Mission To Serve

Radis in Eugene

2012-01-16T09:37:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce an upcoming visit from Carlos & Robin Radi and their three girls.

They are global missionaries with the Church of the Nazarene and currently live in Argentina. On Monday, February 6th, we will have the privilege of hearing some of their testimonies. Come and invite your friends to a casual evening inside the Fireside Coffee Shop at 8th and Madison in Eugene! The evening starts at 7pm and desserts and coffee will be available.

See you there!

Mission to Peru Auction

2011-10-31T10:20:00.000-07:00

The Peru team has been very hard at work! They will be putting on a terrific auction event on December 3 in order to raise funds for their mission project in June 2012. A lot of things are planned for the evening and it's going to rock your socks off.

There is no obligation to bid or buy anything - just come, eat some free desserts, drink coffee and hear what the team has planned for their project to Cusco, Peru.

Here is a sneak peek at some of the items that will be auctioned off:

- new housewares

- restaurant gift certificates

- a motorcycle

- free hotel night on the coast

- free labor

- auto repair package

- much much more!

Please come and, more importantly, invite your friends! ALL are welcome to come hear what this mission to Peru is all about. It will be held at Cascade Middle School on December 3rd at 7:00pm. Hope to see you there!

82 Cents - It Can Save a Life

2011-10-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

Many of you might know of Nazarene Child Sponsorship, but did you know how much they need YOU? Countless children around the globe are either on a waiting list for sponsorship or have been put back on the list due to no longer being supported.

Nazarene Compassion Ministries (NCM) comes alongside Nazarene congregations around the world to clothe, shelter, feed, heal, educate and live in solidarity with those who suffer under oppression, injustice, violence, poverty, hunger and disease.

Nazarene Child Sponsorship is an NCM ministry that partners with local Nazarene churches actively ministering to their communities with sponsors like you to act on behalf of children suffering under these overwhelmingly difficult situations.

Did you know this only takes $25 a month? For you, that might take a sacrifice of one latte a week, one shirt a month or even one less soda pop a day. Just $25 a month covers the needs of a child - physical, emotional, relational, intellectual and spiritual needs. Can you support just one child?

This mother of 3 makes time in her busy schedule for the needs of one more child across the world...

And if this 6th grader can do it surely you can, too!

This is a serious commitment. These children need you. Pray about the challenge and commit to supporting and loving at least one child until they are grown. Not only will you change their lives, but through your relationship and correspondence with them, they will change yours.

Click here to sponsor a child or comment below if you have more questions.

Radi Center is Going Strong!

2011-09-21T21:21:00.000-07:00

Over 50 of you (Eugene 1st members) had the privilege to volunteer in Argentina in various capacities. Medical clinics were held, tons of kids' activities were put on, and 10 churches were planted!

However, some of you toiled and labored for days on end to create one of the most well-used facilities in South America. We just wanted to share a little update. The Bruno Radi Convention Center is used 7 days a week, for both church events and community events.

These pictures are from an Interdenominational Christian Leadership Conference. There were over 3500 people there!

And here is a little video with even more details on how the building is being used.

Extreme Nazarene Ministries - Argentina 2 Year Update from Extreme Nazarene Ministries on Vimeo.

Praise the Lord for this ministry and YOUR hands that helped make it happen. Thank you.

Fearless Ministry in the South Pacific

2011-09-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

Harmon and Cindy Schmelzenbach, along with their son Quinton shared powerful testimonies and recounted mission field experiences yesterday at Eugene First.

For those of you who could not make it - whether in person or on the live feed - click the video below to watch it! You won't regret it.

September 18, 2011 ~ FEAR NOT! (A powerful message on missions from the Schmelzenbach Family) (HD) from Eugene First Nazarene on Vimeo.

We also had some fun afterwards at Roaring Rapids!

Please remember to pray for this family as they continue to travel and share the good news about what God is doing in the South Pacific. Pray they have the encouragement from other churches as well as sustained energy in their travel schedule.

Praise the Lord for the work this family is doing for the expansion of God's Kingdom!

Ladies at the Eugene Mission

2011-09-11T14:11:00.000-07:00

The serving never stops here in Eugene! Our Ladies Ministry has officially begun their latest new form of reaching and serving others.

Our church has been approved for a small time slot at the Eugene Mission and during that time a small message from the Word is shared with women and children. Some other activities were also introduced and all the ladies who helped out were inspired and excited for the next time.

We would like to ask you to pray for this new ministry. The women and children they will be reaching are in a hard place in their lives and need this. Pray that God works through this new team of gals to connect with the individuals He brings to the sessions. Pray for miracles and lives to be changed in the name of Jesus!

