Church of the Nazarene

In Memoriam: 12 April 2024

dlsperry94 — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 21:35:17 +0000

In Memoriam: 12 April 2024

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/11/2024 - 21:35

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 8-12 April.

Marla Buettner, 70, of Lake Worth, Florida, passed away 3 April 2024. She was the widow of Bill Buettner, a retired minister who served in Nebraska, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arizona, and Florida. Bill passed away in 2016.

Marsha Chaffins, 63, of Franklin Furnace, Ohio, passed away 30 March 2024. She was the widow of Bryan Chaffins, a retired minister who served in Ohio and Kentucky. Bryan passed away in 2015.

Marla Felder, 63, of Talihina, Oklahoma, passed away 7 April 2024. She was the wife of Thomas Felder, a minister who served in Georgia and Oklahoma.

Carol Hunton, 86, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away 7 April 2024. She was a missionary who served in Malawi, Zambia, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and Australia. She is survived by her husband, Jay Hunton, whom she served alongside.

Denise Million, 70, of Westfield, Indiana, passed away 4 April 2024. She was the wife of Eugene Million, a retired minister who served in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan.

Patricia Smith, 78, of Blanchard, Oklahoma, passed away 5 April 2024. She was the widow of Patrick Smith, a retired minister who served in Tennessee, California, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Patrick passed away in 2018.

Ralph Sprunk, 94, of Oskalooga, Iowa, passed away 8 April 2024. He was a retired minister who served in Iowa. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Sprunk, who passed away in 2020.

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

11 Apr, 2024

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Over 200 youth in Ecuador respond to God's call during camps

dlsperry94 — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 17:46:26 +0000

Over 200 youth in Ecuador respond to God's call during camps

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/11/2024 - 17:46

South America Region Church of the Nazarene

The Sismo Juvenil strategy, in collaboration with the Nazarene Youth International of the Ecuador Sierra Centro District, brought together more than 200 young people from six churches in two training and spiritual growth camps. The camps were held on the weekends of 14-16 and 20-22 March 2024 in Riobamba.

During the camps, young people participated in various activities, including guided games, concerts, and moments of recreation in green areas. Additionally, they had the opportunity to establish meaningful connections with other participants and youth leaders, fostering an environment of camaraderie and mutual support.

Josué Poveda, one of the camp participants, expressed his satisfaction.

"I am leaving very happy because I was able to know God more," Poveda said. "I enjoyed the workshops given by the pastors and the moments of recreation."

Daniela Bonilla, another young attendee, said: "This camp helped me get closer to God. I enjoyed the unity between all the churches and the opportunity to make friends."

Fundamental topics such as evangelism, consecration to the Lord, and "calling" were addressed during the event. Prominent preachers participated, including Marcelo Fretes and Gustavo Muñoz. In addition, informed experts discussed topics such as mental health, sexuality, dating, holiness, and obstacles that impede service to God.

As a result of this camp, 125 decisions for Christ were recorded, and several young people from the Church of the Nazarene in Echeandía were baptized, expressing their faith and obedience.

Josué Franco, pastor and youth mentor, highlighted the ministry's commitment to training and developing youth leaders.

"Our goal is to foster the development of new youth pastors in each local church in the long term," Franco said.

Youth leaders have been trained throughout the year at the Training and Orientation School for Leaders (EFOL) to achieve this goal.

The Sismo youth ministry is preparing future camps for youth as well as university students, singles, and children of pastors. These initiatives seek to continue promoting the spiritual formation and development of new youth leaders in Ecuador.

--Church of the Nazarene South America

11 Apr, 2024

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Remembering Carol Hunton

dlsperry94 — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 15:25:34 +0000

Remembering Carol Hunton

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/11/2024 - 15:25

Nazarene News Staff

Carol Hunton, 86, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away 7 April 2024. She was a retired missionary who served in Malawi, Zambia, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), and Australia.

Carol Jeanne Schoenfeldt was born 5 December 1937 to Martin and Lucille Schoenfeldt. After attending Kansas State University and the University of Kansas to study medical technology, she returned to Kansas City, where she met the love of her life, Jay Hunton.

