| Global Weekly Summary |
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June
18, 2004 Global
News This Week
Canadian Nazarenes hold three district assemblies Canada
Central elects Ian Fitzpatrick superintendent Born in Ireland, Fitzpatrick previously served as pastor of the Mississauga, Ontario Church of the Nazarene before becoming pastor of Toronto Emmanuel. Under his leadership the Emmanuel Church has not only grown, but has initiated a multi-congregational strategy that has seen six new congregations started under its sponsorship. When Fitzpatrick assumes his new duties in early July, he will be replacing retiring district superintended Ron Fry, who has held the position for the past 12 years. Prior to his role as superintendent, Fry served as pastor of the Toronto Kennedy Road, Hamilton, Ontario First, Winnipeg, Manitoba Fort Garry, and the Toronto Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene. Having completed 43 years of ministry for the church in Canada, he and his wife will retire to Barrie, Ontario. Canada
Quebec celebrates 25 years, embraces a challenge Read stated in his report that "Of the 12 Nazarene churches that meet for worship every Sunday, only four are in the English language; others are in French, Creole, and Spanish. A new congregation, Anjou, is now meeting regularly on Saturday mornings, directed by Saul Matilas of the St-Michel Church.” According to Read, 22 people meet regularly in this church, which will become a NewStart mission in the next year. Also, 19 members of the former ‘Eglise de Jesus Christ,’ an independent church in Montreal, were received into membership on June 6, when it was officially organized as a Church of the Nazarene. Read stated Arcelin Diegrande will serve as pastor of this group. Read further indicated to the delegates that, "We plan to establish a district English speaking Ministry Development Centre to prepare pastors, evangelists, missionaries, deacons, and deaconesses for Christian ministry on this district and beyond." It is hoped that the first courses will be offered in the fall of 2004 or the spring of 2005. Additionally, five students graduated from the Quebec Nazarene Bible Institute at a service held during the assembly. Jocelyn Severe, school leader and pastor of the St-Michel Church, conducted the service. The assembly was held at the Montreal First Church of the Nazarene, which was celebrating an anniversary of its own. Middendorf served as the special speaker at the church’s 60th anniversary services held on Sunday, June 13th. Led by Daniel Ramessar, pastor of Montreal First, the people of the church made extensive renovations to the building in honor of the celebration. MacMillan
looks to the past and future in his first Canada Atlantic assembly As he concluded his report, Macmillan gave a view of the future of the district, saying, “It might be accurate to view the district as a fleet of ships rather than a single ship. In fact, Russ Bredholt, in a recent report to the National Board, used that analogy. Our fleet of ships sailed in 1943. It was a small fleet, composed of small ships. Their mission was clear – in the words of Jesus, to ‘launch out into the deep’ to search out and rescue people who were perishing.” MacMillan exhorted the district to “Take heart! Our fleet is still on the high seas! Our Admiral is still in command! Let’s keep at the task, rescuing the lost!” The statistical report for the Canada Atlantic district revealed a significant number of pastoral changes took place on the district this year. In fact, MacMillan indicated almost one-third of the district churches have experienced some form of pastoral change. Canadian
Nazarenes are looking ahead to the Canada West district assembly which
occurs this weekend in Olds, Alberta.
Pastor’s
child still missing in DRC Meanwhile, the civil unrest in DRC continues to escalate as international news agencies report increased fighting and looting. The unrest continues to make search efforts for the child difficult. Frazier was able to send an E-mail to NCN News-Africa
with instructions to “Please request prayer for our churches in
Bukavu.”
