Church of the Nazarene

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, respectfully, 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 lifelong learning coordinator and served as district office personnel for the last four years.
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 served as a pastor at Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene in Maine from 1997 to 2002, Quincy Bethel Church of the Nazarene from 2007 to 2014 in Massachusetts, 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 served as a campus chaplain. His wife, Stacy Barker, was a professor in the Social Work department.

Most recently he has served as the coordinator of the Metro New York District’s lifelong learning program, having served in the district office since 2019.

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 earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary teaching from Azusa Pacific University in 1995.

He has served as a minister in California for 35 years, serving 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 and a Master of Science in managing technology from Polytechnic University.

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 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

Comments

Editor Pick

Tags

USA/Canada

New York

California

Hawaii

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

Comments

Editor Pick

Tags

Eurasia Region

Northern Ireland

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

Comments

Editor Pick

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 Pukulani 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.

Pukulani 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, Pukulani 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 where they gave 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 there are still people who are falling through the system's cracks. That’s who Pukulani 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 Pukulani 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

Comments

Editor Pick

Tags

USA/Canada

Hawaii

In Memoriam: 19 April 2024

dlsperry94 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:28:39 +0000

In Memoriam: 19 April 2024

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/18/2024 - 22:28

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 14-19 April.

Hazel Fields, 89, of Northport, Alabama, passed away 15 March 2024. She was the widow of George Fields, a retired minister who served in Alabama. George passed away in 2015.

Mary Matthews, 87, of Lakeland, Florida, passed away 10 April 2024. She was the widow of Donald Matthews, a retired minister who served in Indiana and Florida. Donald passed away in 1997.

Daniel Mahaffey, 48, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away 12 April 2024. He was a minister who served in West Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Angela Mahaffey.

Joseph Metzler, 75, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, passed away 13 April 2024. He was a retired minister who served in West Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Rhoda Metzler.

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

18 Apr, 2024

Comments

Editor Pick

Off

Tags

Passings

In Memoriam

Scott Whalen elected superintendent of Chicago Central District

dlsperry94 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 21:18:01 +0000

Scott Whalen elected superintendent of Chicago Central District

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/18/2024 - 21:18

Nazarene News Staff

Scott M. Whalen was elected as superintendent of the Chicago Central District 13 April 2024. He currently serves as the district secretary and assistant district superintendent.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the Chicago Central District in this new role," Whalen said. "We love our pastors and churches and are excited to partner with them in this next chapter of ministry."

Whalen will replace Larry McKain, who has served as superintendent since 2014.

An Olivet Nazarene University alumnus, Whalen has served as a minister in Indiana and Illinois. Whalen graduated with a bachelor’s degree in church music in 2004 and received a Master of Ministry from Olivet in 2015. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary, with a focus in Discipleship and Spiritual Formation.

Scott first served as a minister at Highland Church of the Nazarene in Indiana before serving Sterling, Illinois, First Church of the Nazarene from 2006 to 2016. After a brief period of service at Peoria First Church of the Nazarene, he began serving as district secretary and assistant district superintendent for the Chicago Central District in 2017.

Scott and his wife, Anne, have three children and currently reside in Bourbonnais, Illinois.

18 Apr, 2024

Comments

Editor Pick

Tags

USA/Canada

Illinois

Everett Tustin elected superintendent of Washington Pacific District

dlsperry94 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 19:32:27 +0000

Everett Tustin elected superintendent of Washington Pacific District

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/18/2024 - 19:32

Nazarene News Staff

Everett Tustin was elected superintendent of the Washington Pacific District on 15 April 2024. Tustin currently serves as pastor of Kent Hillside Church of the Nazarene.

“Christ has been incredibly faithful to give guidance and help in every place he has taken our family throughout our years of ministry," Tustin said. "He always leads us to people of peace and places of peace. We are humbled and thankful for this opportunity to serve the Washington Pacific district. We are hungry to see Jesus move in a tangible way through our churches.”

Tustin’s new assignment will be effective 15 May 2024. He replaces Randall Craker, who has served as interim superintendent since the death of Jerry Kester in October 2023.

Tustin received a Bachelor's from Northwest Nazarene College (now University) in 1984. He served as a minister at Enumclaw Church of the Nazarene (1986-1987), Issaquah Church of the Nazarene (1987-1988), Oak Harbor Church of the Nazarene (1988-1991), and Spokane First Church of the Nazarene (1991-1994), all in Washington state. He became pastor of Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene in Idaho in 1994 and served there until 1998.
In 1998, Everett and his wife, Rhonda, answered a call to missions, serving as missionaries in Kenya, Italy, Poland, and Bulgaria until 2012. In March of 2012, they returned to the Pacific Northwest to pastor at Kent Hillside, where they have served since.
Everett and Rhonda have two children and currently reside in Kent, Washington.

18 Apr, 2024

Comments

Editor Pick

Tags

GMC Announcements

Washington Pacific

Nazarenes gather for reflection, discussion at Global Theology Conference

dlsperry94 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 18:44:32 +0000

Nazarenes gather for reflection, discussion at Global Theology Conference

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/18/2024 - 18:44

Nazarene News Staff

The Global Theology Conference 2024 brought together 250 participants from 65 countries and all six global regions. The conference, held 4-6 April on the campus of Seminario Teológico Nazareno del Cono Sur in Pilar, Argentina, was co-convened by Global Education and Clergy Development and Nazarene Theological Seminary.

