Church of the Nazarene

Hugo Archila Arriaza appointed superintendent of Ecuador Costa District

dlsperry94 — Thu, 02 May 2024 19:57:27 +0000

Hugo Archila Arriaza appointed superintendent of Ecuador Costa District

dlsperry94 Thu, 05/02/2024 - 19:57

South America Region Church of the Nazarene

Hugo Archila Arriaza was appointed district superintendent of the Ecuador Costa District. He currently pastors Pancho Jacome Iglesia del Nazareno in Guyaquil.

Arriaza’s appointment was effective 20 March 2024. He was ordained a minister on 27 March 2010.

His ministry experience spans diverse fields, including pastoring, teaching, church planting, and chaplaincy. Through his work as a chaplain, he has collaborated with state and private educational institutions in Guayaquil, imparting a prevention message on the consumption of controlled substances and alcohol.

He has led the Nazarene Compassionate Ministries for the Ecuador Costa District and is the current national leader of the NCM.

In addition to his ministerial training at the Nazarene Seminary of the Americas (SENDAS), he has carried out secular studies at the Faculty of Jurisprudence, Social and Political Sciences of the University of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Hugo and his wife, Carmen, have two daughters and currently reside in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

02 May, 2024

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Africa Region brings the gospel to camelback

dlsperry94 — Thu, 02 May 2024 14:42:01 +0000

Africa Region brings the gospel to camelback

dlsperry94 Thu, 05/02/2024 - 14:42

Africa Region Church of the Nazarene

There are vast stretches of land in Africa where people make their living through camel herding. These nomadic people travel with their herds for grazing and water. They often cross borders with no regard for modern political states. While some romanticize this lifestyle as free and easy, nomadic people groups are classified as some of the most unreached people groups.

Traditionally, it has been challenging to evangelize and establish churches within a people group that is never in the same place for more than a few weeks. The hardships of this lifestyle have prevented many would-be evangelists or missionaries from reaching these groups.

But God gifted the leadership of the Church of the Nazarene with the wisdom to develop a strategy for reaching these nomads with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This strategy came from a missionary's conversation with a nomad in the 1980s.

The missionary asked the nomad, "What would it take for you to become a follower of Jesus?"

The nomad replied, "When you can put your church on the back of my camel, I will consider becoming a Christian."

And that is what evangelists have done—put the church on camelback. Through this strategy, a team of two evangelists share the responsibility for a small herd of camels owned by the Church of the Nazarene. These evangelists themselves come from a nomadic background. They take turns traveling with the nomads in larger groups and sharing the words of Jesus with individuals in the group.

The one-on-one evangelism in the nomad's context has been highly effective, and many nomads are coming to the Lord. This strategy also works well for discipleship. The Church of the Nazarene now has several teams working amongst the nomads, with plans to develop more teams as resources become available.

-- Church of the Nazarene Africa Region

02 May, 2024

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Mexico church welcomes new believers thanks to Easter service

dlsperry94 — Wed, 01 May 2024 20:42:07 +0000

Mexico church welcomes new believers thanks to Easter service

dlsperry94 Wed, 05/01/2024 - 20:42

Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region

During this past Holy Week, Etla Church of the Nazarene in Mexico experienced an intentional time of seeking the Lord through different activities. Many community members gathered in increasing numbers, culminating in an Easter Sunday celebration where 400 people attended.

The activities began on Wednesday with a night of praise to celebrate God’s great love.

On Thursday, the church gathered for a time of fasting and prayer. Later, they shared a time of refreshment and fellowship. In the evening, they celebrated the Lord’s Supper and remembered the events of Maundy Thursday. Many took up the challenge to live a life of gratitude to Jesus for his willingness to sacrifice himself in obedience to the Father.

On Good Friday evening, the church gathered to hear the Word of God and pray for those physically and emotionally sick.

“We faithfully believe that the power (of God) was present,” said Daniela Santiago, a member of the pastoral team of the Etla Church of the Nazarene.

