Church of the Nazarene

Missionaries give hope, share gospel with Shuar children

dlsperry94 — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 19:57:43 +0000

Missionaries give hope, share gospel with Shuar children

dlsperry94 Thu, 06/27/2024 - 19:57

In a touching act of love and faith, a group of students from Point Loma Nazarene University in California, USA, were led on an evangelistic day for the boys and girls of the Shuar community in Pimpints near Taisha, Ecuador.

The Shuar are an indigenous group native to the Amazon region in Ecuador.

The initiative, filled with games, music, and joy, aimed to highlight the importance of the identity of each boy and girl, reminding them how much God loves and honors them. Bracelets were given to children and dresses to girls, seeking to instill them with value and security in God.

The dresses were made by a group of women from Oro Valley Church of the Nazarene in Arizona, USA. Once a year, these women make roughly 2,000 dresses and ship them around the world through a program called “Dress a Girl.” The idea is to pass those dresses to girls and talk with them about their identity in Christ. As each girl receives a dress, someone prays individually for them.

Celeste, a missions team member, couldn't hold back the tears and recounted how the Holy Spirit showed her the pain of each girl who has suffered harm and the joy of knowing they are being loved.

Belen Ramos and her husband, Isaac Almendaris, have pastored the Church of the Nazarene in Taisha for five years. During her participation, Ramos shared with the girls the value and dignity God grants them. Almendaris shared about the importance of self-esteem and the children’s identity in Christ.

Ramos expressed her deep gratitude to Cindy Orellana, Lady Yumbla, and Johana Yumbla for their valuable contribution and support. These women, who received discipleship in the local church, have become an inspiration and light to others.

"We must learn to express love within our families, especially to boys and girls,” said Johana Yumbla, coordinator of the Oikos sponsorship ministry at Taisha Church. “In this evangelism, we hug the girls, tell them about Jesus, and remind them how much he loves them."

This evangelistic day was carried out in the hopes of establishing a church in the community. The team asked for continued prayer for these children and their families so that they may find hope, strength, and protection in their walk of faith.

--Church of the Nazarene South America

Fellowship strengthens bonds in Metro Manila District pastors’ kids

dlsperry94 — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 19:46:35 +0000

Fellowship strengthens bonds in Metro Manila District pastors’ kids

dlsperry94 Thu, 06/27/2024 - 19:46

The Metro Manila District held a gathering of over 70 pastors’ kids of all ages for their annual fellowship and gathering. This full-day event, held 12 June 2024, was a testament to the strong camaraderie and enduring bonds among these young individuals, fostering a supportive and nurturing community within the district.

The event’s theme, “Reality Check,” draws inspiration from Psalms 37:23. The primary objectives of this event are to affirm the identity of pastors’ kids (PKs) and equip them with the resilience needed to navigate the unique challenges they face both within their Christian communities and in the broader world.

This initiative is well-known within the district, rooted in the 2007 PK summit at Philippine Nazarene College. Over the years, summit attendees have formed a tight-knit support network, sharing experiences and providing mutual encouragement. As they have matured, these former participants are eager to extend their support to a new generation of PKs.

This motivation has led them to organize the current event, aiming to foster the same spirit of camaraderie and resilience among younger pastors’ kids. This event is also the initiative of the district’s PK coordinator, Grace Cardinal, who gathered the pastors’ kids with the most experience to spearhead the event.

Sam Tamayo, the head pastor of MX Messiah, shared about his journey as a pastor’s kid and how the Lord has guided his path, particularly in his success in motocross. He highlighted how God has used this sport as a unique platform for ministry. In his message, Tamayo emphasized key points: remembering one’s identity in Christ, trusting that the Lord establishes one’s steps, and boldly stepping out in faith. He encouraged the children to pursue their dreams with intelligence and authenticity, thriving in their endeavors while remaining true to their Christian values. He also reminded them of their role as salt and light in the world, inspiring others to see God through their actions and lives.

“They (your parents) will never have money, you understand? Because you are their treasure,” Tamayo said. “How? The Lord blessed them through blessing you with talents, skills, and opportunities... You must understand that when you fight your battles, you encourage your parents, who also have large and significant battles.”

