|
Global Weekly Summary |
May
30, 2003
|
| Top Story for the Week of May 30, 2003 |
JESUS
Film hits 25-million mark for viewers
The JESUS Film, a globally used evangelism and outreach tool,
recently surpassed the 25-million viewer mark. Commenting on this monumental
achievement, World Mission Director Louie Bustle, said, “For some,
the goal of showing the JESUS Film to 100 million viewers by
2010 seemed impossible. However, we are delighted that one-fourth of this
goal has already been reached. Through the JESUS Film ministry,
we are seeing hundreds of thousands of people receiving Christ. The faithful
support and steadfast vision of churches, pastors, and lay people from
around the globe has made this victory possible.”
According to Terry Barker, coordinator for JESUS Film-Africa, of the 25 million people who have seen the JESUS Film through the Church of the Nazarene and its partnership with Campus Crusade for Christ, 17 million viewers are from the Africa Region.
One team in Ethiopia, headed by Friday Ganda, has shown the film to more than one million viewers. Barker went on to indicate that 2.5 million viewers in Africa have made a decision for Christ.
Africa Regional Director J. Fred Huff commented: “I would like to thank and congratulate all the JESUS Film workers for their daily service to the Lord in this important evangelistic effort. Night after night, nearly every night of the year, the Gospel is being proclaimed through this technological medium. I have personally attended many showings of the JESUS Film and have seen the awe, delight, and conviction on the faces of viewers as they see Jesus and hear the Gospel of Luke in their own language.”
For more information on JESUS Film Harvest Partners, visit www.jfhp.org.
| --Harvest Partners, NCN News-Africa |
| Out
of Africa – News from the Africa Region Joanie Doerr, NCN - Africa, supplies all information for this summary. |
Algeria
recovering from deadly quake
Algeria—A devastating earthquake shook the North African country
of Algeria on May 21. More than 1,100 people were killed and another 7,000
injured. According to the World Mission Department, there are currently
no Nazarene missionaries in the country of Algeria. Please continue to
pray for the victims of the earthquake, as well as all those involved
in relief and recovery efforts.
--NCN News
For information on Africa Nazarene University’s sixth commencement, see the 2003 Commencement Report page by clicking here: http://www.ncnnews.org/grad.html
| Asia-Pacific Region Update |
Melanesia
Nazarene Bible College: Meeting the challenge
Mount Hagen—Melanesia Nazarene Bible College (MNBC) in Mount Hagen,
Papua New Guinea, has always faced a monumental task: to train pastors
and teachers to minister in what is seen by anthropologists as one of
the most culturally diverse nation on earth. With over 900 distinct languages,
even basic communication in PNG can be difficult at times. However, since
its founding in 1964, MNBC has continued to send an every increasing number
of trained workers into the vast Melanesia harvest fields.
MNBC’s residential program currently has 119 students enrolled. Another 125 students are enrolled in one of the 12 extension programs, taught by MNBC faculty, pastors, and districts superintendents.
The school currently offers a Diploma of Ministry and a Bachelor’s of Theology program. These programs are designed to develop national leadership to meet the present and future needs of the Church of the Nazarene in this developing country. In addition, the school has plans to begin a Master of Arts in ministry program in the near future.
According to MNBC Principal William Swesey, one of the goals of the MA program will be to prepare nationals to teach at MNBC, thus reducing dependency on outside teachers. “We are simply carrying out the understood missionary goal of working ourselves out of a job by developing a sustainable national educational program to provide pastors in our growing field,” says Swesey.
MNBC’s monumental task has grown even larger as the PNG church has lifted its eyes to fields outside of its own country. In addition to sending missionaries to the Solomon Islands and East Timor, there is a growing concern for the spiritual needs in the country of Vanuatu and in the Papua Province of Indonesia.
In regards to the work being done at home in PNG, Swesey commented that he is “extremely proud of the impact [MNBC’s] graduates are having.”
Last year, students and staff under the leadership of MNBC chaplain Peter Isaac started College Church through their evangelism efforts with local tribes and with the cooperation of another local church. The growing congregation has constructed a new building for their weekly worship services.
