The Australia Northern Pacific and Western Australia districts came together this month in a historic district assembly to form the Australia North and West District. 

To celebrate this inaugural event and encourage new relationships across the newly merged district, a Pastors, Spouses, and Leaders Conference was held with General Superintendent David A. Busic. During the event, held January 6 through 9 in Mooliabeenee, Busic challenged participants to build up and support the new district by embracing the missional roots of the Church of the Nazarene.

Australia New Zealand Field Strategy Coordinator John Moore and newly elected Missional Superintendent Bruce Allder encouraged attendees by addressing the benefits and synergy that could be gained through this merger.

On Saturday, January 10, the Australia North and West District Assembly was conducted simultaneously at Dianella Church of the Nazarene in Perth, chaired by Busic, and at Nazarene Theological College-Brisbane, facilitated by Moore. Leaders used video conferencing to span the more than 3,600 kilometers (2,200 miles) between the two locations.

Busic opened the event with a devotional message, inspiring churches to trust God's abundance when ministry seems overwhelming. New members at the district assembly were recognized, including the youngest attendee, Sovereign Aleki Livingston Kaivelata, the 4-day-old son of Sonia Po Ching Kaivelata.

Leaders who weren't able to attend sent greetings from Nazarene Youth International's Third Wave Global Youth Leadership Conference in Costa Rica.

The assembly also served as a forum to introduce the missional superintendency team. Allder will serve as the missional superintendent, Tim Burton as the missional team facilitator, Emmy Hearn as the pastor/church coordinator, and Steve Walsh as the district business administrator.

The historic weekend finished with a January 11 ordination service at the Dianella church. Ordinands were Hoonmoon Lee, associate pastor of the Pearsall Church of the Nazarene, and WoongiGi "Peter" Seong, associate pastor of Dianella Church of the Nazarene and pastor of Perth City Station Mission. District minister's licenses were also granted to 10 others, including seven for the first time, from Australia, the USA, Korea, and New Zealand.

"The spirit of Christ and of warm fellowship among His people are extremely evident in this historic event," said Bob Woodruff, coordinator of Educational Development for the Church of the Nazarene. "This is truly an exciting chapter in the life of the church and we are bathed in an atmosphere of joy. Praise be to God!"
--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region