During a recent NMI retreat, Pastor Ron Armenta was listening to a presentation about The Cause from global leaders. Armenta felt as if God was placing a question about sustainability of the initiative on his heart, so he spoke up.
Little did he realize the impact that question would have. Soon he got a call from his district superintendent.
“I thought I was really in trouble,” Armenta joked.
The conversation became not as much about his question as it was about a solution. Armenta wrote the proposal, and soon enough, the plan took shape in the form of Nazarene Youth Mission Academy.
In April, the NYMA pilot program unfolded in Fallon, Nevada, at Armenta’s church, Fallon Church of the Nazarene. Armenta, helped oversee the group along with district superintendents, university professors, and staff from Global Missions.
The concept of NYMA has been around for years since its start in Brazil, further moving into each country on the South America Region. Staff members from Brazil were on hand to guide and ensure consistency with the program in South America.
Thousands of students have come through the program in South America, many of whom later went on to be pastors and even serve as district superintendents.
Each student enrolled in NYMA joins in a 3-year leadership program designed to shape high school-aged students into “spiritually grounded, mission-ready leaders for life.” Students must have sponsorship from their local pastoral staff.
The recent pilot week was a hit, and the program has already released its dates for 2027 at Fallon Church of the Nazarene.
Located in the high desert, an hour drive east of Reno, the city’s population is just under 10,000. Most residents have connections to the nearby Naval Air Base.
Although Fallon may not be one of the most sought-after vacation destinations, the city has ample ministry opportunities. The church has the second largest food bank in the state of Nevada, feeding 3,000 people weekly. In addition, the church’s thrift store ministry offers service opportunities, as well as agricultural ministries in partnership with local farmers.
According to Joyce Tempel, Missions Mobilization coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene, the variety of options gives students a look into many different ways of serving the church.
“We talk a lot about urban missions now, and our church in Fallon has the thrift store and the food pantry, which are ministries that are very effective in urban centers,” Temple said. “But then they also have the farm ministry as a lab. We know this generation is all about taking care of the environment, learning how to be sustainable, and Fallon offers that.”
Other programs include basic tech and audio-visual training, theological and pastoral training, with specializations based on students’ interests like leading worship, preaching, etc.
Armenta said that one student told him that she came with the desire to learn to be a better worship leader.
“While I was there,” she told Armenta, “I realized that missions was more than just traveling to some far away place. I finally understood what missions is. Now I know my calling.”
Tempel said that is the hope through NYMA, to encourage young people to lean into their calling and with a mind toward missions.
“We want teenagers engaged locally,” Tempel continued. “And when they grow older, go to college, get married, that church will be a part of their daily life, a place where their skills and abilities will further God’s kingdom, whether at a local church, their community, their work, family, or overseas.”
To learn more about NYMA, click here.