Church of the Nazarene https://www.nazarene.org/rss.xml en Nazarenes in the News: November 2023 https://www.nazarene.org/article/nazarenes-news-november-2023 <h2>Nazarenes in the News: November 2023</h2> <span><span lang="" about="/user/181" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">dlsperry94</span></span> <span>Fri, 12/01/2023 - 15:48</span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field-news-author field__item">Nazarene News Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-popular field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field-news-popular field__item">No</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field-news-body field__item"><p><i>Nazarenes in the News</i> is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.</p> <p><strong>Pennsylvania church provides free monthly community dinner</strong><br /> <i>Brookville, Pennslyvania</i></p> <p><i>(<a href="https://www.thecourierexpress.com/jeffersonian_democrat/" target="_blank">Jeffersonian Democrat</a>, 2 Nov.) </i> Reaching out to the community, members of Calvary Church of the Nazarene in Brookville enjoy hosting a free dinner once a month.</p> <p>“The church felt there is a need in the community and they want to provide a meal once a month,” Pastor Terry Sowden said.</p> <p>“It is certainly a passion of our church. We average 50, but lately it has been between 60 and 70,” church member Joyce Wills said. While families of all ages attend, “we get a lot from North Fork Heights and Laurelbrooke.” She said people come from as far away as DuBois for the monthly dinner.</p> <p>“Our goal is to reach out to the community. It doesn’t matter what church you go to. It’s just to have fellowship,” Wills said.</p> <p>To read the rest of the story, <a href="https://www.thecourierexpress.com/jeffersonian_democrat/news/local/church-provides-free-monthly-community-dinner/article_abf7579c-74e0-11ee-baa8-bb229b9e4e98.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Nazarene military chaplain endorser returns to former post to encourage students</strong><br /> <em>Fort Jackson, South Carolina</em></p> <p><em>(<a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/" target="_blank">DVID</a>, 9 Nov.) </em>Former U.S. Army Institute for Religious Leadership Commandant, retired Chaplain (Col.) Jeff Hawkins. and his spouse Lori returned to ‘The Heart and Home of the Army Chaplaincy,’ a phrase he introduced, to visit with Chaplain Captains Career Course 23-003 students on Nov. 9.</p> <p>Hawkins was the 42nd commandant of the then named Chaplain Center and School from 2017 to 2019, retired in 2019. However, this time his role at the school was different.</p> <p>“I invited Chaplain Hawkins based off my relationship with him as my endorsing agent and my passion to see chaplain Families feel seen and supported” said Chap. Mike Voudouris, C4 small group leader. “I asked him and Lori to speak to the class with this in mind … What I wish I would have known as an Army chaplain senior captain that I know now.”</p> <p>Since 2021, Hawkins serves as the military chaplain endorser for the Church of the Nazarene, providing encouragement and accountability to over 100 Nazarene military chaplains and chaplain candidates within the Department of Defense. He also serves on the board of directors for the not-for-profit military community youth ministry.</p> <p>To read the rest of this story, <a href="https://www.dvidshub.net/news/457965/former-commandant-returns-institute-religious-leadership-new-role" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p> <p><strong>Canadian church reaches fundraising goal in support of African herdsman</strong><br /> <em>Rimbey, Alberta, Canada</em></p> <p><em>(<a href="https://www.rimbeyreview.com/" target="_blank">Rimbey Review</a>, 28 Nov.</em>) The Rimbey Church of the Nazarene hit their fundraising goal of $1,000 this past week for its annual Children’s Mission Project.</p> <p>A total of $1,263.40 was collected and will go towards the purchase of a camel for a group of herdsmen in the Horn of Africa.</p> <p>“These nomadic herders move from country to country in Africa in search of pasture for their camels,” explained Ria Lartec, Sunday School Director for the Rimbey Church of the Nazarene. “The plan is to have the International Church of the Nazarene train an evangelistic team to travel within this specific camel herding community and live with them in hopes of sharing the gospel.”</p> <p>The funds were primarily raised through the creation of a coffee bar within the church. The coffee bar itself was built by Dennis Semenyna, Board Secretary for the Rimbey Church of the Nazarene.</p> <p>To read the rest of this story, <a href="https://www.rimbeyreview.com/news/local-church-reaches-fundraising-goal-in-support-of-african-herdsmen-7116073" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p> <p><b>California church partners with organization to create child care center</b><br /> <em>Lompoc, California</em></p> <p>(<em><a href="https://lompocrecord.com/" target="_blank">Lompoc Record</a>, 28 Nov.</em>) Prominent child care service provider <a href="https://leapcentralcoast.org/"><i>Learn. Engage. Advocate. Partner.</i></a>, has announced the signing of a contract to establish a child care center at <a href="https://www.trinaz.com/">Trinity Church of the Nazarene</a> in Lompoc.</p> <p>The facility's opening moves the community closer to meeting the growing demand for affordable and high quality child care services in the Lompoc community.</p> <p>“LEAP is so excited to partner with Trinity Nazarene to open more child care spaces in Lompoc! By LEAPing into Lompoc, we are bringing our childcare expertise to where the greatest need is. We look forward to getting to know the Lompoc community in the coming years,”said Lori Goodman, LEAP’s executive director.</p> <p>To read the rest of the story, <a href="https://lompocrecord.com/news/local/leap-trinity-church-of-the-nazarene-partner-to-create-new-lompoc-child-care-center/article_aa168106-4930-5663-a06f-092b3551a20b.html" target="_blank">click here</a>.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-publish-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field-news-publish-date field__item"><time datetime="2023-12-01T12:00:00Z">01 Dec, 2023</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-comments field--type-facebook-comments field--label-above field-news-comments"> <div class="field__label">Comments</div> <div class="field__item"><div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "facebook-jssdk"));</script> <div class="fb-comments fb-comments-fluid" data-href="https://www.nazarene.org/rss.xml" data-num-posts="15" data-width="620" data-colorscheme="light"></div></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-editor-pick field--type-boolean field--label-above field-editor-pick"> <div class="field__label">Editor Pick</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field-news-media field__item"><article> <div class="blazy field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-visually_hidden field-media-image" data-blazy=""> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Image</div> <div class="field__item"> <div style="padding-bottom: 53.36%" class="media media--blazy media--loading media--ratio media--ratio--fluid media--image"> <img height="770" width="1443" class="b-lazy media__image media__element" data-src="https://nazarene.