In Your Words
 

Man bicycles 2,012 miles for children in South Asia

By Carrie Fiedler on Monday, May 14, 2012
 In early February, Joban Kahar (left in photo) was taken to the Nawgaon Child Development Center (CDC) in the new Northwest District in Bangladesh. His father had died in a tragic accident. Joban’s mother was unable to support him. The CDC workers brought the 6-year-old to the district superintendent, Nathan Biswas (right in photo). Without a father to provide for him, Joban’s future was bleak. His life was turned upside down and he faced extreme poverty with little hope of a proper education. This little boy was admitted to Nawgaon CDC. Joban is just one example of how the...

An unlikely servant

By Andrew Pottenger on Thursday, May 10, 2012
Ephesians 3:20-21 tells us that God is able to do immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine. Through the many challenges and rewards of being a Mission Corps volunteer at European Nazarene College (EuNC) for over two years, my call to ministry has become so much clearer.  I began following that specific call when I arrived here with my wife to teach and mentor students preparing for ministry. But I would have never imagined myself as a missionary in Europe, nor could I have asked for everything I’ve accomplished and experienced these last two years.Who, me?When I was a...

Discipleship in Romania

By Jonathan Phillips on Friday, April 20, 2012
 At first glance, a discipleship group with only three participants may seem insignificant and almost pointless. When we look deeper, we recognize that the success of discipleship does not rest solely on the number of participants, but rather in the way they allow themselves to be transformed by God’s Spirit. When I was asked to lead the men’s group in the Church of the Nazarene in the Romanian village of Țigmandru, Romania, I prayed that there would be at least one person who would make a serious commitment to grow as Christ’s disciple in the group. Instead of one, God entrusted me...

Team expands retreat center in Dominica

By Mandie Schaper on Friday, April 13, 2012
Dominica has been called “The Garden of Eden.”  One visit to this small, often unheard-of, island country in the Lesser Antilles reveals why: pristine rivers and waterfalls, virgin rainforests, no poisonous animals or insects, abundant fruit, secluded black sand beaches, relaxing thermal springs, and a comfortable year-round temperature. It is here that seven local churches of the Nazarene are seeking to introduce people to another kind of beauty – the peace and joy and purpose that comes through a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Crossroads Church of the Nazarene, in...

Youth journey to Mesoamerica for 12:7 Serve

By Dani Castlehow and Janary Suyat on Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Editor's note: Twelve young adults from nine countries are launching a new mission program in Mesoamerica called 12:7 Serve. The youth raised funds to spend six months in one of seven locations on the region where they will be involved in cross-cultural ministry. The objective of 12:7 Serve is to create opportunities for youth to confirm a call to missions, as well as to build vision and momentum among young leaders on the newly formed Mesoamerica Region (see sidebar).Team members include: Chennice McLean (Scotland), Danielle Castlehow (Australia), Erika Chaves ( Costa Rica), Estela Reza...

Men doing community service surprised by love of New Zealand District

By Neville Bartle on Monday, March 19, 2012
A church member parked a van in front of the Wainuiomata, New Zealand, Church of the Nazarene, and opened the doors, saying, "I have brought some helpers." As our astonished Work & Witness team watched, a group of men wearing tattoos and hoodies climbed out of the vehicle. The new arrivals did not look happy to be there.God answers prayer in rather surprising ways.It was only the day before that the Work & Witness team leader had arrived at the church, groaned and put his head into his hands. “No way! There is no way we can paint that building in one week!  What will we do?”...

Review: Traffic: Sold into Slavery

By Olivia Kines and Dr. Matt Price on Tuesday, March 6, 2012
 Traffic: Sold Into Slavery is the story about a fictional 15-year-old girl named Lupita. In Guatemala, Lupita and her sister live with their uncle, Cesar, in the large capital city. One day, Cesar tells Lupita that he has found her another job. He takes her to a large house in a wealthy neighborhood. After he leaves, more girls arrive at the house. The next day, the girls are taken to an airport and flown out of the country to Mexico. They are then taken to another building where Lupita is sexually attacked several times in one night. Her new job? Working at a cantina, making...

Small, but mighty

By Sandra Swift on Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Hannah Van Dyke may be just 8 years old, but she did something big: held a yard sale and raised $229.05 for relief work in Haiti.East Liverpool (East Ohio District) is located in the Ohio River Valley, an area known unfortunately as the Rust Belt because of severe joblessness. Bordering Pennsylvania and West Virginia, East Liverpool was once known as the Pottery Capital of the world.  Hannah's church, East Liverpool First Church of the Nazarene, is among those churches that have chosen to remain downtown, striving to reach their neighborhoods for Christ rather than moving to the...

Stepping out in faith

By Dan Meeks on Monday, January 23, 2012
Editor's note: Pastor Dan Meek and his family, of Canadian Hills Church of the Nazarene in Yukon, Oklahoma, participated in Southern Nazarene University's 22nd annual Commission Unto Mexico mission trip the week after Christmas 2011. Meek writes about how this trip affected his family before, during and after. It was a true step out into faith.Commission Unto Mexico marked our family's second Work & Witness trip and the first one out of the United States. We hosted our extended family at Thanksgiving so that we could take the trip over Christmas break. Though they liked early Christmas...

Those who give something out of 'nothing'

By Jessica Honea on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
For 45 years, Christians associated with Southern Nazarene University have been traveling to Mexico annually to work and witness with their brothers and sisters in the Lord. This year, I was given the opportunity to join them in their ministry.Considering that it was my very first mission trip, I am not hesitant to say  it was the most worthwhile experience I have ever been a part of.Each participant was assigned to a team, be it medical, construction, soccer, or Bible school, and each team was assigned to one of various churches located in different towns around Sabinas, Mexico. My team...

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