General NMI Convention = Global Mission Conference June 24-28, 2009 in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A. Information Update February 2009 A number of you have voiced questions regarding the Global Mission Conference in recent weeks. Following is the most up-to-date information for delegates and visitors alike. Delegation Registration: Most world regions are nearing completion of delegate registration. Please check with your regional General Assembly coordinator (RGAC) to verify that registration is complete for you and your district. Delegate registration for U.S.A./Canada is complete. Visas and Travel Documents: This only applies to delegates attending form outside the U.S.A./Canada. Remember to complete your visa applications and travel documents as soon as possible. After your RGAC has completed your registration, you will receive an invitation letter and visa application from the general secretary for the Church of the Nazarene. Hotel Reservations: U.S.A./Canada delegates are responsible to make all hotel reservations online. Visit www.gacorlando.org, and click on the link to register for housing. Delegates from other regions should direct all questions regarding housing to their RGAC. Convention/Conference Begins and Ends: General NMI Convention registration begins on Wednesday, June 24, at 8:00 A.M. 10:00 A.M. The convention begins Wednesday at 1:00 P.M. in corporate worship with Nazarene Youth International, Sunday School Discipleship Ministry International, and Education. The convention will conclude on Friday, June 26, at 5:30 P.M. However, other convention-related highlights continue through Sunday, June 28. Prayer Initiatives: Million Hours of Prayer (MHP) began in January. To download MHP resources, visit www. nazarenemissions.org, clicking on Praying on the home page. On the column at the left, click on the MHP link. At the conference, two prayer rooms will be open daily 7 A.M. 11 P.M. Daily agendas include small group 1
prayer times. Intercessory teams will pray over each leader who moves to the platform. Space around seating areas will be provided to intercede quietly during presentations. All conventions will be invited to participate in a prayer walk inside and/or outside the convention center on Saturday morning. Symphony of Prayer: We expanded the event formerly known as the NMI Prayer Breakfast to a Symphony of Prayer on Wednesday evening following corporate worship. The Symphony of Prayer will feature one hour of concerted prayer guided by passionate leaders from around the world. Reasons for this change include: (1) High cost of food in Orlando no food will be served during this event; (2) Scope of participation we are inviting all attendees and spouses from all four conventions; (3) Accessible time Wednesday evening following worship instead of the only other time available (6:30 AM). Global Mission Conference = General NMI Convention: The General NMI Convention is the Global Mission Conference: a conversation in God s global story. Several special features are designed to engage young emerging leaders who are present but who are not delegates to NMI Convention. Register today, join the conversation online, and get ready to be a part of a big story. Visit www.globalmissionconference.org. Business: Convention business will begin Wednesday afternoon and will conclude by Friday afternoon. Business will feature election of global leaders and discussion of global resolutions. District Presidents Reception: On Thursday, June 25, following evening worship, we will honor district NMI presidents globally and recognize former global presidents and directors, the General NMI Council, regional NMI coordinators, WM regional directors, and WM Focus Team. Spouses are invited. Global Tracks: Participate in one of fi ve Global Mission conversations. Distinct from workshops, participants will discuss the following questions: (1) How are we embracing the next generations of mission leaders in a post-colonial world? (2) How are we incarnating the gospel in a world of diverse cultures, religions, and traditions? (3) How are we moving each local church to become a house of prayer for all nations? (4) How are we responding to crises that impact people in communities worldwide? (5) How are we living out God s call to peace and reconciliation in a world of unrest? Regional Features: During general sessions Wednesday through Friday, each region will present features including music, culture, and stories about the work of the church on that region. Mission Workshops: NMI presenters will offer a variety of workshops on Wednesday through Friday to equip leaders with practical application of NMI objectives and WM ministries. Cultural Expression: Each region will offer a festival of art, music, drama, or video on the Exhibit Hall stage throughout the Convention Wednesday through Friday. 2
Have a Heart for Alabaster We had the Alabaster Offering on NMI night with a party for Jesus, emphasizing how giving money for buildings is a gift to Him. Our talented NMI monthly emphasis crew has elaborate plans highlighting the theme Have a Heart for Alabaster. Heart-shaped cookies will be sold, and the money added to the Alabaster offering. If all goes as planned, someone will impersonate the biblical Mary on ways one can continue to give love offerings for Jesus. Doris Anderson Retired Missionary Editor s Note: To promote the offering, encourage the people in your church (all ages) to take photos of heartshaped items. They can make the items or fi nd the heart shapes naturally. Either post the photos on a bulletin board, or incorporate them into an Alabaster PowerPoint presentation. Children and youth (who have not submitted photos) could be the judges to additionally involve them in the event. See the Alabaster Pages on the NMI Web Site for additional promotional ideas, flyers, and PowerPoint slides. www.nazarenemissions.org Click on Giving on the Home page, then on the Alabaster links in the left-hand column. 3