On Saturday morning, they gathered for ministry, prayer, and confession.

“We experienced the Lord in an incredible way and left full of him,” Santiago said.

On Easter Sunday at 5 a.m., more than 400 people celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. The pastor of the church, Josué Barrera, shared a message from the Bible.

One entire family gave their lives to Jesus. The Easter service was the first time that they had attended a church. They saw the event announcements on social media and decided to attend.

“It was noteworthy that many people who had not visited our church joined this special celebration,” Santiago said. “It was a celebration full of joy, happiness, thankfulness, and hope. We celebrate that Christ lives, that he conquered death, and that we are free, forgiven, redeemed, and transformed into a new creature through him.”

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region

01 May, 2024

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Darren Reed elected superintendent of Sacramento District

dlsperry94 — Wed, 01 May 2024 20:40:29 +0000

Darren Reed elected superintendent of Sacramento District

dlsperry94 Wed, 05/01/2024 - 20:40

Nazarene News Staff

Darren Reed was elected superintendent of the Sacramento District in California on 26 April 2024. He is currently the pastor of Denver One Hope Church of the Nazarene.

“It is an honor to join the Sacramento District team in this capacity to partner with all the great pastors and churches in the ongoing effort to lead people to Jesus and become a transformational influence in their communities,“ Reed said. “While the road ahead of us doesn’t look like the road behind us, I look forward to what the Lord has in store for our district family in His good future.”

Reed’s assignment will be effective 26 May 2024. He replaces Steven Scott, who has served as superintendent of the Sacramento District since 2006.

Scott served on staff at Orlando Restoration Church of the Nazarene briefly before pastoring Oklahoma City R.O.C. Church of the Nazarene from 1999 to 2003. He then served at Windward Church of the Nazarene in Hawaii from 2003 to 2009 before moving to California and pastoring at Tehachapi Church of the Nazarene from 2009 to 2015 and Olive Knolls Church of the Nazarene in Bakersfield from 2015 to 2020. He has served as pastor of Denver One Hope Church of the Nazarene since January of 2020.

Reed earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Point Loma Nazarene University in 1994.

He and his wife, Julie, have three children and currently reside in Englewood, Colorado.

01 May, 2024

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Celebrating the life, ministry of Margaret Hurst

dlsperry94 — Wed, 01 May 2024 20:13:00 +0000

Celebrating the life, ministry of Margaret Hurst

dlsperry94 Wed, 05/01/2024 - 20:13

Nazarene News Staff

Margaret Hurst, 82, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away 21 April 2024. She was a retired missionary who served in South Africa and the Philippines. She also served as a minister in Indiana.

Margaret Potter Hurst was born on 1 February 1942 in La Farge, Wisconsin, the fifth of eight children. Sensing a call to missions, she attended Free Methodist Bible College and then completed a three-year program at Bethany Missionary Training College. Following her education, she moved to Lincoln, Nebraska to live with a sister, where she met her husband, George, who she married in 1964. Together they attended further missionary training, and then pastored a church in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota while they applied to the Church of the Nazarene for overseas mission assignment.

In 1974 they moved to the Republic of South Africa. They learned the Zulu language, and served in training local pastors, church building construction, and college teaching. She miraculously survived a devastating car accident in 1976, though she and George sadly lost their infant son in that accident.

In 1995 they left Africa to serve briefly in Manilla, Philippines, and then returned to the United States in 1996, settling in Indianapolis.

Margaret worked at Light and Life Bookstore, and served as sunday school teacher, church treasurer, and NMI president. She completed her studies for ordination and was ordained as an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 2004.

