June 4, 2004
Volume 0422
Senior Editor: Dr. David J. Felter
Managing Editor: Chad E. Schnarr

Global News This Week
Main Menu
Go directly to selected regional news by clicking on underlined headline. If technical difficulties occur, the entire document may be viewed by clicking on the Global News Summary option on www.ncnnews.org.
Click on any of the graphics below to view this week's photo page.

Top Stories
    - Strong start for PALCON
    - M. Louise Jenkins, 1913-2004
    - Alberta hosts SoloCon Canada
    - PLNU debate team wins national championship
Collegiate News
    - 2004 Commencement Report
NCN Contact Information
    - To comment, report news, or for more information about NCN News, please contact our office.

Strong start for PALCON
ONU hosts opening conference, May 24-28
Bourbonnais—Nearly 500 pastors and church leaders from the Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) Region came together for a time of renewal, refreshment, reinvigoration, and reaffirmation of God’s ministerial call during the first of nine PALCON events to be held throughout this summer.

According to attendees, the conference theme, “Encountering the Glory of God,” was felt in worship services, workshops, fellowship times, and prayer sessions. “This was a significant time for our pastors and district leaders,” reported Tom Nees, USA/Canada Mission/Evangelism director. ”More came than we expected, and many people stayed long after nightly worship services concluded.”

During the opening service, General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf proclaimed, “Our hope and competence does not originate in us or our abilities, but in the triumphant adequacy of Jesus Christ, and Christ alone! God wants to do more in us than we can imagine.” Middendorf’s remarks underscored the focus of the five-day event.

“From the beginning, PALCON has been bathed in prayer,” reported Mike Stipp, PALCON coordinator. “People and churches from across the country have prayed with and for our pastors. It is amazing how everything is coming together to provide a significant time of encounter with God. We extend grateful thanks to Olivet Nazarene University and College Church for hosting our first event.”

During the Wednesday morning service, Wilbur Brannon, Neil Wiseman, and Ron Blake received achievement awards for their work and support of PALCON since its inception many years ago.

Plenary and evening worship sessions were led by Janine Metcalf, pastor of El Cajon, California Church of the Nazarene; Norm Henry, clinical psychologist; H.B. London, vice president for Focus on the Family; Neil Wiseman, author and former Nazarene educator; George Hunter, evangelism expert; Kennon Callahan, church growth specialist; Harold Ivan Smith, author and speaker on grief issues; Sam Vassel, pastor of Bronx, New York Bethany Church of the Nazarene; and Tim Stearman, pastor of Denver, Colorado First Church of the Nazarene. Several of these speakers will be featured at future PALCON events.

Eight more PALCONs are scheduled across the United States and Canada throughout the summer. For more information, visit the Clergy Development Website at www.nazarenepastor.org. An order form for workshop sessions and worship services is also available online.
--Clergy Services

M. Louise Jenkins, 1913-2004
Leawood—M. Louise Jenkins, wife of former General Superintendent Orville W. Jenkins, passed away Monday, May 31, 2004, at Good Samaritan Center, Olathe, Kansas. She was 90.

Mrs. Jenkins was born December 14, 1913, to Walter and Alice Cantrell in El Centro, California. She lived her early life in California, Arizona, and Oklahoma, before attending Pasadena College (now Point Loma Nazarene University) in Pasadena, California, where she graduated Suma Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

In 1939, she married Orville W. Jenkins, a minister in the Church of the Nazarene. Together, they served pastoral assignments in Dinuba, California, Fresno, California, Topeka, Kansas, Salem, Oregon, and Kansas City as well as district superintendent assignments in West Texas and Kansas City. Orville W. Jenkins then served 17 years as general superintendent for the International Church of the Nazarene with assignments all over the world before retiring in 1985.

