Church of the Nazarene

Remembering John Denney

dlsperry94 — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 19:59:18 +0000

Remembering John Denney

dlsperry94 Thu, 06/13/2024 - 19:59

John Denney, 76, of Springville, California, passed away 5 June 2024. He was a retired district superintendent who led the Southern California District from 2001 to 2014. He served as a minister in California, Idaho, and Oregon.

John Lee Denney was born 13 June 1948 in Nampa, Idaho to Roland “Eugene” Denney and Marion (Penn) Denney. In 1969, John met the love of his life, Sheree Miller, and the two were married in 1970. John and Sheree were married for 53 years and had two children, Tiffany and Justin.

John graduated from Northwest Nazarene College (now University) in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in pre-seminary studies. He went on to study at the Nazarene Theological Seminary where he served as student body president and earned a master’s degree in divinity in 1974.

John accepted his first pastorate in Middleton, Idaho, at the Middleton Church of the Nazarene in 1975. He pastored in Middleton from 1975 to 1978, where he also served as district Nazarene Youth International (NYI) president and representative to the general NYI council for the Northwest region.

From 1978 to 1983 John served on the staff of the global NYI office as senior high director, senior high Sunday school curriculum editor, and department editorial director. During this time, he designed and produced the new Word/Action Sunday School curriculum for the Nazarene Publishing House (now The Foundry Publishing).

After a stint at the Nazarene Headquarters, John was called to pastor Rose City Church of the Nazarene in Portland, Oregon, in 1983. During this time, he also served on the Board of Trustees for Northwest Nazarene College.

In 1988, the Denneys moved to Porterville, California, where John pastored Porterville Church of the Nazarene until December 2000. While pastoring at “Port Naz,” John served on the District Advisory Board for the Central California District and as chaplain for the Porterville Police Department.

In January 2001, John was elected superintendent of the Southern California District. During this time, John spent 12 years on the Board of Trustees for Point Loma Nazarene University, four years as a member of the Nazarene Theological Seminary Board of Trustees, and eight years serving as the Southwest Zone facilitator over 11 districts and representing this area on the USA/Canada Mission Strategy Committee. John served in this role until 2014.

John retired from the superintendency in 2014 and moved back to the Porterville area. He continued to serve in the local Nazarene community as an interim pastor at various churches including Bakersfield Olive Knolls, Bakersfield Ridgeview, and Tulare Wayside Nazarene churches.

John loved to play golf, ski, spend time with his grandkids, work out at his local gym, play his trumpet in church, and take scenic drives. He was the ultimate “people person” and never missed an opportunity to interact with the people that crossed his path. John loved sharing the gospel with the people he came into contact with and desired that everyone within his reach know that Jesus loves them.

He is survived by his wife, Sheree (Miller) Denney; daughter, Tiffany Lightfoot; son, Justin Denney; five grandchildren; brothers, Dan, Dave, and Daryle Denney; and his sister, Sue White.

A celebration of life service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 15 June, at Porterville Church of the Nazarene, 2005 W Olive Ave, Porterville, CA, 93257.

Missions team makes impact on the Amazon

dlsperry94 — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 14:03:58 +0000

Missions team makes impact on the Amazon

dlsperry94 Thu, 06/13/2024 - 14:03

The Church of the Nazarene in Manaus in the Amazon District of Brazil welcomed the LoveWorks project from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California.

Every year, Point Loma Nazarene sends its college students worldwide to serve in various regions of the Church of the Nazarene for a time of transcultural and missionary experience. Eleven students arrived in Brazil to learn about the work of the Church of the Nazarene in the Amazon rainforest while serving in different ways. For 12 days, the young people were on board the Jesus Hope Boat II, visiting the people of the Amazon.

During the trip, the team assisted with sports evangelism, evangelism in schools, painting of church buildings, small groups for young people, trips to Rio Negro to support riverside and indigenous communities, visits to a Venezuelan refugee shelter, visits to the church of Haitian refugees, a trip to the Madeira River for evangelism, VBS, and construction of a prayer shelter for the riverside people.

The trip was supported by EMA (School of Missions for Adolescents) in which a young woman from Brazil joined the group and helped with translation. Isabella Kelly, a member of the Church of the Nazarene in Recreio in Rio de Janeiro, worked on the daily translation and helped these young people adapt to Brazilian culture. At the end of the trip, LoveWorks left the chapel open for the riverside people to worship the Lord.

