Dr. Hugh Smith, Rev. Howie Shute, district & retired missionaries, district NMI leadership team, pastors, delegates and friends of this 65th NMI Convention of the Washington Pacific District - I am pleased to be the voice that reports what God did through you this past year.
From it’s earliest beginnings the Church of the Nazarene has been a missional church. Our founding fathers (and mothers) understood the unique role that our denomination could play in bringing the message of holiness and hope to
the marginalized,
the hurting,
the abandoned and the lost.
They felt a clear mandate to go into all the world to make life time disciples of Christ. Through the years the Church responded to that call and is, in fact, still responding.
We are ministering in 151 World Areas — and millions of neighborhoods.
We realize that we must be global Christians with a global vision because our God is a global God.
Our message is not just for those living deep in the jungles of South America or for those walking under the hot sun in the African savannahs. It’s also a relevant message of hope for those living across the street and around the corner. The unchurched population of the United States is the fifth largest mission field in the world.
Our call is still relevant and our mandate is still clear.
This past year you were challenged to take the message of the cross home. To enlarge your view of the Great Commission to include the lost and hurting in your own communities.
You became the hands and feet of Christ, the loving arms of Jesus and the compassionate voice of the Holy Spirit and you went. . .
To those affected by the flooding in Chehalis and Lewis counties;
To feed those who were hungry;
To clothe those that were cold;
To mentor the young;
To touch the marginalized;
To bring light to those looking at the world from behind prison bars;
To a dark soccer field in Brazil to show the Jesus Film;
To collect and help fill a container of compassionate aid for those needing a helping hand in Zambia;
To send Crisis Care Kits (641) and School paks (106) to every corner of the world; and
To stand along side of our teens as they began to see the world with clearer vision as they experienced 30 hours of hunger.
C.T. Studd said
“The light that shines farthest shines brightest at home."
Your light is shining bright all around the world!
One of my husband’s ancestors, Christopher Parker, fought and died at the Alamo in San Antonio. So it is a place we visit whenever we are in Texas. On a wall near the main entrance is a portrait with the following inscription:
"James Butler Bonham--no picture of him exists.
This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family so that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom."
No literal portrait of Jesus exists either. But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of the people of the Washington Pacific District.
A good picture is not only composed of all the little details that you can see but hundreds of vital things that are not visible to the eye. Allow me to add a few of the details that makes our portrait clear and sharp.
Details like the...
Nearly 1.3 million dollars you gave to the World Evangelism Fund, helping over 800 Nazarenes
missionaries go into all corners of the world. ($1,291,881.79).
The additional $42,000 you gave to build churches, clinics, schools and parsonages through Alabaster.
Or the nearly 1800 minutes of airtime you provided so that people who you may never met this side of heaven can hear the message that transformed your life. ($12,319.70)
Then there’s the nearly $63,000 you gave to support our missionaries through LINKS, Christmas Fund, Health Care and Deputation. ($62,699.11)
The $36,000 to the Jesus Film. Which according to their reports equals 10,000 new believers. ($36,153.69)
Whatever the need, where ever it was—you gave compassionately and sacrificially.
(Compassionate Ministries: 142,784.75)
The Washington Pacific District portrait includes our teens and children. They raised over $8,000 so the lives of children, living on the streets of Madagascar and Ukraine could be brighter today.
Our portrait is not of a single individual or a single church rather it is a group photo. A picture composed of many different men and women—of all shapes and sizes, using their gifts and talents to build God’s Church.
Seven families from the Washington Pacific District are serving on the mission field. We are committed to standing in the gap for:
Andy & Judy Bennett in Papua New Guinea,
Robert & Connie Dunn in Okinawa,
Hugh & Evelyn Friberg, Swaziland,
Scott & Cindy Meador serving in Romania,
Kent and Kathy Pelton in Thailand,
Benji & Abby Rodes in Seattle and
Jon and Margaret Scott in Malawi.
What a privilege it is to have Kent and Kathie Pelton with us today. Kent & Kathy would you stand? Later this morning we will hear from them but I hope you take the time to extend to them a warm welcome from their home district.
Our picture would be incomplete were it not for our local NMI presidents and pastor. What an extraordinary group of people! I commend you for your tireless efforts, unlimited creativity, your strong teamwork and you daily commitment to help people become fully devoted followers of Christ.
If you are a local president or pastor would you stand?
I have asked the district NMI leadership team to stand
behind me while I read this report. I am deeply grateful for these people for their endless source of inspiration, unwavering friendship and incredible encouragement. I could not have asked for a better group of people to minister with. They are my heroes! Thank you to:
Marilyn Berggren
Ruth Cashell
David Edwards
Darlene French
James Garrison
Deanna Grant
Rene Hayes
Kathie Ketchum
Verle Ketchum
Ivan Lathrop
Carol Lint
Dale Murray
Heather Pence
Benji Rodes
Marian Smith
Bethany Hull Somers
Dennis Spinnie
Sondra Statler
Ray Van Tongeren
Louisa Wong
Washington Pacific District:
You are a beautiful likeness of Christ to the world.
Photographer Bernice Abbot, said
“ Pictures are wasted unless the motive power which impelled you to action is strong and stirring.”
The motivating power that compels the Washington Pacific District to action is strong and stirring.
God has invited us to participate in the greatest, largest, most diverse and most significant cause in history. His kingdom. History is His story. He’s building His family for eternity. Nothing matters more, and nothing will last as long. We know from revelations that God’s global mission will be accomplished. Rick Warren states it well when he says, “Someday the Great commission will be the great completion.”
In heaven an enormous crowd of people from ‘every race, tribe, nations and language will one day stand before Jesus Christ to worship him. What an awesome sight it will be! But until that day what a honor and privilege it is to be a part of a district with a deep love for God that spills out into the world.
