DAILY SUMMARY27th General Assembly & Conventions

GLANCETODAY AT A

SundayJune 28, 2009

Issue Five

KidzFirst Zone9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Worship ServiceHoly Communion

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Alumni LuncheonsMNU, SNU, ENC

12:00 PM

Alumni LuncheonsMVNU, TNU

12:30 PM

AUC/ Canada Luncheon12:30 PM

Exhibit Hall12:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Alumni LuncheonNNU

1:00 PM

Worship Service4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Evangelism Min. Reception5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

NewStart Pastor Reception5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Connecting a New Generation Task Force Meeting6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Nominations Committee7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

See your Event Directory for a full schedule and locations.

Paul Cunningham: Radical Obedience

Perhaps the most appropriate phrase to describe the life of Paul Cunningham is radical obedi-ence.

Paul grew up in Chicago. His childhood spiri-tual development took place at Chicago First Church of the Nazarene. At age 12, he gave his heart to Christ.

He moved on to higher education at what is now Olivet Nazarene University, majoring in history. Paul involved himself in numerous campus activities and served as class president during his senior year.

The year 1960 marked both his graduation from Olivet and his marriage to Connie Sea-man, his childhood sweetheart.

The Cunninghams moved to Kansas City for Paul to attend Nazarene Theological Seminary. Personal soul searching resulted in a decision of radical obedience to God and His uncondi-tional call for a complete consecration of Paul’s life, future, career—everything. Paul marked this place in his journey as God’s gift of entire sanctification.

Seminary training drew to a close as Paul and Connie sought direction for a pastoral assign-ment. God’s call led them just a few miles south to pastor a small congregation in Olathe, Kansas. A month after taking the Olathe as-signment, while attending the 1964 General Assembly in Portland, Oregon, God challenged the young pastor.

The assembly voted to start two new liberal arts colleges. God seemed to say to Paul, “One of those colleges could be in Olathe.”

With God’s challenge in his heart, he returned home to watch God miraculously raise a col-

lege in a cornfield with a new Olathe College Church of the Nazarene at its side.

Paul and Connie gave 29 years of faithful ser-vice to College Church. During that time they raised their three children: Lori, Paul Mark, and Connie Jo.

At the 1993 General Assembly in Indianapo-lis, God placed a new challenge of radical obedience in Paul and Connie’s path as He led them to leave their beloved congregation and assume the role of general superintendent.

Paul Cunningham has served God’s king-

dom well and led the Church of the Nazarene decisively as a member of the Board of Gen-eral Superintendents. His passion for the Great Commission and lost souls has challenged the global church to action.(By Frank Moore, excerpted from the May-June issue of Holiness Today.)

Jim Diehl: This One and Only Journey

In high school, his dream was to become a sports announcer. If you’ve heard Jim Diehl speak, you know he would have been a talented announcer.

At Des Moines, Iowa, First Church, Jim came under the wing of Pastor C. E. Stanley. He would also take a strong interest in the Stan-ley’s teenage daughter, Dorothy (Dottie), who would eventually become his wife and partner in ministry.Jim and Dottie married in 1956 while attending what is now Olivet Nazarene University. Upon graduation, the pastorate beckoned with Iowa assignments. Ordination came in 1960. Dur-ing these pastorates, a daughter and three sons graced the Diehl home—Jodi, Jim Jr., Don, and David. (Continued on page 2)

Retiring BGS members serve as models for making Christlike disciples in the nationsA LASTING LEGACY

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ordained the first female elders in Papua New Guinea and pre-sided over the Japan District Assembly when they elected their first female district superintendent.

Throughout her life, Nina has maintained a “dream” file of per-ceived needs, and she encourages others to do the same.

A number of those dreams became realities when she was general NMI director, such as the creation of district convention packets, prayer initiatives including Nazarene World Week of Prayer and prayer for the persecuted church, faith promise re-sources, regional NMI coordinators, NMI resource notebooks, and the Award of Excellence.

Nina Gunter may be retiring as general superintendent, but her call remains. She will continue ministering, leading, and dream-ing.(By Gail Sawrie, excerpted from the May-June issue of Holi-ness Today. Page 1 photo by Attig Photography.)Note: Due to time constraints, NCN’s “Jesus the Healer” report from Saturday night will be in Monday’s Daily Summary.