Carol and Jay were married 10 June 1960 and began their life of ministry and service to the church. For the next 39 years, she served alongside Jay as God’s calling took them from pastoring churches in Maine and Kansas to serving as missionaries in Zambia, Malawi, and Rhodesia.

After briefly returning to Kansas City, they were sent back out to the missions field in Central Africa before Jay was appointed Australia Southern District superintendent in 1977. They served there until 1982, when they returned to the Kansas City area as pastors of Nall Avenue Church of the Nazarene.

Their next journey took them to Schaffhausen, Switzerland, where Jay was called to be president of the European Bible College. They returned to the United States once again, serving at Santa Rosa Church of the Nazarene in California before retiring in 1999.

“Throughout this amazing and often challenging life of service, Carol was actively involved with Jay in reaching people for Christ while modeling the very essence of servant leadership,” the family’s obituary read. “She exemplified graciousness, hospitality, and love to all she came in contact with. She never met a stranger, only her next dinner guest.”

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Lucille Schoenfeldt, and sister Gayle (Schoenfeldt) Glass.

She is survived by her husband, Jay Hunton; sister, Kathy (Schoenfeldt) Kupinski; daughters, Heather (Hunton) Holbert and Heidi (Hunton) Irwin; seven grandchildren; seven great grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be at the Nall Avenue Church of the Nazarene, 6301 Nall Avenue, Prairie Village, Kansas, on Saturday, 13 April 2024 from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 11 a.m.

11 Apr, 2024

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Cosmas Mutowa named interim FSC of Africa South East Field

dlsperry94 — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 15:00:01 +0000

Cosmas Mutowa named interim FSC of Africa South East Field

dlsperry94 Thu, 04/11/2024 - 15:00

Nazarene News Staff

Cosmas Mutowa was appointed interim field strategy coordinator for the Africa South East Field on 28 March 2024.

The appointment was made by then Global Missions Director Verne Ward upon the recommendation of Africa Regional Director Daniel Gomis in consultation with Jurisdictional General Superintendent Fili Chambo.

Mutowa’s appointment is effective 1 May 2024 for a two year-period, to be reviewed after one year by the Global Missions director and regional director.

Mutowa is currently on general assignment in Zimbabwe and has served in various roles as a missionary in the Africa Region since 2007. In 2009, he became the Africa Region Nazarene Compassionate Ministries coordinator.
Cosmas is married to Andronica, and they have three children.

11 Apr, 2024

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Snakebite prevention training brings education, evangelism opportunities to Kenya

dlsperry94 — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 18:00:47 +0000

Snakebite prevention training brings education, evangelism opportunities to Kenya

dlsperry94 Wed, 04/10/2024 - 18:00

Daniel Sperry for Nazarene News

The Church of the Nazarene in Kenya is showing love to its neighbors in a unique way by helping combat the dangers of snake bites through a snakebite prevention program.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports 81,000 to 137,000 people will die from complications related to snake bites annually, and many will continue to struggle with ongoing complications from the bite. That’s where the snakebite prevention training and the Kenya West District come in.

Kenya West District Superintendent Julius Omondi was contacted in 2023 by Jonathan Twining, a professor emeritus of biology from Eastern Nazarene College. Twining was working with the nearby Upendo Conservation Area to create a wildlife preserve in Kenya.

Twining said that’s where he was introduced to snakebite prevention, and the preserve created a snakebite prevention and awareness team. Twining reached out to Omondi to see if any of the local Churches of the Nazarene would be interested.

Omondi says he accepted the initial invitation from Twining with some hesitancy. However, the information was helpful, as the training includes general education about snakes, their habits, and even benefits to their presence, such as rodent and pest control. Multiple pastors felt this information would benefit their churches.

Two of these churches, Ndakaru and Kisoko Churches of the Nazarene have created training teams that travel to give training in the local market areas to help reach the most people. Omondi estimates that 600 people have been reached by these trainings in seven different markets so far.

Omondi says it has given the local church a chance to achieve its objectives of more outreach.