Mrs. Jenkins is survived by her husband Orville, of 64 years; son Orville Jr. and wife Nancy Jenkins, Jacksonville, Florida; daughter Jan and husband John Calhoun, Concord, Calirfornia; daughter Jeanne and husband David Hubbs, Olathe, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Tyler, Travis, Patrick, and Whitney Jenkins, Chrystina and husband Jayce Fincher, Chad and Ryan Calhoun, and Trisha and David Hubbs II; two great-grandchildren, Holden and Cashman Fincher; brother Grady and wife Dorothy Cantrell, Boise, Idaho; sister Fay and husband Eugene Stowe, Surprise, Arizona; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Otty, Gene, and Jack, and sisters Floy Gillliland and Verna Moore.

Funeral services were held Thursday, June 3 at the Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene. Memorial contributions may be made to the 90th Anniversary Project, Books for Pastors, through the Nazarene World Mission International. For information on this project, visit the following web site: http://www.nazarenemissions.org/giving/90thanniversary.htm
--NCN News

Alberta hosts SoloCon Canada
Olds—The May long weekend saw a number of Canadian singles gathered in Olds, Alberta for the annual SoloCon Canada, a regional retreat for single adults under the direction of the Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Chris Lewis, from Glasgow, Scotland, not only provided inspirational messages, he gave the event a truly international flair. The SoloCon movement is gaining momentum across the nation. Jean Schwetz has served as SoloCon Canada director for the past five years. Val Friesen will be the new director. Schwetz will continue with her presence at future events while providing mentoring guidance to the new leadership.

According to Schwetz, “Many singles accepted Christ into their lives and many others made decisions of recommitment. The inspirational messages of Lewis were a big hit with event participants.” Schwetz continued, “A highlight was the burning of the ‘God Bags,’ a small paper sack in which you place a list of things you want to turn over to God.” SoloCon Canada concluded with the celebration of Holy Communion on Sunday. The celebrant was Canada West Assistant District Superintendent Larry Dahl.

One single commented, "I have never felt so accepted in a group like this group. I look forward to attending next year." Singles from across the denomination are invited to attend next spring, in Olds, Alberta.

Single adults of all ages and walks of life attend SoloCon. Those who are divorced, never-married, or widowed all share and learn together. Approximately 1,250 single adults attend SoloCons throughout the United States and Canada each year.

SoloCon incorporates small groups, recreation, music, challenging speakers, and a wide range of activities. Each activity is designed to help participants find and develop their spiritual gifts, receive support from other single adults whose life experiences reflect their own, and form lasting relationships. SoloCon emphasizes spiritual and personal growth as well as building friendships with other single adults.

For more information on SoloCon, please visit www.solocon.org.
-SoloCon

PLNU debate team wins national championship
San Diego—This year's final rankings by the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) put Point Loma Nazarene University's (PLNU) debate team in the number one spot among colleges and universities participating in intercollegiate parliamentary debate. This is the second year the PLNU team has been named yearlong sweepstakes national champions. PLNU's debate program has finished among the top five in each of the last seven years.

"This is a squad-wide honor that recognizes excellence in all three divisions of competition throughout the year," said Skip Rutledge, director of forensics and associate professor of communications and theater.

The National Championship Tournament was held in April in California. More than 300 two person teams competed from over 100 schools, including international entries from China and some Eastern European republics.

Earlier in the year, the San Diego Union-Tribune featured PLNU's speech and debate program, calling the team "giants."
--PLNU

2004 Commencement Report
NCN News is pleased to bring you the following commencement information from Nazarene Colleges and Universities. Please note that all information listed is what has been received by June 4, 2004. Schools wishing to send their information for publication may send it to NCNNews@nazarene.org.

Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary
President: Hitoshi (Paul) Fukue
Location: Rizal, Philippines
Dates of graduation exercises: April 3, 2004
Commencement Speaker: Donald Owens
Number of graduates: 22
Fast Facts: The 22 graduates included four ordained women and five ordained men and represented five countries: Korea, Myanmar, Philippines, United States, and Papua New Guinea … 12 graduates earned master of divinity degrees … graduates included not only members of the Church of the Nazarene, but those from the Wesleyan Church, Free Methodist Church, Rainbow Mission, Faith Fellowship-OMS, Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, and the Church of God Prophecy.

