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Available Black Evangelist

Rev. Fred McCarty recently announced his new classification as a Registered Evangelist on the West Virginia District.

McCarty said "our purpose is to fulfill the Great Commission serving as an Itinerant Evangelist and Elder in the Church of the Nazarene, preaching, witnessing and teaching the Word of God. There are many who have not heard or have not accepted the message that God Saves, Sanctifies, Transforms and Restores all who will believe on the Name of Jesus Christ. We're about sharing the Word of God so that - The lost people can be saved, the backslidden can be restored to usefulness, Christian commitment and recommitment can be encouraged, and local pastors, spouses and congregations could be encouraged in their ministries.

McCarty's contact information:
Email: fpmccarty@charter.net;
Cell: 304-552-0281

Words of Compassion by Ryan Scott

"We need Nazarene churches to partner with us to take in people being saved through our ministry. We're using Catholic Churches and Baptist Churches because they are willing to help, but we want these new Christians to get a Holiness message."

There are nearly 200 Compassionate Ministry Centers (CMCs) in English-speaking North America and some of their struggles have nothing to do with money or ministry space, but with local church involvement. I see this impassioned plea all too often as I open the mail for NCM USA/Canada. People's lives are being changed through holistic ministry in a way not seen since the founding of our denomination, but the growing pains can be hard to deal with.

It's not that our churches are ignoring the need; there are over 1500 Good Samaritan Churches involved in ministry to their under-resourced neighbors and that number is growing quickly. The Church of the Nazarene is responding to the call of God to share Christ's love with those in need.

However, in Compassionate Ministry, as in other spiritual disciplines, our human nature works against us. Our inherent selfishness encourages us to avoid intrusions of the unfamiliar: those of other backgrounds, ethnic groups and social classes, those different from ourselves. John Wesley required that his followers help the poor-not because the poor needed help-but because it was essential for the continued health of the Christian life.

God wants more than our abundance. When God, through Micah, calls us to "bring the whole tithe into the storehouse," He does not mean simply 10% of our paycheck. A tithe is not defined by a number; it is our debt to God. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we owe Him our very lives.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, not just your money or your good intentions. Find out if there is a CMC near you. Go door-to-door; ask your neighbors what you can do for them. If all you can do is offer a loving, nurturing church home, find the nearest ministry center and offer what you have. It's not such a far-fetched dream to replace "Catholic" and "Baptist" in the quote above with "Nazarene." I long for the day when the biggest complaint is that we can't get CMCs started fast enough to keep up with the Church's lifestyle of compassion.

Pastor Ronald E. Webb

On Sunday, July 10, 2005, Rev. Ronald Webb would be installed as the pastor of the Memphis Friendship Church of the Nazarene. As a longtime minister in the Church of God, Anderson, we welcome Ronald into the Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Oliver R. Phillips, Mission Strategy USA/Canada would be the guest speaker for the installation.

Ronald Webb married Debra Hampton July 27,1981. This union was blessed with three daughters, Angelica Joy (who is married to Mr. Randy Jones), Yarsha Lafaith (a junior at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga), and Ronda Denise (a junior at White Station High School in Memphis,TN). Pastor Webb is a bi-vocational minister. He works as a Medical Technologist and Sister Webb is a Registered Nurse.

Pastor Webb is a born again spirit filled believer in Jesus Christ. He has more than 19 years of ministry experience. He has served in many ministerial capacities and he has been a Pastor since 1996. His educational background includes a Master of Divinity, a B.A. in Biblical Studies, and an Associates of Applied Science.

Pastor Webb is a strong supporter of Youth Ministries, Christian Education, and Evangelism. His approach to ministry is very simple, "charity (love) begins at home", this means that all service to the community at large starts with the equipping of the church to serve in a "love" motivated capacity. We must learn to demonstrate love one for another so the world will know that we are "Disciples of Christ". Pastor Webb, s vision is to enlighten, equip, and empower willing believers to attain their "God designed" potential and to hold up the standard of Holiness unto our Lord.