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-12/NITN.png?itok=u-dbW484" alt="NITN" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field-news-tags"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=63&amp;tag%5B1%5D=63&amp;sort_by=created">USA/Canada</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=192&amp;tag%5B1%5D=192&amp;sort_by=created">Nazarenes in the News</a></div> </div> </div> Fri, 01 Dec 2023 15:48:22 +0000 dlsperry94 7608 at https://www.nazarene.org In Memoriam: 1 December 2023 https://www.nazarene.org/article/memoriam-1-december-2023 <h2>In Memoriam: 1 December 2023</h2> <span><span lang="" about="/user/181" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">dlsperry94</span></span> <span>Thu, 11/30/2023 - 22:30</span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field-news-author field__item">Nazarene News Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-popular field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field-news-popular field__item">No</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field-news-body field__item"><p>The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received 20 November - 1 December 2023.</p> <p><strong>Carolyn Anstine</strong>, 91, of Springfield, Ohio, passed away 15 November 2023. She was the widow of Dene Anstine, a retired minister who served in Ohio. Dene passed away in 2013.</p> <p><strong>Gayle Clark</strong>, 79, of Rockport, Indiana, passed away 23 November 2023. She was the wife of Ralph Clark, a retired minister who served in Indiana and Maryland.</p> <p><strong>Ronald Crain</strong>, 79, of Tolleson, Arizona, passed away 16 November 2023. He was a retired minister who served in California, Montana, and Oregon. He was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta Crain, who passed away in 2020.</p> <p><strong>Jessie Culbertson</strong>, 99, of Newport, Oregon, passed away 27 November 2023. She was the widow of Bernard Culbertson, a retired minister who served in Washington, California, New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana, and British Columbia, Canada. Bernard passed away in 1994.</p> <p><strong>David Dicks</strong>, 84, of London, Ontario, Canada, passed away 4 November 2023. He was a retired minister who served in Ontario, Canada. He was preceded in death by his wife, Myra Dicks. Myra passed away in 2017. </p> <p><strong>Clyde Loew</strong>, 88, of Hickory Hills, Illinois, passed away 10 November 2023. He was a retired minister who served in Montana, California, Washington, Michigan, and Illinois. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian Loew, who passed away in April.</p> <p><strong>Nellie Holmes</strong>, 88, of Delaware, Ohio, passed away 19 November 2023. She was the widow of Harold Holmes, a retired minister who served in Ohio. Harold passed away in 2010.</p> <p><strong>Mike Hruby</strong>, 67, of Mission, Kansas, passed away 16 November 2023. He was a retired minister, Air Force Chaplain, and Foundry Employee who served in Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dawn Hruby, who passed away in 2018.</p> <p><strong>Shirley Gatti</strong>, 79, of South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, passed away 17 November 2023. She was the widow of Louis Gatti, a retired minister who served in Tennessee and Pennsylvania. Louis passed away in July 2023.</p> <p><strong>Betty Patton</strong>, 94, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away 28 November 2023. She was the widow of Charles Patton, a retired minister who served in Tennessee. Charles passed away in 1989.</p> <p><strong>Lois Taylor</strong>, 97, of Pittsfield, Illinois, passed away on 27 November 2023. She was a retired missionary who served for 19 years in Guyana, The Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago. She is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Taylor, whom she served alongside. Samuel passed away in 1998.</p> <p><em>Note: Please join us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available).To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to news@nazarene.org.</em></p> <p> </p> <p>--Compiled by Nazarene News</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-publish-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field-news-publish-date field__item"><time datetime="2023-11-30T12:00:00Z">30 Nov, 2023</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-comments field--type-facebook-comments field--label-above field-news-comments"> <div class="field__label">Comments</div> <div class="field__item"><div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "facebook-jssdk"));</script> <div class="fb-comments fb-comments-fluid" data-href="https://www.nazarene.org/rss.xml" data-num-posts="15" data-width="620" data-colorscheme="light"></div></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-editor-pick field--type-boolean field--label-above field-editor-pick"> <div class="field__label">Editor Pick</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field-news-media field__item"><article> <div class="blazy field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-visually_hidden field-media-image" data-blazy=""> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Image</div> <div class="field__item"> <div style="padding-bottom: 53.33%" class="media media--blazy media--loading media--ratio media--ratio--fluid media--image"> <img height="400" width="750" class="b-lazy media__image media__element" data-src="https://nazarene.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2022-01/In%20Memoriam.png?itok=y4gzRcYc" alt="In Memoriam" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field-news-tags"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=68&amp;tag%5B1%5D=68&amp;sort_by=created">Passings</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=56&amp;tag%5B1%5D=56&amp;sort_by=created">In Memoriam</a></div> </div> </div> Thu, 30 Nov 2023 22:30:26 +0000 dlsperry94 7607 at https://www.nazarene.org MVNU announces new VP for Spritual Life and Church Relations https://www.nazarene.org/article/mvnu-announces-new-vp-spritual-life-and-church-relations <h2>MVNU announces new VP for Spritual Life and Church Relations</h2> <span><span lang="" about="/user/181" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">dlsperry94</span></span> <span>Thu, 11/30/2023 - 22:04</span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field-news-author field__item">Nazarene News Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-popular field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field-news-popular field__item">No</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field-news-body field__item"><p>Mount Vernon Nazarene University President Carson Castleman announced the appointment of David Mills as vice president for Spiritual Life and Church Relations, effective 2 January 2024.