Caribbean Nazarene Theological College
President: Scoffield E. Eversley
Location: Santa Cruz, Trinidad, W.I.
Date of graduation exercises: May 22, 2004
Commencement Speaker: Wenton Fyne, pastor and CEO of the Brooklyn, New York Beulah Church of the Nazarene
Honorary degrees: Rosa Lee, pastor of Beacon Light Church of the Nazarene in Antigua and previous Leeward/Virgin Islands district superintendent, received an honorary doctor of divinity degree.
Number of graduating seniors: 24
Fast Facts: Five of the 24 graduates earned a master of arts in Counseling … Lee has been involved in various aspects of ministry for nearly 65 years … Missionary and Academic Dean Anthony Manswell presided over the ceremonies.

Eastern Nazarene College
President: David McClung
Location: Quincy, Massachusetts
Dates of graduation exercises: May 15, 2004
Commencement Speaker: Kent R. Hill, former ENC president and assistant administrator for Europe and Eurasia, United States Agency for International Development.
Honorary degrees: Charles Thompson, Virginia district superintendent, received an honorary doctor of divinity; Glen Keyes, former professor at ENC, received an honorary doctor of science degree.
Number of graduating seniors: 210
Fast Facts: ENC granted President Emeritus status to Kent R. Hill ... This was ENC’s 82nd Spring Commencement … ENC’s 2004 graduating class represented at least 12 countries, including the Congo, India, Kenya, and Russia/Ukraine

European Nazarene College
Rector: Corlis McGee
Location: Büsingen, Switzerland
Dates of graduation exercises: June 7-8, 2004
Number of graduates: 10

Japan Christian Junior College
President: Shimpei Matsumoto
Location: Chiba Shi, Japan
Number of graduates: 15

Korea Nazarene University
President: William Patch
Location: Seoul, South Korea
Number of graduates: 414
Fast Facts: This was the largest graduating class in KNU history … KNU enrollment is now approaching the 5000 mark … 388 of 414 earned undergraduate degrees, including those from the departments of Rehabilitation (87), Social Welfare and Child Studies (76), Theology (57), International English, Business Management and Administration (57), Music (41), and Special Education (33) … 17 of 26 post-graduate degrees earned were in Theology, eight in Rehabilitation and Social Welfare, and one in Education.

Melanesia Nazarene Bible College
Principal: William Swesey
Location: Mt. Hagen, WHP, Papua New Guinea
Most recent graduation exercises: November 29, 2003
Number of graduates: 60
Fast Facts: This was the largest graduating class in the history of MNBC.

MidAmerica Nazarene University
President: Richard Spindle
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Dates of graduation exercises: May 1-2, 2004
Commencement Speaker: Keith M. Wright, Kansas City district superintendent, Larry Campbell, state representative from Kansas.
Honorary degrees: Connie Cunningham, wife of General Superintendent Paul Cunningham, was presented with an honorary doctor of humane letters degree; Joe Lee Tompkins, pastor of the Carthage, Missouri Church of the Nazarene, was presented with an honorary doctor of divinity degree.
Total graduates: 592
Fast Facts: The Cunninghams were instrumental in bringing Olathe College Church to where it is today … Tompkins is a member of the MNU Board of Trustees … Olathe, Kansas Mayor Michael Copeland was presented with the Distinguished Community Service Award by Spindle … MNU alumnus Charles Sciolaro was presented with a Citation of Merit award. Dr. Sciolaro serves as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at three hospitals in the Kansas City area.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University
President: LeBron Fairbanks
Location: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Dates of graduation exercises: May 22, 2004
Commencement Speaker: Peter Kuzmic, evangelical scholar and professor of World Missions and European Studies at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
Honorary degrees: Harold Graves, Jr., Northeast Oklahoma district superintendent, received an honorary doctor of divinity; Carlton Hansen, Southwest Ohio district superintendent, received an honorary doctor of divinity.
Total graduates: 635
Fast Facts: The undergraduate class represented 39 different majors, 15 states, and one other country (Jamaica) … Graves, Jr. also received an honorary doctorate of divinity from Southern Nazarene University.

