Dr. Toler (second from left) joining in the house deed presentation

General Superintendent Stan Toler recently prayed the prayer of dedication over a house that was gifted to a local ministry through the Church of the Nazarene Foundation. The deed to this large, historic, two-story building was presented to the directors of the Nazarene Student Center for the University of Oklahoma, Inc. on October 10.

“Through the generosity of the David Green family and Hobby Lobby, we are here today to present the deed to this house to the local ministry,” said Melvin McCullough, president of the Foundation. “A recent market analysis valued the property at about $395,000.”

David and Rhonda Kyncl, directors of the Nazarene Student Center for the University of Oklahoma, Inc., will occupy the living area on the main floor, and Craig and Anita Shepperd, who coordinate the ministry efforts for international students, will live in one of the two second-floor apartments.

The local ministry is known as the 2:8 House, based on 1 Thessalonians 2:8: “We loved you so much that we gave you not only God’s Good News, but our own lives as well.” The ministry initiatives include small group Bible studies, international food and game nights, and a free lunch for students every Tuesday. Students from more than 34 countries and 28 states have participated in some type of ministry event here in the past few years.

In addition to Dr. Toler and Dr. McCullough, special guests attending the deed presentation included Nazarene Youth International Director Gary Hartke, General Superintendent Emeritus and current Southwest Oklahoma District Superintendent W. Talmadge Johnson, Northeast Oklahoma District Superintendent David McKellips, Norman Community Church of the Nazarene Pastor Brent Hardesty, and several members of the ministry’s Board of Directors.

--Church of the Nazarene Foundation and NCN News