“By reaching out to the community, the church is now seen as caring and compassionate,” Omondi said. “Those who might have thought that we had no impact on the community are now [able to] see it.”

Pastor Andrew Balongo of Kisoko Church of the Nazarene says these trainings have also opened the doors for more evangelism opportunities.

“The community sees how much we care about them,” he said. “And as a result, we hope to win many people to Christ.”

10 Apr, 2024

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Motorcycle ministry, other groups help construct Nicaragua church

dlsperry94 — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 17:41:54 +0000

Motorcycle ministry, other groups help construct Nicaragua church

dlsperry94 Tue, 04/09/2024 - 17:41

Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region

On the first Sunday of March, members of the Church of the Nazarene in Santa Teresa Carazo in Nicaragua mobilized to help the Church of the Nazarene in the El Ojochal community build its sanctuary.

Two ministries of the Carazo church were actively involved in the construction: Todo Terreno and Motores en Acción y Servicio (MAS).

Todo Terreno actively serves congregations and communities with great difficulties. Depending on the need, they deliver packages with food, toys, and clothes, among other items.

MAS is a group of motorcyclists who invite other motorcyclists for a time of prayer and reflection. Afterward, all are involved in community service activities.

The Ojochal congregation is located in a low-income rural area and has a small membership. Dimas Acuña, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Carazo, says that the members of Ojochal have gone through many difficulties, including the death of the pastor, Francisco Acosta, approximately two months ago. "The church is being reborn," Acuña said, so the church in Carazo decided to support this project financially and with labor.

Kenelma de Acosta, the widow of the former pastor, has been appointed pastor, and she is working to continue the church sanctuary construction project her husband started.

"We recently completed two years of pastoring the Church of the Nazarene in Santa Teresa, Carazo, and in this time, God has made great changes in my life, my family, and the congregation," Acuña said. "We have exchanged religiosity for service and compassion. We have understood that it is not about us but about our neighbors. We have seen the hand of God in every visit we make to different places, and more than getting to bless, we are the ones blessed."

Acuña says that even with the help offered to their sister church in the El Ojochal community, the construction projects at the Carazo Church have not stopped and that they can see God's faithfulness there, too. Currently, the church is building four classrooms and an auditorium on site.

"We thank God for the opportunity he gives us to serve the Church of the Nazarene in Santa Teresa, Carazo, and the MAS group of Managua and MAS de Carazo," Acuña said.

--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region

10 Apr, 2024

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Global Missions Director Jim Ritchie reflects on passion for missions

Sarah Wise — Fri, 05 Apr 2024 14:50:19 +0000

Global Missions Director Jim Ritchie reflects on passion for missions

Sarah Wise Fri, 04/05/2024 - 14:50

Nazarene News staff

Jim Ritchie officially began his new role as director of Global Missions 1 April 2024 following the retirement of former director Verne Ward.

“There are so many things I’m looking forward to, including working with the amazing people God has brought together for such a time as this and seeing God at work in and through his church all over the world,” Ritchie said. “It’s so important to support and equip those who have gone out on mission and help them thrive in their calling.

“I want to help people discover a call to missions and both prepare and release them into this calling. It’s crucial that we continue working with our local churches, districts, fields and regions in connecting the mission of the church to the people of the church in every way possible.”

Jim and his wife, Maggie, met on a summer missions team in their home country of Scotland.

“We felt a clear call to missions and ministry through that time on the summer missions team, so we left our jobs, enrolled in Bible college, and gave our lives to the mission of God,” he said. “That was 42 years ago, and we have been involved in missions one way or another ever since. Praying for, giving to, and going out and supporting missions has been our life.”

Most recently, Jim served as Eurasia regional director since October 2020. He previously served in dual leadership roles as British Isles North District superintendent since 2016 and as senior pastor of the Trinity Church of the Nazarene, Perth, Scotland, since 2012.

“Since our call, we have always been supportive of missions, and as I became a pastor and a DS I constantly shared my passion for missions that shaped my ministry.”