Nazarene Bible College
President: Hiram E. Sanders
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Dates of graduation exercises: May 30, 2004
Commencement Speaker: General Superintendent W. Talmadge Johnson
Number of graduates: 73
Fast Facts: This is the 36th Commencement of NBC … During the Convocation, each of the 73 graduates, in turn, held the NBC torch and gave a statement of personal testimony and commitment to what they believe God has called them to do … Traditionally, a dramatic presentation of the apostles, which was originally written by Audrey Williamson, wife of former General Superintendent G. B. Williamson, takes place in the Apostle’s Court on the NBC campus … Jonathon Carnes, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene at Sanford, Florida, received the NBC Alumnus of the Year award.

Nazarene Theological College—Australia
President: Bruce Allder
Location: Thornlands, Queensland, Australia
Most recent graduation exercises: November, 2003
Number of graduates: 9
Fast Facts: Of the nine graduates, six received an advanced diploma of ministry, two a bachelor of ministry, and one, Belinda Allder, a graduate diploma in Christian Studies … Allder was the school’s first recipient of the graduate diploma in Christian Studies. Allder has been recommended by the Australian National Board for appointment as a regional missionary intern.

Nazarene Theological Seminary
President: Ron Benefiel
Location: Kansas City, Missouri
Dates of graduation exercises: May 9, 2004
Commencement Speaker: Jerry D. Lambert, education commissioner of the International Board of Education for the Church of the Nazarene.
Number of graduates: 72
Fast Facts: This is the 58th Commencement for NTS … Lambert is an SNU alumnus, SNU honorary doctor of divinity degree recipient, and graduate from the Harvard University Institute for the Management of Lifelong Education … The 2004 class represented seven countries: United States, Canada, India, Korea, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia … Master of arts degrees were earned in Theological Studies (6), Missiology (4), and Christian Education (8), while 46 earned a master of divinity degree and eight graduates earned a doctor of ministry degree.

Northwest Nazarene University
President: Richard A. Hagood
Location: Nampa, Idaho
Dates of graduation exercises: May 15, 2004
Commencement Speaker: Larry Craig, senator from Idaho
Honorary degrees: Larry Craig received a doctor of laws degree
Number of graduates: 408
Fast Facts: Craig was recognized for meritorious service as an elected official of Idaho and for his support and dedication to families, children, and communities.
More information on NNU's graduation will be available next week.

Olivet Nazarene University
President: John C. Bowling
Location: Bourbonnais, Illinois
Dates of graduation exercises: May 8, 2004
Commencement Speaker: Lloyd John Ogilvie, retired United States Senate chaplain
Honorary degrees: Donald Bell, chairman of the board and CEO of Security Savings Bank in Olathe, Kansas, received an honorary doctor of letters degree; Luther Watson, staff pastor at College Church of the Nazarene in Bourbonnais, received an honorary doctor of divinity degree.
Number of graduates:1,242
Fast Facts: Of the 1,242 graduates, 388 were traditional undergrads. …This is ONU’s 91st annual Commencement … Ogilvie, who served as commencement speaker for MidAmerica Nazarene University last year, opened the Senate each day with prayer from 1995 until his retirement in 2003, and could also be found in Senate Bible study and prayer groups, in weekly Senate prayer breakfasts, and in conversations about moral and spiritual issues with senators during his tenure… Bell is a 1953 ONU graduate. Bell gave the first $1 million gift to Olivet in its history and has established two student scholarship funds. He is a member of Olivet’s Foundation Board, the MidAmerica Nazarene University Board of Trustees and the Christian Community Foundation of Kansas City. Bell, also a U.S. Army veteran, has served as minister of music at several churches, including congregations in Pasadena, California, and Detroit, Michigan ... Watson, a 1948 Olivet alumnus, began his college studies in 1939 at “Old Olivet” in Olivet, Ill., when fire destroyed that campus and paved the way for the move to Bourbonnais. He has pastored Nazarene churches in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, and Illinois, and has served on Olivet’s Board of Trustees and Alumni Association Board and on the Mount Vernon Nazarene University Board of Trustees. He is also a United States Marine Corps veteran who earned a World War II medal of honor … Graduate and Cadet Stephenie Loferski, a Bradley native, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps. Cadets Sean Tinklenberg and Ben Kayser were commissioned as second lieutenants in the infantry. Each new lieutenant publicly executed the oath of office, swearing them into the United States Army as commissioned officers.

