With worship leader Melinda Priest at the podium, the energy and community that marked the service was simply and unmistakably, General Assembly.

Transcription

1 27th General Assembly & Conventions DAILY SUMMARY Thursday June 25, 2009 Issue Two TODAY AT A GLANCE NazKidz Registration 7:30 AM 6:30 PM NazKidz General Convention 8:00 AM, 1:30 PM NYI Business Session 1 8:00 AM 10:00 AM NYI Global Bible Quizzing 8:00 AM 6:00 PM 27th General Assembly opens with energetic praise With the pounding percussion of drums and the colorful presentation of the flags from 155 world areas, attendees to the first worship service of the 27th General Assembly and Conventions were treated to an extravaganza of sight and sound. The powerful presentation of the themes of worship for the first service hinted at the tone of the services to follow. The audience was engaged in spectacular fashion with people standing on their seats to see the worship of thousands of fellow Nazarenes. With worship leader Melinda Priest at the podium, the energy and community that marked the service was simply and unmistakably, General Assembly. NMI Business Session 1 9:00 AM 10:00 AM Developing his theme, Middendorf continued: KidzFirst Zone 9:00 AM 9:00 PM Global Celebration: SDMI 10:30 AM 12:00 PM Regional Feature: Asia-Pacific 1:30 PM 2:00 PM Regional Feature: Eurasia 2:05 PM 2:35 PM NYI Business Session 2 3:00 PM 5:30 PM Regional Feature: Caribbean 3:50 PM 4:20 PM Worship Service 7:00 PM 8:30 PM NCPA Family and Friends 9:00 PM 10:30 PM See your Event Directory for a full schedule and locations. As Nazarenes, coming from near and far, we are not defined by a place. Even the flags that line this platform are not our ultimate sources of identity. We take justifiable pride in our homelands and honor the leaders of our nations. But we are not defined by a place even a place called Nazareth. We are defined by a Person. We are followers of Jesus, the Nazarene. We are The Church of the Nazarene." Exhibit Hall 9:00 AM 6:00 PM NMI Business Session 2 2:40 PM 3:40 PM "While we are here, some of us will transform communities. We will paint homes, clean up cluttered lots, clear away debris, and embrace the broken and the hurting. We will share a meal with a child, give hope to a lonely adult, and play ball with a struggling teenager. With one heart and many hands, we will make a difference in Orlando. We re a chosen generation we are the army of the Lord pushed the decibels of worship to new highs. Singing to a call and response offered by worship leader Marvin Jones, the audience vigorously called back their response of affirmation and commitment. The introduction of the speaker of the evening, General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf, was enhanced by a colorful photo montage, tracing the history of his ministry. As he introduced his scripture, Middendorf began his message with these words: "We Nazarenes are shaped by the cross. We find our hope in that terrible symbol of suffering and death. We cling to the cross, we sing of the cross, we embrace the cross. But we live in the power of the resurrection. We walk in the Spirit. We cling to the hope that flows from our message that it is the will of God to sanctify us through and through." Middendorf concluded the evening by inviting his fellow general superintendents to join him in a Delegate Charge and Litany of Covenant. The general superintendents spoke their charge and General Superintendent Nina G. Gunter led the audience in faithful response. With over 10,000 in attendance and 5,000 more watching online, the Assembly s first service concluded with a reflective rendition of "Lead me Lord, I will follow."

