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

General Superintendent Emeritus Jim Bond elected to Small College Basketball Hall of Fame

San Diego, California

(PLNU, 20 April) Small College Basketball and the National Hall of Fame Committee is proud to announce the National Hall of Fame Class of 2022. Once again, this year's class is made up of some of the greatest coaches, players, and contributors to Small College Basketball.

Jim Bond, led Pasadena College (now Point Loma Nazarene University) to two NAIA District 3 Championships (1957 & 1958). Two-time NAIA First Team All-American 1956 & 1958. Averaged 19.5 points and 19.1 rebounds for his college career.

Bond was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in the same draft as Elgin Baylor. Bond turned down an opportunity to play professional basketball to go to seminary and study for the ministry.Bond is a member of five Hall of Fames- Texas Basketball Hall of Fame, National High School Athletic Hall of Fame, Pasadena College Hall of Fame, Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame and the NAIA Hall of Fame.

To read the full release, click here.

 

Thousands of churches close every year. What will happen to their buildings?

California

(RNS, 15 March 2022) When he was named a district superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Albert Hung found himself facing the same problem many denominational leaders face.  

Too many churches. 

Not enough people.

Of the 90 or so congregations in the Northern California district Hung leads, few have more than 100 people, with most drawing around 40 people to worship services in buildings designed to seat far more. Their long-term, viable future is questionable — as those congregations are aging, shrinking, and often disconnected from their neighbors. A number of churches in the district have already decided to close, leaving empty pews in shuttered buildings. 

To read the rest of the story, click here.

 

Point Loma Baseball Stadium named 'America's most scenic ballpark'

San Diego, California

(MLB.com, 28 February) "It's a place you wanna come to work to every day."

Most people, if they're being honest, don't say that about their jobs.

Then again, most people aren't Steven Riddle; manager of athletic facilities at Point Loma Nazarene University. Most of us don't get to work in baseball paradise -- along the breezy, dreamy Pacific coast of "America's Most Scenic Ballpark."

Since the 1970s, the Point Loma Nazarene University Sea Lions have been lucky to call this seaside oasis -- dangling ever so gently off downtown San Diego -- home.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

 

Oregon church creates crisis care kits for Ukraine

Bend, Oregon

(KTVZ, 23 April) The Bend Church of the Nazarene is one of many churches preparing and sending crisis care kits to families in Ukraine. There are 80 churches from Oregon collecting and assembling these kits. In the kits are toiletries, books, toys for the kids, among other items. The kits are being shipped out to the churches in Ukraine. There are over 150 boxes and multiple kits in each.

 

New Mexico church starts 'Little Free Pantry'

Los Alamos, New Mexico

(Daily Post, 31 March) La Vista Church of the Nazarene would like to announce a new Little Free Pantry at our church in White Rock.

After recognizing that there were several Little Free Pantry food boxes in Los Alamos, but none in White Rock, several members of La Vista Church Of the Nazarene decided it was time for that to change. 

Our Missions President, Becky Garrett got to work planning to make this the missions project for our Vacation Bible School (VBS) during spring parent teacher conferences. The children who attended the VBS took part in painting and decorating the box, as well as bringing donations to stock it for the first time.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

 

Olivet students volunteer with Engineers without Borders

Sanford, Michigan

(Our Midland, 15 April) Engineers without Borders returned to Sanford this week to help the village with sanitation issues and they brought some extra help: Students from Olivet Nazarene University.

Village President Dolores Porte credits Engineers Without Borders president Jennifer Robinson with bringing the students to Sanford. Robinson said the organization has two international projects going at the time and they wanted to start a local project. Olivet Nazarene University answered the call.

“If we keep working with the engineers and students, we might find a way to have the capacity we need,” Porte said.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

 

Two Missouri churches unite to form Community Church of the Nazarene

Sikeston, Missouri

(Standard Democrat, 14 April) A new Sikeston church has formed, following the merger of two longtime churches of the community.

Community Church of the Nazarene, located at 1521 N. Main in Sikeston, has formed, the result of the merger of the Church of the Nazarene and Sikeston Eastside Church of the Nazarene.

The Church of the Nazarene has been a part of Sikeston since 1925 with a tent revival, held by Rev. CJ Frost and Reb. JE Smith. The Church of the Nazarene was established in 1926 with 44 members and has served the City of Sikeston ever since.

As the church grew, a second Nazarene church was born to serve more of the community. In 1959, Rev. JW Hoffert led the Sikeston First Church of the Nazarene while his wife, Rev. Minnie Hoffert, became the first pastor of the newly formed Sikeston Eastside Church of the Nazarene.

“In looking out at a community and world desperate for hope and unity, we began to see how God was calling for us to come together. We were more than just Eastside or First Church; we are His Church and His family,” said Richard Stout, lead pastor in a release. Melissa McDowell will be the connections and families pastor.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

 

Tennessee church feeds the homeless on Easter Sunday

Nashville, Tennessee

(WTVF, 17 April) Volunteers with the First Church of the Nazarene helped feed more than 70 people experiencing homelessness.

While the dinners are hosted every Sunday, volunteers said the holiday is a great reminder that there is plenty of hope to go around.

Rev. Dr. Letitia Washington, minister at First Church of the Nazarene, said the work she does is a gesture of love for a community in need.

"It's just something that I know that I'm supposed to be doing. People who are hungry, I think the Bible says something about, 'when I was hungry you fed me, when I was thirsty you gave me to drink.' This is what we're supposed to be doing," she said.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

 

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--Compiled by Nazarene News