November 21, 2002
Volume 0246
Senior Editor: David J. Felter

News This Week
Nazarene Kids Raise More Than $145,000
Brooklyn Nazarene Elected Judge
NYI’s Third Wave to be held in Ecuador
D. James Kennedy Interviews Nazarene Author
Out of Africa
International Church of the Nazarene Web Links
Prayer Mobilization Line
Personal Note
Nazarene Collegiate News
Editor’s Note
NCN Broadcast Schedule

Nazarene kids raise more than $145,000 in VBS offering
For 50 years, Nazarene boys and girls have been bringing their dollars and coins to Vacation Bible School as a part of the VBS Mission Offering. Throughout these years, this money has helped provide items such as buildings, bicycles, vehicles, and even an airplane.

In the last five years alone, boys and girls in churches large and small have raised nearly a million dollars. According to VBS/Summer Ministries Editor David Hutsko, the VBS offering encourages children to learn the principles of stewardship, while participating in the global mission of the church.

This year, in a project called “Kids Reaching Kids,” Nazarene boys and girls around the world combined to raise $145,011.41, marking a 3 percent increase from 2001.

The majority of funds raised will be used to help local churches reach children in their neighborhoods through sports programs, tutoring programs, Bible clubs, and/or to simply provide a place for all children to meet and observe positive role models.

Funds will also be given to the Pioneer VBS program, which provides VBS materials for new churches, and toward the education of 10 international pastors’ children. Nazarene boys and girls have made it possible for pastors’ children spanning Africa, South America, the Caribbean and Asia to attend school.
--Children’s Ministries

Brooklyn Nazarene elected Civil Court Judge
On November 5, the citizens of Brooklyn, New York’s Second District elected Wavny Toussaint as Civil Court Judge in a landslide victory. The voters not only elected an accomplished judicial figure, but a humble servant of her local church–the Brooklyn Beulah Church of the Nazarene.

Beulah pastor, Dr. Wenton Fyne, describes the Trinidad-born Toussaint as “a hardworking person,” and “a genuine Christian lady who is very supportive of her local church.” Toussaint became a member of the church in 1994 and remains part of the church choir, a member of the church board, and Chair of the Scholarship Committee. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for Eastern Nazarene College.

The New York Times endorsed Toussaint, a graduate of the City College of New York, as well as Howard University of Law, in her quest to win the seat which she was upset for in 1999. There would be no upset this time, as she received an astounding 84 percent of the vote. As a Civil Court Judge, Toussaint is now one step away from the State Supreme Court.

The Times spoke highly of Toussaint, praising her strong work ethic and saying she “has the determination and know-how to become a fine judge.” The New York Law Journal attributed part of the landslide victory to Toussaint’s endorsement by at least five of the district’s most prominent ministers. Other sources took special note of her strong character.

In a world desperately in need of Christian women role models, Toussaint’s perseverance, tenacity and accomplishments are impressive. However, it’s her stewardship, faith, and strong character that set her above the rest.
--NCN News

NYI’s Third Wave to be held in Ecuador
Thirty participants from each NYI world area will be selected to participate in Third Wave, January 7-11, 2004: A Global Leadership Conference for Youth in Quito, Ecuador. This event will focus on developing global awareness and perspective among the emerging young leaders of the church. Through times of worship and discussions highlighting current global issues, the youth will respond to these issues as they form a global identity. During this event, attendees will minister together in the local communities of Quito, through four ministry projects. These will include environmental cleanup, hospital ministry, church facility restoration, and a creative outreach with area children.

“Third Wave,” said Gary Hartke, Director of Nazarene Youth International, “is the first conference for Nazarene youth of its kind. The youth who are leaders now in our church will have an opportunity to meet and dream about the role of the church in the world.”

The Third Wave event plan was presented to the General NYI Convention in June 2001 and met with great support. In January 2002, it was decided that this event would be held in Quito, Ecuador, on January 7-11, 2004.

General NYI President, Deirdre Brower, reports, “We are still learning what it means to be a global church. This event will focus on developing friendships, discussing key issues for the church, and focusing on the nature and role of the youth through the international church.”