</p> <p>Mills emerged as the unanimous selection of the selection committee after conducting interviews with three candidates. Under the leadership of Castleman, the selection committee was comprised of a diverse panel that included a pastor from the East Central Region, a university dean, and both a male and female ministry student. Castleman conveyed the committee’s selection to the Executive Committee of the MVNU Board of Trustees. </p> <p>“I have been blessed to call Dave Mills my pastor for the last 15 years,” Castleman said. “More importantly, he has been a trusted friend and confidant. God has uniquely gifted and raised him up for such a time as this. His compassion, humility, and Christlike witness will be tremendous assets to our faith community.”</p> <p>With nearly 25 years in ministry, including 15 years as lead pastor at Generations Church of the Nazarene in Independence, Kentucky, Mills and his family are following God’s calling to Mount Vernon to embark on a multi-faceted position that is key to Castleman’s goals of enrollment growth and enhanced church relations.</p> <p>“My background in church planting, building community engagement, and cultivating a deep desire to share the gospel with everyone will be at the forefront of everything I do at MVNU as the vice president for Spiritual Life and Church Relations,” Mills said. “I will be deeply committed to fostering spiritual growth and promoting a vibrant chapel experience to the campus community. I will foster an inclusive environment that respects diversity, promotes understanding, and cares for the student body, staff, faculty, and churches in the East Central Region.”</p> <p>Mills will serve as a member of the President’s Cabinet, offering a strategic spiritual blueprint for the campus in the role of chaplain. This encompasses overseeing functions and programming within the Spiritual Life department, directing and supervising music groups, establishing and overseeing local and statewide service-learning initiatives, and missions opportunities serving the East Central Region and the global Church of the Nazarene. </p> <p>Additionally, Mills will collaborate with various campus offices to address student needs, cultivate relationships with churches in the region, and take charge of managing Church Relations events, among other duties.</p> <p>Coming into the position as a pastor from the region provides Mills with insight into what regional pastors and churches need and should expect from MVNU.</p> <p>Mills holds a Bachelor of Science in Christian Education from Olivet Nazarene University and a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from Indiana Wesleyan University.</p> <p>He will relocate to Mount Vernon with his wife, Jodi Mills; daughter, Karly, a sophomore at Olivet Nazarene University; son, Davis, who will be a freshman at MVNU in Fall 2024; and son, Brady, a high school sophomore. </p> <p>--Mount Vernon Nazarene University</p> <p><em>To view the complete release, <a href="https://mvnu.edu/rev-david-mills-appointed-vice-president-for-spiritual-life-and-church-relations/" target="_blank">click here</a>.</em></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-publish-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field-news-publish-date field__item"><time datetime="2023-11-30T12:00:00Z">30 Nov, 2023</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-comments field--type-facebook-comments field--label-above field-news-comments"> <div class="field__label">Comments</div> <div class="field__item"><div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "facebook-jssdk"));</script> <div class="fb-comments fb-comments-fluid" data-href="https://www.nazarene.org/rss.xml" data-num-posts="15" data-width="620" data-colorscheme="light"></div></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-editor-pick field--type-boolean field--label-above field-editor-pick"> <div class="field__label">Editor Pick</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field-news-media field__item"><article> <div class="blazy field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-visually_hidden field-media-image" data-blazy=""> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Image</div> <div class="field__item"> <div style="padding-bottom: 53.33%" class="media media--blazy media--loading media--ratio media--ratio--fluid media--image"> <img height="400" width="750" class="b-lazy media__image media__element" data-src="https://nazarene.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-12/David%20Mills%20full%20copy.png?itok=8FBO0bRA" alt="David Mills" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field-news-tags"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=29&amp;tag%5B1%5D=29&amp;sort_by=created">Collegiate</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=99&amp;tag%5B1%5D=99&amp;sort_by=created">MVNU</a></div> </div> </div> Thu, 30 Nov 2023 22:04:39 +0000 dlsperry94 7606 at https://www.nazarene.org ‘The Life and Work of John Wesley’ translated into Croatian thanks to multi-denominational effort https://www.nazarene.org/article/life-and-work-john-wesley-translated-croatian-thanks-multi-denominational-effort <h2>‘The Life and Work of John Wesley’ translated into Croatian thanks to multi-denominational effort</h2> <span><span lang="" about="/user/181" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">dlsperry94</span></span> <span>Thu, 11/30/2023 - 21:51</span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field-news-author field__item">Sharon Tigga for Eurasia Region Church of the Nazarene</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-popular field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field-news-popular field__item">No</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field-news-body field__item"><p>Inspired by the life and work of John Wesley, the Church of the Nazarene in Croatia, in collaboration with the Bible Institute and Global Methodist Church in Zagreb, published a book titled “The Life and Work of John Wesley,” authored by Timothy Crutcher. </p> <p>This historic publication marked the first translation of Wesley's biography and teachings into the Croatian language, making his profound influence accessible to a broader audience. The joint efforts ensured the successful realization of this meaningful project, furthering the mission of spreading the message of holiness through John Wesley's teachings and theological insights to the Croatian community.