2 Global Celebration: NMI begins convention worship A new experience this General Convention season is the combined worship of Nazarene Missions International (NMI), Nazarene Youth International (NYI), and Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI). NMI hosted the first of the three Global Celebrations on Wednesday afternoon. A team from Cali, Colombia, led the worship music portion of service, energetically singing in both Spanish and English and encouraging worshipers to join them in song. Global NMI Director Daniel Ketchum reviewed prayer initiatives that will take place in both the NMI Convention and the General Assembly. He then announced, It is time to pray! Participants in the worship service then gathered in prayer circles small groups that will pray for a variety of events throughout the NMI Convention. Benefit plan assistance for ministers at Pensions and Benefits USA exhibit Pensions and Benefits USA staff are on hand in the Exhibit Hall to offer assistance with questions about Nazarene benefit issues. Such matters include pension and retirement, life and disability insurance, taxes, housing allowance, compensation, Social Security, and more. Also, retirement counselors from Fidelity Investments are present to answer questions ministers may have about the Nazarene 403(b) Nazarene Retirement Savings Plan accounts. Fidelity Investments is the coordinator of the 403(b) program for the Church of the Nazarene. A number of computers are available to allow ministers to check their accounts and adjust portfolios if they desire. The Exhibit Hall is open until Monday afternoon, June 29, at 5:00 P.M. Also, Global Track and workshop leaders were introduced by their coordinators, Shawna Songer Gaines and Dennis Moore. Distinguished Service Awards were presented to the three retiring general superintendents and their spouses Paul and Connie Cunningham, James and Dorothy Diehl, and Nina and Moody Gunter. Gunter then brought greetings from the Board of General Superintendents. Ketchum explained that two theme songs are available for the upcoming quadrennium s theme, To Make Christlike Disciples in the Nations. The songs were written by the Ketchums daughter, Cherie Reiter, and their son, Ryan Ketchum. Delegates to the NMI Convention were given copies of the songs in their delegate bags. The theme presentation focused on the four objectives of NMI: praying, discipling, giving, and educating. The annual sub-themes for the four years of the quadrennium will feature Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the Nations. World Mission Director Louie Bustle spoke during the opening service, mentioning that the Church of the Nazarene has work in 36 of the 66 countries in the 10/40 Window, where 66 percent of the world s population lives 95 percent of which are unevangelized. God has a plan for the Church, said Bustle. It is wrapped around John 3:16. School of StewardShip today 9:00 a.m. Teaching Tithing in a Skeptical World; PRESENTED BY DR. MARK E. LAIL (Room 210 North) 9:00 a.m. Giant Steps: A Plan for Moving Children from Greed to Generosity; PRESENTED BY REV. TOM FELDER (Room 330D South) 2:00 p.m. Biblical Financial Fitness; PRESENTED BY MATT SCHOENFELD (Room 210 North) 3:30 p.m. Building a Church Budget and Sticking to it; PRESENTED BY DR. MARK E. LAIL (Room 210 North) Presented by Stewardship Ministries 2 Daily Summary In Memoriam Herbert A. Ratcliff, a retired educator and missionary to the Caribbean Region for 34 years, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 20. Ratcliff, who retired to California in 1988, had a profound impact on the lives of many people in British Guiana (now Guyana), Trinidad and Tobago, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Bermuda, and all over the U.S., where he travelled on deputation. Ratcliff is survived by his wife, Alyce. A memorial service will be held at Sacramento First Church on Friday, July 3, at 11:00 A.M. Memorial contributions can be sent to the Global Ministry Center and designated for World Missions, CNTC Trinidad. For more information on Ratcliff s ministry, see ncnnews.com. Oather O.K. Perkinson, a retired missionary primarily to South America, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 23, in Columbia, Missouri. Perkinson is survived by his wife, Ruth. Funeral services will be held at Columbia First Church on Friday, June 26, at 11:00 A.M. For more information on Perkinson s ministry, see ncnnews.com.

3 Women s Ministries Consortium meets for prayer and fasting Approximately 100 women gathered Wednesday morning for a time of prayer and fasting. Linda Hardin, Women s Ministries general coordinator, and LaWanda Bullock, president of Women s Ministries International for the Free Methodist Church, welcomed the women as Linda Watson led in musical worship and praise. Hardin recognized the roles of Ruth Gibson, Lillian Johnson, and the Women s Ministries General Council members in developing resources for Women s Ministries. Then Hardin challenged the women to consider the profound cultural changes that have occurred since General Assembly 05. According to Hardin, diversity in culture and advancement in technology require Women s Ministries leaders to expand their ministry to include online Bible studies, mentoring, and expanded use of small groups. She then urged Women s Ministries leaders to develop new strategies for bringing women together, including listening to each other s needs and developing ministries and intergenerational programs. For this quadrennium, Women s Ministries identified three new foci: accountability, living the holy life, and being the Body of Christ. Also, Cheryl Roland challenged women to strengthen their relationships for effective Kingdom building and Carolyn Johnson presented the topic of Living the Holy Life Everyday. With scriptural support, Johnson challenged women to reaffirm their commitment to God. Jayne Lopez, drawing from her experiences with a mission in Toronto, then encouraged women to reach out to those who need to experience the Body of Christ in action. Linda Seaman concluded the consortium by leading a one hour prayer session. The women prayed for the Conventions and Assembly, for the Church of the Nazarene worldwide, and for themselves to be Spirit-filled. 3 Daily Summary Free Wi-Fi available While at the convention center, you can access the internet wirelessly by setting your SSID/Network to nazarene. Full versions of NCN News Daily Summary articles and additional photos are available online at ncnnews.com.

