Dr. Toler laid hands on one of 26 ordination candidates at Rio  Claro, Brazil.

On recent visits to Bolivia and Brazil, General Superintendent Stan Toler ordained 70 new ministers in the Church of the Nazarene, including two especially large groups.  

In two services over one weekend, a total of 56 were ordained. Three districts joined together for a powerful ordination service in Indaiatuba, Brazil.  The Indaiatuba Church of the Nazarene was planted by the Campinas Central Church and now averages an attendance of over 1,500. Together the Sao Paulo, Southeast Paulista, and Paulistano districts presented 30 candidates for ordination.

The next day nearly 1,000 people attended the Sunday morning service in Rio Claro, Brazil, where an additional 26 ministers were ordained on the Brazil Paulista North District.

Dr. Toler preached to a packed sanctuary in a combined service of three districts in Indaiatuba, Brazil. Thirty were ordained.

“What an outstanding class of new elders in the Church of the Nazarene!” Dr. Toler said. “The South America Region is making great strides with the Power of One initiative. I have no doubt that these new ministers will fulfill great opportunities, and we will be hearing reports of souls won and new churches planted.”

Visits to other districts included reports of growth and vibrant altar services. The Bolivia Central District assembly was hosted in the Cala Cala Church of the Nazarene, where the sanctuary windows feature a panoramic vista of the mountains. The district showed gains in several areas, including 24 percent increases in both total membership and Sunday worship attendance. Though it is a Phase 1 district, not yet meeting self-supporting qualifications, God has blessed their finances in such a way that the delegates to the assembly voted to commit 20 percent of the district income to the World Evangelism Fund.

Dr. Toler made Nazarene history as the first general superintendent to visit the Campo Grande area of Brazil along the Bolivian border. The Campo Grande Church of the Nazarene was planted 14 years ago, and today there are four Nazarene churches in this city. Pastors from as far away as 300 miles traveled to a combined service, a gathering characterized by the presence of the Holy Spirit with a large altar service and many people finding victory in prayer.