Missionary and pastor Igor Vale said that his church in Rio de Janeiro received LoveWorks teams when he was a child. Vale never imagined that 30 years later, he would help lead a LoveWorks team in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest.

Deron Matson and Jamie Viken were the team's two coordinators. Matson had this to say about the team's time on the Amazon:

The Church of the Nazarene of Manaus and Pastor Igor were terrific hosts, providing us with ministerial preparation and cross-cultural training.

We appreciate the invitation to join them in their mission to witness God's love in Manaus and beyond. It was beautiful to see God at work in our time there. A church is a beacon of hope in the community. We were welcomed into schools to share the love of Christ and give hope.

Seeing how the ministry moves forward with the boat Jesus Hope II was fascinating. It allows you to travel to remote areas uniquely. When we read about the Lord of the Harvest in Matthew 9, passing through all the towns and villages, we get a new view of what could have been necessary for him to do this.

Boating is a beautiful way to travel to places where others may ignore the call to go, teach, preach, pray for healing, and show compassion.

The local volleyball court has become a sacred space and a sanctuary where the faithful share with the community about the transformation that can occur in a heart surrendered to God. A young man stepped forward to receive Christ. A young American woman's call to serve in medical missions was confirmed as a result of the missions trip. Lives are forever changed because of the obedience of God's servants who are called to share their faith.

--Church of the Nazarene South America

Mobile education program raising pastors, leaders on Southeast Asia Field

dlsperry94 — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 22:04:51 +0000

Mobile education program raising pastors, leaders on Southeast Asia Field

dlsperry94 Wed, 06/12/2024 - 22:04

Chapman International College endeavors to raise disciples in Southeast Asia to be the leaders and ministers of the churches in their respective places, including Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, as well as minority groups therein.

In 2017, the college started the Mobile Education Program, dubbed “Bible College in your hand,” to provide accessible ministerial preparation to train pastors and lay leaders where they are. MEP has been the answer to the leaders’ prayers for the multiplication of local ministers, enabling the college to overcome geographical barriers and a lack of available teachers.

The MEP follows a simple but organized process for preparing the Course of Study material: translate, video record/edit, and upload. By recording all the lectures of the 24 Course of Study (COS) into video clips, the lectures can be used anytime, anywhere for the academic programs both for lay and ministerial students, Nazarenes and non-Nazarenes, in the Southeast Asia Field and beyond. The digital format allows prospective students to study without leaving their vocational environment – growing rice in the fields or working in the factories.

There are two ways to access the digital content. The first is through an online website (onlinecic.net). It is an asynchronous program of the Course of Study. Through this, 10 Myanmar pastors finished their Diploma of Ministry while they were in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, last July 2022. Pastor Ray McCrary, the senior pastor of the Southside Church of the Nazarene, facilitated and hosted the program.

The second method is through the use of tablets. The same videos and clips of lectures are saved on tablets via SD cards. This method is specially designed to assist the learning and training of disciples in Creative Access Areas, where literacy is low and internet access is a challenge. Translated handbooks and other ministry materials are also made available on the SD cards.

In April, 13 disciples from CAA10 South crossed the Thailand border to participate in their first ministerial Course of Study class. The hunger and thirst for learning became clear. One disciple testified, “Studying is valuable, especially God’s Word. I prayed for many years but never had the opportunity to study. Thank God he provided the way through CIC.”

Each disciple received a tablet during the training. For the next hour, they were oriented to the MEP goal, the tablet use, and the security and protection they would receive because they lived in a CAA. It was clear that the tablet would further assist and reinforce what they learned during the week.

The Southeast Asia Field envisions a remarkable multiplication of Christlike disciple makers that make disciples in CAA10. The tablet project is also planned for the ministry training in CAA10 North and CAA Central. Through these tablets, CIC can raise Nazarene ministers and lay leaders who will lead the disciple-making movement in CAA10.

This project and its outcomes will be possible thanks to the Nampa Ministry Partnership.

France District holds family camp for first time since COVID-19

dlsperry94 — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 21:15:52 +0000

France District holds family camp for first time since COVID-19

dlsperry94 Wed, 06/12/2024 - 21:15

In the small town of Saint Prix, just 40 km north of Paris, the France District held its first family camp since the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 130 people gathered under the theme One Church, One Family and Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16. The camp focused on being called to unity amidst the diversity of the Body of Christ and all of its giftedness.