Outside of work and after retirement, Margaret enjoyed reading, coloring, sudoku, word puzzles and chatting with her siblings online. She loved visits from her daughters and their husbands, and especially her grandchildren. Throughout her life, she strove to make others feel welcomed and comfortable, and ministered to those around her in any situation.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 60 years George A. Hurst; daughters Rebecca Schnurr and Christina Miller; sisters Ona Madden, Leota Chadwick, Helen Ewing, and Rozella Spry; brother Harvey Potter; one grandson and one daughter; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father, Stanley Potter; mother, Una Potter; sister, Mary Fish; brother, Joe Potter; and infant son, Matthew A. Hurst.

A visitation for Margaret will be held Friday, April 26, 2024, from 4:00PM to 8:00PM at Grace Pointe Church of the Nazarene, 10951 E County Rd 100 S, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46231. A funeral service will occur Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 11:00 with visitation during the 30 minutes prior, at Grace Pointe Church of the Nazarene.

01 May, 2024

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In Memoriam: 26 April 2024

dlsperry94 — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 21:29:59 +0000

In Memoriam: 26 April 2024

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/25/2024 - 21:29

Nazarene News Staff

The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received 22-26 April 2024.

John Baillie, 95, of Brockton, Massachusetts, passed away 21 April 2024. He was a minister who served in Massachusetts, Scotland, and Winnipeg, Canada. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bethia Baillie, who passed away in 2016.

Donald Bellomy, 74, of Ashland, Kentucky, passed away 22 April 2024. He was a retired minister who served in Kentucky, Carolina, Ohio, and Illinois. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Bellomy.

John Euton, 85, of Flatwoods, Kentucky, passed away 17 April 2024. He was a retired minister who served in Ohio, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

B. Joyce Mellish, 94, of Howell, Michigan, passed away 14 April 2024. She was the widow of John Mellish, a retired minister who served in Michigan. John passed away in 2010.

John Swartzenberg, 77, of Hamlin, New York, passed away 15 April 2024. He is the spouse of Laura Swartzenberg a minister who served in New York.

Warren Toler, 89, of Irvine, Kentucky, passed away 18 April 2024. He was a retired minister who served in Kentucky. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Toler.

Burlene Wilson, 88, of McAlester, Oklahoma, passed away 12 April 2024. She was the widow of Gene Wilson, a retired minister who served in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Gene passed away in 2003.

Note: Please join us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to news@nazarene.org.

--Compiled by Nazarene News

25 Apr, 2024

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Three new district superintendents announced on USA/Canada Region

dlsperry94 — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 20:27:31 +0000

Three new district superintendents announced on USA/Canada Region

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/25/2024 - 20:27

Nazarene News Staff

Three new superintendents were announced on the USA/Canada Region this week. Jeffery Barker and Daren Pitcher were elected to the Metro New York and Central California districts, respectively, and Althea Taylor was appointed superintendent of the Hawaii Pacific District.

Jeffery Barker elected Metro New York District superintendent

Jeffery Barker was elected superintendent of the Metro New York District 19 April 2024. Barker most recently served as the Metro New York District’s director of Clergy and Congregational Life.
Barker’s assignment will be effective 19 May 2024. He will replace Samuel Vassel, who has served the Metro New York District since 2018.

Barker attended Eastern Nazarene College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in ministry in 1993. He holds a Master's of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary and a Master's of Sacred Theology from Boston University.

He served as a pastor at Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene in Maine from 1997 to 2002, Quincy Bethel Church of the Nazarene in Massachusetts from 2007 to 2014, and The Resurrection Church of the Nazarene in New York City from 2018 to 2022.

During his time in Massachusetts, Jeff served as a professor in the department of Religion and Philosophy at Eastern Nazarene College and as campus chaplain. His wife, Stacy Barker, was a professor in the Social Work department.

Jeffery and his wife, Stacy, have two children. They currently reside in Dexter, Maine.

Daren Pitcher elected Central California District superintendent

Daren Pitcher was elected superintendent of the Central California District on 19 April 2024. He currently serves as pastor of El Morro Church of the Nazarene in Los Osos, California.

Pitcher’s assignment will be effective 19 May 2024. He will replace Rob Songer, who is retiring after leading the Central California District since 2010.