“Global Theology Conference proved once again its key role for reflecting as a global church on what it means ‘to be the church’ in a world that desperately needs to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Klaus Arnold, director of Global Education and Clergy Development.

The central theme for the conference was “In the Power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14). The conference was developed around three main sessions, each of which thematically focussed on Holy Spirit, holy people, and the hope of new creation respectively. Each session had two presenters and four responders selected to represent each of the six global regions.

The participants were engaged in other plenary sessions and small groups. Arnold said that the participants also learned that the focus of their theological endeavors must be to serve and equip the local church.

“Theological education and reflection must be in, for, by, and with the local church,” Arnold said. “This was wonderfully demonstrated by the participants, who were pastors, teachers, superintendents, lay persons from around the world – all representing various ministries of the Church of the Nazarene to help the local church fulfill the mission of the church, ‘to make Christlike disciples in the nations.’”

NTS President Jeren Rowell said the conference’s purpose was not “debate, argument, or apologetic.“

“Our global family of theologians came together in worship, prayer, in ‘the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace’ (Eph. 4:3), and for mission,” Rowell said. “By the presence and power of the Spirit, this gathering truly became ‘holy conference’ that forms the life of the Church in the way of Jesus.”

General Superintendent David Busic said the conference was a vivid reminder of the global nature of the Church.

“Every region of the world was represented through the voices of scholars, district superintendents, and pastors who are committed to having holy conversations around Nazarene theology and identity,” Busic said. “I came away enriched by the depth of interpersonal relationships and the unified commitment of being faithful to our heritage and to our future.”

The papers and the plenary sessions were translated into English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. The global community of the Church of the Nazarene, including those not present in Argentina, are encouraged to continue the conversation by reading papers, listening to the podcast of the event, and engaging in thoughtful regional, district, and local church conversations around these themes.

Conference resources are available at https://didache.nazarene.org/, https://holinesstoday.podbean.com/, and WHDL.org.

18 Apr, 2024

Comments

Editor Pick

Tags

GMC Announcements

Mobile clinic meeting physical, spiritual needs in Guinea Bissau

dlsperry94 — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 22:17:18 +0000

Mobile clinic meeting physical, spiritual needs in Guinea Bissau

dlsperry94 Wed, 04/17/2024 - 22:17

Africa Region Church of the Nazarene

The Church of the Nazarene in Guinea Bissau is stepping into the gap of available health services with a mobile health clinic.

In the West African country of Guinea Bissau, the medical situation is precarious. The capital city, named Bissau, with a population of nearly 500,000 people, has only one national hospital.

In 2023, Ezequiel and Susy Ramirez, Nazarene missionaries to Guinea Bissau, decided to revive a mobile clinic ministry that had been in existence. After a God-ordained meeting of Korean doctors with another organization, Jonathan and Cecelia, the Ramirez family asked them to help with the Church of the Nazarene’s mobile clinic.

Each weekend, the mobile clinic provides free medical services in the Antula neighbourhood of the city. While individuals are receiving free medical attention, they are also hearing the gospel message, and many people choose to stay to attend church services.

Most weekends the clinic serves as many as 50 people in a single day.

The Africa Region requests continued prayer for missionaries in Guinea Bissau as they work to meet the physical and spiritual needs of their neighbors.

--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region

17 Apr, 2024

Comments

Editor Pick

Tags

Africa

Guinea Bissau

Ecuador church celebrates reorganization with baptisms

dlsperry94 — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:05:44 +0000

Ecuador church celebrates reorganization with baptisms

dlsperry94 Wed, 04/17/2024 - 21:05

Nazarene News Staff

In an act of faith and obedience, the Iglesia del Nazareno San Francisco, located in the Ecuadorian province of Chimborazo, celebrated baptisms on Sunday, 24 March.

The church, founded 41 years ago, has undergone a reorganization process in recent months. Pastor Pablo García shared joyously that after approximately a year of the reorganization process, seven brothers and sisters in Christ decided to take the critical step of faith and obey the command of Jesus.

The new members are Angela Tene, Rosa Reino, María Choto, Juan Pablo García, Jaime Guaña, Klever Sislema, and José Tene.

Rosa Reino, who grew up in the church, said, "Iglesia del Nazareno San Francisco is deeply grateful for the work that God is doing in this place."

She shared that these baptisms are a living testimony of the spiritual growth and renewal the church has experienced and are a sign of the new members' commitment to their faith and their desire to follow Jesus.

The congregation rejoices as they see how the church continues to grow and how the love and grace of God transforms lives.

"Each of these baptisms represents a new beginning in the spiritual path of these brothers," said Pastor García. "The church is committed to providing them with support and fellowship in their walk with Christ."

The Iglesia del Nazareno San Francisco thanks God for his faithfulness. Garcia says they continue to serve and share the message of salvation in the community with humility and gratitude.

--Church of the Nazarene South America

17 Apr, 2024

Comments

Editor Pick

Tags

South America

Ecuador