Clarence Bowman - An Unsung Hero Honored

On Sunday, May 15th, Rev. Clarence Bowman, elder, educator, church planter and mentor, was honored for his many years of humble servant leadership. The celebration was sponsored by the Fairway Church of the Nazarene, his local church in Bloomington, Illinois. Family members, including Clarence's 89 year old sister, family, and friends gathered to express their love and respect and to pay tribute to a Godly man.

Rev. Robert Coy, interim pastor, led the congregation with the help of Clarence's family and friends in an overview of his and his wife, Charlotte's personal journey and faithful churchmanship. The service opened with a choir selection, "We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise" which set the tone for the entire service.

Dr. Roger Bowman, Clarence's brother from California, shared some of Clarence's "Early Years" growing up in a Christian home in Oberlin, Ohio, his personal experience of being baptized together at a church camp meeting, his youthful interests and quiet demeanor.

Clarence's older son, Edward Bowman from Chicago, shared childhood memories of his father's "Early Ministry" as professor, dean of students, church planter and recruiter for Nazarene Bible Institute in Institute, West Virginia, as well as other personal experiences.

Dr. Barry Cunningham from California, son of the late Dr. R. W. Cunningham who was president of Nazarene Bible Institute and one who has greatly admired Clarence, shared from a very unique and affirming perspective which he called "Middle Passage I & II". In addition to presenting Clarence with a beautiful pen and pencil desk set with his picture, Barry, in a very creative way, expressed his desire that we never forget three African American pioneers. He presented, on 4" by 6" cards, beautiful portraits of these men which he called "Greatness at a Glance." Dr. Warren A. Rogers, Sr. - "A Fisher of Men"; Dr. R. W. Cunningham, Sr. - "A Visionary Pioneer"; Dr. Clarence Bowman - "A Bridge Builder". These cards will also remind us of the "Rogers, Cunningham, Bowman Ministerial Institute", which has been established to assist in the training of future African American leaders. These cards will be available at the General Assembly in the Mission Strategy booth.

The final segment of Clarence's life, entitled "Teaching Career to Retirement", was presented by his youngest son, Dr. Alvin Bowman, newly appointed president of Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. It was a masterful salute to his father and his mother who unfortunately was unable to attend due to failing health. Together, his parents complemented each other in all they did.

It was a moving experience for all. Tears filled the eyes of Rev. Clarence Bowman as several presentations were given to him. His first response was, "I don't deserve all this - all the glory belongs to God." He was presented with a beautiful plaque by his brother Roger Bowman on behalf of Dr. Oliver Phillips, Director of Mission Strategy USA/Canada. His local church presented him with the denomination's "Distinguished Service Award." A beautiful poem honoring Clarence was written and read by Geneva Coit, a member of the local church. Dr. Ted Lee, Indianapolis District Superintendent, closed the service with remarks and prayer after which the church provided a time of fellowship and breaking bread together.

At various intervals in the service, pictures were flashed on a screen of Clarence, his family, his work and his students. A video clip from Dr. Charles Johnson of Meridian, Mississippi was shown along with the playing of an audio tape from Rev. Edward Husband of East Point, Georgia and a letter from Rev. Roland Chopfield, retired pastor all of which were former students of Professor Clarence Bowman. Some of Clarence's favorite hymns were interspersed, sung by the congregation.

Greetings from numerous church leaders such as General Superintendents Dr. Jim Bond and Dr. James Diehl, Nazarene Bible College President Dr. Hiram Sanders, Commissioner of Education Dr. Jerry Lambert, and others.

Rev. Clarence Bowman wishes to thank Pastor Robert Coy, the local congregation, family and friends for making the occasion such a meaningful experience.

All the Nations Multicultural Service at General Assembly

In a historic gathering of an ethnic mosaic of the membership of the Church of the Nazarene, more than 700 Nazarenes gathered at the Wabash Room to celebrate diversity in the All the Nations Service sponsored jointly by the departments of UCME and World Mission. The theme of the service, - Inspired by the Past, Committed to the Present, and United for the Future - set the tenor for the speakers who represented the diversity of the denomination.