</p> <p>The book was initially created four years ago at the Bible Institute; however, its editorial process faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After the pandemic, the Global Methodist Church and the Church of the Nazarene began gathering monthly to provide mutual support. During one of these meetings, the idea of finishing the publication of this book surfaced. In this discussion, both churches expressed their commitment to take on the editing responsibilities. </p> <p>As the project unfolded, the Nazarenes and the Bible Institute dedicated their efforts to the intricate task of translation, ensuring that the essence and message of the book were faithfully conveyed in the Croatian language. Simultaneously, the Methodists undertook the crucial responsibility of meticulously editing the translated work, enriching it with theological insights that resonated with the spirit of John Wesley's teachings. Their collaboration resulted in a finely crafted literary work that stayed true to its origins.</p> <p>Upon completing the arduous editing process, both churches, in conjunction with the Bible Institute in Zagreb, orchestrated a modest yet meaningful event to herald the book's launch. During the event, the critical importance of the book within the context of local churches was eloquently underscored. </p> <p>The event provided a platform to discuss how this book could catalyze meaningful conversations and serve as a source of guidance for pastors and congregation members navigating the complexities of a polarised world. It shed light on how John Wesley's teachings, captured within these pages, offer a unique and timeless perspective that can help bridge gaps, inspire dialogue, and cultivate a sense of unity among diverse churchgoers.</p> <p>Cezi Glendenning, who was the lead for Nazarene work in Croatia, participated in the collaborative efforts to complete the translation. </p> <p>"The life of John Wesley prompts self-reflection and raises questions about our motivations in ministry," Glendenning said. "At the same time, his message of holiness resonates with many people. </p> <p>“Although holiness is often viewed through the lens of separation, explicitly separating good from evil, there is a need to see it as liberation from evil and an inner liberation from human tendencies. These two messages were vital to us, so we translated the book."</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-publish-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field-news-publish-date field__item"><time datetime="2023-11-30T12:00:00Z">30 Nov, 2023</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-comments field--type-facebook-comments field--label-above field-news-comments"> <div class="field__label">Comments</div> <div class="field__item"><div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "facebook-jssdk"));</script> <div class="fb-comments fb-comments-fluid" data-href="https://www.nazarene.org/rss.xml" data-num-posts="15" data-width="620" data-colorscheme="light"></div></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-editor-pick field--type-boolean field--label-above field-editor-pick"> <div class="field__label">Editor Pick</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field-news-media field__item"><article> <div class="blazy field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-visually_hidden field-media-image" data-blazy=""> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Image</div> <div class="field__item"> <div style="padding-bottom: 53.44%" class="media media--blazy media--loading media--ratio media--ratio--fluid media--image"> <img height="342" width="640" class="b-lazy media__image media__element" data-src="https://nazarene.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-11/Croatian%20Translation.jpg?itok=BARTd8W_" alt="Croatian Translation Wesley book" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field-news-tags"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=77&amp;tag%5B1%5D=77&amp;sort_by=created">Eurasia Region</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=343&amp;tag%5B1%5D=343&amp;sort_by=created">Croatia</a></div> </div> </div> Thu, 30 Nov 2023 21:51:08 +0000 dlsperry94 7605 at https://www.nazarene.org Lillenas Music premieres Christmas musical at Carnegie Hall https://www.nazarene.org/article/lillenas-music-premieres-christmas-musical-carnegie-hall <h2>Lillenas Music premieres Christmas musical at Carnegie Hall</h2> <span><span lang="" about="/user/181" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">dlsperry94</span></span> <span>Thu, 11/30/2023 - 21:34</span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field-news-author field__item">Daniel Sperry for Nazarene News</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-popular field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field-news-popular field__item">No</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field-news-body field__item"><p>Lillenas Music, a subsidiary of The Foundry Publishing, premiered its Christmas musical “Then Christ Came” at a sold-out Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York, on 20 November 2023 during the 13th annual Christmas in New York concert.</p> <p>The musical, arranged by Cliff Duren, was performed by the FBC Woodstock Worship Choir, which featured 200 members plus an accompanying orchestra. An 85-piece children’s choir also performed in part of the musical.</p> <p>According to Lillenas Music Director Mark Parker, the producer and organizer of the event at Carnegie Hall reached out to Cliff Duren to see if there was anything that he was working on that might fit the event. Duren offered up, “Then Christ Came.”</p> <p>“He developed this product with [this stage] in mind,” Parker said. “So, we were thrilled that Lillenas had an opportunity to premiere a musical at Carnegie Hall.”</p> <p>Parker was thrilled to see how the Carnegie Hall crowd turned the event into a worship experience.</p> <p>“Among the sold-out auditorium were 250 people from the UN (United Nations) at this concert,” Parker said. “It was extremely worshipful. It was a sanctuary at that point.”</p> <p>“Then Christ Came” is scheduled to be available for the 2024 Christmas season. </p> <p>Lillenas Music is approaching its 100th anniversary in 2024. It was founded by longtime Nazarene pastor, also hymn and songwriter Haldor Lillenas in 1924. The Foundry Publishing (then Nazarene Publishing House) purchased the company from Lillenas in 1930. Lillenas Music is the only remaining denominationally-owned music publishing company.