After the breakout sessions, the afternoon was filled with fun activities, and church leaders provided support and love through their presence.

Pray is requested as the children walk on their faith journey and serve the church with their parents.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific

South Carolina church uses soccer league to serve community

dlsperry94 — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 19:32:03 +0000

South Carolina church uses soccer league to serve community

dlsperry94 Thu, 06/27/2024 - 19:32

A new soccer league is bringing families to Greenville First Church of the Nazarene while signaling that the church seeks to serve its community.

Andy Barnette, family ministries pastor at Greenville First, moved to the South Carolina church roughly a year ago and began looking for ways to support the community around them.

"Greenville is such a diverse community [and] soccer is a universal language," Barnette said. "When you start talking about soccer, you've got multiple people from numerous cultures whose ears perk up."

Thanks to a grant from the Blessing Our Community initiative of the USA/Canada Region, Greenville could purchase all of the soccer equipment — goals, balls, shinguards, cleats, and uniforms — and partner with multiple refugee resettlement organizations in the Greenville area to provide soccer league scholarships for children.

To bring the league to another level, multiple life groups (small groups) "adopted" a team by cheering them on during weekly games and providing snacks. The adoption concept was so impactful that a mother of a child on the team began texting a member of Greenville First before every match to see if they would be coming to cheer on the team and her child again.

Barnette doesn't want the church’s efforts to be considered a church growth strategy. "It's just us providing a service for the community, saying, 'Hey, there's a need in the community,'" Barnette said. "There are families in our surrounding area that need community, need to interact with other families, and are looking for a place for their kids that will teach great values."

Greenville First isn't the only Church of the Nazarene that has partnered with Upward in the last year. Greenville First received a start-up grant with Upward, which has partnered with the USA/Canada Region's Blessing Our Community initiative. The grant agreement is available to churches in the United States until 31 December 2024.

"Seeing the outreach mechanism of Blessing our Community and then making disciples… that is something we love to be a part of, to stand beside the church, to reach the community, find family, share the gospel, and hopefully, in time, [participants] plug into your church," said Kristen McCraw, marketing and partnerships manager for Upward Sports.

Upward Sports is a faith-based organization that provides support and operations systems for local churches to start sports leagues and sports-based ministries. Upward Sports supports over 1,500 churches nationwide with over 300,000 participating athletes.

"As a region, we are grateful for Upward and the generosity they are giving to our local churches that want to begin utilizing sports ministry to engage with their neighbors," said Kristi Senica, a missionary for the USA/Canada Region.

"Not only is Upward providing financial incentives to churches that might not have a large budget to get started with a new type of outreach ministry, but it is evident that they care about championing the local church to be a blessing in their communities, to build relationships with their community, and ultimately to be able to share the gospel with those that God places in their proximity."

For more information on the partnership between Upward and the USA/Canada Region, click here.

NDI USA/Canada Leadership Conference (LC2024) November 5-7, 2024

kensminger — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 19:11:47 +0000

NDI USA/Canada Leadership Conference (LC2024) November 5-7, 2024

Nazarene Discipleship International Leadership Conference LC2024 will be here soon! It will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel downtown in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our event begins on Tuesday evening, November 5, and continues through Thursday morning, November 7, 2024.

At the conference, you will learn how to implement the NDI five core principles in your local church ministries, get inspiration, and have many networking opportunities. You can also connect with church leaders for outstanding ministry collaborations. We want to walk alongside you on this discipleship journey and equip you with all the necessary tools and support!

Among the inspirational speakers are Rev. Christiane (Cricket) Albertson, the executive director of Titus Women, a ministry of the Francis Asbury Society, and Dr. Samuel Barber, the newly elected global NDI director.

Rev. Albertson graduated from Asbury University and Asbury Theological Seminary with a degree in theological studies. She continued theological training by working with Dr. Dennis Kinlaw for 18 years, compiling and editing several books of his writings and sermons, including This Day with the Master, Prayer: Bearing the World, Malchus’ Ear, and Holy Happiness. She has also published the Dennis Kinlaw Podcast, which features his sermons.