One recent graduate, Joseph Ogun, reported this year to his District Assembly that he had started four new churches, received 172 members by profession of Faith, and had trained 12 ministers in the new area of the Western Highlands District called East Kambia. This January, four of those pastor trainees enrolled in MNBC.
| --Dave Hane, NCN News-Asia-Pacific |
SARS
lands SNU singers in Bahamas
Nassau—Southern Nazarene University’s “University Singers"
planned to travel to Taiwan for concerts during the final weeks of May.
However, with the SARS epidemic affecting much of the world, the trip
was canceled.
With one door closing, another quickly opened.
Under
the direction of Professor Philip Miller, the 17-voice choir from SNU
accepted the invitation to visit Nassau, Bahamas. "It was God's hand
that brought us to the Bahamas and we did more than sing," proclaimed
a member of the group. The choir sang in six public schools, four church
services, two revival services, an orphanage, and as a grand-finale gave
a three-hour concert at Nassau Central Church of the Nazarene. In addition
to singing, the group spoke to Bahamian youth and taught some public school
classes, testifying to God's love everywhere. The Caribbean Region was
honored to host the group, with one official saying, “The world
may be frustrated by a virus, but God's transforming love will overcome
any obstacle.”
--Nazarene Caribbean Communication Office
For information on Caribbean Nazarene Theological College’s commencement, see the 2003 Commencement Report page by clicking here: http://www.ncnnews.org/grad.html
| Eurasia Region News |
For information on the Eurasia Region, visit www.nazareneworldmission.org
| MAC in Touch – MAC Region (Mexico/Central America) News |
Evangelism
coordinators meet in Guatemala
Guatemala City—May 5-8, nine Coordinators of Evangelism hailing
from seven countries on the MAC Region converged in Guatemala. Their objective
in these meetings was to train 50 pastors and 12 district superintendents
in the evangelistic strategy for the Region, as well as discuss what had
been done on their fields throughout the past six months, in addition
to plans for the future.
The coordinators reported 151 evangelism workshops were held in seven countries, with nearly all 36 districts represented. Thanks to the JESUS Film, 47 churches were planted in January and February alone.
All of this contributes toward the MAC Region's goal of planting 500 new churches this year, a goal which cannot be achieved without prayer, strategizing, and training.
| --MAC Region |
| South America Region News |
For information on the South America Region, please visit their web site: www.samnazarene.org
| USA/Canada Report |
MVNU
alumnus inducted into Ohio Hall of Excellence
Columbus—Papua New Guinea missionary doctor and Mount Vernon Nazarene
University alumnus James D. Radcliffe was recently inducted into the Ohio
Hall of Excellence at a ceremony held in Columbus, Ohio. This prestigious
honor is chosen from the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges. Since
1950, the OFIC has functioned as the primary corporate solicitation organization
and advocate for Ohio’s independent colleges and universities. It
is governed by a board of trustees made up of its 35-member college presidents
and key corporate community leaders.
In 1987, OFIC established the Hall of Excellence Award to honor outstanding alumni on an annual basis. Radcliffe’s induction marks the first time a MVNU alumnus has been chosen.
Radcliffe
and his wife Kathy have served as medical missionaries since 1985 at the
Nazarene Hospital in Kudjip, Papua New Guinea. Radcliffe began his work
in PNG after graduating from The Ohio State University College of Medicine
and now serves as Medical Superintendent of the Nazarene Hospital as well
as physician and surgeon. Jim and Kathy also orient new missionaries and
train national staff and doctors, as well as volunteers from the United
States and other countries in medical mission work. During furloughs,
Radcliffe has taught at MVNU as missionary in residence.
--NCN News
“Legendary”
Owens receives Prime Time award
Olathe—Marge Jantz Owens, evangelist and noted Prime Time retreat
leader, was given a special Prime Time Award May 11, 2003 at the College
Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, Kansas, honoring the work she has contributed
to the Prime Time Ministry program of the General Church of the Nazarene.