</p> <p>Since its founding, Lillenas Music has provided the denomination with Wesleyan-Holiness-focused music arranged in various ways. From choral arrangements to modern arrangements of hymns and quick tabs available for popular worship music heard on the radio, Lillenas has also produced five musicals just this calendar year. </p> <p>While many churches have moved to praise bands for Sunday worship, Parker acknowledged that many churches still have choirs.</p> <p>“There are still a lot of choirs out there,” Parker said. “So, from the choir of ten to 200 and Carnegie Hall, we want to meet those needs.”</p> <p>Lillenas was heavily involved at the 30th General Assembly and Conventions in June 2023. According to Parker, 13 songs used were Lillenas titles, specifically Wesleyan-Holiness-themed songs. Recently, Lillenas embarked on a hymns project to re-arrange classic holiness-focused hymns.</p> <p>“I’m pleased we’re here nearly 100 years later and looking to see how we can continue to serve the Church,” Parker said.</p> <p><em>For more information on Lillenas Music, <a href="https://www.lillenas.com/" target="_blank">click here</a>.</em></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-publish-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field-news-publish-date field__item"><time datetime="2023-11-30T12:00:00Z">30 Nov, 2023</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-comments field--type-facebook-comments field--label-above field-news-comments"> <div class="field__label">Comments</div> <div class="field__item"><div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "facebook-jssdk"));</script> <div class="fb-comments fb-comments-fluid" data-href="https://www.nazarene.org/rss.xml" data-num-posts="15" data-width="620" data-colorscheme="light"></div></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-editor-pick field--type-boolean field--label-above field-editor-pick"> <div class="field__label">Editor Pick</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field-news-media field__item"><article> <div class="blazy field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-visually_hidden field-media-image" data-blazy=""> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Image</div> <div class="field__item"> <div style="padding-bottom: 53.32%" class="media media--blazy media--loading media--ratio media--ratio--fluid media--image"> <img height="1075" width="2016" class="b-lazy media__image media__element" data-src="https://nazarene.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-11/Lillenas%20Carnegie.jpg?itok=mYiH6gA8" alt="Lillenas Carnegie" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field-news-tags"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=63&amp;tag%5B1%5D=63&amp;sort_by=created">USA/Canada</a></div> </div> </div> Thu, 30 Nov 2023 21:34:33 +0000 dlsperry94 7604 at https://www.nazarene.org 800 Africa Nazarenes attend Southern Hub PALCON https://www.nazarene.org/article/800-africa-nazarenes-attend-southern-hub-palcon <h2>800 Africa Nazarenes attend Southern Hub PALCON</h2> <span><span lang="" about="/user/181" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">dlsperry94</span></span> <span>Thu, 11/30/2023 - 21:07</span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field-news-author field__item">Africa Region Church of the Nazarene</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-popular field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field-news-popular field__item">No</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field-news-body field__item"><p>More than 800 African Nazarenes gathered at the Goodnews Convention Centre outside of Johannesburg, South Africa, from 8-12 November 2023 for the Pastors and Leaders Conference (PALCON) for the Southern Hub of the Africa Region. </p> <p>The Southern Hub represents three fields, the Lusophone Field, the Southeast Field, and the South Field, which encompass the countries of Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. </p> <p>This conference aimed to "Bridge the GAP" (Growth in Authenticity and Presence) through building transformative leadership. Particular emphasis was laid on training local and district leaders involved in education, leadership, missions, and evangelism with the goal of these leaders returning to their homes and sharing what they had seen and learned. </p> <p>This conference focused on the mission of the church of the Nazarene, “to make Christlike disciples in the nations," as well as the four core values of the Africa Region: authenticity, presence, relevance, and interdependence.</p> <p>The conference also featured 30 workshops on topics related to the ministries of Nazarene Youth International, Nazarene Missions International, and Nazarene Discipleship International presented by field and regional ministry leaders, as well as workshops explicitly geared toward treasurers, secretaries, and local pastors as they care for themselves and their flock. </p> <p>Additionally, there were nine plenary sessions with speakers such as Daniel Gomis (Africa regional director), Reuel Khoza, Professor Maria Kanjere, Stanley Bhebhe (vice chancellor of Africa Nazarene University), Gift Mtukwa, Herman Mvula, and others.<br /> The Africa Region believes it is essential for the church to intentionally encourage and equip leadership from various districts and local churches so that they continue to uphold the mission.</p> <p>In the evening services, Jurisdictional General Superintendent Fili Chambo encouraged the leadership to experience growth in authenticity, especially as they live a life of holiness and service to God as described in the Great Commission. He encouraged the leadership to constantly experience and acknowledge the presence of God in their lives and continuously surrender their lives to God.</p> <p>Furthermore, Gomis had the opportunity on the first day to share the strategy of the African Region. Emphasis was placed on the need to be authentic in all they do and to love each other truthfully in the context of "Tuko Pamoja," a Swahili saying meaning "We are together."</p> <p>The conference ended on Sunday morning with Chambo ordaining ministers from across the Southern Hub. Everyone who attended the conference returned to their homes with great excitement, revived and ready to go and serve.