Cricket has edited Beth Coppedge’s All of Me for All of Jesus and Linda Boyette’s Jesus is Enough. She is also the author of Passing on the Passion: Raising the Next Generation to Love God. Cricket has produced several online Bible studies available on Titus Women's YouTube channel and Titus Women's podcast. Titus Women is committed to sharing the joy of the Spirit-filled life through Bible study, daily corporate prayer, discipleship, and publishing. Currently, she is serving as an online instructor for the Christian Studies Department at Asbury University.

Rev. Albertson will share how we can pass on our five core principles to the next generation and the importance of the spiritual legacy.

I bet we are all looking forward to meeting our new global leader. Exciting news: Dr. Samuel Barber, the newly elected global NDI director, will speak at the event.

Dr. Barber attended Mount Vernon Nazarene University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1989. He joined the pastoral staff at Warren First Church of the Nazarene in Ohio before pastoring Louisville Church of the Nazarene (now Shepherd’s Hill) in Ohio, serving from 1991 to 1997.

During that time, he earned a master’s degree in Christian ministries and church leadership from Malone University. In 1999, Dr. Barber moved to North Carolina to complete his master’s degree in theological studies from Duke University. While completing his studies, he served at Elon Power Line Church of the Nazarene until 2003.

Dr. Barber returned to his home state of Ohio to pastor Troy First Church of the Nazarene (2003-2007) and Columbus Shepherd Church of the Nazarene (2007-2014). In 2014, he moved to Lenexa, Kansas, to pastor Central Church of the Nazarene. While serving in Kansas City, he earned his Doctor of Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 2020. Dr. Barber was elected superintendent of the South Central Ohio District in April of 2022. In 2023, he authored the book A People of Grace: Becoming Disciples Together.

At LC2024, Dr. Barber will share his vision for the future of the NDI ministry and meet the NDI team, which includes all of us.

Join us for LC2024, where we will ‘’Journey to the Core’!’ Click here and get special negotiated rates by registering early! Additional details about LC2024 will be available by visiting this webpage or contacting the NDI Global Office or your district NDI president. See you soon!

kensminger Thu, 06/27/2024 - 19:11

Nazarene Discipleship International

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LC2024

Reaching out Is Making Disciples

kensminger — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 18:55:34 +0000

Reaching out Is Making Disciples

All Christians are called to get involved in the Great Commission of making disciples. We must discard the errors of the past and begin to be a church responsible for discipling new brothers and sisters in the faith.

Making disciples of Christ is the central mission of the Church and the purpose of its existence. However, we observe that many churches do not grow, or what is worse, each year they see their attendance and membership decrease. What is the problem? Why don’t all churches grow naturally? One of the common causes that we can find is that they do not have an intentional plan or strategy to multiply disciples. These churches are confused about the purpose of their existence, and many of them invest a lot of time, effort and money into activities that are not producing disciples for Christ.

The characteristics of a church that is not discipling or making disciples are the following:

1. Decreasing, stagnating, or slow growth in membership.

2. Lack of growth, maturity and holiness of life of the members.

3. Little involvement of the congregation in ministries inside and outside the local church.

4. Teachers and leaders teach the Word but have little involvement in the lives of their students during the rest of the week. This practice is very different from the times of the Early Church: teacher and disciple were inseparable. A disciple was above all a “teacher of life,” one who transmitted the life of Christ.

5. There is little connection between the biblical teaching given and the daily lives of members. The teachers understand that their responsibility is to teach the Bible lesson as it comes in the study book, but there is little reflection, application to life, little relationship with the questions and concerns of the attendees.

We need to take up the principles of the biblical and Wesleyan model of making disciples and apply them to the missional strategy of our churches.

