A few weeks ago, many Women's Discipleship Ministries leaders gathered via video conferencing to share the ways they are serving the Church of the Nazarene across the USA/Canada Region. Several of the leaders presented specific ways they are leading retreats and Bible studies while building unity within their churches and communities. The meeting was a great encouragement to all participants.

Those who know Keren Chuiza know that she has a passion for children's discipleship that is contagious. Her influence ignited the passion in others for the ministry to children in Cuenca, Ecuador.

The Start

Discipleship has always been an important part of the Church of the Nazarene. However, the titles given to the discipleship efforts of the Church of the Nazarene are varied. During the denomination’s first two decades, discipleship was included in the General Assembly Committee on Sunday Schools. Then, discipleship was championed in the Department of Church Schools, which was organized in 1928.

Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.

We have officially reached the end of 2022, which means the 30th General Assembly and Convention year will soon be upon us! So much is happening behind the scenes to make this event come to life. The best way to describe this is to have you think of a puzzle! When you open a puzzle, there are dozens of pieces, if not hundreds, and it can feel overwhelming at the beginning, especially if you don’t have help.

It was only a few weeks ago when I bowed my head, closed my eyes, and began to lead our class in prayer as I had done many times before. “Dear Lord, thank you for this day,” I began.