Record crowds gather in New Zealand for Centennial Celebration

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

New Zealand

Nazarenes in New Zealand celebrated the Centennial of the Church of the Nazarene at their district assembly in November. In the spirit of Phineas Bresee, the district assembly voted unanimously to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wesleyan Methodist Church of New Zealand, opening the way for increased fellowship, collaboration, and cooperation in sharing of church buildings, training events, and combined youth camps. 

On Sunday, November 9, the churches combined for a multicultural worship celebration. This was the largest Nazarene worship service ever conducted in New Zealand. Special music was provided by Samoan, Korean, and Indian music groups. Young people from 18 nations proudly brought their flags to the front of the auditorium. The scripture was read in 16 languages as people traced "God's plan for the nations" starting with God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12 and following the theme through the scriptures until Revelation 7, where every believer from every tribe, language, people, and nation surrounds the throne and worships the Lamb. 

Centennial Heritage Award certificates were presented by General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf to those pastors and lay leaders who had been active in the church for more than 40 years. Middendorf then brought a challenging message and ordained four pastors, each from a different country: South Africa, Cook Islands, U.S., and New Zealand. Many of those who attended joined in a celebration lunch.
 --Neville Bartle, Asia-Pacific (Slideshow available)
 

 

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