The Church of the Nazarene's Global Missions office recommended 37 missionaries for commissioning during the 96th General Board 25 February in Lenexa, Kansas, USA. Among the group, there were 10 missionaries who serve in sensitive or creative access areas. These individuals are not pictured in the photograph above in order to protect their ministry and the people with whom they serve. 

These missionaries have each been serving in long-term strategic assignments in diverse settings around the world. The commissioning of missionaries is a recognition of the life and call of the missionary, an indication of the missionary’s willingness to serve wherever the church needs them, and an affirmation of their service into the future. This is the largest missionary commissioning class since 1980. During the 2018 church year, 118 new Nazarene missionaries were sent and assigned to serve for various terms and in various ministries.

Esdras and Scarlett Jimenez have served together as missionaries on specialized assignment since March 2014. Esdras serves as the holistic ministry coordinator for Ecuador. Scarlett serves in Finances for the North Andean Field Office. They have two children, Joshua and Sara. Their home church is on the Mexico South District. The Jimenez are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the South America Region.

Admirado and Celeste Chaguala have served together as missionaries on specialized assignment since April 2017. Admirado works in leadership development and church growth. Celeste serves the Africa Lusophone Field as the literature coordinator and the secretary for statistics and credentials. Admirado and Celeste have two children, Shirley and Noel. Their home church is on the Mozambique Matola District. The Chagualas are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the Africa Region. 

Peni and Talisua Fakaua have served together as missionaries on regional assignment since December 2013. Peni serves as a district superintendent and in extension education. Talisua assists Peni, homeschools Pisa, and disciples families. Peni and Talisua have five children — Eleanor, Joy, James, Fiona, and Pisa. Their home church is on the Samoa District. The Fakauas are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the Asia-Pacific Region.

Peter and Jenny Isaac have served together as missionaries on regional assignment since December 2013. Peter serves as a church planter, district superintendent, and as a teacher at South Pacific Nazarene Theological College. Jenny assists the women’s ministry and trains Bible college teachers. Peter and Jenny have three children, Bennett, Ennrich, and Junior. Their home church is on the Papua New Guinea Simbu Eastern High District. The Isaacs are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the Asia-Pacific Region.

Erin Meier has served as a missionary on specialized assignment since September 2010. Erin serves as a doctor and director of Medical Services at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea. Her home church is on the USA New Mexico District. Erin is being commissioned as a missionary on global assignment to serve the Asia-Pacific Region.

Mitch and Marnie Modine have served together as missionaries on specialized assignment since July 2009. Mitch serves as a professor of Old Testament for the Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary. Marnie serves as the regional secretary for the Asia-Pacific Region. Mitch and Marnie’s home church is on the USA MidSouth District. The Modines are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the Asia-Pacific Region.

Jordan and Rachel Thompson have served together as missionaries on specialized assignment since June 2011. Jordan serves as project manager and maintenance supervisor at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea. Rachel serves as the Melanesia Field member care and development coordinator. Jordan and Rachel have three children, Miles, Charlotte, and Graham. Their home church is on the USA Northwest Illinois District. The Thompsons are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the Asia-Pacific Region.

Joe and Cheryl Young have served together as missionaries on specialized assignment since November 2015. Joe and Cheryl both serve in church development for the Sealands Field. They have three children, Jonathan, Hannah, and Becky. Their home church is on the USA Southwestern Ohio District. The Youngs are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the Asia-Pacific Region.

Hiram and Yanina Galvez have served together as missionaries on specialized assignment since May 2012. Hiram and Yanina are pioneering the work of the Church of the Nazarene in Georgia on the CIS Field. Their home church is on the USA Southern Florida District. The Galvezes are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the Eurasia Region.

David and Erika Campos have served together as missionaries on specialized assignment since April 2016. David serves as the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinator for Haiti. Erika serves as the Haiti field strategy coordinator’s assistant, the planner for the Haiti Water Project, and is the regional personnel coordinator. David’s home church is on the El Salvador Central District and Erika’s home church is on the Costa Rica North District. The Campos are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the Mesoamerica Region.

Natanael Picavea has served as a missionary on specialized assignment since December 2013. Natanael serves in regional communications in Costa Rica. His home church is on the Argentina Central District. Natanael is being commissioned as a missionary on global assignment to serve the Mesoamerica Region.

Carol Rittenhouse has served as a missionary on specialized assignment since April 2015. Carol serves as the assistant to the regional education coordinator and at the Seminary in Costa Rica. Her home church is on the USA Kansas City District. Carol is being commissioned as a missionary on global assignment to serve the Mesoamerica Region.

Carlos and Ana Salazar have served together as missionaries on specialized assignment since January 2015. Carlos and Ana serve in regional communications in Costa Rica. Carlos and Ana have three children, Amy, Andrea, and Gabriel. Their home church is on the Guatemala Central District. The Salazars are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the Mesoamerica Region.

Lucas and Juliana Nunes have served together as missionaries on specialized assignment since January 2016. Lucas serves as the regional communications coordinator and Juliana serves as the regional personnel coordinator for South America. They have one son, Matheus. Their home church is on the Brazil Southeast Paulista District. The Nunes are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the South America Region.

Robert and Rhesa Rodriguez have served together as missionaries on specialized assignment since March 2014. Roberto and Rhesa both serve as the Nazarene Border Initiative facilitators at the USA/Mexico border. They have three children, Ruthy, Mikayla, and Josiah. Their home church is on the USA South Texas District. The Rodriguezs are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the USA/Canada Region.

John and Nyamal Yual have served together as missionaries on specialized assignment since October 2015. John serves in church development. He also serves refugees in several countries in East Africa. Nyamal serves in women’s and children’s ministries. They have five children, Dunga, Hannah, Gach, Kenin, and Ran. Their home church is on the South Sudan District. The Yuals are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve the Africa Region.