To find out more information about this event or how you can contribute, please visit http://nyi.nazarene.org/Third_Wave.
--NYI

D. James Kennedy interviews Nazarene author
Renowned television and radio personality D. James Kennedy, Ph.D. recently interviewed Beacon Hill Press author and noted grief counselor Harold Ivan Smith for the nationally syndicated radio program "Truths That Transform." The interview, which will air nationwide on Monday, December 2, discussed Smith's book "Decembered Grief." Kennedy and Smith talked extensively about the difficulty many people have during the Christmas holiday season the first year after having lost loved ones. "I have been with Dr. Kennedy a long time," said the show's executive producer, "and this is one of the best programs we've done." Listeners can check with their local Christian radio stations for the show's time and availability in their areas.
--NCN News

Out of Africa
Joanie Doerr, NCN - Africa, supplies all information for this summary.
Aid sent to flood victims in Mozambique
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries recently funded a food distribution campaign in Central Mozambique for families affected by the floods along the Zambezi and Pungwe Rivers in 2001, and the subsequent harvest failure in early 2002. District and local compassionate ministries committees purchased 840 bags of rice and distributed them to those areas determined to be in greatest need. The effort resulted in approximately 6,000 people helped in 60 communities.

Those receiving the rice also received a pamphlet containing a gospel presentation with a "sinner's prayer," general information about the Church of the Nazarene, as well as an invitation to attend the local Nazarene church in their area. Local pastors are already reporting an increase in church attendance as a result of the food distribution effort.
--NCN - Africa

Church of the Nazarene Ministry Links
All links to the varied global ministry functions of the Church of the Nazarene can be found by going to http://www.nazarene.org. A drop-down box will list all the sites available for your surfing pleasure. Visit us often!

Prayer Mobilization Line
This information can be found by going to http://www.nazarenemissions.org, then clicking on the "Prayer Mobilization Line" on the left-hand side of the page.

Personal Note
Keith Newman accepts V.P. position at MVNU
Keith Newman has resigned the Senior Pastorate at San Diego Mission Valley Church of the Nazarene to become Vice President for University Advancement at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Newman served on the General NYI Council from 1996-2000.
--Southern California District

Nazarene Collegiate News
NNU loses Sports Information Director Gil Craker to cancer
Northwest Nazarene University lost one of its own on Wednesday, November 13 when Sports Information Director Gil Craker died one week after doctors performed emergency surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his brain. Craker, 62, had been taken to the hospital for flu-like symptoms after collapsing at home.

A 1963 graduate of NNU, Craker returned to the school in 1986 as director of news and information. He served as practice coordinator for the NAIA National Basketball Tournament hosted by NNU from 1993-1999, and was well known for his tireless efforts and deep love of sports, especially New York Yankee baseball.

"Gil was a solid, unflappable man," NNU President Richard Hagood said. "He was committed to doing his best, personally and professionally. We will miss him terribly."

A native of Emmett, Idaho, Craker was active in the Nampa community serving as president of the Canyon County Sunrise Rotary and as a member of the Nampa Planning and Zoning Commission.

Gil leaves behind his wife, Nancy; son, Dale; daughters, Robin, Tricia, and Christina; and several grandchildren. His brother, Randy, is currently on the General Board for the Church of the Nazarene.

A memorial service was held in NNU’s Montgomery Fieldhouse Saturday, November 16, 2002.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made in Gil's name to the new NNU Athletic Facility Expansion Fund. Contributions can be made by calling the Office of University Advancement at (208) 467-8425 or toll free at 866-467-8987.
--NNU

EuNC mission team visits Poland
Nine students from European Nazarene College recently gave up their October study break to spend their time ministering to university students in Poznan, Poland. The trip was initiated and organized by student David Berdowski, in coordination with tentmakers Carolyn White and Karen van Gilder, who have been working to launch Nazarene ministry in Poland by teaching English at Adam Mickiewicz University and at local businesses. Berdowski and White had envisioned a student ministry trip to the Poznan to supplement the work the women were already doing. The student team represented eight nationalities, and was divided into two language teams. The team of German-speaking students visited German language classes to interact with the local students on the pretext of giving them practice with German. The other EuNC students formed an English-speaking team to accomplish the same goals in an English class.

