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

Nazarene youth group devotes spring break to serving others

Enid, Oklahoma

(Enid News & Eagle, 13 April) A youth group of almost 20 teenagers from Enid First Church of the Nazarene spent their spring break donating time to community service, which included a sizable painting project at Bennie's Barn Equine Therapy and Riding Facility, volunteering at Loaves and Fishes of Northwest Oklahoma, picking up trash at area parks and schools, performing maintenance at the church, and cleaning up downed limbs for an elderly church member.

Bobby Cranston, youth pastor at Enid First Church of the Nazarene, said the service project was part of the church's annual Enid Serve Week, which puts students to work during spring break to "serve people in Enid and people in our church."

"I just feel it's very important, as a church and as a youth group, we stay in this mindset of serving others," Cranston said.

For the rest of the story, click here. 

Hopeful Hearts Ministries distributes food with eye-catching vehicle

Decatur, Illinois

(Herald & Review, 20 March) Local Nazarene churches in Decatur, Illinois, uses a neon green bus with shelving and a refrigeration system to distribute food to residents in need. The bus is part of Hopeful Hearts Ministries, a collaborative non-profit organization that is more than a decade old.

Hopeful Hearts Ministries was formed in 2008 by roughly 15 members from Trinity, West Side Church of the Nazarene, Parkway Church of the Nazarene, and Oak Grove Church of the Nazarene.

The ministry also operates a permanent food pantry at Trinity, and volunteers open the church doors one Saturday of each month, offering food to anyone who can provide a form of identification.

For the rest of the story, click here. 

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--Compiled by NCN News