Nazarenes in the News: 11.20.2009

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Global Ministry Center

Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.   

USA/Canada Region

Two Masters Commission students die as van hits black ice
Baker City, Oregon

(Assemblies of God News)

Early Thursday morning, November 12, a van from New Life Worship Center (Assemblies of God) in Federal Heights, Colorado, crashed on Interstate 84 near Baker City, Oregon, leaving two passengers dead and six in critical condition.

The church van was filled with Rocky Mountain Masters Commission students. State police suspect that the van hit a patch of black ice, with the driver losing control and the van rolling several times before coming to a rest on its roof. Fourteen of the sixteen young adults, ranging from 18 to 26 years old, were reportedly ejected from the van during the crash.

The two Masters Commission students that died are 23-year-old Taune Nicole Winter Pepper of Deer Trail, Colorado, and 20-year-old Joshua Pischura of Geneva, Ohio.

According to news reports, the Baker City Church of the Nazarene is providing housing and food for those students who are no longer in the hospital.

For the rest of the story, click here. Prayer is requested for the victims' families and the New Life Worship Center.
--Assemblies of God News

For more on the Baker City Nazarenes, see the following news story: Survivors say Baker City residents' support 'amazing'


Authorities: Three dead in Nevada Medevac crash
Reno, Nevada

The Associated Press/EMS1.com

Investigators said the pilot of a medical helicopter issued a mayday moments before the aircraft crashed into a hilly area north of Reno near the Nevada-California state line early Saturday, November 14.

All three crew members - the pilot, flight nurse and paramedic - were killed.

The helicopter, an Aerospatiale AS350, had dropped off a patient at a Reno hospital and was returning to its base in Susanville, Calif., when it crashed around 2 a.m. Saturday, according to Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor.

The helicopter was operated by Mountain Lifeflight out of Susanville. The company confirmed the loss of all three crew members aboard the helicopter. Mountain Lifeflight issued a statement Saturday afternoon identifying the pilot as James Bradshaw, 39, the flight nurse as Clinton Reger, 40, and Christopher Ritz, 37, as the paramedic.

For the rest of the story from the Associate Press, click here. The story also appeared in the Lassen News and can be read by clicking here. The Lassen News also has provided an online guest book for friends to share their memories of the victims. Click here for more.

Editor's Note: Mountain Lifeflight is owned and managed by Brad Reger, a member of the Susanville, California, Church of the Nazarene. While Brad Reger wasn't aboard the helicopter that evening, his nephew, Clinton Reger, was killed in the crash. According to Susanville pastor Joe Sturgeon, Brad Reger has been heavily involved in medical mission projects with the Susanville church in the Ukraine and the Philippines, and there are close ties between the Mountain Lifeflight team and the extended Susanville Church family. Prayer is requested for the families of the victims, Brad Reger, and the Susanville Church in this time of loss. Prayer is also requested for Pastor Sturgeon, who is among those ministering to and counseling the remaining emergency team members involved with Mountain Lifeflight.


Bethany High School golf coach John Griffis dies
Bethany, Oklahoma

(Oklahoman)

Bethany High School golf coach John Griffis died Thursday morning, November 19, less than a week after he was injured in an accident at his home.

Griffis, 48, sustained severe head trauma Saturday, November 14, when he fell from a ladder while working on his roof. He underwent surgery at OU Medical Center and remained hospitalized there.

A former attorney, Griffis gave up law in 1995 to coach and teach at his alma mater.

A father of four, he taught math at Bethany Middle School and had been the (High School) Bronchos' head golf coach for 14 years, in addition to various other coaching duties.

"We're very saddened. There's a great sense of loss in the Bethany School District," Bethany superintendent Kent Shellenberger said. "John Griffis was a great positive role model for the kids in our community. Everybody here will miss him."
--Oklahoman

Editor's Note: Griffis was a member of Bethany First Church of the Nazarene. He is survived by his wife, Saundra, and four children, Matthew, Hannah ,Issac, and Rachel. Prayer is requested for the Griffis and Bethany First Church families. Griffis' memorial service is expected to be next week at Bethany First.


Cincinnati church to begin Asian Indian ministry
Cincinnati, Ohio

The Cincinnati, Ohio, Clifton Avenue Church of the Nazarene's International/Multicultural Urban Center will begin a cooperative parachurch ministry focusing on Asian Indian students at the University of Cincinnati (UC). According to Senior Pastor Richard Fisher, two supporters of the Center, Ranjara and Pramod Aghamkar, have a burden on their hearts for these students. Their son, Prakey, is a student at UC.

The Clifton Avenue International/Multicultural Center is a 10% approved mission special.
--NCN News submissions via BGS


Churches' mission: Pray, play together
Brighton, Michigan

(Daily Press & Argus)

Skateboarding is not a crime; just ask Brighton, Michigan, Nazarene Church family pastor Tim Wessel, whose church has taken the phrase "holy roller" to the extreme.

With an indoor skate park, video arcade, indoor cafe, and a paintball course, "The Naz" has also taken an unconventional approach to connecting with area youth, making it one of several Livingston County churches that reach out by rolling out recreational opportunities...

...The skate park opened about seven years ago after throngs of teenagers began skating on church property. Skaters began interacting with pastors and soon, ramps were brought in to turn the parking lot into a concrete playground. More than 8,000 students have taken advantage of the skate park, which is free for anyone who attends a weekly skate ministry. Otherwise, it costs $5 per day to skate.

For the rest of the story, click here.
--Daily Press & Argus


Nazarene church volunteers fill boxes with goodies for troops
Gainesville, Georgia

(Gainesville Times)

Army Sgt. Daniel Bowers knows what it is like to open a care package from 7,000 miles away while deployed in a combat zone.

During his time serving in Afghanistan, the cardboard boxes stuffed with letters, reading materials, sweets, toiletries and other items served as yet another motivator for the fighting forces overseas, Bowers acknowledged Saturday.

"You get a package like that, and it's like Christmas every week," Bowers said. "It makes your day. It puts a smile on your face after all the stuff you see."

Bowers was the guest of honor at a rally held Saturday at Gainesville, Georgia's First Church of the Nazarene, where about 100 people came to see photos of the soldiers overseas, listen to patriotic music and, most importantly, put together care packages for more than 50 troops from all branches of the armed forces.

For the rest of the story, click here.
--Gainesville Times




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