4 Virtually connected, youth choose new regional leaders 2011 USA/Canada NYC site also announced Enthusiastic greetings went out digitally as Nazarene Youth International (NYI) Convention delegates connected for regional caucuses via videoconference beginning at 7:30 A.M. in Orlando on Wednesday. Praying, reporting, sharing, discussing, and voting across time zones was part of the plan starting a wave in Germany that carried to Orlando then India was just for fun. This is so cool, said one British Isles North District delegate, greeting others from her district who waved at the camera from Germany. Each region selected its new president (RP) and vice president, and nominated representatives for five positions on the Global NYI Council: three age-group representatives, president, and vice president. Presidentially speaking, there s a new face on almost every world region: Ana Celia Martinez from Mexico (MAC), Jean David Larochelle from Ecuador (SAM), Acy Lodja from East Timor (Asia-Pacific), Milton Madhu from Bangladesh (Eurasia), and Kenneth Phiri from South Africa and Rudy Prescod from Trinidad return as the Africa and Caribbean RPs, respectively. Three USA/Canada regions re-elected as presidents Charles Brodhead (Southwest), Roger Bonzo (East Central), and Danny Dyer (South Central). Other regions selected Rich Vasquez (Northwest), Bob Keuther (Eastern), Greg Wells (Southeast), Dwayne Mills (Central), Fred Toomey (North Central), and Robert Snow (Canada). Of that group, the regional presidents elected Danny Dyer as the USA/Canada Council chairperson, Charles Brodhead as the vice-chairperson, and Roger Bonzo as recording secretary. New leader for Nazarene educators announced at luncheon It was an historic day as Nazarene educators from public schools, Christian schools, homeschools, preschools/child cares, university/college education departments, and global and international schools met at the Nazarene Educators Worldwide E3 Conference on Wednesday. This one-day conference for Nazarene educators featured Mark Hayse from MidAmerica Nazarene University, who spoke at a plenary and luncheon session about the effects of video games and interactive methods on learning. Several times during the day the participants enjoyed music from Refuge, a praise band from Trevecca Nazarene University. Lynda T. Boardman, director of Children s Ministries International, presented the Executive Council with awards to express appreciation for their years of service. Boardman announced and recognized the newly-elected council for James Upchurch, of Olivet Nazarene University, will be the new chair of the Executive Council. There were also workshops presented by university professors, the director of Gateways to Better Education, and experienced teachers and preschool directors. The last session gave an opportunity for educators to network with those in the same field of education. It was truly an international gathering as Tushar Manna represented schools from Eastern India and Nancy Miller represented schools in the Solomon Islands. For more information about Nazarene Educators Worldwide, go to The usual slick reveal of the 2011 USA/Canada Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) was replaced with a simple announcement of location Nashville, Tennessee and a request for a one-to-four-word, scripture-based theme idea and daily sub-themes from each district. One of my hopes for this new century for the Church of the Nazarene is to find a way to give these kinds of events back to people like you, Gary Hartke, Global NYI director, said to the delegates. We re planning to get more folks in the Global Ministry Center involved so it s more than NYI we believe it s going to help us take the blinders away... This belongs to you, this belongs to the church. 4 Daily Summary