The team also volunteered at a soup kitchen that feeds the city’s homeless.

After talking in the classrooms with the local language students, the team invited them to meet for coffee in the evenings, so they could talk in an informal setting. During this time, the team members were able to talk with the students about Christ.

“Time and again we had deep meaningful talks with people seeking purpose and direction in their lives,” said Izzy Mansour, an EuNC team member. He added that one of the miracles of the mission trip was how people of such different national backgrounds could share so freely about personal needs and how Christ is the answer to those needs. For instance, a EuNC student from China was able to reach a Thai teacher, while EuNC students of Arabic and Croatian background shared with a language student from Armenia.

“Because they were here in Poland, the Church of the Nazarene has a more visible presence,” van Gilder said. “They were able to interact with Christian university and business communities. In each setting, they demonstrated the love of Christ.”
-- Izzy Mansour and Gina Grate, for the Eurasia Region

NTS inducts Dr. Doug Hardy as Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation
Dr. Douglas S. Hardy, Associate Professor of Spiritual Formation, was inducted into the faculty of Nazarene Theological Seminary on November 8, 2002 by the faculty and President Ron Benefiel.

Born near Boston and raised in Eastern Canada, Hardy is a graduate of Eastern Nazarene College (B.A.), Northeastern University (M.Ed.), Fuller Theological Seminary (M.A.), and Boston University (Ph.D.). He most recently served as Associate Professor of Psychology at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts. Hardy's ministry includes pastorates in Berkeley and Glendale, California, and service as a spiritual director in the Boston area since1994. His professional activities and accomplishments reflect a wide range of interests in spiritual formation. An ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, Hardy has written extensively in such professional journals as Journal of Psychology and Christianity, Research News & Opportunities in Science and Theology, and Religious Studies Review.
--NTS

Sports Bytes

ENC
Women’s Basketball: 0-0
Men’s Basketball: 0-0

MNU
Football: 9-1, NAIA rank: 8 (Final ranking)
Volleyball: 27-14
Women’s Basketball: 4-2
Men’s Basketball: 5-0, NAIA rank: 2 (Div. 2)

MVNU
Women’s Soccer: 13-6-1
Men’s Soccer: 13-7-0
Volleyball: 36-12
Women’s Basketball: 3-2
Men’s Basketball: 4-0

NNU
Volleyball: 11-11
Women’s Basketball: 0-0
Men’s Basketball: 0-0

ONU
Football: 4-6
Women’s Soccer: 15-8-0
Men’s Soccer: 9-9-3
Volleyball: 32-10, NAIA rank: 25 (Final ranking)
Women’s Basketball: 3-3
Men’s Basketball: 4-1, NAIA rank: 18

PLNU
Volleyball: 23-6, NAIA rank: 6 (Final ranking)
Women’s Basketball: 3-1, NAIA rank: 25
Men’s Basketball: 1-2

SNU
Football: 7-3, NAIA rank: 27 (Most wins in school history, final ranking)
Women’s Soccer: 9-8-1
Volleyball: 19-13
Women’s Basketball: 1-0, NAIA rank: 1
Men’s Basketball: 2-1

TNU
Volleyball: 30-14
Women’s Basketball: 5-1, NAIA rank: 16
Men’s Basketball: 2-2

Editor’s Note
In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, NCN News will not publish an edition of the Weekly Summary for the week of November 28. The next issue will be published on December 5.

NCN Broadcast Schedule
Satellite Program Guide
*All Times Are Eastern*
NCN Broadcasts on DISH Network Channel 9602

November 24: NCN Sunday (Featuring Services from Nazarene Congregations)…11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
November 26: NCN News…8:00 p.m. to 8:05 p.m.
NCN Profile…8:05 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
December 1: NCN Sunday (Featuring Services from Nazarene Congregations)…11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
December 3: NCN News…8:00 p.m. to 8:05 p.m.
Mission Today…8:05 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

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