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-publish-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field-news-publish-date field__item"><time datetime="2023-11-30T12:00:00Z">30 Nov, 2023</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-comments field--type-facebook-comments field--label-above field-news-comments"> <div class="field__label">Comments</div> <div class="field__item"><div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "facebook-jssdk"));</script> <div class="fb-comments fb-comments-fluid" data-href="https://www.nazarene.org/rss.xml" data-num-posts="15" data-width="620" data-colorscheme="light"></div></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-editor-pick field--type-boolean field--label-above field-editor-pick"> <div class="field__label">Editor Pick</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field-news-media field__item"><article> <div class="blazy field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-visually_hidden field-media-image" data-blazy=""> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Image</div> <div class="field__item"> <div style="padding-bottom: 53.28%" class="media media--blazy media--loading media--ratio media--ratio--fluid media--image"> <img height="682" width="1280" class="b-lazy media__image media__element" data-src="https://nazarene.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-11/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-23-at-05.43.28-1%20copy.jpg?itok=-95Y2te5" alt="Africa PALCON" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field-news-tags"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=133&amp;tag%5B1%5D=133&amp;sort_by=created">Africa</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=156&amp;tag%5B1%5D=156&amp;sort_by=created">South Africa</a></div> </div> </div> Thu, 30 Nov 2023 21:07:28 +0000 dlsperry94 7603 at https://www.nazarene.org JESUS Film Harvest Partners receives Hope Medallion https://www.nazarene.org/article/jesus-film-harvest-partners-receives-hope-medallion <h2>JESUS Film Harvest Partners receives Hope Medallion</h2> <span><span lang="" about="/user/181" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">dlsperry94</span></span> <span>Thu, 11/30/2023 - 20:55</span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field-news-author field__item">Nazarene News Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-popular field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field-news-popular field__item">No</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field-news-body field__item"><p>Brian Helstrom, a Nazarene missionary assigned as executive director of Jesus Film Harvest Partners, accepted the Hope Medallion Award from Jesus Film Project of Campus Crusade for Christ (JFP-CRU) on 10 November 2023. Helstrom received the recognition on behalf of JFHP, a ministry of the Church of the Nazarene. </p> <p>The Hope Medallion has only been given to seven other people, including the late Billy Graham. </p> <p>“This now 26-year partnership has been an exemplary model of collaboration with a Kingdom ministry outside the Church of the Nazarene that shares the same goal to fulfill the Great Commission and to reach the lost for Christ,” Helstrom said. “JFP-CRU creates the film, and we use it to do evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.”</p> <p>Louie Bustle, former Nazarene Global Missions director, signed the initial partnership agreement with JFP-CRU in August of 1997.</p> <p>“This has been the most important thrust that the church has endeavored to attempt,” Bustle said. “And to think it is still going strong after 25 years. Many thought it might last for ten years, but God had other plans.”</p> <p>JFP-CRU has given JFHP free use of the <i>JESUS</i> film in all three versions in over 2,100 languages. JFHP then shares the results of the 1,109 Nazarene teams that have used this tool back to JFP-CRU.</p> <p>During the last 26 years, there have been 18,861,046 reported decisions for Christ and 130,480 preaching points established (as of 31 October 2023). In 2024, 1,166 teams will be ministering in 65 countries.  </p> <p>Ray Moats, the longest-serving current board member, says he feels privileged to be a part of the JFHP ministry. </p> <p>“Each person (past and present) in leadership, staff, board, donors, and prayer supporters have all been used by the Lord to carry out this work,” Moats said. “We also must be so thankful for those men, women, and youth who responded to the call to be the presenters of the film and disciple new believers.”</p> <p>To learn more about the JFHP ministry, visit <a href="http://www.jfhp.org/">jfhp.org</a>.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-publish-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field-news-publish-date field__item"><time datetime="2023-11-30T12:00:00Z">30 Nov, 2023</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-comments field--type-facebook-comments field--label-above field-news-comments"> <div class="field__label">Comments</div> <div class="field__item"><div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "facebook-jssdk"));</script> <div class="fb-comments fb-comments-fluid" data-href="https://www.nazarene.org/rss.xml" data-num-posts="15" data-width="620" data-colorscheme="light"></div></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-editor-pick field--type-boolean field--label-above field-editor-pick"> <div class="field__label">Editor Pick</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field-news-media field__item"><article> <div class="blazy field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-visually_hidden field-media-image" data-blazy=""> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Image</div> <div class="field__item"> <div style="padding-bottom: 53.33%" class="media media--blazy media--loading media--ratio media--ratio--fluid media--image"> <img height="400" width="750" class="b-lazy media__image media__element" data-src="https://nazarene.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-11/Picture1.png?itok=6BZLHwvK" alt="JFHP Cru Award" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field-news-tags"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=150&amp;tag%5B1%5D=150&amp;sort_by=created">Missions</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=111&amp;tag%5B1%5D=111&amp;sort_by=created">JFHP</a></div> </div> </div> Thu, 30 Nov 2023 20:55:52 +0000 dlsperry94 7602 at https://www.nazarene.org In Memoriam: 17 November 2023 https://www.nazarene.org/article/memoriam-17-november-2023 <h2>In Memoriam: 17 November 2023</h2> <span><span lang="" about="/user/181" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">dlsperry94</span></span> <span>Thu, 11/16/2023 - 23:26</span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field-news-author field__item">Nazarene News Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-popular field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field-news-popular field__item">No</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field-news-body field__item"><p>The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to be with the Lord. Notices were received 13-17 November 2023.</p> <p><strong>Ernice Gonyea</strong>, 82, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, passed away 10 November 2023. She was the wife of James Gonyea, a retired minister who served in Tennessee, Michigan, and Indiana.