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Top Stories for the week of April 24, 2015
Upstate New York District elects new superintendent
General Superintendent J. K. Warrick announced the election this week of Kevin Dunlop as
superintendent of the Upstate New York District.
Dunlop follows Larry White, who was appointed interim superintendent after Upstate New York
District Superintendent David Sharpes accepted the pastorate at Olathe, Kansas, College
Church of the Nazarene.
Elected on the first ballot, Dunlop will begin his new assignment May 20.
Dunlop has pastored the Wollaston Church of the Nazarene in Quincy, Massachusetts, since
2010. He previously served at three churches in Indiana: Anderson First Church of the
Nazarene, Alexandria Church of the Nazarene, and Huntington First Church of the Nazarene.
After earning a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern Nazarene College, Dunlop went on to receive a
Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary.
Kevin and his wife, Janet, reside in Quincy, Massachusetts.
"I am grateful for the honor and opportunity of serving the Lord with the pastors and church
family of the Upstate New York District in partnership to reach people for Christ and disciple
them in the faith," Kevin said. "Hearing the stories of recent salvations shared at the district
assembly was a powerful reminder that embracing missional strategies for fulfilling the great
commission begins with building authentic relationships, motivated by the heart of the discipler
being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jan and I are thankful for the people and
churches along the way who have helped prepare us for this new ministry role in Upstate New
York."
Jamaica center restores sight through medical procedures
The Gamertsfelder Mission Center recently performed its first cataract surgeries. A ministry of
the Jamaica West District, the center houses medical, optical, dental, and educational facilities.
Over the course of the first month, a team of surgeons and eye care professionals treated
more than 170 eyes, performing 142 cataract surgeries and 30 glaucoma procedures. Many
who came blind left with recovered sight.
One of those individuals was Clementine. Blind, she had waited through years of delays with
her doctors. She had once again been told by her doctors that she would have wait another six
months for her surgery. Clementine came to the mission center determined to recover her
sight.
"I’m glad to know that I can see, and I can move around here, there, and everywhere ..."
Clementine said. "In the morning, wake up, I can see the sun and I could not see it before, and
I’m thankful and I see my children and grandchildren ... And I give praise, you know? I was
going to church but I am not a Christian; I feel myself like I could baptize and be a Christian."
--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region
Peace march calls for end to violence against foreigners
Thousands of people participated in a peace march last week in Durban, South Africa,
decrying the violence against foreign nationals that has erupted this month.
The violence has caused thousands of foreigners who are living in South Africa to flee their
homes for displacement camps, and many have closed their shops. Six people have died in
the last two weeks, according to the BBC, and more than 300 have been arrested.
This is not the first time such animosity toward immigrants has boiled over in South Africa.
Tension is reportedly rising over jobs, as South Africa's unemployment rate is 24 percent.
"Armed groups have targeted shops run by African immigrants, accusing them of taking jobs
from locals," BBC reports. "Thousands of foreigners have fled their homes to shelter in
makeshift camps, and neighbouring Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique have announced
plans to evacuate citizens."
The current situation in Durban is deeply concerning, said Stanley Ushe, the district
superintendent of KwaZulu-Natal, where Durban is located.
"I know a group of people who have been displaced and are now staying in tents, and their
properties have been looted," he said.
Pastor Gabriel Benjiman of Morningside Community Church of the Nazarene in Durban
attended last week's peace march.
Nazarene families who are foreign nationals in Durban have been affected by the upheaval,
Benjiman said. Some of the families have lived in Durban for over a decade, he said, but are
now afraid to send their children outdoors or even to school.
Other church members who were living in informal settlement camps outside of Durban have
now left, Benjiman said. He hadn't been able to contact them as of April 17.
"I have gone out to look for these families and was asked to leave the settlement for my
safety," he said. "But we will continue to attempt to locate these brothers and sisters."
Church members are collecting blankets and canned and dried food for the displaced who are
seeking refuge, Benjiman said, and some families have offered a place to stay for victims.