A Lasting Legacy (Continued from page 1)

Jim would spend four years at what is now MidAmerica Nazarene University before receiving a pastoral call to Atlanta, Georgia, First Church. Three years later he would be called to take on the role of superintendent of the Nebraska District.

During his six years in Nebraska and the following four as su-perintendent of the Colorado District, Jim worked to encourage those around him.

He is one of only a handful of district superintendents of his generation who returned to the pastorate from the superinten-dency, being elected as senior pastor of Denver, Colorado, First Church in 1989. Four years later, delegates to the 23rd General Assembly in Indianapolis elected him as a member of the Board of General Superintendents.

Jim and Dorothy have had their moments of trials and sadness. The absolute lowest point in their lives came on June 23, 2008, when the family gathered around the bed of their youngest child, David, as the 45-year-old father breathed his last. It was the conclusion of a two-year battle against cancer.

As he looks back, he shares, “Our church has given me more opportunities and blessings and privileges than I ever de-served.”(By Mark Graham, excerpted from the May-June issue of Holi-ness Today)

Nina Gunter: A Woman Called

Throughout her life, Nina has sought to make things better whether she is serving in a church, teaching school, counseling, writing, or trotting the globe as general director of Nazarene Missions International (NMI) or as a general superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene.

As a wife, mother of two active sons, Dwight and Dwayne, grandmother, pastor, teacher, and in other roles, her schedule was something that became important early on.

Nina Griggs Gunter grew up on a farm in South Carolina, the youngest of eight children. One of her favorite pastimes was playing church. They would take turns preaching, being the “seeker,” leading the music, or playing piano.

She and Dwight Moody Gunter were married while attending what is now Trevecca Nazarene University.

The Gunters copastored several churches. Throughout the years, they have been invited to preach at camp meetings and revivals, alternating the pulpit between them.

While Nina has never doubted God’s call, there have been times when others questioned whether a woman should preach. More than a few have admitted that they were wrong after hear-ing the God-anointed words in her sermons.

She was elected to the General NMI Council in 1976. When General NMI Director Phyllis Perkins resigned in 1986, Nina was elected to that role.

During the 2005 General Assembly, Nina was elected as the first female general superintendent of the denomination. She has seen the awareness of women in ministry raised. Nina

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Nazarene Legacy Ministry launches at General Assembly

A Seattle, Washington, pastor’s initial response was one of disbelief. However, his astonishment soon turned to rejoicing as he digested the news from the Church of the Nazarene Founda-tion (CNF) that his church would be the recipient of a substantial legacy gift from a faithful couple in his church who had recently passed away. This generous gift came at a critical time in the life of his church and was a blessing to support its ministry.

Legacy gifts are typically large (10x–20x annual giving levels) and come in a variety of forms, includ-ing real estate, business interests, farm land, insurance policies, charitable trusts, and distributions from an estate. Statistics say the top two characteristics of people most likely to make legacy gifts are frequency and longevity of giving. Churches are filled with people who fit those characteristics, so why don’t churches receive more of these “planned gifts or legacy gifts?”

The answer is simple: “We don’t ask for them.”

Legacy Ministry, a new program being launch at General Assembly by the CNF, is designed to help local churches proac-tively and consistently encourage people to make legacy gifts. “There is great, untapped potential in legacy giving to fund minis-tries at the local church level,” said Melvin McCullough, president of the CNF. The CNF has facilitated legacy gifts in many forms, including cash of $500,000 for an endowment in a rural Missouri church, a $102,000 real estate gift for debt reduction in an Idaho church, and scores of charitable giving instruments where income is paid to donors during their lifetimes and gifts flow to the local church upon the donors’ death. With three levels of participation choose from, any size church can engage in cultivation of legacy gifts. Visit the CNF exhibit, call 866-273-2549, or email info@NazareneFoundation.org for more information about beginning a Legacy Ministry in your church.