The biblical passages that are considered of greatest importance regarding the function delegated by Jesus Christ to his Church as the trainer and reproducer of disciples are three:

1. The Great Commission: Matthew 28:18-20.

2. The Great Commandment: Matthew 22:37-39.

3. Mission as “bearing fruit”: John 15:1-17.

As we see in these passages, making disciples for Jesus is the purpose of the existence of the Church of Christ on this earth. Jesus does not call us to sit idly by. He does not call us to guard salvation as a personal treasure. The Word of God says that we are debtors. When you have a debt, you have a responsibility. In the same way, the disciples of Jesus have a burden, an assignment, a task: To make disciples of Christ in all the families of the earth.

All sons and daughters of God are called to play an important role in this task, helping someone, somewhere in the world, to be discipled. Many of us are already contributing through our prayers and offerings. But there is something else we can do...

1. You can make the decision to be a disciple committed to the lifestyle of Christ, seeking every day to be more like Him, letting Christ possess you, take over your entire being, use your life and continue his ministry in this world through you.

2. You can get involved in making disciples for Christ in your community, helping other people to be like Him, teaching them to put their lives at the service of the Lord.

The Great Commission from Jesus to His Church has not changed. Reproducing Christlike disciples is our reason for existing as the people of God. Making disciples is the lifestyle that all Christians are called to. God calls us all today. He keeps telling us: “Come, follow me” (Mark 2:14). The call of the Lord is a call for all of life; it is a call for all people. But let us not forget the challenge that follows this invitation: He wants us to engage in the task of discipleship.

___

Adapted from Chapter 1 in the book Current Discipleship Strategies developed by the Mesoamerica Region.

kensminger Thu, 06/27/2024 - 18:55

Nazarene Discipleship International

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Making Disciples

NDI at PALCON Matters Because of You

kensminger — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 18:38:45 +0000

NDI at PALCON Matters Because of You

Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI) is honored to be present at each of the three USA 2024 PALCONs. The opportunity to connect and network with you is always an honor our office does not take for granted.

The conversations at the NDI exhibit table matter because they allow us to listen and learn from you. Thank you if you attended a PALCON and stopped by to see us! If your PALCON is yet to come, visit us at our exhibit table and enter the drawing for a giveaway. More than anything, we want to know how we can serve you, pray with you, and come alongside you in ministry.

NDI’s Disability Ministry, led by Rev. Ryan Nelson (rnelson@nazarene.org), has workshops at each PALCON. The team, including Barbara Stanley and Leah Whicker of Wonderful Works Ministry, has begun consulting and resourcing churches, and PALCON provides a great opportunity to share and develop relationships.

The Discipleship Place held workshops on Discipleship as a Healing Journey and A Digital Plan for Daily Discipleship in the local church at the ENC and MVNU PALCONs.

We want to thank you for your faithfulness to disciple-making and your desire to help one another walk more closely with Jesus Christ! We are better together!

kensminger Thu, 06/27/2024 - 18:38

Nazarene Discipleship International

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NDI at PALCON

The Discipleship Place Recently Released the Revelation Bible Study

kensminger — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 18:07:51 +0000

The Discipleship Place Recently Released the Revelation Bible Study

You can now find the Revelation Bible Study at DiscipleshipPlace.org. This resource is an in-depth study with rich insights that will give anyone a deeper understanding of Scripture. The original editors were Norman R. Oke and Ralph Earle. Thanks to the work of Dr. Daryll Stanton and Natasha Skyba, the Bible study has been revised.

The Apostle John wrote to believers who were undergoing persecution. His purpose was to strengthen and encourage them with the assurance that God would have the last word in the long conflict between good and evil and that by being faithful Christians, they were certain of ultimate triumph with Christ.

You can get started now!

Hyperlink = https://discipleshipplace.org/mod/resource/view.php?id=2168

kensminger Thu, 06/27/2024 - 18:07

Nazarene Discipleship International

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Revelation Bible Study

New District NDI Presidents Orientation

kensminger — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 17:59:48 +0000

New District NDI Presidents Orientation

Congratulations to all our newly elected district NDI presidents!

If you’re like most who have been elected to this position you are probably wondering, “Okay, so now what?” The good news is that you are not alone! Coming this September, the global NDI office is providing training for all our newly elected district NDI presidents. The global NDI team, along with our NDI educational field coordinators, will welcome you to the team and provide you with many practical resources. We will also connect you with other leaders who can help support and encourage you in this new role.

