| Global Weekly Summary |
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May
21, 2004 Global
News This Week
Nazarene
missionaries to return to Haiti Nazarene missionaries in Haiti were flown out of the country in February during a time of extreme political unrest. “As we are in frequent contact with our Haitian church and various international reports,” said Regional Director Smee, “we feel that the time has come for our dedicated missionaries to Haiti to be able to return to their mission assignments. We are grateful for the prayers and support of our international church, especially during difficult times.” The Haiti missionary team will begin the process of return throughout the coming weeks and months. It is anticipated that by the end of summer, all mission families will be back in Haiti. The
Haiti Church of the Nazarene is one of the largest in the world. Among
its eleven districts are more than 96,000 members. Known throughout Nazarene
mission history for their evangelistic zeal, Haitian Nazarenes continue
to start new churches and sustain growing congregations. During this recent
“time of missionary evacuation,” the Haitian Nazarene leadership
has repeatedly reported that churches have remained open and new converts
are being received weekly.
Korea
Nazarene University to celebrate 50 years Located in Chonan, South Korea, KNU graduated 414 students in February, the largest graduating class in the history of the university. There are nearly 5,000 students currently enrolled at KNU. Under the direction of President William Patch, KNU is a fully accredited, four-year liberal arts institution. Though Korean is the primary language of instruction, many courses are offered in English to international students, giving them the opportunity to study the Korean language, history, and culture of Korea and surrounding nations. For
more information on the 50-year celebration, visit the following web site:
http://www.kornu.ac.kr/50years/50years.htm
Metro
New York's Mucci says farewell Mucci arrived in Metro New York in 1980 to find 49 congregations with a combined weekly worship attendance of 3,230 and a membership of 4,038. No new congregations had been formed and combined giving totaled just $1.7 million. This was the record of achievement after 73 years in existence as a district. Today, Metro New York boasts 121 organized churches and 12 NewStart missions. Three churches were organized this past year and membership now stands at 11,934, an increase of 295 percent. Weekly worship attendance averages 10,536, or an increase of 325 percent since Mucci's arrival. Combined giving totals $10.9 million, a six-fold increase. While Mucci's jurisdiction is Metro New York City, over 40 percent of the district is non-English speaking. The churches he serves speak English, Spanish, Korean, French Creole, Chinese (Mandarin), Portuguese, Urdu (Pakistani), Hindi (Indian), and Japanese. Mucci's vision led him to facilitate the establishment of the Church of the Nazarene in Pakistan. Prior to his assignment in New York, Mucci and his wife, Sandy, served as Senior Pastor of the South Hills Church of the Nazarene in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1964-1980. Mucci earned degrees from Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) and the University of Chicago. Mucci is the past Chair of the Board of Trustees of ENC and served as a trustee of Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS). He served at chairman of the Church Growth Division of the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene and was a member of the General Board for 15 years. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the General Board as well. In addition, he authored several books and numerous articles for various publications. In his final address, Mucci said the following:
Presiding General Superintendent James H. Diehl said, "We had a blessed time at the Metro New York District Assembly. We laughed and cried and praised God. We reminisced even while we were looking toward the future. Surely God's hand has been upon this great district. I commend the life and ministry of Dal and Sandy Mucci and offer my prayers for the days ahead." Also during the assembly, Arthur D. (Art) Alexander was elected as the new superintendent of the Metro New York District. Alexander was elected on the third ballot and will assume this role in June. Alexander,
pastor of the Valley Stream Church of the Nazarene, currently resides
in Lynbrook, New York. Carr
elected D.S. of Upstate New York Bill
and his wife, Janet, currently reside in Kansas City, Missouri. Carr’s
present assignment included pastoral mentoring with District Superintendent
Keith Wright on the Kansas City District. Grove
City tops 8000 for Easter NCN News queried Huffaker regarding Easter Sunday
attendance and he said the congregation had 8646 for Easter attendance
over their five services. The Saturday night services included a worship
service in one part of the building, as well as their Easter pageant in
another section. Huffaker said 628 people made decisions for Christ during
their Easter pageant. “Everything is geared to outreach and evangelism,”
said Huffaker. Grove City presented “Send us the Promise,”
written, produced and directed by Randy Hisey, a member of the congregation.
According Huffaker, more than 17,000 people attended the seven presentations.
