NCN NEWS WEEKLY SUMMARY

February 1, 2002
International Edition
INT'LWS 0204
Senior Editor: David J. Felter

News This Week
Nazarenes Face Erupting Volcano In Congo
Imprisoned Nazarenes Released
Venezuela Celebrates 20 Years
Youth In Mission In Dedicated Ministry
What Is TOBIAS?
Morsch Memorial Chapel
Venezuela Sends First Missionary
General Superintendent's Jurisdictional Assignments
Son Of Elmer Towns Killed
Satellite Broadcast Schedule

Nazarenes caught by volcanic eruption
A volcano in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) erupted January 17, sending torrents of lava toward the capital city of Goma, 12 miles to the south. Of the 4,000 Nazarene families living in the area, at least 500 are believed to be homeless as a result of the eruption of Mt. Nyiragongo. At least four Nazarene churches and two primary schools have been destroyed.

According to the United Nations, up to 600,000 people have been affected. Estimates of those displaced range as high as 450,000. The initial flows killed at least 45, and 50 others were killed in Goma when lava flows ignited gasoline and diesel fuel stored in elevated tanks. CNN reported that about 40 percent of Goma has been destroyed, including about one-fourth of the city's airstrip, and as many as 14 villages also were incinerated. The disaster adds further misery to that already caused by the DRC's long-running civil war.

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries has advanced $10,000 for initial relief supplies of food, water, blankets, tarpaulins, and medicine, but more is needed. Long-term assistance, such as seeds, farming tools, and building supplies, also is critical. Those wishing to donate to the relief effort should make checks payable to "General Treasurer," mark them "Congo Volcano ACM1635," and mail them to General Treasurer, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. In Canada, checks should be made payable and sent to Church of the Nazarene Canada, 20 Regan Rd., Unit 9, Brampton, Ontario L7A 1C3. All donations sent through the general treasurer's office will receive 10% Mission Special credit if the local church is identified.

Imprisoned Nazarenes released
As a result of the continued prayers of concerned Nazarenes, four pastors and two laymen who had been arrested and imprisoned for evangelistic work in a Creative Access Area, have been released. Communication problems made it difficult to verify their welfare until just recently. They were all released shortly before the new year

Venezuela sets 20th anniversary celebration
The 20th anniversary of the work of the Church of the Nazarene in Venezuela will be celebrated March 28-30, 2002, in Barinas. Bill and Juanita Porter, who opened the work in 1982, will be on hand, as will World Mission Director Louie Bustle. The event will feature workshops and panel discussions on holiness and is expected to include graduation ceremonies for students who will have completed the CENETA program, which offers theological education by extension.
--JoAnn Leslie

Youth in Mission carries on despite world unrest
In spite of terrorist activity and unsettled political situations, Youth in Mission (YIM) will send 95 to 100 students in teams across the globe this summer. Over a period of nine weeks, the teams will minister on mission fields from Asia to Europe to the Caribbean and elsewhere.

Although YIM had to scrap plans to send two teams to creative access nations due to safety concerns, two other teams will minister in other countries that are closed to missionaries. Among other ministry sites are Los Angeles, where a legal team will offer free legal services to the homeless; Africa, where three teams will teach young people about AIDS prevention and serve AIDS orphans and other teams will work with local YIM teams to develop youth ministry; Madagascar, where a team will reach out to child prostitutes; and Tonga, where teams will work to establish the Church of the Nazarene. In addition, one team will travel through the Balkan states specifically to pray for the church's work there, and other teams will continue friendship evangelism through Croatia and Slovenia. Outreach to children and youth will continue in countries such as Russia, Bangladesh, Australia, Ukraine, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Italy, and Côte d'Ivoire.
--Bo Cassell

Videos provide Spanish-language discipleship training
World Mission Communications South America has announced the upcoming release of TOBIAS, a Spanish-language video series that backs up the success of the JESUS film in South America. The six-video series provides discipleship training geared to the new Christian and addresses testimony, prayer, the Bible, church, worship, and sanctification. Jorge Julca, director of academic affairs at Seminario Nazareno Sudamericano in Buenos Aires, hosts the series. Now in final editing, the series is expected to be released in March.

To make the videos useful to all evangelical Spanish-speaking churches worldwide, the project purposely was not identified by the Nazarene name, but the series is firmly grounded in holiness doctrine. South America Regional Director Bruno Radi estimates that 1 million people worldwide eventually will view the videos.
--JoAnn Leslie

Morsch family builds memorial chapel in Peru
Twenty-one members of the Morsch family and nine family friends celebrated Christmas 2001 in the jungles of Peru, where they traveled to build a chapel in memory of Pat Morsch, who died of cancer in 1997. Pat Morsch was the wife of J. V. Morsch, Nazarene Disaster Response national director, and mother of Gary Morsch, founder and president of the international aid organization Heart to Heart. The team met in Miami to fly to Lima on December 18, 2001, and returned to the United States on January 2, 2002.

The 30' x 80' chapel was built deep in the jungles of the western Amazon for Aguaruna Indians who have become Nazarenes through the ministry of pioneer missionaries Larry and Addie Garman. Pat Morsch's home church, Central Nazarene in Orlando, Florida, helped raise funds to buy materials for the chapel. In addition to the chapel, which was dedicated December 23, the team also conducted medical clinics among the Aguarunas and built a dormitory for students at the Instituto Biblico Nazareno in Bagua Chica.

Gary Morsch's detailed and delightful account of the Pat Morsch Memorial Expedition to Peru is available at http://www.hearttoheart.org .

Venezuela sends out first missionary
José David Acosta, the first missionary to be sent out from Venezuela, arrived in Argentina on January 20 to begin a regional two-year missionary intern contract. He has been assigned to assist South America Regional Director Bruno Radi. Among his duties are overseeing construction at the regional office compound, helping produce JESUS film chapels, teaching at the local seminary, and assisting Work and Witness teams.

Acosta studied for two years at Seminario Teologico Nazareno Sudamericano in Quito, Ecuador, graduating with a bachelor's degree. He worked as a volunteer for five years in Venezuela with Work and Witness ministries. He was called to missions in 1993.
--JoAnn Leslie

General Superintendent's jurisdictional assignments

BOARD OF GENERAL SUPERINTENDENTS
Officers (January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2003):
W. Talmadge Johnson, Chairman
Jim L. Bond, Vice-Chairman
Jesse C. Middendorf, Secretary

Son of Elmer Towns Killed
NCN News has learned that the son of Dr. Elmer and Ruth Towns was killed in an auto accident late Saturday evening while driving back to Lynchburg, Va. from Washington, DC. He was a Professor at Liberty University. His father, Dr. Elmer Towns co-authored the book, Developing A Giving Church with Dr. Stan Toler, pastor of the Oklahoma Trinity Church of the Nazarene. Additionally Dr. and Mrs. Towns co-authored Christmas Traditions with Stan and Linda Toler, which is published by Beacon Hill Press. The Senior Towns has spoken in nearly every Nazarene District Sunday School Convention as well as district clergy retreats.

Funeral services were held January 29, 2002 at Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, VA.

NCN Broadcast Schedule
Satellite Program Guide
*All Times Are Eastern*
NCN Broadcasts on DISH Network Channel 9602

February 3: NCN Sunday (Denver First)...11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
February 5: NCN News...8:00 p.m. to 8:05 p.m.
Mission Today...8:05 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
February 10: NCN Sunday (Olathe, KS College)...11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
February 12: NCN News...8:00 p.m. to 8:05 p.m.
Profile with Ann Downing...8:05 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The preceding information may be used in newsletters and
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