The peace march was a collective community effort to take a stand against xenophobia, and
an estimated 10,000 people participated. Before the march, Pastor Benjiman and other
religious leaders of various faith backgrounds met with local government officials.
"As a Nazarene minister, I ... felt the need to add a holiness/Nazarene voice to the discourse,
especially because I pastor a multiethnic, multiracial church in the city," Benjiman said. "We
marched, we spoke with our feet and placards calling for a united Africa. I was moved to deep
emotions as a group of three foreign national teens clung to me and chanted with me: 'Phansi
xenophobia! Phansi!' meaning 'Down with xenophobia! Down!'"
However, even the peace march was not immune to chaos. Eyewitness News reports that
police used rubber bullets, water cannons, and tear gas to quell a large group that was
disrupting the event.
--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region via Out of Africa
Former Bolivia superintendent passes away
Daniel Mita Ayala, a pastor and former district superintendent, passed away April 13 after a
four-year battle with intestinal cancer. He was 65.
"He was a fighter up to the end," said Macedonio Daza, rector of Seminario Nazareno del Área
Central in Bolivia. "He always attended national and district events; one of those being his
participation in the beginning of a new work in the city of Cobija, a national event in June 2014.
He helped put on the church's roof so the new brethren could meet. He was a servant who
labored with love and passion in the work of God."
Mita was born in Corocoro, Bolivia, January 4, 1950. He accepted Jesus Christ at a young age
in the Church of the Nazarene. When Daniel was an adolescent, his family moved to Los
Yungas, where he attended the Los Amigos (Friends) Church. Later when the Church of the
Nazarene spread out, he was obedient to God’s call and became a part of the leadership as a
youth.
As a young man, Mita met María Chagua and they were married on April 15, 1972. They had a
daughter, Flavia Noemí Mita Chagua.
Daniel began his theological studies in 1977 at the Bolivian Nazarene seminary. Three years
later he graduated with a diploma in Christian ministry. Later he earned his bachelor’s in
theology and then continued his academic studies sporadically.
On January 24, 1990, he was ordained by the general superintendent in jurisdiction, Eugene L.
Stowe.
Mita served for 31 years. For 27 years he pastored local churches on the districts La Paz, Alto
NorOeste, and Los Yungas districts. Some of the churches he pastored are Cotacota, Villa
Fátima, Munaypata, Calla Baja (Jesús de Machaca), 7 de Septiembre, Senkata, 1 de Mayo,
and Villa Mercedes. During his last years he pastored the Church of the Nazarene in Centro
Tocoroni. Two Sundays before his passing he was still preaching.
He held district offices such as NMI president and treasurer, and for two years he was the
director of the radio program La Hora Nazarena.
Mita was superintendent of the Yungas District for four years, a position he was obliged to give
up due to illness. During his district leadership he promoted three new works on the district and
one off the district. He was a zealous preacher of the doctrine of holiness. His last charge to
the pastors was “Don’t stop preaching holiness or teaching stewardship to the church.”
Pastor Daniel also served in public administration as deputy mayor of Laja in the city of El Alto
for three years.
--Church of the Nazarene South America Region
Know before you go: Travel insurance
Work & Witness leaders on the Asia-Pacific Region prepared the following information about
travel insurance:
As you prepare to take your team on mission, we would like to remind you to consider the
insurance issues. A quick review of almost any nightly news program will remind you of the
importance of having a good travel insurance policy. We have had a couple situations in the
past few months where team leaders, who have been rightfully thinking ahead, have
purchased travel insurance at the same time that they purchased their airline tickets, availing
themselves of the convenience of covering the bases all at once with just a click.
Please read below before you click on that travel insurance!
Work & Witness and short-term missions experiences are a bit different from the typical
overseas tourist travel itinerary. By nature of the work that you are doing and the countries in
which you are doing this work, there is the potential for increased exposure. These are
exposures that are often times not covered by the typical travel insurance policy, or if they are
covered, not at a level we have deemed is appropriate based on past experiences.