Stephen Ministries - Love in Action

2011-09-09T20:49:00.000-07:00

Have you heard of Stephen Ministries? Do you want to know more about it? We'd like to challenge you to prayerfully consider a new step in your call to serve others.

This ministry is about training you to be able to care for people in a powerful way. There are six months of training and then you will serve for 18 months after that.

Applications for the new class are due Sunday and can be picked up in the church lobby.

If you would like more information before that, hear testimonies of how it has worked for our church or have any other questions, click here to email us.

Project Hope Video

2011-09-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

Project Hope was a giant success last weekend! Dozens of people from our church teamed up with First Baptist and Fairfield Baptist to volunteer their time to serve our community. Check out this video that captures all their hard work and serving:

PROJECT HOPE from Eugene First Nazarene on Vimeo.

Foam Churches

2011-08-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

Check out how God is using technology and modern inventions to speed up the expansion of his Kingdom:

Extreme Peru 2 - Foam Church Promotional Video from Extreme Nazarene Ministries on Vimeo.

Info Meeting This Sunday

2011-08-16T20:09:00.000-07:00

For those of you who even think you are interested in (or maybe you just want to learn more about) serving the Lord in Cusco, Peru next summer, make time to come to our little Informational Meeting this Sunday.

Don't worry about pushing lunch off for a few minutes - we have brought Peruvian snacks up from Peru just this week for just this meeting!

We need construction workers, medical workers and a LOT of people just willing to serve wherever the local missionaries need them. Come join us, hear more details about the project, and ask us questions!

The meeting will be after 2nd service around 12:20pm.

LINKS Missionaries Month

2011-08-08T13:26:00.000-07:00

What does LINKS stand for, anyway?

Loving, Interested Nazarenes, Knowing and Sharing

Every two years each Naz church is assigned LINKS missionaries -so that the missionary can feel connected and supported and prayed for. Our current LINKS missionaries are:

The Cyr Family: Monte, Bethany, Amy, Bryan, Robbie & Nkele

Wanda Terry, retired missionary to Swaziland

Please say a little prayer for the Cyr Family and Wanda today. They are on the forefront of Kingdom building and need the power of prayer protection surrounding them daily.

Missionary Louws in Creswell

2011-08-05T07:43:00.000-07:00

Last time we went down to Creswell to hear from missionaries, we had a blast! This time should be just as special, because the missionaries in town are Mark & Linda Louw from the Africa West field.

Our team that just went down to Malawi was privileged to get to know them during their mission project and the Creswell church has invited us to share the evening with them!

Sunday evening begins at 6:00pm with a potluck (bring a little something to share) and the service follows that. Would you like to carpool? Send us an email by clicking here. Otherwise, see you all down there!

A Few More NYC Pictures

2011-07-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

As we shared the first time, one of the main service projects our teens did was clean up a big park. They worked HARD in the SUN. Here are a few more pictures:

Also, another one of the main goals of NYC 2011 was to package up full meals to be shipped to a hurting developing country. The goal was 250,000 bags (each easily feeding a family of 6), but ended up packaging over 266,000!!

Way to go teens!

Peru 2012

2011-07-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

For those who missed the announcement yesterday in church or on the live feed, we are participating in a missions project in June 2012 in Cusco, Peru!

Cusco, Peru 2012 from Mission To Serve on Vimeo.

This is an official Jesus Film Project and also Extreme Nazarene Project, so the spots are filling fast! We need medical workers (both licensed or just willing), kid/teen volunteers, other outreach volunteers, construction volunteers, and more!

The first of two main focuses of this project is to support the long-term 40/40 missionaries already on the field. As the 40/40s in the video above describe, periodic large teams like us can make a HUGE difference in helping them in their ministry - holding larger events, reaching more people, making more contacts and just giving the 40/40s momentum and encouragement in their work for the Lord.

Secondly, we will be constructing a foam chapel for one of the churches these 40/40s have planted. These buildings go from no foundation to fully completed in 2 weeks and can be a huge blessing and great tool for the church's growth and ministry.

Several from Eugene First have already signed up! Because each project has a limited number of spots available, we encourage you to prayerfully consider joining us as soon as you can. Email us here if you are interested.

High School or College student?
Been on a past Extreme Project?
Speak Spanish fluently?

These 3 things get you an automatic discount!

Project Hope

2011-07-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars, folks...

UPDATE: Opportunities to sign up for will be in the bulletins this coming Sunday morning!

More information to come on a great opportunity to serve your community! Stay tuned...