Months of preparation, teamwork, Zoom calls, and prayer went into this anticipated three-day event. The retreat center was fully booked, and there were participants of all ages, including 50 children and youth representing many of the churches in the district.

Pastor Todd Keller and Pastor Hannah Beers-Borger joined as guest speakers from College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, Kansas, USA. In the opening service, Keller reminded the participants that all are part of the Body of Christ, and the Body of Christ is one. He reflected on what it means to be a church body that is connected, capable, crucial, and courageous. These words weaved their way throughout the weekend, reinforcing the theme.

The days were full: meals together, various age-specific workshops, lively joint worship services, and evening games. A highlight was the last evening when Pastor Ben-Oni Valentin hosted a talent show for anyone who wanted to participate. Some shared in dance, three youths wrote and composed songs, a women’s choir group serenaded the participants with hymns in Creole, a saxophonist played a jazz solo, and even the kids participated with a riddle for the leaders to solve.

Brian Ketchum, a member of the planning team, explained the purpose of the talent show.

“We wanted the talent show to allow all those that didn’t feel like they had something to contribute to the life of the church to be allowed to share the gifts that God had given them and be celebrated for who they are, a beautiful and valued member of the church/family.”

District Superintendent Joseph Toguyera shared about the family camp, saying, “The setting, the atmosphere, the weather, the organization, the speakers, the children, the young people, and the adults all found their place in this family. Everything turned out as I had hoped...Praise be to God.”

It was indeed a blessed time together, and everyone left feeling restored and enthusiastic God's plans for the Church of the Nazarene in France.

--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region

Dustin Ledford elected superintendent of Nebraska District

dlsperry94 — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 22:15:36 +0000

Dustin Ledford elected superintendent of Nebraska District

dlsperry94 Tue, 06/11/2024 - 22:15

Dustin Ledford was elected superintendent of the Nebraska District on 6 June 2024. Ledford currently serves as the pastor of Carthage First Church of the Nazarene in Missouri.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to partner with the pastors and churches of Nebraska,” Ledford said. “I am excited to join Jesus on his mission to seek and save the lost.”

Dustin will begin his new assignment 6 July 2024. He will replace Daniel Cole, who has served as superintendent of the Nebraska District since 2011.

Ledford is a MidAmerica Nazarene University alumnus, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 1992. He has ministered on the Joplin District since.
He served on staff at Carthage First Church of the Nazarene from 1992 to 1995 and then at Parsons Church of the Nazarene in Kansas from 1995 to 2000. In 2000, he began pastoring at Ava Highway Church of the Nazarene until 2006, when he returned to Carthage First as lead pastor.

Dustin and his wife, Kara, have two adult children and currently reside in Carthage, Missouri.

Sam Barber elected director of Nazarene Discipleship International

dlsperry94 — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 17:28:49 +0000

Sam Barber elected director of Nazarene Discipleship International

dlsperry94 Mon, 06/10/2024 - 17:28

The Board of General Superintendents (BGS) announced the election of Samuel Barber as global director of Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI), effective 1 August 2024.

Barber currently serves as the superintendent of the South Central Ohio District.

“Sam Barber has a proven track record for holiness discipleship as a pastor and district superintendent,” said General Superintendent David Busic. “He is respected by global NDI leaders for his teaching, writing, and advocacy for Nazarene discipleship around the world. The BGS is confident he will continue to build on the strong momentum that Scott Rainey and the Global NDI Council has helped create for Journey of Grace.”

Barber replaces Scott Rainey, who served as global NDI director from 2018 to 2024. Sam and his wife, Jill, currently reside in Grove City, Ohio.

“Discipleship is the heart of the gospel and the Church of the Nazarene,” Barber said. “I am humbled to carry on the work of the church to make Christlike disciples in the nations.”

Sam 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, Sam 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.

Sam 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.

Sam 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.

Moving Ministers: May 2024

dlsperry94 — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 14:45:25 +0000

Moving Ministers: May 2024

dlsperry94 Fri, 06/07/2024 - 14:45

Compiled by the General Secretary's Office from district reports, Moving Ministers is a monthly listing of Nazarene ministers in new assignments on the USA/Canada Region.