</p> <p><em>Note: Please join us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available).To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to news@nazarene.org.</em></p> <p>--Compiled by Nazarene News</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-publish-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field-news-publish-date field__item"><time datetime="2023-11-16T12:00:00Z">16 Nov, 2023</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-comments field--type-facebook-comments field--label-above field-news-comments"> <div class="field__label">Comments</div> <div class="field__item"><div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "facebook-jssdk"));</script> <div class="fb-comments fb-comments-fluid" data-href="https://www.nazarene.org/rss.xml" data-num-posts="15" data-width="620" data-colorscheme="light"></div></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-editor-pick field--type-boolean field--label-above field-editor-pick"> <div class="field__label">Editor Pick</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field-news-media field__item"><article> <div class="blazy field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-visually_hidden field-media-image" data-blazy=""> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Image</div> <div class="field__item"> <div style="padding-bottom: 53.33%" class="media media--blazy media--loading media--ratio media--ratio--fluid media--image"> <img height="400" width="750" class="b-lazy media__image media__element" data-src="https://nazarene.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2020-04/In%20Memoriam.jpg?itok=WHXRrvp2" alt="In Memoriam" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field-news-tags"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=68&amp;tag%5B1%5D=68&amp;sort_by=created">Passings</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=56&amp;tag%5B1%5D=56&amp;sort_by=created">In Memoriam</a></div> </div> </div> Thu, 16 Nov 2023 23:26:42 +0000 dlsperry94 7600 at https://www.nazarene.org Cezi’s Story: Pursued by God’s Grace https://www.nazarene.org/article/cezis-story-pursued-gods-grace <h2>Cezi’s Story: Pursued by God’s Grace</h2> <span><span lang="" about="/user/181" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">dlsperry94</span></span> <span>Thu, 11/16/2023 - 21:32</span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field-news-author field__item">Sarah Norris for Eurasia Region Church of the Nazarene</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-popular field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field-news-popular field__item">No</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field-news-body field__item"><p>As a child in Albania, Pastor Cezarina "Cezi" Glendenning would write letters to God, penning her questions and placing the folded papers on her balcony, believing God would take them.</p> <p>“Once we had a storm,” Glendenning remembers, laughing. “The storm took a ladder off our balcony, and I thought God took it!”</p> <p>The heartfelt correspondence revealed what she craved—a relationship with God. </p> <p>“If he was real,” Glendenning remembers wondering, “how can I reach him?”</p> <p>Glendenning learned early on at home to seek truth, ask questions, and think for herself. When Communism fell, she had a chance to explore her questions about God. Her mother and father came from different faith backgrounds, and she followed her father to his house of worship.</p> <p>“It was a chance to get to know God,” Glendenning recalled. “I was learning all of the prayers, reading books…I just fell in love with God.”</p> <p>She converted to her father’s religion and began the process of studying at a religious school when suddenly, unexpectedly, he died. Glendenning was utterly devastated. Her father’s death threw her into a tailspin. </p> <p>“His death was an identity crisis for me,” Glendenning said. She went to her faith leaders, seeking answers amid her family’s tragedy, but she was chastised. </p> <p>“They said, ‘Don’t question God. It was written in his destiny,’” Glendenning remembered. </p> <p>Frustrated and silenced, a then 13-year-old Glendenning could not understand a faith that robbed people of free will and the ability to ask God questions, so she walked away.</p> <p>After her father’s passing, she faced further loss when her family moved across the country, and they, like many Albanians at that time, faced economic and government instability. Glendenning’s behavior took an adverse turn. She began fighting at school, and her mother regularly received calls about her conduct. At home, she says she was hard to be around. But God had a plan.</p> <p>Around that same time, two classmates befriended Glendenning at school. They were kind and patient with the hurting teenager. They also followed Jesus.</p> <p>“I would debate them,” Glendenning said. “But their kindness and patience toward me just really impacted me.” </p> <p>Eventually, her new friends invited her to their church. She saw the opportunity as a challenge. </p> <p>“I’m going to go to their church and show them they are wrong,” Glendenning recalled thinking. </p> <p>But when she went, she loved it.</p> <p>That winter, a Canadian English teacher arrived at Cezi’s school. He, too, loved Jesus. He asked Cezi if she would help hand out brochures for his church plant, and Cezi said yes but explained that she did not believe in Christianity. </p> <p>“Here I am, helping to plant a church before I am a Christian,” Glendenning laughed.</p> <p>She handed out hundreds of papers around her neighborhood in the cold, keeping one for herself. When Cezi returned home, her mother lit candles around their darkened home. Albania’s government was collapsing, acts of violence were rampant, and Glendenning‘s family had access to electricity for about an hour each day. In this moment of uncertainty, Cezi’s trauma caught up with her.</p> <p>“I was sitting in the living room, and it just hit me,” Glendenning remembered. “A wave of emotions—a panic attack. I could not breathe. I just started sobbing.” </p> <p>She grabbed the single brochure she had brought home and read about inviting God into your heart and life. Cezi knelt. She remembers praying, “God, I don’t know if Christianity is the right path, but I’d like to start over.” </p> <p>She confessed her sins to God and prayed for salvation.</p> <p><em>This excerpt is from a story that originally appeared on the Eurasia Region Website. To read Cezi’s story in full, <a href="https://www.eurasiaregion.org/cezis-story-pursued-by-gods-grace/">click here</a>.