All Aboard for Alabaster! Quincy, a quarter, was resting in Janie s piggy bank; it felt good. Since leaving the mint back in the 60s, he had been one busy coin! He couldn t begin to count the purchases, tips, collections, and allowances he had been party to. Yes, Quincy was almost satisfi ed with his life; he sighed. Just then he heard, Hi, I m Penelope, from a penny. Then I m Nicko, and this is Denny, from a nickel, indicating the dime next to him. Janie had dropped more change into the bank. As they exchanged stories, it became clear that each was dissatisfi ed because they were just little guys. Quincy pointed out that alone their value was indeed small; but together they could make quite an impact. The big questions were: what, when, where, and how? Quincy remembered Janie talking about Alabaster, used on the mission fi eld for schools, medical facilities, and churches. The Change Gang was in agreement Alabaster would be their next trip around the world. Invitations went out to the elusive Henry (a half-dollar) and the Georges, Abes, Andrews, and Alexanders. They chose (offering date) to start the journey. Help the Change Gang and their friends accomplish their goal. Drop your coins, bills, and checks in the Alabaster offering. All Aboard! This is a bulletin insert for an Alabaster promotion done by our church. We handed out disposable coffee cups and lids with the logo on them. (The cups and lids may be purchased online or at stores that sell paper goods. Jackie Ferguson Eastern Michigan District Debra Voelker Washington Pacifi c District Sawubona, Alabaster Doris Gailey (retired Swaziland), her daughter Sharon Lee, and Sharon s daughter, Kelsey, posed for a photo outside the window of the room Sharon was born at Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital, built with Alabaster funds. It was meaningful for Sharon to show Kelsey for the fi rst time where she was born and grew up. The photos were taken December 1, 2008. Sawubona on the shirt means hello. Ellen Gailey Decker Dover, Pennsylvania (Also a daughter of Charles and Doris Gailey) Because people gave, the medical needs of the Swazi people and the missionaries were met. 4
What s Important About a Hymnal? It is a Sunday service, and the worship leader invites the congregation to stand for the opening hymn or contemporary song. Sound standard? Not everywhere. In the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), formerly known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Nazarenes are starting with the basics. The USSR existed from 1922 1991. For an entire generation, worship resources were virtually non-existent. For that reason, the team in World Mission Literature, working with people in the CIS Field, are developing a Russian hymnal. The production of the hymnal involves extensive research to determine the publisher of a song and who holds the copyright for a particular song for the Russian region (or even a particular arrangement that is preferred). World Mission Literature contacts the copyright holder, explaining the project and ascertaining terms, conditions, and royalties for usage. The copyright holders receive a copy of the original English version, the translated version, and the transliteration. Upon approval, the license is prepared, reviewed, and approved by the World Mission Literature director. A royalty is paid in advance, and the publisher s signature secured. That completes the work for one song. World Mission Literature must repeat the process for all copyrighted songs (approximately 300 songs). So why is such a project being undertaken? Read the following from Tatiana (Tanya) Cantarella, pastor at Moscow First Church of the Nazarene in Russia and a member of the CIS Literature Committee. The USSR existed from 1922 1991. For an entire generation, worship resources were virtually non-existent. 5
[The hymnal] is a very important project for our fi eld for several reasons. Once completed, it will be a unique resource...that will include music and not just lyrics. It will include the best translations and will bring more unity to the worship of the Nazarene churches. Over the years, there have been a lot of songs translated from English that our churches enjoyed. They were often done locally, and several translations would circulate in the churches. When the churches got together, it was a bit hard to sing those [songs], because everyone [learned them] differently. The quality of some of the translations was also not very good. Besides that, no songbooks were published offi cially by any Protestant churches, and those [translations that existed] didn t respect any copyright issues and were not of a good quality. Our book is going to be exceptional in that, and [it] will be a great unifying resource, not only for Nazarene churches, but for all the evangelical churches in the Russian-speaking countries of the CIS. It will include the best translations and will bring more unity to the worship of the Nazarene churches. Tanya Cantarella Tanya Cantarella, Debbi Bianco, and Gail Sawrie And These from Books for Pastors Tools for Ministry At the Zambia Luapula District Assembly held on 8 October 2008, several pastors received copies of The Upward Call to add to their libraries...the district is fi ve years old and has about 115 churches and preaching points. It is a remote district located in the northern part of Zambia. While the English version of the book was distributed, most will soon receive the translated version of the book in the Bemba language. This is all made possible through the Books for Pastors project. When visiting one of the new Nazarene Churches in Livingstone, Zambia, I found the pastor using his new copy of The Upward Call and teaching all of his people each Sunday Morning. We saw fi rsthand a pastor who had received the book, read the entire book, and then proceeded to teach the book to the entire congregation over a period of several weeks. This was a wonderful vision of how the Books for Pastors project is helping to make disciples in local churches and improving the effectiveness of the pastor in a local church. The pastor said, There is power in this book. We need more books like this to help us learn how to live the Christian life. There is power in this book. We need more books like this to help us learn how to live the Christian life. Zambian Pastor Rev Gary Sidle Africa Central Field Education Coordinator & Zambia Mission Coordinator 6