Derl Keefer, general director of Prime Time Ministries, commented in the morning worship service that Owens has demonstrated a servant’s heart for over 50 years. “After crisscrossing highways and byways of the United States sharing Jesus as an evangelist, she was determined to make a mark for Jesus with the prime time agers in the Church of the Nazarene by giving her time and energy to the Prime Time Retreats (formerly NIROGA).” Keefer speaks of Owens’ retreats as “legendary.” “A servant senses the needs of others…empathizes with people who hurt…reaches out to those searching for answers to life and intercedes for those needing a voice in their need…all which typifies Marge Owens.”
David Graves, Director of Sunday School Ministries gave Owens a bronze sculpture of a towel and basin from the Christian Home Gallery of Colorado Springs engraved with her name.
For more information on Prime Time Ministries, click here: www.nazarene.org/ssm/adult/primetime/index.html
| --Prime Time Ministries |
| Headquarters Headlines |
New
contact information for General Treasurer’s office
Kansas City—The General Treasurer's Office has added a toll-free
number to provide increased access and enhanced service to constituents.
The new toll-free number is 1-866-624-3092. If calling from the Kansas
City Metro area the regular number, (816) 333-7000 ext. 2222, should be
used.
--General Treasurer’s Office
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 www.nazarene.org.
A drop-down box will list all the sites available for your surfing pleasure.
Visit us often!
NMI
Prayer Mobilization Line:
www.nazarenemissions.org/pml
NCN
Video Features
Currently on the www.ncnnews.org
web site, you’ll find the following video features for viewing.
Revivalism—An
in-depth look at how a revival dramatically changed the lives of Steve
and Melissa Jones.
Hialeah—Calling this story “touching” and “inspirational”
is not doing this story justice. Find out why this incredible Compassionate
Ministry elicits comments from those it helps like, “There is a
God, and I’ve met Him here,” “I don’t care why
they come here, as long as they come,” and “I’m not
leaving here, because God has sent me here to change.”
PALCON 2004 – An in-depth look at the PALCON (Pastors and
Leadership Conference) ’04 event. Also featured on this segment
is exclusive footage of the May tornadoes that hit the Kansas City area,
and the story of what churches are doing to help their communities.
NYC Preparation–A look at the preparation and prayer emphasis
NYI is utilizing for Nazarene Youth Conference 2003 in Houston, Texas.
“Jesus in Me”—The new “Connecting A New
Generation: A Decadal Emphasis on Children and Youth” video.
NCN
Contact Information
To comment, report news, or for more information about NCN News, please
contact our office at:
E-mail: NCNNews@nazarene.org
Web: www.ncnnews.org
Phone: 816-333-7000 x2773
FAX: 816-333-1748
Nazarene
Collegiate News
For Nazarene Collegiate News, Sports, and Educational Links, please visit
the Collegiate News page simply by clicking on the following link: http://www.ncnnews.org/college.html
The
preceding information may be used in newsletters and
bulletins.. For more information or to report stories, contact
Nazarene Communications Network News.
VOICE:
(816) 333-7000, extension 2303
FAX: (816) 333-1748
E-MAIL: ncnnews@ncnnews.com
MAIL: 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131
For
more information on the Church of the Nazarene, please
visit
our home page on the World Wide Web at http://www.nazarene.org
. We
welcome your comments and suggestions.
SUBSCRIPTION
INFORMATION:
The NCN Global Weekly Summary is available by e-mail free of charge.
To send us your news, please go to http://www.ncnnews.org/sendnews.html
or send it to ncnnews@ncnnews.com.
TO
SUBSCRIBE OR UNSUBSCRIBE:
Please visit http://www.ncnnews.org/subscribe.html.
Simply fill out and submit the form.
TO
SUBSCRIBE TO THE TEXT ONLY VERSION:
Please visit http://www.ncnnews.org/subtext.html.
Simply fill out and submit the form.
FOR
TECHNICAL SUPPORT:
Please visit http://www.ncnnews.org/support.html.
Simply fill out and submit the form.
Thank you, and enjoy the service!