Pitcher earned his associate’s degree from Point Loma Nazarene College (now University) in 1988 and his bachelor’s degree in secondary teaching from Azusa Pacific University in 1995.

As a minister in California for 35 years, Jeff served served on staff at Racho Cucamonga Highland Avenue Community Church of the Nazarene, Pismo Beach New Life Community Church of the Nazarene, Ontario First Church of the Nazarene, and Olive Knolls Church of the Nazarene in Bakersfield.

In 2001, he became the pastor of El Cajon Rancho Hill Community Church of the Nazarene, where served until 2005. He pastored Ridgeview Church of the Nazarene in Bakersfield from 2005 to 2018, when he took his current pastorate at El Morro Church of the Nazarene.
He and his wife, Amy, currently reside in Morro Bay, California.

Althea Taylor appointed superintendent of Hawaii Pacific District

Althea Taylor was appointed superintendent of Hawaii Pacific District on 25 April 2024. Taylor currently serves as the director of compassion, justice, and immigration for the Metro New York District.

The appointment was made by General Superintendent Christian Sarmiento in consultation with the Hawaii Pacific District Advisory Council and the Board of General Superintendents. This action was taken following the retirement of District Superintendent Rick Powers at the 2024 district assembly, which closed without electing a successor. Taylor’s appointment is effective 1 May 2024.

Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and a Master of Science in managing technology from New York University - Polytechnic School of Engineering. In addition, she holds a Master's of Divinity from Howard University, and is in the process of earning a Doctorate of Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary.

She became an ordained minister in 2009 and has served as a minister at Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene from 2001 to 2007 and from 2013 to 2020. She served the USA/Canada Region as Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinator from 2008 to 2012. In 2020, she joined the Metro New York District office staff, where she has served as the director of compassion, justice, and immigration since.

25 Apr, 2024

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Northern Ireland church provides space for children with additional needs

dlsperry94 — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:33:04 +0000

Northern Ireland church provides space for children with additional needs

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/25/2024 - 15:33

Eurasia Region Church of the Nazarene

At Carrickfergus Church of the Nazarene in Northern Ireland, a unique parent and toddler group gathers every Tuesday. Designed for children with additional needs, Little Stars was created out of a heartfelt desire to provide a safe and welcoming space for families of children with additional needs.

Children with additional needs have a variety of conditions ranging from physical disabilities, chronic illness and potentially life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, to children with physical and sensory impairments, learning disorders, and autism.

Little Stars was started by Claire Patterson, whose son, AJ, has additional needs.

“I found it really hard taking him to the mother and toddlers in our church or around the community,” Patterson said. “I was always apologising for my son, and I thought if I was feeling like this, I would imagine so many other parents are feeling this way also. I wanted to create a safe space for the children and their parents."

Pastor Jordan Neill from Carrickfergus Church of the Nazarene quoted Luke 18:16, where Jesus says: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

“In many ways, the work of the Little Stars team opens a space where children and families are made to feel welcome and at home in church, regardless of ability or need,” Neill said. “It’s a reminder to each of us that the Kingdom is for everyone"

The Eurasia Region asks to be joined in prayer for the Little Stars ministry, for the kids and their families, and that the Lord would bless them and the efforts put into this ministry.

25 Apr, 2024

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Philippines-Micronesia Field visits South Korea for Urban Ministry training

dlsperry94 — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:18:18 +0000

Philippines-Micronesia Field visits South Korea for Urban Ministry training

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/25/2024 - 15:18

Asia-Pacific Region Church of the Nazarene

From 18-29 March 2024, district superintendents and leaders from the Philippines-Micronesia Field traveled to South Korea for the 20th Korean Urban Church Growth and Spirituality training.

Different groups attend every year to observe and take home the best ministry and missions practices in Korea and apply them in their contexts.

