. Check www.naznew.org for information about the next E3 Conference.

 
NEW e-Link, Electronic Newsletter
The NEW e-Link is a quarterly publication that provides information and resources. It provides articles for inspiration and information, gives updates about current legal issues affecting schools, alerts Nazarene educators to NEW events on local, district, regional, or international levels, has articles for each educational setting (homeschool, public school, preschool/child care, university/college education departments, and global/international schools), and broadens the vision of Nazarene educators to what is happening worldwide. To receive this free newsletter, contact Anya Motley at amotley@nazarene.org.

The New Executive Council for 2009-2013

Chair	Dr. James Upchurch  jupchurc@olivet.edu Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, IL 60914 (Dean, School of  Education)
Public School Representatives	Cindy Alsip  calsip@greenville.k12.sc.us Greenville, SC 29617 (Assistant Principal, J. L. Mann High School) Marilyn Dominick  mdominick@jecsd.org Jordan, NY 13080 (Superintendent of Jordan-Elbridge School District)
Preschool Representatives	Midge Simpson  mustangmidge@gmail.com Greenville, SC 29615 (Director of Sonshine Learning Center)   Jan Wilton   joyunlimitedcm@msn.com Tempe, AZ  85283 (Director of Noah’s Ark Preschool and Kindergarten)
Christian School Representatives	Lance Howard   ldjlhoward@msn.com Peyton, CO 80831 (Academy Director of Roosevelt Edison Charter School) Becky Ramsey   bramsey001@insight.rr.com Columbus, OH 43232 (Teacher of high school English and Bible at Liberty Christian Academy)
Homeschool Representatives	Brad King   bking@mnu.edu Olathe, KS  66062 (Chair of the Health and Exercise Science Department, MidAmerica Nazarene University) Janine Wilkins   wilkinsfamily6@sbcglobal.net Ferguson, MO 63135 (Homeschool educator at home and in a homeschool co-op)
University/College Education. Department Representatives	James Kiper     kiperjd@muohio.edu Miami University of Ohio Oxford, OH (Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the School of Engineering and Applied Science)             Esther Swink eswink@trevecca.edu Nashville, TN 37210 (Dean of the School of Education, Trevecca Nazarene University)
Global/International School Representative	Tammy Condon    tcondon@nazarene.org Global Ministry Center Lenexa, KS 66220 (Liaison to International Board of Education)                     Stephen Gualberto   sgualberto@nazarene.org Lenexa, KS 66220 (Nazarene Compassionate Ministries’ Child Sponsorship Coordinator at the Global Ministry Center)
Ex Officio	Woodie J. Stevens  wstevens@nazarene.org Director of Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International 913-577-2801              Lynda T. Boardman lboardman@nazarene.org Director of Children’s Ministries International 913-577-2821              Beula Postlewait  bpostlewait@nazarene.org Coordinator of Nazarene Education (birth—secondary) Office and Liaison to Nazarene Educators Worldwide 913-577-2825              Anya Motley    amotley@nazarene.org Associate Coordinator of Nazarene Education (birth – secondary) Office 913-577-2824              Global Ministry Center 17001 Prairie Star Parkway Lenexa, KS 66220