As jurisdictional general superintendent for the Eurasia Region, Dr. James H. Diehl recently traveled to the oldest mission area in the Church of the Nazarene, India, and conducted historic firsts in Nepal and Bangladesh, some of the newer areas of Nazarene work. In all, he observed that leadership is increasing and new churches and converts are being established in challenging but growing areas.

Dr. Diehl presided over district assemblies in India on the Western Maharashtra, Karnataka, Eastern Maharashtra, Eastern India, Delhi, and North India districts. At the Western Maharashtra District assembly, 225 people joined together to celebrate the announcement that the district had attained Phase-3 (self-supporting) status. It is the second district to become Phase 3 in the 110-year history of Nazarene work in India, the earliest mission field in the Church of the Nazarene. Self-supporting status was actually achieved six months before the district assembly. In addition, they had organized nine new churches, and Dr. Diehl ordained five men into the Christian ministry as elders.

The Eastern Maharashtra District organized 14 new churches this year, bringing their total to 50, and Dr. Diehl ordained one new elder here. The new North India District, birthed last year from the Delhi District, held its first district assembly, reporting six new churches organized.

The Nazarenes of Eastern India District reflected on the extreme difficulties they have faced this year, including multiple floods and the persecution of Christians by extremists. The district superintendent reported that 34 Nazarene churches were totally destroyed along with hundreds of homes. Thousands of people were displaced, including hundreds of Nazarenes. Most heart-breaking of all, three Nazarene pastors were martyred for Jesus. “It is hard to realize the level of sacrifice that is required of our people to minister in the areas where they live,” said Dr. Diehl. Even with these difficulties, this district reported 54 newly organized churches, the launch of 158 new church-type missions, and the addition of 12 congregations that have joined the Church of the Nazarene.

A pastor who is also an area facilitator gave a moving report in one district assembly. He and his 18-year-old son had been arrested and sent to jail because of their ministry with the JESUS film. Later, his wife was also jailed for organizing a Christmas program at their church. Dr. Diehl said these people are exemplary of our Nazarenes in India who are “wonderful and dedicated. God bless these obedient and sacrificial people!”

In Bangladesh, there were over 300 in a standing-room-only crowd. Dr. Diehl ordained 11, the largest ordination class ever in Bangladesh, and all 300 people were invited to a celebration meal. The number of organized churches grew this year from 694 to 867—173 newly organized churches. “There are not words to describe what is going on in the Church of the Nazarene across Bangladesh!” said Dr. Diehl.

In Nepal, a Nazarene work only five years old, they reported 40 newly organized churches, an increase of 56 percent in number of churches in only the last year. Membership has grown from 1,841 to 2,443 in one year. This phenomenal growth is occurring in a country that until two years ago was a [other religion] kingdom ruled by a king with only two non-Christian religions being recognized. “This creates a very difficult place for any Christian church,” said Dr. Diehl, yet they are experiencing New Testament-type growth. The Nepal District assembly was a three-day event, including workshops for every ministry. At the conclusion, Dr. Diehl ordained two men, a historic moment since it was quite likely the very first ordination into Christian ministry that has been held in Nepal, now a Maoist government, in over 1,000 years. 

A final stopover in Büsingen, Germany, brought Dr. Diehl to European Nazarene College for the leadership conference that included Nazarenes from at least 15 European countries. Leadership is growing on the Eurasia Region. Through the month, a new record of 35 people had been ordained on the Eurasia Region.