We recently compared a popular travel insurance plan against the Church of the Nazarene’s
negotiated Work & Witness insurance. Here are our findings:
If you’ve visited a doctor or emergency room lately, you will recognize that the accident and
sickness coverage of $5,000 is very minimal. This could easily be fully utilized in just one
day/visit.
As a commercial pilot with several years in the industry, the emergency and medical
evacuation amount of $15,000 is a good start, but if you’re having to charter an emergency
flight from a foreign nation to your home nation, you might truly be wishing for more coverage.
The security evacuation is there to protect you in the event that political conditions change
drastically in the country of your visit, requiring an early or unexpected departure — and is
required for participation in international Work & Witness projects. The international liability is
also a required component of international Work & Witness teams.
Teams purchasing insurance from outside organizations are responsible for all aspects of any
claim and may find themselves having to deal with required upfront payments on their own,
which can sometimes be substantial. When purchasing through the Global Mission
Mobilization office, the team can be assured of assistance with upfront funding issues as well
as advocacy for reimbursement of claims and related issues.
In recent cases, we have had to ask the teams that have already purchased travel insurance
through a common travel provider to purchase an additional policy, which results in increased
expenses.
Things are continually changing in today's world. Please contact the Work & Witness office to
confirm the current insurance situation before you purchase any insurance.
--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region
Malawi churches celebrate Easter after severe flood season
With their lives still shaken by the loss of homes, livestock, and crops to severe flooding earlier
this year, church members in Malawi's Lower Shire District gathered for a three-day Easter
Holiness Conference over the Easter weekend. Hundreds of people attended, and dozens
were baptized.
"We are very thankful for the relief items that have been assisting us during the time of floods,"
said Lower Shire District Superintendent Gershom Kwerakwera. "Thank you also to all people
who have been praying for us here in Malawi Lower Shire District and sending their
assistance! God bless you!"
The Lower Shire District was one of the areas hit hardest by the flooding, which was caused by
heavy rainfall in January and claimed the lives of more than 100 people in Malawi. Some of
those who died were members of the Nazarene church. The water forced thousands of people
from their homes, some of whom are still living in displacement camps.
In spite of the loss and devastation, the district went forward with the three-day Easter
conference, inviting guest speaker William Thewethe from the Zomba Church of the Nazarene
on the Malawi South District.
During the evening services, The JESUS film was shown, and special prayers were offered for
people's marriages, health, and salvation.
"It was a time of celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ," Kwerakwera
said. "Holy Communion was served. The choirs and praise teams for men, women, and youth
presented their sweet melodies."
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries responds to people in need across the globe in areas
such as natural disasters, human trafficking, and disease. To support NCM's aid in situations
such as the Malawi flooding, click here.
--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region via Out of Africa
NYI opens 2 youth ministry academies in Mexico
The Mesoamerica Region's Nazarene Youth International, in partnership with Nazarene
Seminary of the Americas, opened two new Youth Ministry Academy centers in Mexico April
13; one in Tapachula and the other in Tuxtla Gutierrez. The centers' inaugural classes
include 50 students.
At the service, Mexico South Border District Superintendent Roberto López Fajardo, Mexico
Field NYI Coordinator Joshua Villatoro, and Mesoamerica NYI Coordinator Milton Gay were
present.
“Since its inception in 2010, the NYI is investing in training and developing leaders
comprehensively to guide this generation into a relationship with Christ that will last a lifetime,"
said Odily Díaz, NYI coordinator for the region's North Central Field. "There are already seven
educational centers running, and by the end of 2015 we expect to graduate about 80 leaders
who join 160 specialized in youth ministry. Soon we will be working with youth in Cuba as well.
We give glory to God for the progress and growth of our youth leaders!”
To be a part of the academy or read more, visit jniregionmesoamerica.org.
