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

California church opens its doors to house 50-person temporary homeless shelter

Costa Mesa, California

(The Los Angeles Times, 16 January) Officials and advocates hailed the dawn of a new day in Costa Mesa as the City Council unanimously agreed Tuesday night to move forward with developing a temporary 50-bed homeless shelter at Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene in the Westside.

“I have a mixture of hope and pride and guilt and shame because, quite honestly, this should have been done a long time ago,” said Mayor Pro Tem John Stephens.

City staff now will work with Lighthouse Church to improve and expand the site’s existing inclement-weather shelter and homeless check-in center to function as a “bridge shelter” for the next year or so. The hope is to open the facility in April.

For the rest of the story, click here. 

Passing out integrity

Nyssa, Oregon

(The Argus Observer, 31 January) For Nyssa Community Food Pantry Manager, Kathy Oliver, personal integrity is a way of life. She has volunteered with the pantry for the last 12 years. The pantry was established in 2005 by Norma Barnet. Oliver said continuing volunteer work in Barnet’s memory is her ministry. Oliver was quick to point out that the community runs the pantry, and ultimately drives its success.

The pantry base of operations is housed in the Nyssa Church of the Nazarene and is located only a few blocks from Nyssa High School. Because of its proximity to the schools, Oliver wants more parents to utilize the resources the pantry offers.

For the rest of the story, click here.

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--Compiled by NCN News