“What began in 1908?” I ask you now, standing before the Church of the Nazarene. It started as a unifying movement. This church grew from the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. It sought to bring together different holiness factions.
The Church of the Nazarene’s roots are deep. They trace back to the early 20th century. Key leaders like P. F. Bresee and C. B. Jernigan strived for unity. They wanted to create a single, strong church.
In 1907, a major step occurred. The Association of Pentecostal Churches of America merged with the Church of the Nazarene. This happened at the First General Assembly in Chicago. The next year, 1908, was pivotal. A congregation in Peniel Texas joined the Nazarene movement. This included key officers from the Holiness Association of Texas. That same year, the Pennsylvania Conference of the Holiness Christian Church united. The Second General Assembly was held in Pilot Point Texas. It finalized the merger with the Holiness Church of Christ. This union marked the end of a significant year of uniting.
The Church of the Nazarene embraced several denominations. By 1915, it included seven previous denominations. It also incorporated parts of two other groups. The Nazarenes and The Wesleyan Church became major forces. They drew together many independent strands of the holiness movement.
From its beginning, the Church of the Nazarene had a global vision. By 1908, it had churches in Canada. It also had organized work in India, Cape Verde, and Japan. Soon after, it expanded into Africa, Mexico, and China. The mergers in 1915 added congregations in the British Isles. Work also started in Cuba, Central America, and South America. By 1922, there were congregations in Syria and Palestine.
The Church of the Nazarene embraced new technologies. It began producing the Showers of Blessing radio program in the 1940s. This was followed by La Hora Nazarena a Spanish broadcast. Later, broadcasts in other languages were added.
The Church of the Nazarene committed to internationalization in 1980. This meant being one church worldwide instead of splitting into national churches. Today, most Nazarenes are outside the United States.
In Africa, the Church of the Nazarene has a strong presence. It has over 4900 organized churches. These churches are spread across 44 countries. They operate within 145 districts. The Africa South Field where we find ourselves seeks to provide an environment of grace. Here people can encounter God through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Africa South Field mobilizes the church. It calls for unity in diversity. It prioritizes urban ministry. This involves taking the church to the cities. It encourages young clergy to serve urban dwellers. The Church of the Nazarene’s journey is ongoing. It continues to grow and evolve. It remains committed to its mission of making Christlike disciples. The Church strives to impact communities worldwide.