JESUS Film Harvest Partners Nazarene Outreach

The JESUS Film, financed by Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) in the 1970’s, is the most accurate depiction of the life of Christ ever produced. CCC approached Louie Bustle, the director of World Mission for the Church of the Nazarene, about partner-ing to show the JESUS Film to reach lost people. Because of its strong global mission network, the Church of the Nazarene had the infrastructure and people in place to show the film, disciple new believers, and plant churches. Bustle saw the strategic opportunity offered by such a partnership. A historic agreement was forged at the Campus Crusade JESUS Film Project offices in San Clemente, California, in August of 1997, with the Nazarene work of JESUS Film Harvest Partners (JFHP) beginning in 1998. This was the first partnership of its kind using the JESUS Film. Never before had a denomination committed to make the JESUS Film a main strategy for evangelism. The agreement was the first step in one of the most effective evangelistic strategies ever undertaken by the Church of the Nazarene.

JESUS Film Harvest Partners is a ministry of the World Mission department. Other groups use the JESUS Film as an evangelistic tool with wonderful results. However, JESUS Film Harvest Part-ners is the Nazarene ministry arm using the film as an additional tool “to make Christlike disciples in the nations.” Millions of people are believers in Christ because of this work. They testify to life changing results such as the woman in Argentina who accepted a personal relationship with Jesus and was freed from her cocaine addiction; the abusive husband in Guatemala who reconciled with his wife and family, the tribal leader in Africa who paved the way for his entire tribe to follow Christ, the prisoner in Cuba who is now the pastor of a Nazarene church, victory in the Philippines as villagers turn from witchcraft to God, and the man in India who left behind idol worship when he became a new believer in Christ. JESUS Film Harvest Partners is making a difference for eternity. To learn more, visit the JESUS Film booth in the Exhibit Hall or www.JFHP.org.

700 attend retired clergy receptionNearly 700 ministers and spouses joined together Friday evening, June 26, in the Rosen Centre ballroom for a time of refreshment and fellowship. The USA Retired Clergy Recognition Reception, honoring ministers who have served the Church of the Nazarene, is sponsored by Pensions and Benefits (P&B) USA. It has been celebrated at every General Assembly for almost 40 years.

The ministers and spouses were joined by members of the Board of General Superintendents and many current district superinten-dents for the event, which followed the evening worship service.

Allison Durham Speer was the special musical guest. Also, members of the Board of P&B USA who served during the past quadrennium were honored for their years of service.

“This gathering is to express the gratefulness of our denomina-tion for the faithful service of the thousands of dedicated men and women who have served Christ and His Church as ministers in the Church of the Nazarene in the USA,” said Don Walter, P&B USA director. “We owe them a debt of gratitude for giving their lives to take the holiness message to their communities.”

New ONU Foundation scholarships recognize contributions of

Cunningham, DiehlDuring Olivet Nazarene University's June 27 Alumni & Friends Breakfast at the Church of the Nazarene's 27th General Assembly, University President John C. Bowling unveiled two new Founda-tion scholarships. The scholarships will recognize the exemplary lives of ministry and service of ONU alumni Paul Cunningham and James Diehl, retiring general superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene.

The Paul G. Cunningham and James H. Diehl Endowed Scholar-ships for Ministerial Students will provide annual scholarships to Olivet juniors or seniors preparing for the ministry. "This is an opportunity for the global Olivet community to celebrate and give thanks for the leadership and ongoing influence of these two great men of the Church," said Bowling. "Their ministries span the globe and have touched the lives of thousands."

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NazKidz Parade of NationsInflatables, Chinese paper lanterns, Haitian Creole, and traditional Guatemalan dress are not typically found in the same room. On Friday, June 26, approximately 400 children experienced these and much more, as they travelled around the world at “Parade of Na-tions.” Children in grades one through six had the opportunity to experience the seven world regions of the Church of the Nazarene. Stations were designed to allow children to learn about the culture, people, and history of each region, focusing on the role of the Church of the Nazarene in each. Current and former missionaries volunteered, along with children’s pastors and parents to bring this opportunity to the NazKidz Gen-eral Convention. As children spent time at each station in games, crafts, and activities, they were encouraged to pray for the region, the Church of the Nazarene in each region, and the regional lead-ership. After learning how children are also called to serve God by spreading the Good News through missions in their own situation – at home, at school, with friends, and with family. Each partici-pating child took home a prayer poster showing the countries of the world with a Church of the Nazarene presence. One parent was overheard saying, “I wish I could have been in [NazKidz]!”