Partnerships Alive and Well Compassionate people, dedicated leaders, and modern technology have been used by God in a partnership to minister to hurting people in Panama. Dr. Helmer Juarez, compassionate ministries coordinator for the Mexico/Central America Region, reported fl ooding in that Central America country in November affected 40,000 people. Most rivers leading from the coast across the mountainous interior of Panama overfl owed and spilled far beyond their boundaries. Bridges were swept away leaving no access to mountain villages. Six Nazarene churches and several preaching points were located in the area most affected by this fl ooding. For a number of weeks, much of the area was inaccessible. At least two Nazarene pastors and two lay families lost all their possessions. Upon learning of the devastation, Robert Prescott, Mexico/Central America partnership facilitator, communicated with members of the Central America Partnership, asking for money for food. The goal was $4,200 at a cost of $35 per bag. Within fi ve days, $5,215 in offerings and pledges was received for food and the cost of transporting it to Nazarene fl ood victims. As the song says, Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight. Nazarene disciples around the world are living out their faith by compassionate efforts of many kinds. Ethnicities, languages, political views, or national boundaries have not dimmed the vision for helping those in need. Partnerships are alive and well! Wayne LaForce Deputation Coordinator 7
Global Mission Conference Web Site Launched The General NMI Convention (www.globalmissionconference. org) has been expanded into a Global Mission Conference. In addition to our honored NMI delegates, the Global Mission Conference will throw the door wide open to emerging mission leaders from around the world young people who may or may not be on an NMI council but are passionate about God s global mission. Unique features of a Global Mission Conference include: seven regional features from regional and national leaders, global tracks discussing issues like post colonial missions and global unrest, twoday work projects with One Heart Many Hands, venues to express mission creativity, and much more. The Global Mission Conference Web site allows non-delegates to register for the event, join our forum, select a Global Track, and learn more about the conference. This can be a great tool for you. Check out the video, participate on the forums, and forward the site address to all the people with mission passion who you want to see in Orlando this summer! www.globalmissionconference.org Shawna Songer Gaines NMI Communications Coordinator Leaders, Get the Word Out! Ask your local/district mission call coordinator for the name(s) and address(es) of individuals with a mission call. Create a care basket or a card to let them know that you are praying for them. Insert a flyer about Global Mission Conference and encourage them to attend. Ask Sunday School teachers for an e-mail list of college and young adults students. Send the link to the Web site, including a special note from you, to all on the list. Host a bagel party during Sunday School or after Sunday morning service for those who have been on short-term mission trips. Ask them to tell a favorite story from their trip. Play the video from the Global Mission Conference Web site. Encourage them to share their stories on the site. Encourage your church to pray that God would draw young people with mission passion to participate in the Conference and that we might learn from one another, united in our passion for God s mission. Ask mission passionate leaders from your church who want to attend but don t have the funds. Invite them to share their stories of mission passion with the church. Receive an offering to help pay for the trip to Orlando. Send each with a camera and journal so they can share the experiences on their return. 8
The D-Code Challenge Unlocked, Unlimited, Understood October 1, 2008 September 30, 2009 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path (Psalm 119:105). Children s Ministries International introduces the 2008-2009 Mission Offering Project The D-Code Challenge. When kids participate in The D-Code Challenge, they help provide quizzing and Bible study resources for other children in their own languages. The resources will be translated and printed in French, Spanish, Korean, and Portuguese. The D-Code Challenge is: Unlocked You help unlock the word of God for many of His children. Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us, The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Unlimited Through Bible quizzing, children all over the world will have a clearer understanding of God s Word, helping unlock their minds and hearts to God s changing presence. I John 1:16-17 reveals, We have all received one blessing after another. God s grace is not limited. Moses gave us the law. Jesus Christ has given us grace and truth. Understood Psalm 119:34 says, Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all of my heart. By helping create Bible quizzing materials for the children of these language groups, you help provide a greater opportunity to understand God s Word and make it possible for them to know and love Him. This year s Mission Offering Project will make a difference in the lives of children around the world. Will you accept the challenge to help other kids around world have Bible quizzing resources? Join us on this mission and participate in The D-Code Challenge! Log onto www.kidsreachingkids.com for more information about The D-Code Challenge. Dan Harris Mission Offering Project Coordinator 9
