Dr. Duarte (right)  with Mr. Soto, Regional Work & Witness Coordinator, at the Panama West District assembly

In a tour of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama, Eugénio R. Duarte conducted his first district assemblies on the Mexico/Central America Region (MAC). Elected as the 37th general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene at the 2009 General Assembly, Dr. Duarte now has jurisdiction over the MAC Region. Traveling with Regional Director Carlos Saenz, he observed the fruits of the evangelistic thrust to plant new churches in Central America.

District superintendents are challenging churches to birth new churches, and districts are organizing church-type missions into official churches even as they are beginning new missions and preaching points. The Panama West District led the way with five new churches planted during the past year and the vision cast for 30 additional plants. Five of these are anticipated to be fully organized in 2010.

Dr. Duarte (second from left) with District Superintendent Ulisses Espinosa (far left) and Regional Director Carlos Saenz (right) at the Panama West District assembly

The Nicaragua South District organized two new churches, celebrating with awards to them and to the two mother churches that sponsored them. The district superintendent reported 22.7 percent growth in membership and gave special recognition to 15 churches that reported 10 or more new members. The Panama Central District reported one newly organized church, and the district goal was set for starting four new churches each year. The Nicaragua North District also organized one new church.

Of the 19 churches on the Costa Rica Central District, five saw more than 29 percent growth, and four others grew by 10-20 percent. The district’s contribution to the World Evangelism Fund increased 31 percent over the previous year.

Dr. Duarte also attended the Board of Trustees meetings at the Seminario de las Americas (SENDAS) in San Jose, Costa Rica, where three global regions of the Church of the Nazarene were represented: Mexico/Central America, South America, and Caribbean. He spoke to board members on stewardship.

Dr. Duarte ordained Rev. Mario Antonio Mora Delgado on the Nicaragua South District.

Ministerial preparation is a priority on the MAC Region for the growing number of church plants. Dr. Duarte ordained one elder on the Nicaragua South District. SENDAS is playing an integral role in preparing pastors and anticipates a new school of leadership that will serve not only ministers but also lay persons who are preparing for ministry in the Church of the Nazarene. Ongoing education is being provided during district assemblies by Regional Director Saenz, who is teaching sessions on church administration.

Following Dr. Duarte’s preaching on these districts, large numbers of people gathered at the altars. “The pastors shared good expressions of excitement about the future,” he said. “It is evident that the newly planted congregations are the most excited about what God is doing.”