Friday, November 18, 2011

Annual Assembly 2011

Our Annual Assembly for the Church of the Nazarene in Vanuatu took place November 4-6 at Black Sand Nazarene Church in Port Vila.  This was the first time for our assembly to be held in one of our own churches.  It was also the first time for Raela to serve as the District Secretary and Pastor William to give the District Treasurer's report.  God is building a great team of missional leaders to spread the message of holiness in the islands of Vanuatu!




Picture to the right and above: Raela in training as the new District Secretary for Vanuatu.
Sylvia prepared for communion on Sunday and Paul helped her. 
Black Sand Nazarene Church was full to capacity by the time everyone arrived on Sunday morning.

Rev. Harmon Schmelzenbach and Rev. Peter Isaac sharing the message of being a Christlike disciple maker.
David sharing his SPNTC annual report.

Three of our district licensed ministers: Pastor Meriam, Pastor Gideon and Pastor William.
The Vanuatu missional leadership team for 2011-2012.

No Nazarene gathering is complete without some food and fellowship.

Nasim (L) and David (R) - both involved in the Ellouklom Nazarene Church.


The line for the food - notice the ladies colorful island dresses!


The men!

The women!
The young people!
And the cutest kids!






Thursday, November 17, 2011

Asia-Pacific Missional Leaders' Conference 2011


World Mission Director Dr. Louie Bustle speaking with Rev. Michael Mann translating to PNG Tok Pisin.


"That the 'event' would become an 'encounter'…." This was our prayer for the Asia-Pacific Region's Missional Leaders' Conference held October 26-30 in Manila, Philippines.

The vision was cast and the planning began. Themes were discussed and speakers were invited; participants were registered and flights were booked; venues were scheduled and a myriad of details were attended to. 
And you began to pray with us.
David Naunga, Nazarene from Vanuatu
Vanuatu  leaders with Rev. Acy Lodja serving in East Timor
During the opening gathering on Wednesday evening, Oct. 26, the Parade of Nations entered the great hall where we were gathered and praise filled the hearts and mouths of everyone present as we encountered anew the hope of a Day -- that Day when all prophecy will be fulfilled and Every Nation will be called before the throne to lay down their crowns at the feet of Christ Jesus our Lord. The worship that followed in that evening and in all the gatherings throughout the week was filled with the vast varieties of color, sites and sounds that make up the Asia-Pacific 
 Region. If God inhabits the praise of His people - He was surely present in a mighty way in those meetings!
 

Throughout the 5 days we were together, it became evident that the Holy Spirit had been the Master Coordinator of the entire event. The keynote speakers, the plenary speakers and those that gave of themselves to serve in the many workshops all were woven together into His plan to speak His heart into the hearts of those that had come together. We were invited and even compelled to open our eyes in brand new ways to encounter God as He shared His ideas, His vision, His creative plan for reaching the unreached in our Region. We were inspired by fresh expressions of ancient truths about the Body of Christ, Incarnation, Becoming Missional, Redemption and Restoration, Empowerment of Every Believer. Workshops brought clarity and new insight to relevant topics such as attending to our spiritual health, our response to disaster and poverty, ministering to those with special needs, methods of ministry, spontaneous Christ-centered conversation, and more. We were blessed with just the right balance of theological foundation and practical tools to make this truly an inspirational and effective conference.


David and Sylvia with Rev. Peter Kui, dear friend from PNG days
 We also encountered one another. Aside from the planned sessions, the Spirit of God was so very obviously present in the many reunions, conversations, and gifts of relationship shared during our time together. As participants filtered out into the business community, we heard stories of people coming to Christ through the sharing testimony of conference participants. We were also blessed by the presence of the Manila congregations that were invited to join us for the evening and Sunday sessions. What a taste of glory we share in our fellowship with one another.

The prayer: "That the 'event' would become an 'encounter'".

The answer? "Now to Him who has done in these days immeasurably more than all we asked or imagined, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen"  

Thank you for praying for the Asia-Pacific Missional Leaders' Conference 2011
written by - Cindy Schmelzenbach
PhilippinesNazarene College choir