Alabaster Giving Locally and Globally Explain that Alabaster funds help provide land and buildings worldwide. Since teens don t always have ways of earning money, suggest that they host a Valentine s Parents Night Out and provide Alabaster funds at the same time. Parents Night Out Parents can have childcare at a lower cost hiring a babysitter. They might be willing to bring their children to the church if they know the youth have organized activities and will be accompanied by adult sponsors. As payment for their services, the students can ask for a donation to Alabaster. What needs to be done: Ask the church leadership for permission to host the event at the church, setting up a date and time for the event (no more than three hours). Find out what students and adults will help. Determine as a group what activities should be provided (games, story time, simple crafts, watching a children s video, snacks, etc.) and who will work with each activity. Don t overtax your students; at the same time, have enough activities to keep boredom from setting in. Promote the event, and have children pre-registered so you know how many children to expect. If snacks will be provided, it should be announced, asking parents with children who have food allergies to bring appropriate snacks. Remind helpers a few days in advance of what they agreed to do. At the event, have parents sign in the children, noting if there are any allergies, etc., of which caregivers should know. Also ask for the name of who will pick up the children and for emergency contact information for the evening. Students and sponsors, enjoy the time with the children. Provide a container for Alabaster donations when parents pick up the children. Have the students ask the parents if they know about Alabaster. If they don t, the students can tell about Alabaster s ministry. Since teens don t always have ways of earning money, suggest that they host a Valentine s Parents Night Out and provide Alabaster funds at the same time. Gail L. Sawrie NMI Editor 10
Everyone holds a piece of the puzzle. Your piece will make a difference eternally by helping provide land and buildings globally. Please participate in Alabaster. Everyone holds a piece of the puzzle. Your piece will make a difference eternally by helping provide land and buildings globally. Please participate in Alabaster. 11
Report Forms Available Updated local and district NMI forms are now on the NMI Web Site. Local NMI presidents send the year-end forms to the district NMI secretary annually. To access the forms, go to www.nazarenemissions.org. Click on the Local Presidents link in the upper-right section of the home page. When that screen comes up, click on the Forms link in the column at the left. The forms are available in two formats PDF (smaller fi les that must be fi lled out manually) and Word (allows users to complete the forms electronically, but requires Microsoft Word and Excel software to access these fi les). Note to district leaders: Updated district NMI forms are on the District Presidents Page. World Mission Broadcast News World Mission Broadcast s (WMB) 2009 promotion packets will be sent to every church in the U.S.A. and Canada in mid-march. The ministry s theme this year is Beyond Borders and Barriers. Watch for the packet that will provide resources to help you raise awareness of WMB and receive the annual offering. *** Missionary Brian Utter has relocated to the U.S.A. where he will give leadership to the global broadcast strategy for the Church of the Nazarene. Brian and his team in South America developed and implemented a successful regional broadcast strategy. He has amazing ideas and experiences of sharing Christ and discipling believers through media ministry. If you would like to have Brian share about the impact of WMB with your congregation or district gathering, please contact him at wmb@nazarene.org. Global Glimpses Available The January/February/March Global Glimpses is included with this issue of Mission Connection. There is a link to the periodical at the bottom of each page. Media Library on Nazarene Web Site The Church of the Nazarene has a Media Library (www.nazarenemedialibrary.org) where visitors may view/ download videos, graphics, logos, documents, and more. All the ministry media resources you need are compiled in to one easy-to-use location. A basic search option is on the home page, as well as a link to an advanced search that allows searches by region, ministry, and media type. Churches have requested Web-based downloadable video resources for several years now they are available. New resources will continually be added to the library. General Assembly/Convention Stories Needed The publicity committee for the 2009 General Assembly needs your help. They would like stories about how past General Assembly and Conventions touched people s lives, how God worked to provide fi nances for someone to attend, unique ways people have funded their trips, expectations for the 2009 assembly, and other related stories that people would like to share. Please send stories to nmi@ nazarene.org. Nazarene World Week of Prayer in March The 2009 Nazarene World Week of Prayer (NWWP) will take place March 1 7. During this week Nazarenes intercede for our church and our world. Special requests are provided for a regional prayer plan. Coordinating with the interdenominational World Day of Prayer (Friday, March 7), the vision for NWWP is that the event will re-ignite prayer fl ames, deepen commitment to prayer and fasting, and precipitate revival. For more information and requests, go to the NMI Web site, click on the Praying link on the home page, and the Week of Prayer link on the left. Mission Connection February 2009 Daniel D. Ketchum Darryl G. Bennett Gail L. Sawrie Global NMI Director Technical Designer Editor NMI Church of the Nazarene 17001 Prairie Star Parkway Lenexa, KS 66220 E-mail: missionconnection@nazarene.org Web site: www.nazarenemissions.org Member Evangelical Press Association. Mission Connection is an idea exchange for NMI leaders. It is not copyrighted; please feel free to copy any portion of this periodical. Our Mission To mobilize the church in mission through praying, discipling, giving, and educating. 12