Generosity helps share Christ's transformational love

Generosity helps share Christ's transformational love

by
Daniel Sperry for Nazarene News
| 26 Oct 2023
תמונה
Thank Offering

Through the generosity of Nazarenes around the world, the Church of the Nazarene is able to share Christ’s transformational love.

Resources are now available for the upcoming Offering of Thanks for Nazarene Missions.

The offering website, nazarene.org/generosity, includes promotional resources like social media graphics, posters, brochures, and more for local churches.

Every time you pray, give to Nazarene Missions, or go on a missions trip, you are helping spread the gospel message of Christ’s transformational love and making Christlike disciples among the nations.

Sami is an Iranian refugee who traveled through 13 different countries before settling in the United Kingdom. His parents were killed and he was in danger. As he walked his way to freedom, he was beaten, abused, and even jailed.

While imprisoned in Bulgaria, Sami was not allowed to go outside at the prison. That was until a man approached Sami and told him that he could have “freedom” for two hours a day if he joined their group. The man told Sami it was a Christian group.

At first Sami said he didn’t believe in Christianity, but the man was persistent.

“Okay, if you don’t believe, you don’t believe,” the man told Sami. “But you don’t believe in freedom? Don’t you want to get out of this building and have fresh air?”

Sami decided to join them for his opportunity at “freedom.” In that prison in Bulgaria, Sami found Jesus.

“At the end when they grabbed (each other’s) hands and they gathered around and started to pray, it was peace,” Sami said. “I loved it.”

Sami eventually got out of prison and made his way to England, where he began attending Ashton Church of the Nazarene. He didn’t have a house yet, know the language, or have clothes or food.

“The Church of the Nazarene model is more, ‘find the place of highest need and go and meet needs,’” said British Isles South District Superintendent Carl McCann. “And that means you are continually working with people who are struggling, and you’re engaging in the struggle. But I believe that is a gospel calling.”

Within the congregation, Sami found a family and a feeling of safety.

“The people of the Church of the Nazarene means, to me, family,” Sami said “They didn’t know me. They trusted me. They didn’t know me. They helped me. They gave me accommodation. They gave me their hearts.”

To view the thank offering resources, click here.

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