| Global Weekly Summary |
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June
25, 2004 Global
News This Week
Former
ENC president given Mother Teresa Award Hill is a graduate of Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) and former president of Eastern Nazarene College (ENC). Hill served as commencement speaker for ENC this spring, shortly before receiving this prestigious award. “I am honored by this recognition from the NAAC and the members of the Albanian Diaspora which highlights the many USAID development and reconciliation projects at work in the Balkans,” said Hill. “I want to give particular credit to hundreds of my USAID colleagues, both United States citizens and citizens of the region, and our partners like the NAAC, who are working hard to rebuild this troubled part of the world.” Hill assumed his duties as Assistant Administrator in 2001 and oversees USAID programs in countries from the Balkans to Central Asia, including the former Soviet Union. Before coming to USAID, Hill served as the president of ENC from 1992 to 2001. Prior to that, he was the president of the Institute on Religion and Democracy from 1986 to 1992. From 1980 to 1986, he taught history at Seattle Pacific University. In addition to being a graduate of NNU, Hill has a master’s degree in Russian Studies and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Washington in Seattle. He is a noted authority on human rights and religious freedom. The National Albanian American Council is a not-for-profit
organization dedicated to advocating for Albanians and promoting peace
and economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic policy,
promoting peace and economic development in the Balkans by fostering democratic
policy, promoting respect for human rights and conducting educational
and developmental programs.
Region
creates Work and Witness manual Through this system, volunteers combine their spiritual gifts and talents to create a holistic ministry team. In the past, Work and Witness coordinators provided teams from the United States with at least some interaction with local church people, but this new 46-page plan enables the team to prepare spiritually, organize the details of their trip, and use their spiritual giftedness in a variety of ways before and during the trip.
Chicago
Central celebrates centennial The Celebration service at Chicago First not only commemorated that congregation’s centennial, but the fact that the district itself was organized at the site of the old Chicago First Church of the Nazarene on Chicago’s south side. This historic church, now pastored by Kevin Ulmet, was recognized during the celebration for its longevity as well as for its role in starting and sponsoring new churches. The Chicago Central district was organized in 1905 with 11 churches and less than 1000 members. The second Nazarene district to be organized by General Superintendent Phineas Bresee, it followed the Northwest district, which was organized earlier in the same year. Chicago Central’s territory originally covered all United States territory east of the Rocky Mountains, a territory that now boasts more than 40 Nazarene districts and hundreds of thousands of members. Boundaries changed as new districts were organized and, in 1958, Chicago Central’s current boundaries were established. Today, according to Chicago Central Superintendent Brian E. Wilson, the district has 73 organized churches and 9,192 members, with an average morning worship attendance of 8,187. In the Centennial Celebration Service District Superintendent Wilson presented a decadal review of the 100-year history of the district, using the theme “Memories, Milestones, and Mission.” “I am grateful for the memories, inspired by the milestones,” stated Wilson, “but it is to the mission that I must be true.” Wilson stated the mission of the district in the following way: “The Church of the Nazarene is a Great Commission, Great Commandment church in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. The mission of the Chicago Central district is to resource and partner with existing congregations and other districts, in the planting and nurturing of healthy churches. Christians in healthy churches seek to be wholly transformed by the Spirit of Christ, and are passionately committed to making Christ-like Disciples of all peoples.” The Celebration service at Chicago First not only
commemorated that congregation’s centennial, but the fact that the
district was organized in 1905 at the site of the old Chicago First Church
of the Nazarene on Chicago’s south side. This historic church, pastored
by Kevin Ulmet, was recognized for its longevity as well as for its role
in starting and sponsoring new churches. Threat
of electrical outage can’t stop PALCON During the Tuesday morning plenary session, evangelism expert George Hunter shared historical and cultural reasons to explain the failure of many churches in reaching secular people. Hunter described the characteristics of churches that are successful in engaging secular culture and reaching the unchurched. Hunter affirmed that Nazarenes have the theological heritage to reach secular people: “It is Wesley that has taught and modeled the virtue of proactive outreach.” Hunter also stated, "We are not called to change the message, but to change the style. We are not called to change the mission, but we must change our strategies." H.B. London, Jr., vice-president for Focus on the Family, spoke in the Wednesday morning plenary session, pointing out that the demands of ministry should not create hardship for families. He challenged pastors to set and reinforce priorities so that their families don’t take a backseat to the ministry. During the Wednesday evening plenary service, many
prayed at the altar and many gave testimony to a renewal by the Holy Spirit.
The service included a time of anointing led by Holland Lewis. PALCON
will continue next at Eastern Nazarene College from June 28 to July 2,
2004. For more about PALCON, visit the Clergy Development Website at www.nazarenepastor.org. Regional
Resources:
Southern
Baptists elect Bobby Welch as Convention President When asked about his nomination, Welch said, ''I have taken it seriously. I am praying about it. Of course, I love the convention and I love the Lord, and if those two can connect in my life to help reach people for Christ and help people, I'm certainly open to doing that.'' According to TV station WTOK in Meridian, Mississippi, Welch said at a news conference after his election in Indianapolis that he will use his term to promote evangelism because he believes Southern Baptists are declining, judging from a recent drop in baptisms of new members. The Church of the Nazarene has enjoyed a collegial
relationship with all evangelicals regarding evangelism concerns, and
offers congratulations to Welch as he charts the course ahead. Sunday
School Ministries honors Ken and Betty Rice For more than 25 years Dr. and Mrs. Rice advanced the cause of Sunday School and Christian education in the Church of the Nazarene. At the time of his retirement in 1984, Ken Rice had been involved in some form of executive Sunday School leadership for one-third of the denomination’s history. Located on the fourth floor of the Ministries Center at Nazarene Headquarters, what is now known as Rice Conference Room served as Rice’s office during the final portion of his tenure. Recently refurbished by friends and family, it will be used as a conference room and resource center for the Department of Sunday School Ministries. Rice
Conference Room will serve to honor the legacy of Ken Rice’s forward-looking
leadership and Betty Rice’s passionate promotion of Sunday School
ministry throughout the denomination. NMI
Prayer Mobilization Line: On-Line
Pastor's Calendar:
Shine.FM
moves into new ONU showcase studio The new studio affirms the station’s commitment to providing an alternative media message to “Generation Now” and to the education of ONU students studying Communication. While station officials hope to raise funds over the next year to complete the renovations, including equipment and an outside courtyard, the facility already features additional space for studio and academic enhancement. A glass-enclosed showcase studio facing Main Street will allow cars passing by to see a live broadcast. “The new studio is going to give us incredible exposure to the community,” said station manager Bill DeWees. “Thousands … of cars drive past that location … every day, and it exposes us to people who would otherwise never even think about taking us in.” In addition to the showcase studio, a 26-seat SMART classroom — featuring 26 computer workstations — will give Olivet’s Broadcasting students hands-on access to cutting-edge software. Six practicum labs — compared to two in the old studio — will give more students the opportunity and flexibility to complete training and work in the production labs. “The new studio is designed to give students pursuing careers in radio broadcasting the opportunity to have more time and accessibility to the latest equipment and technology,” DeWees said. Shine
89.7 is a 35,000-watt contemporary Christian music station that reaches
throughout Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. For more information, visit
http://shine.fm/.
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