Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members. 

Personal struggles help Missouri pastor help others

Louisburg, Missouri

(The Miami County Republic, 5 July) Jim Real is a man who believes in second chances, as he has had his share of his own — a second chance with his wife, a second chance with his true calling and a second chance with his life.

“I was called to preach when I was 16,” Real said. “I walked away from that call and lived a double life for many years. God and I reconciled some years later.”

Real and his wife, Joni, started the Journey Church of the Nazarene this spring in Louisburg. The church has Sunday morning services in the choir room at Louisburg Middle School. The couple also hosts Bible study on Wednesday nights in their home.

For the rest of the story, click here. 

Ohio prison garden allows inmates to give back to community

Toledo, Ohio

(The Toledo Blade, 5 July) It’s a quiet day punctuated by a pleasant wind on a recent visit to the Toledo Correctional Institution.

The sun peeked out from behind a cloud as water sprayed plants in a designated area just inside the entrance of the prison’s grounds.

“Let there be water!” said Johnnie Slover, who is serving a sentence for involuntary manslaughter. He was walking between rows of plants being showered by an overhanging water system as part of the new garden program implemented at the city’s prison.

For several years, Kenneth Koontz, correctional officer at the institution, sought approval from the Environmental Protection Agency to build a garden on the prison’s grounds.

After receiving donations such as barrels from SeaGate Food Bank of Northwest Ohio, a Verti-Gro gardening system from Hope Community Church of the Nazarene, and plants and seeds from Toledo GROWs, his idea to establish a garden on the prison’s grounds came to life this summer.

For the rest of the story, click here.

Oklahoma church opens center to aid immigrants

Yukon, Oklahoma

(The Oklahoman, 17 June) Led by a strong desire to help the "stranger among us," an Oklahoma City church has opened a center offering consultation and assistance to immigrants.

The Immigration Center at Western Oaks Church of the Nazarene opened June 1 at 7901 NW 16, near the intersection of NW 16 and Council Road.

Western Oaks church member Arlita Harris and the Rev. Gary Reynolds, senior pastor of Yukon First Church of the Nazarene, operate the center, along with Angelica Escobedo Miranda.

For the rest of the story, click here.

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--Compiled by NCN News