The SangamDong Church of the Nazarene and Arnel Piliin spearheaded this 12-day trip. Min Gyoo Shin led the Filipino leaders on various trips to urban and rural local churches as well as the Korean National District Office, Korea Nazarene University, and Calvin University.

The goal of this trip was to inspire Filipino pastors and lay leaders to plant, grow, and rejuvenate church ministries in the Philippine context. The Filipino leaders had an opportunity to listen to the pastors and elders who shared about ministries in their local context.

“An insight I gained in this trip is that our character should match our calling,” said Ryan Cardinal, superintendent of the Metro Manila District. “This should be evident in our life consistency, which is observed in our prayer life and time management.”

The participants shared various reflections regarding their observations and personal experiences with the vibrancy and vitality of Korean churches they visited in urban and rural settings.

“The first thing I would share and develop in my local church is the importance of prayer, as I have observed in the Korean local church ministries,” said Emelyn Domaoal. “Second, worship through giving helps sustain the maintenance and repair of local church properties. Finally, I would like to share the importance of serving God through hospitality in reaching another soul.”

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific

25 Apr, 2024

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Hawaii church continues recovery efforts after Maui fires

dlsperry94 — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 20:15:33 +0000

Hawaii church continues recovery efforts after Maui fires

dlsperry94 Wed, 04/24/2024 - 20:15

Daniel Sperry for Nazarene News

Dylan Nails and his wife, Emma, were out getting food at a nearby fast-food restaurant in Makawao, Hawaii, when they noticed a Red Cross shelter had been opened, much to their surprise. Hours later, Dylan, a pastor at Pukalani Church of the Nazarene, received a phone call asking if the shelter staff could use the church printer to make 1,500 copies of intake forms for the shelter.

“We looked outside, and you could see the glow coming this way,” Dylan said.

That day was 8 August 2023 in the early hours of the deadly and devastating wildfires that ravaged the island of Maui. Hours later, the Nails could see the flames from the church.

Pukalani Church of the Nazarene has been aiding the community since the beginning of the disaster. From initial evacuation intake to food distribution to begin the rebuilding process, the church has walked alongside its community every step of the way.
In those first hours, the church bought 250 air mattresses to help provide beds for the evacuees at the Red Cross shelter. When the shelter got overrun, the church opened its space.

In the following days, the church continued to provide space for overflow from the shelter. Dylan said they ended up with mostly travelers or tourist families who were displaced from their stays due to the fires. The church helped provide transport back to the airport to leave the island.

The fire burned from 8-11 August, and many roads were blocked off to Lahaina with authorities controlling who could get in and out of the area.

“But God made a way for us to get a pass,” Dylan said. “So, while also having a shelter, we took our church bus and ran supplies in and out of Lahaina.”

Now, more than eight months since the disaster began, Pukalani Nazarene has transitioned through different stages of relief.

Through a grant from local officials, the church set up a WAIEA Atmospheric Water Machine that operates on solar power. The machine takes water from the humidity in the air and turns it into up to 100 gallons of water daily. As of last week, they have given out 21,000 gallons of water.

The church also helped with produce distribution, serving up to 75-100 cars a day. They put on eight distribution days to give away produce and other items such as coolers, generators, and toiletries.

Many relief programs have begun to provide victims with food vouchers and other relief opportunities. And while there are many systems in place, Dylan says still people are falling through the system's cracks. That’s who Pukalani Nazarene is hoping to help.

The church has begun to transition away from direct relief activities and toward helping build houses for people displaced by the fires. They have built two houses that are already being rented out and four that are in the final stages of completion. That project is being aided by a grant from Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.

Dylan says that for Pukalani Nazarene, it’s about just trying to do something to help.

“We’ve had churches come to us and ask how we got into all of [the recovery efforts],” Dylan said. “We just started somewhere.”

Dylan used the example of Lincoln City Church of the Nazarene in Oregon, which sent over 20 quilts that could be distributed.

“Just do what you can,” Dylan said. “Start there, and God will bless it and make it abundant.”

24 Apr, 2024

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