Longtime evangelist J. C. (Jim) Crabtree passes away

Springfield, Ohio-J. C. (Jim) Crabtree, an evangelist in the Church of the Nazarene for 65 years, passed away Friday, November 10. He was 81.

Crabtree preached his first revival at the age of 16. The late Dr. H. Orton Wiley, renowned Nazarene educator, preacher, and theologian, referred to Crabtree as "The Theologian Evangelist." He held a doctorate degree in theology and the doctorate of letters degree was conferred on him for his writings in theology.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Esther; two daughters, Karen (Jack) Baker and Karla (Joseph) Brumfield; and one grandson, Joshua Predovich.
--Revivalism Ministries

Back to top

MVNU honors two alumni with Medallion Awards

Mount Vernon, Ohio-Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) named Kevin Brunk (Class of 1988) and Scott Gray (Class of 1977) Medallion Award recipients, the highest honor an MVNU alumnus can earn. They received their awards during a special Homecoming chapel service on Friday, November 10.

Medallions are awarded annually to one clergy and one lay alumnus/alumna of MVNU who exhibit outstanding professional achievements and selfless church and community service. These recipients exemplify MVNU's motto, "To seek to learn is to seek to serve."

Kevin Brunk ('88)
Kevin Brunk grew up in Lima, Ohio. After graduating from MVNU in 1988, he taught mathematics for two years, during which he married Joan Sharpes ('86). He felt God leading him into full-time ministry as a missionary and so he and Joan attended Nazarene Theological Seminary to obtain their master's degrees. While there, he worked for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries as a computer specialist.

The Brunks were then appointed as global missionaries to South America as the administrative assistants to the regional director. He served first in Ecuador where their two sons, Jacob and Gabriel, were born. Later, Kevin assisted the regional team as they transitioned the regional office to Argentina. Their daughter, Ana, was born there.

In 1997, World Mission transferred the Brunks to the Philippines. Kevin served nine years in Manila as the regional finance coordinator as well as regional evangelism coordinator, Work & Witness coordinator, partnership coordinator, and Sunday School Ministries coordinator for the Asia-Pacific Region. Recently, they have helped the regional team move the office to Singapore, where they now reside and interact with people from all parts of the world.

Scott Gray ('77)
Scott Gray graduated from MVNU in 1977 with a degree in psychology. While here, he met and married Cynthia Skidmore ('78). He graduated from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry, joined the Air Force, and graduated from a one-year residency program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, in Dayton, Ohio. After assignments in Wyoming and Guam, he started his second residency and graduated from the two-year program at Wilford Hall Medical Center in Texas.

With a varied dental career as a clinician, researcher, teacher, and administrator, Scott achieved the distinction of a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry. He has held academic appointments at military and civilian teaching institutions and has lectured nationally. He culminated his career as a colonel in the Air Force and commander of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Dental Squadron. During his career, he was selected as the Junior Dental Officer of the Year by the largest command in the Air Force and served in consulting capacities for military and civilian institutions. In 2005, he was selected as one of "America's Top Dentists" by the Consumers' Research Council of America. Upon retirement, Scott purchased a practice in Englewood, Ohio, and is active in the Dayton Dental Association.

Scott has a passion for Christ, the Church of the Nazarene, and missions. He has served as a church board member in five different churches, and Sunday School superintendent in three different churches. He has sung in church choirs and played his trombone in church orchestras. He regularly volunteers at Target Dayton, an inner-city mission for the homeless. He has taken numerous humanitarian trips to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Dominica, providing dental care to the local population. He currently serves as a trustee of MVNU. The Grays have two daughters, Lindsey ('05) and Lauren ('06).
--MVNU (Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Scott Gray and Kevin Brunk's parents, Violet and Alden Brunk, on his behalf.)

Back to top

One district-one year-344 new churches

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia-At the Horn of Africa Field's South Central District Assembly held in late October, the district celebrated planting 344 new churches in a single year and reported nearly 1,100 pastors in training. Jurisdictional General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf ordained four Nazarenes and dedicated the new district center during the assembly.

More than 800 attended the assembly, many of whom spent the night sleeping on the ground awaiting the event's opening. Sadly, more than 200 delegates and 5 pastors were not able to attend because of violence in their respective areas.

The district also started a new district during the assembly. The goal of the new district is to have 100 new churches this coming year, and the goal of the South Central District is to plant 1,000 more churches in the next year.
--Terry Barker, JESUS film coordinator, Africa Region

Back to top

NCN News Briefs for November 17, 2006

• Madeline and General Superintendent Emeritus Raymond W. Hurn wish to express gratitude for the many prayers for Dr. Hurn since his diagnosis of metastasized bone disease (bone cancer). Greetings can be sent to the Hurns at: 17500 West 119th St. #1101, Olathe, KS, 66061. Continued prayer is appreciated.

Editor's Note

Due to the U.S. Thanksgiving holidays next week, there will be no November 24 edition of NCN News. We will resume our regular schedule December 1. In the event of breaking news, stories will be posted on www.ncnnews.com. We wish you a happy, safe, and blessed holiday.
--NCN News Staff

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma KOPX (formerly PAX-TV)
Wednesday 11/15: 4:30 P.M.
Sunday 11/19: 4:30 P.M.
Wednesday 11/22: 4:30 P.M.
Sunday 11/26: 4:30 P.M.
--NCN News

Back to top