Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.

Pennsylvania church provides free monthly community dinner

Brookville, Pennslyvania
(Jeffersonian Democrat, 2 Nov.)  Reaching out to the community, members of Calvary Church of the Nazarene in Brookville enjoy hosting a free dinner once a month.

“The church felt there is a need in the community and they want to provide a meal once a month,” Pastor Terry Sowden said.

“It is certainly a passion of our church. We average 50, but lately it has been between 60 and 70,” church member Joyce Wills said. While families of all ages attend, “we get a lot from North Fork Heights and Laurelbrooke.” She said people come from as far away as DuBois for the monthly dinner.

“Our goal is to reach out to the community. It doesn’t matter what church you go to. It’s just to have fellowship,” Wills said.

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Nazarene military chaplain endorser returns to former post to encourage students

Fort Jackson, South Carolina

(DVID, 9 Nov.) Former U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership Commandant, retired Chaplain (Col.) Jeff Hawkins. and his spouse Lori returned to ‘The Heart and Home of the Army Chaplaincy,’ a phrase he introduced, to visit with Chaplain Captains Career Course 23-003 students on Nov. 9.

Hawkins was the 42nd commandant of the then named Chaplain Center and School from 2017 to 2019, retired in 2019. However, this time his role at the school was different.

“I invited Chaplain Hawkins based off my relationship with him as my endorsing agent and my passion to see chaplain Families feel seen and supported” said Chap. Mike Voudouris, C4 small group leader. “I asked him and Lori to speak to the class with this in mind … What I wish I would have known as an Army chaplain senior captain that I know now.”

Since 2021, Hawkins serves as the military chaplain endorser for the Church of the Nazarene, providing encouragement and accountability to over 100 Nazarene military chaplains and chaplain candidates within the Department of Defense. He also serves on the board of directors for the not-for-profit military community youth ministry.

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Canadian church reaches fundraising goal in support of African herdsman

Rimbey, Alberta, Canada

(Rimbey Review, 28 Nov.) The Rimbey Church of the Nazarene hit their fundraising goal of $1,000 this past week for its annual Children’s Mission Project.

A total of $1,263.40 was collected and will go towards the purchase of a camel for a group of herdsmen in the Horn of Africa.

“These nomadic herders move from country to country in Africa in search of pasture for their camels,” explained Ria Lartec, Sunday School Director for the Rimbey Church of the Nazarene. “The plan is to have the International Church of the Nazarene train an evangelistic team to travel within this specific camel herding community and live with them in hopes of sharing the gospel.”

The funds were primarily raised through the creation of a coffee bar within the church. The coffee bar itself was built by Dennis Semenyna, Board Secretary for the Rimbey Church of the Nazarene.

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California church partners with organization to create child care center
Lompoc, California
(Lompoc Record, 28 Nov.) Prominent child care service provider Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner., has announced the signing of a contract to establish a child care center at Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Lompoc.

The facility's opening moves the community closer to meeting the growing demand for affordable and high quality child care services in the Lompoc community.

“LEAP is so excited to partner with Trinity Nazarene to open more child care spaces in Lompoc! By LEAPing into Lompoc, we are bringing our childcare expertise to where the greatest need is. We look forward to getting to know the Lompoc community in the coming years,”said Lori Goodman, LEAP’s executive director.

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