Nazarenes in the News is a compilation of online news articles featuring Nazarene churches or church members.

South Carolina church giving away produce to community

Columbia, South Carolina

(WLTX, 21 July) Everyone in the Midlands is welcome to get a box of free food at Columbia First Nazarene on Thursday mornings. 

"We've got 30,000 pounds of food that we are giving out every Thursday, until the end of August, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.," said Pastor Trevor Mosley, Men's Program Manager with Reconciliation Ministries.

The food distribution is made possible by the partnership between two faith-based organizations: Reconciliation Ministries and Convoy of Hope.

For the rest of the story, click here.

Michigan church rebuilds steeple, provides view of historic bell

Swartz Creek, Michigan

(Grand Blanc View, 9 July) It had been heard, but not seen, for more than 50 years.

When the congregation at Swartz Creek Church of the Nazarene decided to place a cross atop the steeple, they had no clue what they were getting themselves into.

“The intention was to clean the spire and put the cross on,” said Mike Ahearne, one of the project volunteers. “But when they got up there, they found the whole thing was pretty rotten inside. It couldn’t be saved. And they ended up tearing it down to the frame.”

In doing so, they uncovered the church bell, which had been housed in a louvred belfry since 1968.

For the rest of the story, click here.

Ohio church bucks pandemic trend, expands to new campus

Orrville, Ohio

(The Daily Record, 13 July) Jim Copenhaver feared the excitement his parishioners brought to the NOW Church of the Nazarene when it launched last October would disappear during the coronavirus pandemic.

His fears proved unfounded when the church reopened for in-person services in late May. Nearly 90% of the congregation flooded back into their safely-distanced seats. With 6-foot spacing between each person, the Orrville sanctuary was able to seat 96 people. More chairs were recently added to accommodate additional parishioners.

“We were really worried that we were going to lose momentum during COVID because we had heard of a lot of churches that did,” said Copenhaver, campus pastor for the local NOW Church.

For the rest of the story, click here.

Michigan church provides distribution site for fresh produce

Flint, Michigan

(Swartz Creek View, 16 July) Flint Township families in need of fresh food will have more options this summer, thanks to a distribution program at Central Church of the Nazarene.

Since July 7, Central Church of the Nazarene has been distributing fresh produce and dairy products from its location on 1261 Bristol Road in Flint Township. Distributions are being held from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday and Friday morning at the church’s gymnasium, where volunteers are ready to load boxes and assist families with pick-up…

Each week, Central Church of the Nazarene will be giving away up to 520 produce boxes and a little under 400 dairy boxes to area families. Most families will receive three produce boxes and one dairy box per visit, although accommodations will be made for large families.

For the rest of the story, click here.

California church raises money through fireworks stand to help eliminate medical debt

Tulare, California

(ABC30, 3 July) A Tulare church is trying something new for their annual fireworks fundraiser.

This year, Tulare Church of the Nazarene is donating at least half of what they earn from their fireworks booth to a non-profit called RIP Medical Debt, which according to the company's website is "dedicated to removing the burden of medical debt for individuals, families and veterans across America."

The organization uses donations to buy large bundles of medical debt and then forgive it without tax consequences.

For the rest of the story, click here.

West Virginia Nazarene wins state golf tournament

Parkersburg, West Virginia

(WVNSTV, 25 June) It was a beautiful day for 60 golfers to take the course for the final day of the West Virginia Open Championship. The morning started off with some early tee times at 7:45 a.m., but things did not start to heat up until the afternoon where Thadd Obecny and Kenny Hess were going head to head. 

“Basically played 50 really good golf holes this week. I mean the whole goal was to play good golf the whole week and to play as well as I did was great,” Hess said. 

Hess is a member of Parkersburg Broadway Church of the Nazarene.

For the rest of the story, click here.

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--Compiled by Nazarene News