Every year, hundreds of people are trained in missions in the Mesoamerican Region through the Missionary Orientation Camps (COM) of the Church of the Nazarene. In 2023, that was no different for the Caribbean Field, where 25 people participated virtually in a COM. 

Attendees included high school and university students and ministerial leaders from nine Caribbean territories: Barbados, Belize, Dominica, French Guiana, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Vincent, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The COM included workshops, dynamic learning experiences, conversations, and learning on the theme of cross-cultural missions.

"Despite some technical and internet challenges, God manifested and moved in every workshop and activity," said Timmeon Spencer, Missions Mobilization coordinator for the Caribbean Field. "The participants were attentive and committed to everything said and done."

Spencer added that some people felt God was calling them to various areas of service while others were still processing all the information they received. A large part of the COM's effectiveness is due to the work of the small groups led by three leaders who were previous COM participants.

The Missions Mobilization team aims to intentionally travel with potential missionary candidates and support them in their development as they participate in the "Called to Serve" mission trip in Abaco, Bahamas, this summer.

"Our time together at COM was impressive. God touched lives, ministered to hearts, and clarified many questions that participants had going into COM," Spencer said. "We are convinced that God wants to raise more missionaries in the Caribbean Field and, as a Missions Mobilization ministry, we are excited to partner with Him to discover, develop, and deploy these missionaries in our field and region in the future."

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region