Reaching
out to the North Joining South Korean Nazarene leaders in this strategic planning meeting were representatives from the Asia-Pacific regional office, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM), and the Chinese Ministries field. Reports were given regarding the Church’s continuing ministry in North Korea through feeding programs, distribution of medicines and other goods, as well as through radio broadcasts and literature production. The Committee recommended that radio ministry for North Korea expand from three to six times a week and that a plan be established to obtain responses from North Korean listeners. Fund raising to support compassionate ministries endeavors was also discussed. Regional Director A. Brent Cobb emphasized the importance of international cooperative relationships between the South Korean Church of the Nazarene, the Chinese Ministries field, and the Asia-Pacific regional office. He also highlighted the importance of prayer in the efforts to reach into North Korea. “Not only has prayer been the key so far to doors opening for the Church of the Nazarene to minister to people in North Korea,” said Cobb, “but it will continue to be the key to freeing God’s hands to work even more miraculously for the transformation of tens of thousands of North Koreans’ lives. We will remain available in all ways possible to serve as God’s hands extended in ‘redemptive reach’ to these needy people.” For
photos accompanying this story, please see this week’s NCN News
Photo Page: http://www.ncnnews.org/pics_6_18_04.html
NYI
Global President weds Deirdre, a popular figure among Nazarene youth around the world, and Andrew were greeted by scores of well-wishers during a post-ceremony reception on the grounds of NTC. Andrew,
who is from Bradford in Yorkshire, recently completed his bachelor of
arts in Theology at NTC and will be continuing with his master of arts
degree next year. Deirdre leads the pastoral team at the Longsight Church
of the Nazarene, a multi-ethnic inner city church in an urban priority
area in Manchester. She also lectures in church history and youth ministry
at NTC. Deirdre is the first woman and first non-North American to be
elected to the office of Global NYI President.
Youth
in Mission teams serving globally A branch of the World Mission Department of the Church of the Nazarene, YIM sends young people to Canada, throughout the United States, and around the world each summer to participate in hands-on ministry roles including ministry to children and youth, teaching English as a second language, humanitarian aid, friendship evangelism, and partnering with JESUS Film teams. Students represent Nazarene educational institutions across Canada and the United States, as well schools from other countries. Typically, the YIM groups join with local teams to create cross-cultural bonds. Training for the teams took place in early June, equipping them for the various skills needed for effective ministry. Later in July, students will return from their assignments to participate in a debriefing time. Part of the debriefing experience includes opportunities for the students to explore further ministry opportunities with World Mission and the Church of the Nazarene. Joel Tooley serves as coordinator of Youth in Mission. Louie E. Bustle is director of World Mission. For
more information on YIM, visit the Web at www.youthinmission.org. Frank
Moore steps in as new chairman of the Beacon Hill Press Committee The BHP Committee oversees the publishing ministry of the Church of the Nazarene and is specifically assigned the responsibility of reading manuscripts being considered for publication and critiquing them for theological soundness as well as general quality. The General Board bylaws state that “any book or taped book, except music, shall be published or produced with the sanction of the Church of the Nazarene or the Nazarene Publishing House or any of its trade names in English in North America, with approval in writing by a majority of the members of the Beacon Hill Press Committee.” para 7.2 (a) review and approval of books. “Dr.
Moore is a strong leader and a real asset to the work of the BHP Committee,”
Weathers said. “His tenure and expertise are critical to our work
of publishing.” Moore has served as a committee member since 1989. PALCON
becomes a prayer event Since the early planning stages, prayer has been a significant part of PALCON. Months ago, a 31-day devotional booklet designed to guide laity in a unified prayer effort for pastors was available from Nazarene Publishing House. Each PALCON has a regional prayer thrust coordinator that organizes 24-hour prayer times during each event. Attendees can share spiritual needs on prayer request cards, which are distributed during plenary services, and collected afterwards. On some campuses, participation grew in the all-night prayer sessions beyond those scheduled. As many as 50 ministers have prayed and cried out to God during the all-night sessions. “Our emphasis on prayer has resonated with attendees and has brought help, hope, and healing to many of our pastors and church leaders,” reported PALCON coordinator Mike Stipp. In
addition to prayer, each PALCON has featured a healing service in which
church leaders can come forward to receive special prayer and anointing.
