Following several years of growth and study, Belize was divided into two districts 7 April at its 70th District Assembly.

"It was my joy and pleasure to see how a vision came through," said Keith Joseph, superintendent of the former Belize District. "Darin [Pound] started it, I followed through with God's help, and in the 70th annual District Assembly, we all saw history being made before our eyes." 

The process began in 2013 with a study of the district's growth. Prior to that time, the district had 31 organized churches, four mission-type churches, 18 elders, and six licensed ministers. In 2013, the district had 54 organized churches, 21 mission-type churches, 36 elders, and 26 licensed ministers. 

Joseph attributes this growth to the leadership of former district superintendent Darin Pound, who was elected in 2010. 

"He was instrumental in getting a lot of our pastors enrolled, completed, graduated from the [theological education by extension program] in Guatemala," Joseph said. "By assembly 2014, almost all were ordained as elders."

As a result of this growth, the District Advisory Board voted unanimously that a feasibility study be carried out to determine if another district was necessary. 

The study was completed between 2013 and 2014 by missionary Bernie Slingerland, who had several meeting with pastors that communicated information to their congregations. Caribbean Field Strategy Coordinator Alphonso Porter also came and conducted several meeting with all pastors. In 2014, Joseph was elected superintendent and at the 2015 assembly, it was agreed to give the district another year for study. 

The process continued and in a meeting of the Church of the Nazarene's Board of General Superintendent on 15 September 2015, the motion was carried to approve the division of the Belize District by creating the Belize South District Phase 2.

The Belize District Assembly delegates then voted on the proposal in April.

"The presiding general superintendent, Dr. Jerry Porter, did a wonderful job," Joseph said. "He answered all questions and gave the assembly the opportunity to speak for and against, after which the assembly delegates were given a ballot to vote yes for the new district or no, you do not want it. The assembly then voted No — 57, Yes — 101 and Dr. Porter declared the formation of the new South District and the assembly was divided in two."

Porter stayed with delegates from the newly formed South District and Alphonso Porter gathered with delegates from the North District at a nearby Nazarene high school. 

After prayer and dialogue with the South District Advisory Board, Jerry Porter appointed Alberto Cal as the new South district superintendent for the next two years. Cal had been serving as the assistant district superintendent for the South Zone.

"There was great excitement and enthusiasm as Brother Alberto was installed as the new Belize South district superintendent," Jerry Porter said.

Joseph will continue serving as the Belize North district superintendent. 

--Church of the Nazarene Belize