Church officially breaks ground on Global Ministry Center

Lenexa, Kansas-Several hundred Nazarenes representing all world regions gathered on Sunday, February 26, for a commemorative groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future Global Ministry Center for the Church of the Nazarene. Members and guests of the denomination's General Board met under a tent raised at 95th Street and Renner Boulevard in Lenexa, Kansas, for this event. The groundbreaking launches a historic step for the denomination and sets in motion a process that will lead to the eventual construction of the new facility.

In his opening remarks, General Superintendent Jerry D. Porter stated,

Today, we gather from around the world to visually and symbolically launch this historic endeavor for our denominational family.

As we approach our centennial in 2008, we are mindful of that great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with people everywhere. In fact, we are here because someone cared and introduced us to Jesus. That mission compels us-it is not primarily about a physical building, but rather, a "Global Ministry Center" that will foster productive global disciple-making endeavors.

Four leadership groups raised their shovels and turned the soil at the site: The Board of General Superintendents, the Executive Committee of the General Board, the Global Mission Team, and the World Mission Regional Directors. Additionally, general superintendents emeriti W. Talmadge Johnson and Donald D. Owens participated in the ceremony.

Reflecting on the event, General Secretary Jack Stone shared, "Breaking ground for a new Global Ministry Center reflects the beginning of new opportunities for resourcing the Church of the Nazarene around the world. We praise God for His leadership to this moment and trust His continued guidance as we focus on fulfilling the Great Commission."

Fundraising for the Global Ministry Center has begun. According to General Treasurer Marilyn J. McCool, "Pledges from six world regions have been received, with the Church of the Nazarene in East Asia leading the way with pledges from Korea and Japan. We are now presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in the creation of the new Global Ministry Center through our gifts."

Responding to this vision, during their Sunday evening meeting on February 26, General Board members and guests pledged nearly $200,000 (U.S.) for the Global Ministry Center.

During their 2005 session, General Board members voted to relocate the Church of the Nazarene's Headquarters. The action came about after three years of study and a recommendation from consultants that the church Headquarters remain in the Kansas City area.

Nazarene Headquarters has been located at 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, Missouri, for over half a century. The denomination remains committed to discovering community-benefiting uses for the present property in Missouri. In their recent meetings, the Executive Committee of the General Board voted to work in concert with the Kansas City Economic Development Office on this endeavor.
--Holiness Today

Pictured: BGS members, (left to right), James H. Diehl, Paul G. Cunningham, Jerry D. Porter, Nina G. Gunter, J.K. Warrick

Note: General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf was unable to attend the ceremony as he was in Nashville with his father, who was undergoing emergency surgery. Subsequent reports from Nashville indicate that Jesse A. Middendorf is recuperating satisfactorily.

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2005-2009 Manual of the Church of the Nazarene now available online

The 2005-2009 Manual of the Church of the Nazarene was effective as of March 1, 2006. This new Manual is being made available in printed book form by the Nazarene Publishing House. Orders should be filled and shipped in the next few days.

The on-line version of the new Manual is currently available on the following Nazarene.org Web page: www.nazarene.org/gensec.
--General Secretary's Office

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Highlights of the 83rd Session of the General Board

Kansas City, Missouri, February 24-February 27, 2006

History made
General Superintendent Nina G. Gunter became the first woman in the history of the Church of the Nazarene to chair the General Board when she oversaw proceedings on Monday, February 27.

151 World Areas: Church to enter Iraq, Zanzibar
The Church of the Nazarene will now be present in 151 world areas after members of the General Board officially approved the additions of Iraq on the Eurasia Region, and Zanzibar on the Africa Region.

Report of the Board of General Superintendents to the General Board
Kansas City, Missouri-General Superintendent Jerry D. Porter delivered the Board of General Superintendents report to the General Board on Sunday night, February 26. To read the transcript of this report, entitled "A Discipling Church," please see the following Nazarene.org Web page: http://www.nazarene.org/superintendents/genboard06.html.

General Board Photo Gallery
To view photos from the 83rd Session of the General Board, see this week's photo gallery on ncnnews.com.

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2005 Departmental Reports

(Note: All funds expressed in U.S. dollars.)

General Secretary/Headquarters Operations
Jack Stone, general secretary and Headquarters operations officer
Statistics never tell the whole story, but for the Church of the Nazarene, 2005 is highlighted by:

• 14,043 organized churches - 2.71 percent net gain
• 1,566,305 members (1,425,279 full and 141,026 associate members) - 4.68 percent gain
• 137,708 new Nazarenes
• There are 425 districts of the Church of the Nazarene around the world. Of these, 167 are Phase 3; 82 are Phase 2; and 144 are Phase 1. There are also 32 pioneer areas.
• Total monies paid for all purposes were $855,648,824. Worldwide per capita giving was $542.30.
• New ministers credentialed included 315 elders in the U.S. and Canada and 284 in other world areas. An additional 34 elders had their credentials recognized. There were 50 new deacons ordained in 2005.