For
more information on the Grove City Church of the Nazarene, visit their
web site at www.grovecitynazarene.org. Regional
Resources: Church
of the Nazarene Ministry Links NMI
Prayer Mobilization Line: On-Line
Pastor's Calendar:
Former
MNU music professor dies Born in Potsdam, New York, Wood received a BS in music from Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) and a Master of Arts from West Texas State University. Before serving at MNU, Wood taught at Amarillo College in Texas and Huntington College in Indiana. Additionally, Wood served as minister of music at Nazarene Churches in Colorado, Texas, Indiana, and Kansas. Additionally, Wood served as a song evangelist for revivals in churches all over the United States. He is survived by his wife, Wanda, who is currently the religion department divisional secretary at MNU, three children, Mark, Philip, and Ellen Wood Cox, as well as nine grandchildren. His brothers, Calvin and Colburn Wood, also survive him. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to
MNU for a music scholarship in Wood’s name. Kentucky
District to honor one of its own with TNU scholarship A 1951 graduate of TNU, Staples is an alumnus of Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) and the Pacific School of Religion where he received his THD. Staples had a storied career in higher education, teaching at NTS and Southern Nazarene University (SNU). Now retired, Staples is a professor of Theology Emeritus at NTS. According
to a district press release, funds from the Staples/TNU endowment will
be used to assist students with the purchase of books. Any former students
of Staples who would like to contribute to the scholarship may do so by
contacting TNU Vice President of University Advancement G. Harold McCue
(615-248-1200). Nazarene
Global Educational Links:
Pioneer
QB signed by NFL Chiefs During his career at MNU, Booth completed 284 of 534 passes for 4,250 yards with 42 touchdowns and 16 interceptions for a 140.0 QB rating. He added 465 carries for 3,037 yards with 35 TDs and three receptions for 38 yards. The Bradenton, Florida resident was selected as the Heart of America Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player and was a first-team all-conference choice as a senior after he completed 121 of 248 passes for 1,824 yards with 19 touchdowns and eight INTs, good for a 129.4 rating. He also set an MNU single-season rushing high in 2003 when he ran 233 times for 1,442 yards with 18 TDs. Booth prepped at Manatee High School in Bradenton where he earned four varsity letters in football. Booth was the MVP of the county all-star game following his senior campaign. Also a four-year letterman in basketball and weightlifting, Booth was an active member at the Bradenton First Church of the Nazarene. Booth’s twin brother James will be a senior wide receiver with Mid-America Nazarene in 2004 after taking a redshirt year. Booth caught the Chiefs attention during a pre-draft workout. Despite never playing receiver before, Booth wowed Chiefs coaches, scouts, and even vice president of football operations and player personnel Lynn Stiles. "It was funny because I am doing what I used to do in my back yard," Booth said after the workout. "I was surprised that they took a liking to me because this is the first time I had ever done it. "There were a couple times they asked me if I was sure it was the first time I lined up at receiver." "When I left (the workout), I was in shock," Booth said. "I was going into this workout, from a small school, an NAIA guy and to everyone else, I'm not supposed to get this opportunity. I'm not supposed to get a workout with an NFL team." When the coaches and scouts saw him, it was obvious why he was there. "He is so explosive and sharp in everything physically as well as mentally," Chiefs director of college scouting Chuck Cook said. Among
those Booth worked with during the tryout were Chiefs wide receivers coach
and NFL Hall of Fame receiver Charlie Joiner and Chiefs offensive coordinator
Al Saunders. "My mind set was to do what I can and hopefully impress them somewhat and they might take a little interest," Booth said. "Then coming out, working with Saunders, individually, talking with their head scout, talking to Lynn Stiles, all of that stuff was almost too overwhelming because I wasn't expecting it. To hear that they might want to bring me in and have me at rookie camp was a surprise. It was surreal. I feel like I am in a dream right now.” Booth will now participate in various voluntary mini camps with the Chiefs before training camp starts in July. For
more information on Booth and the Chiefs, visit the following web page:
http://www.mnu.edu/athletics/football/news.phtml?OID=121 Chicago
Bears will return to Olivet July 28 Bears and ONU officials are planning for it not to be the last time. Discussions are underway to extend the contract that expires this year. The original agreement was a two-year pact with an option for a third year. ONU and the Bears picked up the option for this year, and officials plan to have a contract in place before the end of camp on Aug. 18. “We’ve enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the McCaskey family and the Chicago Bears,” said Gary Griffin, ONU’s director of university relations and campus coordinator of the camp. “Both sides anticipate looking forward to a long-term contract.” Last year’s camp attracted more than 80,000
fans over a three-week period. Future
seminarian Stark named Academic All-American, again David Stark, a 6'9" center from Donelson Christian Academy (DCA) in Donelson, Tennessee, accepts the NAIA Scholar-Athlete award for the second time in his career at Trevecca. Stark, a Class A All-State performer at DCA, graduated this spring as a religion major at Trevecca and will continue his studies this fall at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City. Stark,
who averaged 7.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as a senior, was one
of only eight TranSouth Athletic Conference men's basketball players to
be named an NAIA scholar-athlete.
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