--Church of the Nazarene Mesoamerica Region
Olivet opens location in Indianapolis
Olivet Nazarene University’s School of Graduate and Continuing Studies recently opened a
new regional center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and began accepting enrollment for classes there
in summer and fall 2015.
Programs open for enrollment are:
§ Bachelor of Science in Nursing
§ Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
§ Master of Business Administration
The Indianapolis center, at 7302 Woodland Drive, is Olivet’s first location in the state of
Indiana. Located on the northwest side of Indianapolis near Interstate 465 and 73rd Street, the
17,000-square-foot building is home to nine classrooms, a student break room, and offices.
The university’s main campus is in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Additional Olivet sites are in Rolling
Meadows and Oak Brook, Illinois; Grand Rapids and Grand Ledge, Michigan; and Hong Kong.
“As a nationally recognized university, Olivet is committed to strategic growth as part of our
mission and vision,” said John C. Bowling, university president. “This expansion into
Indianapolis provides opportunities for more students to benefit from Olivet’s commitment to
providing education with a Christian purpose.”
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana and Olivet entered into an articulation agreement
that paves the way for Ivy Tech students to continue studies at Olivet. In addition, all Ivy Tech
students, employees, and alumni are eligible to receive Olivet tuition discounts for programs
offered through the Indianapolis location.
As a member of the local community, Olivet continues to lay the groundwork for developing
affiliations with companies and organizations throughout Indiana. To date, employees of
Community Health Network, Indiana University Health, Hendricks Regional Health, The
Villages, and Hamilton County are eligible to receive Olivet tuition discounts for programs
offered through the Indianapolis location.
Information about graduate programs and enrollment is available at graduate.olivet.edu and
877-965-4838.
--Olivet Nazarene University
In Memoriam
The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who recently went home to
be with the Lord. Notices were received April 20-24, 2015.
Daniel Mita Ayala, 65, of Bolivia passed away April 13. He was a pastor and district
superintendent, serving at several churches in Bolivia and leading the Yungas District for four
years. He is survived by his wife, María Chagua.
Paul Belt, 83, of Elyria, Ohio, passed away April 18. He was a member of the Elyria, Ohio,
Community Church of the Nazarene for 50 years, serving as a board member, teacher,
Sunday school superintendent, and NYPS (now NYI) president. He is survived by his wife,
Joyce (Culler) Belt.
Ralph Hess, 95, of Greeley, Colorado, passed away April 12. He was a retired minister,
serving in Nebraska, Missouri, and Colorado. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude
Hess, in 2008.
Kenneth Hinman, 92, of Plattsburgh, New York, passed away April 14. He was a retired
minister, serving in New York. He was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria Hinman, in 2010.
Evelyn (Carpenter) Hockett, 81, of Winner, South Dakota, passed away April 15. She was
the widow of retired minister Robert Hockett, who passed away in 1981.
Audrey Kamp, 92, of Chatsworth, California, passed away April 13. She was the widow of
retired minister and chaplain Neal Kamp, who served in Illinois, North Dakota, and California.
Neal Kamp passed away in 2001.
Richard Miller, 72, of Bloomington, Indiana, passed away April 17. He was a retired minister,
serving in New Jersey and Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Sandra (Bidlack) Miller.
Carolyn Rath, 76, of Portland, Oregon, passed away April 14. She was the wife of retired
minister Leo Rath, who served in Wyoming, Montana, Missouri, and Oregon.
Ralph "Leon" Seager, 91, of Olathe, Kansas, passed away April 20. He was a retired
minister, serving in Iowa. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Seagar, in 2008.
Elizabeth (Zurcher) Wickland, 90, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away April 17. She was the
widow of retired minister Alfred Wickland, who served in Arizona. Alfred Wickland passed
away in 2011.
Faith Williams, 99, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away April 21. She was the widow of retired
minister and evangelist Earl Williams, who served in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. Earl
Williams passed away in 1988.
For previous editions of In Memoriam, see the "Passings" section by clicking here.
Note: Please join with us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names
for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To
submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to [email protected].
--Compiled by NCN News