In his various roles, Jim said he encouraged churches and the district to be missional locally and participate in missions globally by both receiving missionaries and sending missionaries out.

“I have always felt that missions and the local church are inseparable, so I will passionately champion this great God-given connection that is so amazing in the Church of the Nazarene, reminding people that the church has a mission and the mission has a church,” Jim said.

Jim and Maggie are currently applying for a visa to move to the United States.

“Please pray that God would help Maggie and me to lead this new season of Global Missions well and help us to build on all that he has done through Verne and Natalie and their team,” he said.

Additional prayer is requested for the search for a new Eurasia regional director.

05 Apr, 2024

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In Memoriam: 5 April 2024

Sarah Wise — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 19:51:24 +0000

In Memoriam: 5 April 2024

Sarah Wise Thu, 04/04/2024 - 19:51

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 1-5 April 2024.

Ken Bergstrom, 80, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away 25 March 2024. He was a retired minister, serving in Colorado, Virginia, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Bergstrom.

Wanda Copelin, 85, of Virden, Illinois, passed away 25 March 2024. She was the widow of retired minister and missionary Roy Copelin, who served in North Dakota, California, and the Philippines. Roy passed away in 2005.

Charlotte Evans, 70, of Gibsonville, North Carolina, passed away 3 April 2024. She was a retired minister who served in North Carolina. She is survived by her husband, retired minister Douglas Evans.

Thomas Luttrell, 83, of Marion, Indiana, passed away 1 April 2024. He was a retired minister who served in Michigan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Luttrell, in 2023.

Mary Lou (Glesenkamp) Lutze, 80, of Davison, Michigan, passed away 1 April 2024. She was the wife of retired minister Roger Lutze, who served in Michigan.

Eloise (Friesen) Moore, 89, of Emmett, Idaho, passed away 27 March 2024. She was the widow of retired minister William Moore, who served in Idaho and California. William passed away in 2018.

Beverly Nary, 79, of Swainsboro, Georgia, passed away 28 March 2024. She was the wife of retired minister Timothy Nary, who served in Georgia.

Mel Palmquist, 92, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away 2 April 2024. He was a retired minister, serving in Washington, Arizona, and California. He was preceded in death by his wife, June Palmquist, in 2018.

Charlotte Smith, 98, of Friendswood, Texas, passed away 29 March 2024. She was the widow of retired minister George Smith, who served in California. George passed away in 2002.

Robert Taylor, 96, of Washington Court House, Ohio, passed away 3 April 2024. He was a retired minister who served in Ohio. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beulah Taylor, in 2019.

--Compiled by Nazarene News

04 Apr, 2024

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Ecuador film screenings lead to salvations

Sarah Wise — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 14:05:17 +0000

Ecuador film screenings lead to salvations

Sarah Wise Thu, 04/04/2024 - 14:05

Church of the Nazarene South America

The Ecuador Austro District has started a series of film screenings about the life of Christ in order to strengthen faith and renew the commitment of many people to their Christian faith.

The first film screenings took place in the neighborhood of Las Orquídeas in Cuenca at the Chacopamba Church of the Nazarene and in the Azuay Province. Attendees witnessed the powerful narrative portraying the last moments of Jesus' life, and many of them experienced a profound spiritual awakening.

Pastor Mario Chuiza, the Ecuador Austro District superintendent, shared that eight people decided to follow Christ as their Lord and Savior. This announcement is a tangible testimony to the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

"It's wonderful to see how God works during these [screenings]," Chuiza said. "We are witnessing hearts given to Christ. Every person who makes a decision is a victory for the kingdom of God and a reminder of the importance of sharing the message of love and salvation."

The moving screening tour continues, bringing hope and inspiration to every corner of the Ecuador Austro District.

--Church of the Nazarene South America

04 Apr, 2024

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Moving Ministers: March 2024

Sarah Wise — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 15:16:30 +0000

Moving Ministers: March 2024

Sarah Wise Wed, 04/03/2024 - 15:16

Nazarene News Staff

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 March 2024.

To view the March report, click here.

For previous reports, see usacanadanazarene.org.

03 Apr, 2024

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