Hopefully, by this time you have already been contacted about this training. If not, please contact me at jspangler@nazarene.org, and we will get you connected. If you are reading this and you have a new NDI president on your district, please reach out and ask if they know about this important training.

This is a special year, since we have LC2024 coming up November 5-7. We will meet by Zoom on three Thursdays in September, the 12^th, 19^th, and the 26^th. Then we will have a final meeting in person at LC2024! We are praying for all our new leaders. Thank you for saying “yes” and taking on this important ministry of the church!

kensminger Thu, 06/27/2024 - 17:59

Nazarene Discipleship International

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NDI President Orientation

The Holy Life Bible Series Is Now Available

kensminger — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 17:49:48 +0000

The Holy Life Bible Series Is Now Available

The Foundry Publishing’s Holy Life Bible Study Series is a practical discipleship tool for both new and seasoned Christians. Author Frank Moore takes readers on a journey that unpacks theological truths of faith in a way that is both inspirational and motivating. He invites us to discover the incredible love of a God who empowers us to overcome any circumstance to live with joy, peace, and power—a God who calls us to take part in his divine nature.

Book 1 is Meeting God the Father. God created humanity in love. God placed humanity in a perfect environment with parental hopes and dreams for abundant living. Return to your roots and explore all God has in mind for you!

Book 2 is Following Jesus the Son. Determined to return humanity to the original hopes and dreams for us, God the Father sent Jesus the Son to our world to free us from our self-inflicted bondage. Jesus came to restore our relationship with God. Encounter Jesus in new ways!

Book 3 is Living by the Holy Spirit. The Father and Son gave believers the Holy Spirit to be with us and live in us. The transforming power of the Spirit conforms us to the image of Christ as we allow him to work freely in our lives. Life in the Spirit accomplishes God’s hopes and dreams for your abundant living!

Each book in this series includes thought-provoking questions to stimulate discussion in a small-group study setting.

kensminger Thu, 06/27/2024 - 17:49

Nazarene Discipleship International

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Holy Life Bible Series

Vacation Bible School

kensminger — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 21:19:35 +0000

Vacation Bible School

Grab your friends and your life jackets and let’s go on a “River Rafting Adventure.” This year’s Vacation Bible School is sure to appeal to all ages of students as they follow Sammy and Bobby down the river. Following the book of Acts and emphasizing prevenient grace, saving grace, and sanctifying grace, this VBS curriculum will point your students toward Jesus. Crafts, snacks, stories and games all help equip students and volunteers alike to plant seeds of the good news wherever we go!

Why VBS?

VBS is one of the greatest children’s evangelistic tools.

VBS is an outreach tool.

VBS reaches into what otherwise might be unreachable homes.

VBS reaches out into our communities.

VBS nurtures our children.

VBS tends to unify our churches.

VBS extends other church ministries.

VBS can be a tool to train more children’s disciplers.

VBS makes a BIG difference in our churches.

How Can VBS Work?

Vacation Bible School can be approached in many different ways:

On-site VBS: Held in the church building, culminating in a weekend church service.
Community-site VBS: Held in a central location in a target ministry area. This can be in a community center, a playground or park, or a building you rent for the week close to the neighborhood your church is strategically targeting. The activity can culminate in a weekend church service.
Backyard Bible Clubs: Held at the homes of church members, culminating in a weekend church service or event.
Midweek Discipleship Programs: Held in church or wherever your small groups meet. This curriculum can easily be divided up to cover several weeks or even months of discipleship ministry.

Are you thinking it is too late for VBS this year?

If so, watch for more details for the next VBS, themed “Starlight Airlines.” Join us as we journey to the past in order to change our futures! Kids will have a blast as a nervous but enthusiastic flight attendant welcomes them onboard Starlight Airlines, where mad scientist and inventor Captain Gen pilots his time-traveling airplane for adventure after adventure.

For more information visit nazarene.org/vbs or email dstanton@nazarene.org

kensminger Wed, 06/26/2024 - 21:19

Nazarene Discipleship International

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Vacation Bible School