PNG Nazarene College of Nursing (Melanesia)
Director: Wallace White Kintok
Location: Mt. Hagen, WHP, Papua New Guinea
Number of graduates: 16

Point Loma Nazarene University
President: Bob Brower
Location: San Diego, California
Dates of graduation exercises: May 15-18, 2004
Commencement Speakers: A. Patrick Allen, PLNU provost and chief academic officer (undergraduate convocation); Darrel R. Falk, PLNU associate provost for research and dean of Graduate and Continuing Education (graduate convocation)
Honorary degrees: Ronald P. Benefiel, president of Nazarene Theological Seminary and former PLNU sociology professor, received the doctor of letters degree; Melvin F. Rich, Central California district superintendent and a member of PLNU’s board of directors, received the doctor of divinity degree; George A. Fermanian, a San Diego developer and businessman who established PLNU’s Fermanian Business Center, received the doctor of laws degree.
Number of graduates: 684
Fast Facts: Ninety-four of the 684 graduates were graduate students … Two years after it was launched, PLNU’s master of business administration program conferred its first 15 graduates … Largest majors of graduates were Business Administration (66), Liberal Studies (64), Psychology (51), and Nursing (43) … 41 graduate students received a master of arts in education.

Southern Nazarene University
President: Loren Gresham
Location: Bethany, Oklahoma
Dates of graduation exercises: May 15, 2004
Commencement Speaker: Richard Spindle, president of MidAmerica Nazarene University
Honorary degrees: David J. Felter, editor in chief of Holiness Today magazine, received an honorary doctor of divinity; Harold Graves, Jr., Northeast Oklahoma district superintendent received an honorary doctor of divinity.
Number of graduates: 450
Fast Facts: In addition to serving as editor in chief of Holiness Today, Felter serves as general editor for the Church of the Nazarene, as well as senior editor for NCN News … Graves, Jr. also received an honorary doctor of divinity from Mount Vernon Nazarene University.

Trevecca Nazarene University
President: Millard Reed
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Dates of graduation exercises: May 8, 2004
Commencement Speaker: Tim Green, TNU chaplain and dean of the School of Religion.
Honorary degrees: Larry D. Dennis, Central Florida district superintendent, and J. Emory Lindsey, a retired pastor, both received doctor of divinity degrees.
Number of graduates: 701
Fast Facts: Trevecca is ending its 103rd year with a record number of graduates for the school … TNU has a long-standing tradition of utilizing commencement speakers from the TNU community … Dennis is a 1971 graduate of TNU and received his master’s from Olivet Nazarene University. Dennis served as pastor in Ohio, Texas, and Florida … Lindsey left TNU in 1950 to conduct a tent revival in Georgia. He stayed in Georgia and was asked to pastor the church that grew out of that revival, and he served in that position until he retired in 1997. Lindsey is affectionately known as the “country pastor.”

Nazarene Global Educational Links:
http://www.ncnnews.org/edlinks.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 2773
FAX: (816) 333-1748
E-MAIL: ncnnews@ncnnews.com
WEB: www.ncnnews.org
MAIL: 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131
To send us your news, please go to http://www.ncnnews.org/sendnews.html or send it to ncnnews@ncnnews.com.

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 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!