Teens' Service Projects in Kentucky

2011-07-06T09:28:00.000-07:00

Several of our teenagers flew to Louisville, Kentucky last Sunday to spend over a week digging deep into God's Word and challenging themselves to help make this world A World Unbroken.

Speakers, worship artists, service projects and workshops are just some of the exciting activities which will engage the students. Our teens have already been hard at working serving!

Each teen packed a 2nd suitcase full of baby clothes & supplies. They are donating them here.

Cleaning a baseball park in Louisville.

Briyon cleaning debris from the parking lot after a really bad storm.

Before...

After.

Michaela cleaning the parking lot.

The boys putting fence toppers up.

Ali & Roxanne cleaning up some pretty smelly trash that had been there for a while!

Click here for more specifics on how to pray for Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC) and our teens!

Do you tweet? Follow NYC's updates here and our updates here.

Frisbee Fun and Young Acts of Serving

2011-07-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

At the end of the day in Chiimba, as they were preparing to depart for the night, Pastor Moore brought out a hot pink Frisbee he had saved just for such an occasion. The kids didn't know quite what to think until one little boy stepped out to receive the toss of the Frisbee. Once that happened and the others figured out what this strange thing did, there was gleeful pandemonium!

Pastor had a great time throwing the Frisbee in the air over a crowd of kids. They waited impatiently for gravity to bring that thing down so they could get their chance to play with it. Then they would toss it back to Pastor and wait for the next free-for-all.

The next morning was a beautiful day and while hot by Oregon standards, it was a little chilly for the locals! They were wearing sweaters and sweatshirts while the crazy Oregonians were in shorts and t-shirts...

Once they finished chapel in the morning, it was only a matter of time before some of the kids showed up looking for the team to "come out and play."

The Frisbee once again became the main attraction! Anna Marie was able to teach some of the kids a different way of throwing it and they loved it!

Lucas Schwin has had a regular following of little boys who come over to play soccer, Frisbee, or eat sugar cane. They follow him around like baby ducks after their mother. He has enormous patience as they try to learn how to kick a soccer ball correctly or throw a Frisbee.

Once, he brought out the Handi-Wipes to clean off the face of one little boy, Ronald. He ended up handing out the wipes to all the kids. They all dropped what they were doing and began having a group cleaning of arms, hands and faces. Lucas probably has no idea of the positive, loving impact he is having on these kids by these simple acts of service.

Praise the Lord for our young serving the young!

The team is doing well and loving Africa. Pray that they continue to maintain energy and strength and they serve the people of Malawi for a few more days.

Clean Water & Packed Out Churches. . .

2011-06-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

. . . Neither of which are a problem!

The team was able to visit the village of Chiimba (Chee-ihm-buh) that our own church member, Dave Lyle, had felt a special call toward. Over a year ago, he worked hard on raising funds and making the dream of a new water well come true. And now, not only were he and the rest of the team able to see it in person, they also witnessed the joy and excitement of the local people because of it.

The new well is being shown off by a couple of their local friends.

The old well produced yellow water and was the cause of 6 cholera deaths last year.

Everyone attended a church service that day in Chiimba. After a while, the church building began to get so crowded they had to move outside under the shade of some trees. Praise the Lord for packed out churches!

View of the congregation from the platform.

View from the back of the church before it became too full.

Pastor Les was able to teach the people of Chiimba for a while and, of course, entertain them as well. After the service, lunch eventually arrived. The team from Eugene First ate with three other visitors and the missionary couple, Wellington & Hellen Obbotte. The local people did not eat with them. While that was a little disappointing to our team, they quickly were explained that it is a cultural difference - it is important to them that the guests eat before anyone else.

After lunch, the team had lots of school supplies and small treats to hand out to the children in the village. There were so many of them (about 300) that the line had to move pretty quickly, but children were very blessed and grateful. The very young children received only two pieces if "penny candy" each while all the kids who were in school received two pieces of candy, a ballpoint pen and some notebooks.

Afterwards, while the children were still lined up, Pastor Moore spoke to them. He reminded them of God's love for them, of our love for them and of the prayers that are said for them by people of Eugene First Church of the Nazarene. Each age group's teach was then presented with two soccer balls! This is a gift that exceeds anything else they presented them. They love soccer!

As Pastor Les told them, let's remember to pray for those kiddos today and in the future. Perhaps many of them will be part of that seminary graduating class in several years? God has big plans for each one of them!

Children of Blessing & An Exciting Graduation

2011-06-28T07:15:00.000-07:00

Several of the group members traveled to the care/treatment facility we have heard so much about in our weekend services.

This boy suffers from extreme Cerebral Palsy.

