By Lauren Daley, The Standard-Times New Bedford, Massachusetts-The year was 1948 and Manuel Chavier had a mission.
The 26-year-old reverend didn't have a church building - but he had a bullhorn. Standing on the wall of Monte's Playground, Rev. Chavier began preaching.
And people started gathering.
Soon, the young pastor and his 23 parishioners moved to the basement of a house on Pleasant Street. Later, they moved to a church building on Purchase Street, and finally, to what became the New Bedford International Church of the Nazarene on Pleasant Street.
Saturday night, the patriarch of that church, which now has 700 members, died of complications from surgery. He was 84.
"Dad was selfless. He was love," said Rev. Manuel "J.R." Chavier, Jr. of New Bedford.
Besides his son, the Rev. Chavier leaves behind a widow, Elizabeth, a daughter, Ruth Gomes of Virginia, four grandchildren, and five brothers and sisters.
Chavier's wake was held Wednesday, August 16 at the International Church of the Nazarene. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 17 at the church.
The Lincoln, Rhode Island, native was a ministerial student at Gordon College and also a teacher at Normandin Junior High School.
He was remembered Sunday as a man whose legacy is in calming the city during the infamous riots of the 1970s and helping the city's youth, both then and now.
"He had a major role in the riots in the 1970s. He was known for calming and bringing the city to a spirit of oneness," said Emanuel Jr.
"When he saw what was happening in our city, he went cross-cultural."
The Rev. Chavier changed the name of his church from the Portuguese Church of the Nazarene to the International Church of the Nazarene. In doing so, he's widely credited with helping to unite the Portuguese and Cape Verdean communities.
The Rev. Chavier also founded a youth services program that thrives today.
"I was one of the troubled youths in the city of New Bedford. Pastor Chavier changed my life," said Sylvester Silva, 51, of Dartmouth.
When Mr. Silva met Rev. Chavier in 1974, he was a senior in high school "just doing my own thing, on the wrong road."
Today, he is a board member of the International Church of the Nazarene and the ground superintendent for its youth camp.
He spoke with The Standard-Times Sunday via his cell phone from the church's youth camp grounds at Smith Mills in Dartmouth, where some 50 teens were getting ready for evening prayer services.
"I wasn't familiar with the church; I really had no interest. I was going in the wrong direction. One day, a guy I hung out with brought me there, and I've been there ever since."
"The pastor was a father figure to me, because my father passed away when I was in fourth grade. That had a lot to do with the way my life was going. He became a solid father figure. He had enormous respect from the city's young people. We had a beautiful youth group. That kept us going in the right direction."
In 1998, when Rev. Chavier celebrated the 50th anniversary of his church at White's of Westport, he called it a "50-year romance."
"He personified what he said," said Joel Burns, a deacon at the church. "A lot of people say you should live certain ways, but he practiced what he preached."
"His life spoke," agreed Mr. Silva. "You hear a lot of people tell you what to do; he walked the walk."
Editor's Notes: Chavier was also a longtime member of the board of trustees for Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts.
A decorated veteran, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II as a master sergeant, participating in the battles and campaigns of the Rhineland and Central Europe. Chavier was the recipient of the Bronze Star medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater campaign medal, the American Theater medal, the Good Conduct medal, and the World War II Victory medal.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the International Church of the Nazarene Community Center Fund, 284 Pleasant St., New Bedford, MA, 02740.
--article.jsp?id=2579">read more
"Today's Family" Church of the Nazarene segment to air in Des Moines
Kansas City-The Platinum Television Group's program "Today's Family" will air its segment highlighting the work of the Church of the Nazarene twice in August in the Des Moines/Ames, Iowa area. Dates and times are as follows (all times local): Des Moines-Ames KFPX PAX-TV
Saturday, August 26 - 4:30 PM
Wednesday, August 30 - 4:30 PM
--NCN News
Kansas City-The Board of General Superintendents joins all people who are deeply disturbed by the violence and bloodshed in our world. The number of militaristic hot spots has grown to include millions of our planet's citizens. We deplore the loss of human life, the destruction of property, and the enormous toll in human suffering exacted by the intransigence of warring parties.
Haifa, Israel-Jerusalem-based Eastern Mediterranean Field Coordinators Lindell and Kay Browning report the Haifa, Israel Nazarene congregation experienced a frightening moment during a Sunday worship service recently. The congregation decided to meet on Sunday, August 6 since the service the previous week had been a great encouragement. In the midst of the service, however, the loud blast of an exploding missile shook the building. People began to cry and scream; one person fainted. Worshipers rushed home to check on the safety of their families. All were safe, but two of the three people who died that night were killed in the explosion that hit only 400 yards from the church. As soon as the roads cleared, Pastor Boutros and his wife, Ramona, headed back to Nazareth where the rest of their family was staying. 
Columbia, South Carolina-Edward L. "Eddie" Estep was appointed to the office of district superintendent of the South Carolina District. The action was taken by Jurisdictional Superintendent Paul G. Cunningham with approval by the Board of General Superintendents and in consultation with the South Carolina District Advisory Council. The effective date is September 14.