The Church of the Nazarene's Global Missions office recommended 13 missionaries for commissioning during the 101st General Board session, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, 20-24 February.

Each of these missionaries has been serving in long-term strategic assignments in diverse settings around the world. The commissioning of missionaries is a recognition of the life and call of the missionary, an indication of the missionary’s willingness to serve the church, and an affirmation of his or her service into the future.

Marcio and Amber Batista have served as missionaries since 2019.  They have three children. Marcio serves as the Asia-Pacific Regional Mobilization Coordinator and Sealands Field Member Care Coordinator. Amber serves as the Sealands Field Member Care Assistant. Their home church is in the Brazil Campinas District. They are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Joel and Kristen Burchfiel have served as missionaries since 2020. They have one son. Joel serves as the finance coordinator for the West and East Mediterranean Fields. Kristen serves as the Coordinator for Nazarene Missions teams and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries for the Portugal District. Their home church is in the USA Oregon Pacific District. They are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve in the Eurasia Region.

Chad and Crystal Gibbons have served as missionaries since 2021.  They have two children. Chad serves as the Field Finance Coordinator for Eurasia North and the Eurasia region finance assistant. Crystal is the Global Missions Communication Coordinator. Their home church is in the USA Eastern Michigan District. They are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve in the Eurasia Region. 

Joshua and Katherine Haun have served as missionaries since 2020. They have three children. Joshua and Katherine lead and develop new local churches in Bulgaria. Their home church is in the USA East Tennessee District. They are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve in the Eurasia Region.

Arnel and Inocencia Piliin have served as missionaries since 2020. They have three children. Arnel serves as the Philippines – Micronesia Field Strategy Coordinator. Inocencia serves as the field Women Clergy & Women Leadership Coordinator and field office manager. Their home church is in the Philippines Metro Manila District. They are being commissioned as missionaries on global assignment to serve in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Shannon Smith has served as a missionary since 2019.  She serves in Cambodia District Development. Her home church is in the USA Virginia District. She is being commissioned as a missionary on global assignment to serve in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Two missionaries were commissioned to serve in a pioneer field in the Africa Region. For security reasons, they are not named.

Related: Retiring missionaries recognized at 101st General Board