After much prayer and careful consideration, Ray and Becki Neu announced they are leaving the Church of the Nazarene's Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International team to join a parachurch organization. The Neus have served the Church of the Nazarene as global missionaries on specialized assignment contract since June 2013.

“I am profoundly grateful for Ray and Becki’s service to the church and pray that the Lord will anoint their new efforts with continued success and productivity,” said Woodie Stevens, global SDMI director.  

Stevens emphasized that Tell THE Story will continue to expand around the world as Nazarenes of all ages prepare to tell Bible stories that transform lives through deep personal engagement with the Word.

“Equipping disciple-makers to make disciples with the living Word using Tell THE Story is enjoying a warm global reception and is gaining considerable momentum in local churches,” Stevens said.

Tell THE Story has been introduced to more than 10,000 people since February 2014. Hundreds of Bible storytellers have been trained, and 36 qualified as trainers. Trainings are now being conducted on each of the denomination’s regions.

SDMI envisions Tell THE Story trainers on each district, field, and region by General Assembly 2017. The highly engaging method is easy to learn and easy to pass on to others.

“Those who have attended the trainings testified to the transforming power of God’s Word and want to share it with others," Stevens said. "With the simple training, people learn how to tell the stories in an attractive way that helps others listen, learn, and want to know more. “ 

Future trainings will be in Riverside, California, from November 17 to 19, 2015, and in Lake Placid, Florida, from January 12 to 14, 2016.

For additional training and schedule information, visit nazarene.org/tellthestory or contact Woodie Stevens at 913-577-2800.

--SDMI