</em></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-publish-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field-news-publish-date field__item"><time datetime="2023-11-16T12:00:00Z">16 Nov, 2023</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-comments field--type-facebook-comments field--label-above field-news-comments"> <div class="field__label">Comments</div> <div class="field__item"><div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "facebook-jssdk"));</script> <div class="fb-comments fb-comments-fluid" data-href="https://www.nazarene.org/rss.xml" data-num-posts="15" data-width="620" data-colorscheme="light"></div></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-editor-pick field--type-boolean field--label-above field-editor-pick"> <div class="field__label">Editor Pick</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field-news-media field__item"><article> <div class="blazy field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-visually_hidden field-media-image" data-blazy=""> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Image</div> <div class="field__item"> <div style="padding-bottom: 53.35%" class="media media--blazy media--loading media--ratio media--ratio--fluid media--image"> <img height="629" width="1179" class="b-lazy media__image media__element" data-src="https://nazarene.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-11/Cezarina.jpg?itok=uoBeNOmy" alt="Cezarina" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div class="visually-hidden">Caption</div> <div class="field-media-image-caption"><p>Cezarina Glendenning pictured below the balcony where she used to write letters to God.</p> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field-news-tags"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=77&amp;tag%5B1%5D=77&amp;sort_by=created">Eurasia Region</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=65&amp;tag%5B1%5D=65&amp;sort_by=created">Albania</a></div> </div> </div> Thu, 16 Nov 2023 21:32:19 +0000 dlsperry94 7599 at https://www.nazarene.org Marriage and Family retreat brings renewal to India leaders https://www.nazarene.org/article/marriage-and-family-retreat-brings-renewal-india-leaders <h2>Marriage and Family retreat brings renewal to India leaders</h2> <span><span lang="" about="/user/181" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="">dlsperry94</span></span> <span>Wed, 11/15/2023 - 22:37</span> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field-news-author field__item">Eurasia Region Church of the Nazarene</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-popular field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field-news-popular field__item">No</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field-news-body field__item"><p>A marriage retreat for leaders and their spouses was held at the Goa International Center in India from 17 – 19 October 2023, centered around the theme “Firewall Your Marriage.” The main speakers for the conference were Franky and Shabeena Fernandes, and Pravin Samudre. </p> <p>Throughout the retreat, attendees engaged in discussions covering various topics, including forgiveness, God’s design of marriage, intimacy with God, intimacy with your spouse, co-stewardship, prayer cover for marriage, God’s idea of parenting, and leaving, cleaving, and oneness. On the first day, everyone was asked to complete a self-assessment form, which benefited both the facilitators and attendees.</p> <p>An outing to the beach was scheduled for one afternoon, and everyone had a good time. The India Field Office staff looked after the attendees' children, nine of them, all under 12. The kids were engaged in outdoor and indoor activities, relishing the center’s pool, drawing, and singing worship songs. Franky and Getsy Raja led family-oriented devotional sessions. The retreat concluded with Communion, where the spouses exchanged Communion elements.<br /> The leaders and their spouses expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the retreat, noting its positive impact on their approach to their marriage. Some couples identified areas where they wanted to focus more on moving forward. </p> <p>“Leaders' family retreat [resonated with] my wife and me personally and helped us to evaluate ourselves and to identify and rectify the gaps in our marriage,” said S. Wilson Jabaraj, an attendee.</p> <p>Overall, the retreat proved to be a source of great refreshment and renewed energy for each couple, leaving them to return to their ministry with newfound joy and a transformed perspective on marriage and family.<br /> “This conference has provided me with new insights into family and parenting,” said Manohar Pawar, another attendee. “Many of us were able to identify our own flaws thanks to the conference speakers’ own experiences.”</p> <p>--Church of the Nazarene Eurasia Region.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-publish-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field-news-publish-date field__item"><time datetime="2023-11-16T12:00:00Z">16 Nov, 2023</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-comments field--type-facebook-comments field--label-above field-news-comments"> <div class="field__label">Comments</div> <div class="field__item"><div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) {return;} js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, "script", "facebook-jssdk"));</script> <div class="fb-comments fb-comments-fluid" data-href="https://www.nazarene.org/rss.xml" data-num-posts="15" data-width="620" data-colorscheme="light"></div></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-editor-pick field--type-boolean field--label-above field-editor-pick"> <div class="field__label">Editor Pick</div> <div class="field__item">On</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field-news-media field__item"><article> <div class="blazy field field--name-field-media-image field--type-image field--label-visually_hidden field-media-image" data-blazy=""> <div class="field__label visually-hidden">Image</div> <div class="field__item"> <div style="padding-bottom: 53.33%" class="media media--blazy media--loading media--ratio media--ratio--fluid media--image"> <img height="1667" width="3126" class="b-lazy media__image media__element" data-src="https://nazarene.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_image/public/2023-11/India%20Marriage%20Retreat.png?itok=maL-JRBI" alt="India Field Marriage Retreat" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" typeof="foaf:Image" /> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field-news-tags"> <div class="field__label">Tags</div> <div class="field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=77&amp;tag%5B1%5D=77&amp;sort_by=created">Eurasia Region</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/all-news?keywords=&amp;tag%5B0%5D=105&amp;tag%5B1%5D=105&amp;sort_by=created">India</a></div> </div> </div> Wed, 15 Nov 2023 22:37:44 +0000 dlsperry94 7598 at https://www.nazarene.org