Answers from ANSRSaturday’s top one minute poll results from the Association of Nazarene Sociologists and Researchers exhibit:In terms of the vitality of the denomination, how important do you think this GA is?1. One of the most important GA’s (42%) 2. Probably most important (31%) 3. No more important than others (25%) Did your local church celebrate the denominational centennial?1. Yes (62%) 2. More or less (24%) 3. No (10%)

Motorcycle Fellowship rumbles from GA to Rockledge Church

On Saturday, the first Nazarene Motorcycle Fellowship (NMF) event, Rockledge Rumble!, took place in Rock-ledge, Florida, in conjunction with the 27th General Assembly. In February 2008, the denomination formalized the NMF as an official arm of Adult Ministries International. The purpose of the NMF is to reach motorcy-cle riders and their families through lifestyle evangelism and discipleship.

Hundreds of Nazarene motorcycle enthusiasts—those who’ve ridden to General Assembly from as far away as Washington State, those who’ve trailered their bikes to Florida, and others who’ve rented a bike from Harley of Orlando—converged on Rockledge Church of the Naza-rene for the experience. Included was a morning rally and a 50-mile ride along eastern Florida’s Space Coast. Highlights of the rally included the official commissioning of the NMF by General Superintendent (and biker) J. K. Warrick and the introduction of the Rusty Bellomy Fund, a special project to collect money to provide motorbikes for pastors around the globe. NMF Rockledge Rumble t-shirts and a special commemorative patch were provided to mark this historic occasion. See the NMF exhibit for more information on this ministry.

Worship services and Bible Quizzing finals add two more global facets to groundbreaking

NYI Convention and activities

With young people contributing greetings, music, Scripture read-ing, prayer and drama from several sites around the world via video conference, Nazarene Youth International (NYI) held the first global worship service for the Church of the Nazarene on Friday morning.

Throughout the service, NYI representatives thanked the General Church for its support, looking at the way youth ministry has de-veloped in the last century, and at the dreams that began to become reality in this year’s convention. “Thank you,” said young people from South Africa, the Philippines, Trinidad, and Germany through the virtual connection. “I am now part of this story.”

A second service that afternoon celebrated the global family and looked toward the future. “One of the things I love about NYI is that there’s always a sense of discomfort,” said Global NYI Director Gary Hartke. “There’s always something in us: a dream, a vision of how we can be better.”

Hartke announced the NYI theme for the next quadrennium, chosen in an effort to move all ministries of the Nazarene church toward greater unity. “Making Christlike Disciples in the Nations,” also the new mission statement for the church, will be divided into four sub-themes for specific focus each year: “Called,” “to be like Christ,” “loving others,” “in our world.”

“Our dream is that we’d go from an individualistic approach to min-istry,” said Hartke, “[to] begin to work together in ways we haven’t begun to work yet.”

The convention closed with a global Communion service among 715 delegates around the world: 19 in South Africa, 29 in the Philippines, 31 in the Dominican Republic, six in Trinidad, 24 in Germany, 49 in India, 15 in Ecuador and 481 in the U.S.

In other NYI news, USA/Canada held its National Bible Quizzing Finals on Saturday as a double-elimination tournament with two divisions.

The Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) team took first place against Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) in the A division fi-nals; Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) beat out MidAmerica Nazarene University in the third/fourth place round. In the B divi-sion, Olivet Nazarene University earned first place in a final round against ENC, while PLNU defeated MVNU for third place.

In keeping with the push toward a more global church, Bible Quiz-zing is gaining interest in new areas. Mumbai hosted South Asia’s first quiz this week after a day of workshops, involving leaders from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Spanish-speaking congregations in the U.S. and Canada are now asking for materials, and support in South America is in place to restart what was once a vital ministry in the region. Mexico will host its national tournament in November, and Korea will introduce the program at a fall ministers’ retreat.

Around the world, NYI leaders have an optimistic outlook about continuing and improving the globalized convention and its sur-rounding activities in the future.

“Walked through a session yesterday,” one Orlando attendee wrote to an NYI staff member on Facebook. “The video conferencing brought

tears to my eyes! To look up on the board and see live feeds of delegates from all over the world... truly awe-some. NYI leads the way again.”

“It’s been a wonderful history and heritage,” said Hartke as the convention closed, encouraging the church not to simply rest here. “We’re boldly declaring that there’s more to do.”

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6 Daily Summary Photo contributions: Eon Trotman