Roles included in the latest report are pastor, student, and pastoral service. Entries were received in May 2024.

To view the May report, click here.

For previous reports, see usacanadanazarene.org.

In Memoriam: 7 June 2024

dlsperry94 — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 14:01:24 +0000

In Memoriam: 7 June 2024

dlsperry94 Fri, 06/07/2024 - 14:01

The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received 3-7 June 2024.

John Denney, 76, of Springville, California, passed away 5 June 2024. He was a retired district superintendent who led the Southern California District from 2001 to 2014. He served as a minister in California, Idaho, and Oregon. He is survived by his wife, Sheree Denney.

Ock Kim, 99, of Dumont, New Jersey, passed away on 1 June 2024. She was the widow of James Kim, a retired minister who served in Virginia. James passed away in 1997.

Janess Nimrod, 72, of Brooklyn, New York, passed away 4 June 2024. She was a retired minister who served in New York.

Marjorie Taylor, 94, of Seymour, Tennessee, passed away 1 June 2024. She was the widow of Melvin Taylor Jr, a retired minister who served in Indiana and Florida. Melvin passed away in 2015.

R. Elaine Turner, 93, of Rockford, Illinois, passed away 25 May 2024. She was the widow of Donald Turner, a retired minister who served in Illinois. Donald passed away in 2018.

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

David Skidmore elected superintendent of Canada Atlantic District

dlsperry94 — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 21:27:23 +0000

David Skidmore elected superintendent of Canada Atlantic District

dlsperry94 Thu, 06/06/2024 - 21:27

David Skidmore was elected superintendent of the Canada Atlantic District on 31 May 2024. Skidmore currently serves as the chaplain of Calgary Remand Centre, a correctional facility in Alberta, Canada.

"This has become a 'full circle' moment for Peggy and I," David said. "We were both saved and sanctified in churches on this District. We met at Nazarene Youth camps on this District. We attended Canadian Nazarene College while supported by this District. Our children were born on this District. We pastored and planted churches on Canada Atlantic District. And after serving 27 years on other Canadian Districts — whom we love and cherish — Jesus has brought us home again. We are delighted. We glorify Him."

David replaces Mark Collins, who has served as superintendent of the Canada Atlantic District since 2018. Collins has assumed the role of national director for Canada.

David holds a bachelor’s degree in theology from Canadian Nazarene College (now Ambrose University) and a Doctor of Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary.

He has served as a pastor across multiple districts in Canada.

He pastored Bay Roberts Church of the Nazarene in Newfoundland (1985-1988), Freetown Church of the Nazarene in Prince Edward Island (1989-1992), Amherst Community Mission in Nova Scotia (1992-1998), Markham Impact Church of the Nazarene in Ontario (1998-2003), Medicine Hat Cowboy Church of the Nazarene (2005-2008) and Medicine Hat Glenview Church of the Nazarene (2003-2013), both in Alberta. He most recently pastored Family Life Church of the Nazarene in Alberta from 2013-2022. He has served as a chaplain at Calgary Remand Centre since 2020.

David and his wife, Peggy, reside in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada.

Shawn Siegfreid elected superintendent of Southern California District

dlsperry94 — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 21:11:47 +0000

Shawn Siegfreid elected superintendent of Southern California District

dlsperry94 Thu, 06/06/2024 - 21:11

Shawn Siegfreid was elected superintendent of Southern California District 2 June 2024. Siegfried currently serves as the pastor of Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene.

"I want to express my deep gratitude and appreciation in being elected Southern California District Superintendent," Siegfreid said. "We return to Southern California after 30 years and are looking forward to ministering alongside the great group of pastors and leaders of the SoCal District."

Siegfried will replace Thomas Taylor, who has served as superintendent of the Southern California District since 2014. The assignment will be effective 2 July 2024.

Shawn earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from MidAmerica Nazarene College (now University) and a master’s degree from Point Loma Nazarene University.

Siegfried has served as a pastor at Hooker Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma (1992-1994), Blythe Church of the Nazarene in California (1994-1997), Council Bluffs First Church of the Nazarene in Iowa (1997-2001), Visalia Church of the Nazarene in California (2001-2009), and Denver One Hope (2009-2018) in Colorado. In 2018, he returned to his hometown of Kansas City to pastor Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene.

Shawn and his wife, Sherri, reside in Spring Hill, Kansas.