5 Status of Nazarene Missionaries Responding to the worldwide financial crisis, Louie Bustle, director of World Mission for the Church of the Nazarene, issued the following update on the status of missionaries as part of the opening session of the Nazarene Missions International (NMI) Convention on Wednesday in Orlando, Florida: The missionary movement of the Church of the Nazarene has been around for more than 100 years. Our holiness doctrine and missions are at the heart of what it means to be Nazarene. At the time of the Pilot Point merger in 1908, the parent bodies had commissioned and sent a combined total of 21 missionaries to India, Cape Verde, Mexico, and Japan. In addition, the parent churches had launched significant ministries among the Hispanic population of Southern California, USA, and the Cape Verdian immigrant population of Rhode Island, USA. As of September 30, 2008, the most recently completed fiscal year, there were 794 General Board missionaries and field personnel depending on the church for prayer and the World Evangelism Fund as a lifeline of support. The work of holiness evangelism and disciple-making is our mission. And yet the Church of the Nazarene, like other faith groups, is faced with a very challenging economic climate. It is the determination of the Board of General Superintendents and World Mission Department that everything in our power will be done to avoid bringing any missionaries home from the field due to the economic crisis. There are times when missionaries return home to their sending country for various reasons. This is already happening and is a normal part of mission operations. But what we are saying is this only as a last resort and because of a lack of funds will missionaries come off the field. This happened once before in the late 1920s during a time of retrenchment. Our intent is that it will not happen again. I join in prayer with the leadership of NMI believing God will help us through this difficult time for His honor and glory. --Louie Bustle Answers from ANSR Wednesday s top one minute poll results from the Association of Nazarene Sociologists and Researchers (see Exhibit Hall booth to take poll): Why did you come to General Assembly (GA)? 1) Worship 2) To see friends 3)Workshops How long have you been a Nazarene? 1) years 2) 40+ years 3) years About how far did you travel to get to GA? 1) 500-1,000 miles 2) >1,000 miles 3t) Outside the U.S. 3t) <100 miles Is this GA part of a family vacation? 1) No 2) Yes 3) More or less How many of your immediate family are attending GA? 1) Two 2) >Five 3) Here alone 5 Daily Summary One Heart-Many Hands touches lives in Orlando (As featured in the Orlando Sentinel) Allen Burchett, a general contractor from the small town of Pickerington, Ohio, is spending his vacation this week in Orlando. But there's no trip to Walt Disney World or Universal, no golf, no Cirque du Soleil, not even souvenir hunting for alligator skulls on International Drive. Burchett, who turns 35 on Thursday, is spending the week gutting and renovating the home of a man he just met. He is working in suffocating 95-degree-plus heat with no air conditioning and no paycheck. In fact, he had to cough up $185 for the privilege. "I feel blessed," Burchett said as he was about to knock out a wall to make the home wheelchair-accessible. "I could feel the Lord telling me I needed to be here." The surprising thing is, there are roughly 1,599 more like him. They are part of a massive community-service effort led by the Church of the Nazarene and One Heart-Many Hands, a nonprofit organization started by the church. Every four years, when the church has its general assembly and convention, it does something like this. But it has never done it in Orlando and it has never worked on an effort so big. Collectively, the volunteers will contribute more than $200,000 in donations and $1.3 million in labor. They are working on more than 100 community-service projects this week, from cleaning up city and county parks to doing extensive home repairs and renovations for people who are old, frail or disabled. Most of the work is strenuous and without the benefit of air-conditioning. The heat index has been hovering between 105 and 110 degrees. "They said they were coming and the mayor was coming and they were going to fix all these things," said 58-year-old Willie "Bennie" Rhodes, who for 26 years has lived in his Holden Heights home without air conditioning or being able to push his wheelchair into the bathroom or reach most anything in the kitchen. He couldn't even get out quickly if he needed to. "I wasn't sure what to think." Sure enough, on Monday morning there was a crew of workers including Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty at his home. The volunteers already had gutted the place and were enlarging entryways, renovating the kitchen and bathroom, installing air conditioning and replacing the roof. Crotty was up there, helping tear off the old shingles. Like Burchett, most of the volunteers are from the Nazarene congregation in Pickerington (population: 14,220). But elsewhere, church members are joined by volunteers from 30 states, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, India, and Canada. There are also a few hundred volunteers from Orlando-area churches, Valencia Community College, Orange County government, the city of Orlando, Mid- Florida Tech and workers from the Local 1010 painters union. A long list of corporate and business partners donated technical assistance, materials and cash. Continued on page six

6 One Heart-Many Hands... Continued from page five "If it was not for the volunteers it doesn't matter how many partnerships we've formed, how much stuff is donated we would not be able to do it," said George Sisler, One Heart-Many Hands' project director. "Their registration fee goes toward buying the materials. It costs, on average, by the time you figure in their travel and housing and meals, about $750 per person." Dr. Gary Morsch, the Kansas City physician and Nazarene church member who started the charity in 1993, said he hoped the effort would become an ongoing one, not only in Orlando but across the country. "This is just a drop in the bucket. We know that," he said. "But we're talking about making this a permanent fixture right here in Orlando, and every time there's a convention, what if we just asked them [to get involved in a community-service project]?... What if serving others was a part of our lives in this country? We could change the world." By Friday, Morsch vowed, Rhodes' world would certainly be changed. He would have a brand-new house that he could negotiate easily. It would be safe and sturdy and even beautiful. "You deserve it," Morsch said. "I hope every time I come to Orlando for the rest of my life I can come by and see you and see how you're doing. And we can sit in the air-conditioning and have some sweet tea." --Orlando Sentinel 6 Daily Summary