Combined Ministries Draw New Nazarenes In East Timor

Excitement and synergy are characterizing the many ministries taking place in East Timor.   Through a variety of outreach programs, including English education, youth radio broadcasts, communication workshops, Summer camps the church is experiencing real growth.

According to missionary Warren Neal, this past week alone they conducted several meetings meetings with people who had expressed a desire to join the church.  They spent time reviewing the Mission of the church, the Core Values, the Articles of Faith and the Covenant of Christian Conduct. Then each person was interviewed and asked to share their testimony.  Neal says, "It was a special time of blessing to hear the stories of how God has been working in their lives bringing them to this point."

Last Saturday afternoon  they had a baptism with two people sharing their testimonies and giving a public witness to their commitment to follow Christ.

Then on Sunday, eighteen people joined the Church of the Nazarene in Dili!  This was the first time that members have been taken into the church in Timor Leste.  One person, Pastor Acy Lodja, was received by transfer from Indonesia, and the other 17 were by profession of faith.  Rev. Neal reports, "I wish I had the words and the time to tell you about each individual person and how God has been working in their lives. What an exciting time it is for the church. We are thankful for all of your prayers over the years. The devil tried to stop this ceremony  in several different ways but, praise God, he didn't!"

this post was filed under Around The Region on Aug 4, 2008