While the business of the assembly continued in various caucuses throughout the day on Saturday, the service gave opportunity for Nazarenes to celebrate the multicultural and international character of the church.

Music was provided by the Olivet Multicultural "Proclamation" choir and the praise and worship was led by the music team from Chicago First Hispanic congregation. An international choir of more than 70 members representing the international church was directed by Eon Trotman.

"Never in the history of our denomination have we witnessed such an intentional demonstration of Kingdom worship, presence, and praise," said Oliver Phillips, director of Mission Strategy USA/Canada. "If our church is to be reflective of the many peoples who belong to the quilt of our holiness tradition, we must insist that such inclusive gatherings be the norm, rather than the exception."

Here are some quotes from the plenary speakers:

Dr. Gustavo Crocker - Regional Director, Euro-Asia
"I'm here with you today because a missionary came to Guatemala 40 years ago and baptized my parents. This missionary came and spent 34 years in my country so that one day I could spend my life in 34 countries for the Church of the Nazarene.…"

"…Too often the church has been only present and inclusive, and we have not embraced. There are still some who are not included, and we need to embrace others who are not here with us."

Dr. Enoch Litswele - Assistant to the Regional Director, Africa
"Christ says he's not taking us out of this world. We should be like a fish. The waters of the ocean are salty, but when you take a fish out of the ocean, you will find that the salt doesn't get into its system. In the same way, we need to be involved in this world, but we must not let the evil of this world get into our system. We need to be light and salt to our world from whatever culture we are from."

Dr. Nina Gunter - general superintendent-elect; formerly NMI director
"Books for Pastors" is what Nazarenes are all about because it's about helping one another. This is what our International Church of the Nazarene is all about….

"…Books for Pastors" is the greatest project our church has ever undertaken. We will never have a holiness church in the next generation without holiness preachers. That's why this project is so significant. It's for the Kingdom of God!"

It is reported that more than $6,000 was donated through the Multicultural Service for the "Books for Pastors Project."

Dr. Jerry Porter - General Superintendent
"This is a preamble of heaven, and I celebrate the grace of God which is inclusive. This grace has allowed me to be in, and it has allowed you to be in. We are all in family of God by his grace."

"…You are all part of the family of the Church of the Nazarene and we need you. Whether you were born into this church or came from somewhere else…we need you!"

"Democracy usually means the majority always wins, but we are not about the politics of the world. We are about 'Our Father' and that means the majority needs to defer to the minority. The strong must defend the weak and the poor-those who cannot defend themselves. We must struggle for justice."

"The Lord is not nervous about the church and can handle the Church of the Nazarene. If it's God's time, we will become a global, multicultural family."
"We want the most qualified people, of course, the most qualified people in every position, but isn't it about time? We have people, and if it's the Lord's time, if the Lord is willing, it's about time."

Dr. Louie Bustle - World Mission Director
"I really believe we are in a movement of God that will usher in the greatest revival the world has ever seen. We need you and let's us be a part of it."

"I believe that God has raised us up for this day, maybe more than at any other time in our history. Let's change the world for Jesus."

Women Break the glass ceiling at General Assembly

Drs. Nina Gunter and Jossie Owens broke the glass ceiling by their election to leadership positions within the denomination. By her election to the general superintendency Dr. Gunter, who previously served as Nazarene Mission International Director, became the first woman in the 100-year history of our church to hold such a position. Dr Owens, presently district superintendent of the New England district, became the first African American and African American woman to be elected to the General Board. Jossie was also elected to serve as vice-president of the General Board, another first!

In addition to this historic news, on May 13th Dr. Corliss McGee became the first woman to be elected to the presidency of Eastern Nazarene College, as well as a first for any US/Canada Nazarene institution of higher learning. Dr. McGee holds a Doctor of Arts degree in Economics from Middle Tennessee State University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University.

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