At the opening service at this week’s PALCON on the campus of Southern
Nazarene University (SNU), General Superintendent Jim L. Bond spoke at
length on healing. At the close of the service, Bond invited interested
pastors to come forward. Dozens of pastors responded. Church leaders came
forward and offered prayer for their colleagues in ministry. Many stayed
and prayed long after the service concluded. Regional
Resources: Church
of the Nazarene Ministry Links NMI
Prayer Mobilization Line: On-Line
Pastor's Calendar:
Africa
Nazarene University expands campus The new Crawford Women’s Hall will accommodate 210 female students. It was officially opened by the daughter of Miriam Crawford, Marsha Ann Coats. The University Council and Board of Trustees expressed gratitude for significant contributions made to ANU by the Crawford family. The Helstrom Student Center will offer excellent facilities including the student chapel, an auditorium, lecture and conference rooms, a student lounge, prayer rooms, shopping facilities, a theater, a gymnasium, and a swimming pool. ANU Vice Chancellor Leah Marangu, along with Bob
Helstrom, John Bowling, and Harmon Schmelzenbach, participated in the
ceremonial act of breaking ground at the site. Timpe
appointed interim vice president at MVNU A graduate of Southern Nazarene University, Timpe completed a master of arts degree at Wichita State University in Kansas. He earned a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Oklahoma State University, and began his teaching career in 1975 at MVNU. "Dr. Timpe has intimate knowledge of MVNU academic affairs. His leadership role with the Dean's Council since its formation makes him a natural to guide MVNU through this transition year. He also serves as chair of the Undergraduate Academic Council," said MVNU President E. LeBron Fairbanks. "He has the strong support of the Dean's Council for this interim assignment, and is acknowledged as a scholar and a 'doer.' His decision-making and administrative skills are recognized campus wide." Timpe commented, "My commitment to President Fairbanks, to the academic affairs division, and to the academic administrative team for the interim year of 2004-2005 is essentially two-fold: to preserve the momentum of recent university restructuring initiatives and to provide for on going continuity in academic operations. In providing for continuity and smooth transitions, I will advocate for a philosophy of continuous improvement and allocating resources to mission-central and mission-critical activities." The process of finding a permanent vice president
for Academic Affairs will begin in the fall of 2004. A committee, to be
named in late August, will guide the search process. It is MVNU's goal
to introduce the new vice president for Academic Affairs at the March
2005 board of trustees meeting. Olivet
receives NCATE accreditation ONU is also accredited by the state of Illinois. "NCATE accreditation sheds a national spotlight on ONU’s Teacher Education initiatives,” said Gary Streit, vice president for academic affairs. “Both our undergraduate programs, as well as our three master’s degree programs, have undergone rigorous scrutiny using national standards and have been found to be of the highest quality." The United States Department of Education recognizes NCATE as a professional accrediting body for schools, departments, and colleges of education. NCATE licensing principles are developed by a task force of the Council of Chief State School Officers. The NCATE report praised Olivet’s program, noting that “ … it is evident that the candidates in both initial and advanced programs are prepared to exhibit a high level of knowledge in their content areas and the delivery of instruction. These candidates exhibit the qualities of ‘Professionals Influencing Lives,’ ONU’s Teacher Education program motto. “Congruent with the mission of the university, the Teacher Education program commits itself to Christ-centered, holistic development of teachers called to serve Christ and society in diverse classroom settings.” Olivet’s Teacher Education program offers bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and nine fields in Secondary Education. Through the School of Graduate and Adult Studies, students can earn a master of arts in teaching degree, a master of arts in education degree and a master of education degree. This spring 10 graduates of ONU’s 2003 Nursing
class passed the National Council of Nursing Licensing Examination for
Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) on the first attempt, according to the National
Council of State Boards of Nursing. On-line
classmates meet for first time at NNU commencement Since 2002, these graduate students have grown spiritually, intellectually, and relationally in an interactive, fully on-line classroom environment. Thanks to the capabilities of the Internet, this learning community included students from three countries and eight states. Weldon Shuman, a pastor from Alaska, said, “Graduation was the first time to meet my fellow classmates in person and it was like a reunion. We know each other so well. We have prayed together and shared our lives together during these past two years.” Gail Zickefoose, missionary to Venezuela said, “the on-line learning experience in spiritual formation has changed my life and my ministry.” The School of Theology and Christian Ministries at NNU currently offers three fully on-line graduate degree programs: Christian Education–Children and Youth, Spiritual Formation, and Pastoral Ministry. There are no residential components for any of the three programs, all of which are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Seventy-five students from five world areas are presently enrolled. Courses are taught online by NNU faculty and specialized adjunct professors, enabling students to complete a master’s degree in religion while remaining in their ministry assignments as pastors, missionaries, and staff members. “This marks an historic day, not only for NNU, but I believe for the Church of the Nazarene in general,” noted Mark Maddix, NNU’s director of graduate theological on-line education. Maddix went on to say, “As far as I can tell, this is the first fully on-line graduate program in religion for the denomination, and perhaps for any of our sister institutions in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition.” For
more information about NNU’s online graduate programs in religion,
check out the university’s new website at www.nnu.edu/mar.
Additional questions can be directed to Kathy Bynum, program manager for
graduate theological online education, by e-mailing mar@nnu.edu
or calling 208.467.8432. Nazarene
Global Educational Links:
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