Children of Blessing is a care/treatment facility for children born with or suffering from many mental as well as physical disabilities. Cerebral Palsy and Hydro-Encephalitis are the most common. This is mostly due to the people not taking malaria medications, either due to superstitions about Western medication or just the inability to pay for it. Africa has a huge problem with mosquitoes and until they can eradicate them or medicate their people, the problem will continue.

This little boy has no legs and walks on prosthetics.

Our Eugene First members worked with kids on simple tasks, such as "sewing" eye-hand coordination exercises, but most importantly they were Jesus in the flesh to them. If it weren't for Children of Blessing, many of the children would probably not be alive. Our team assisted the organization greatly by just providing extra hands and loving on some children who need to be loved. The people who run it are from the UK and have hearts for the Lord bigger than the continent!

Proud graduates: Justice, Leviticus, Dennis, Isaac and Peter

Saturday, June 25th, was the graduation from Nazarene Theological College of Central Africa. There was a total of 55 students scheduled to graduate but one had passed away before the ceremony (the reality of AIDS in Africa). However, for those 54 graduates and for the people of Africa it was a great day! Many of these young men and women wish to serve God wherever He sends them. Like most people, they long to travel and visit other countries, but they have a love for one place in particular.

They all chose to serve in Africa.

Pastor Moore was one of the speakers at the graduation. With his usual enthusiasm and spirit-filled heart he inspired the graduates and guests alike. He achieved numerous laughs with the able assistance of his translator, who often appeared to be ad-libbing at times. But Pastor playfully caught him and they created quite a duo at the early morning ceremony.

College Chaplain Chinsinsi Phiri, Pastor Les Moore and Academic Dean Joe Lilema

PRAY For:
- The sick children due to the serious Malaria problem.
- The leaders/facilitators of Children of Blessing.
- The new graduates as they enter the world of ministry and reach out to Africa.
- The team from Eugene First - their health, energy, and call to serve.

Highlights from Mega Sports Camp

2011-06-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of you who volunteered their time last week to reach out to the children in our city. Here is a highlight video:

Mega Sports Camp 2011 from Eugene First Nazarene on Vimeo.

God definitely planted seeds in the hearts of many little ones thanks to those of you who responded to the call to serve!

Soccer Nets & Nervous Coffee

2011-06-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

God has brought our team from Eugene First safely to Lilongwe, Malawi. They are serving the people around them every day and being blessed in the process!

The kids from the nearby elementary school were surprised by the Schwin family and a couple others with new soccer nets. They loved it! The young adults and teens were on their cell phones immediately, and, before they knew it, there was a soccer match scheduled for 2:30 in the afternoon - THAT DAY!

Pastor Les is apparently so much in his element, with his passion to serve, that we might not ever get him back to Eugene! One of his teammates said, "He has so much energy he makes coffee nervous." Pray that he and the rest of the team will be able to keep up this energy level. And praise God that all are still very healthy and even the mosquitoes are keeping at bay!

"It is amazing how fast and how well we have connected with the people...they love our

humor and energy" - Anna Marie

Today the team is traveling to a treatment/care center for disabled children. Pray for them as they travel, serve others and share Christ's love with hurting children. Pray for miracles and lives changed!

Pre-Teen Outreach in South America

2011-06-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

Somebody had a BIG call to reach out to pre-teens in South America...

Through many hours of planning, praying, and filming, an entire TV show was created. Industria X (or Industry X) is a fiction comedy for pre-teens that reveals the redemptive and restoring power of God's grace through the church.

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The plot follows four childhood friends that discover their mission and purpose in a colorful workshop repairing damaged appliances for their neighborhood. Through challenges, inspiration, mistakes and follies, this team learns they can use their creativity to solve their neighbors' problems, while gaining new insights into life itself.

Each month the Church of the Nazarene has a different focus in order to bring together believers in unity to build up different ministries in group prayer and awareness. June happens to emphasize World Mission Broadcast. The primary objective of Industria X is to develop modern, attractive discipleship material for pre-teens to use in multiple ways at the local church level. The second objective is to offer a TV show series centered around Kingdom values, to both Christian and non-Christian TV channels in order to connect pre-teens and their families to the gospel.

Please take a moment to pray for this new ministry in South America for pre-teens. It's a vital age and these kids need to be reached.

Photos and article portions by Robin Radi, Sunday School & Discipleship Coordinator for South America

Don't Forget - Mega Sports!

2011-06-17T10:59:00.000-07:00

Can you help us out and be a volunteer at this next week? Call the number above to sign up.

Off to Malawi

2011-06-15T16:18:00.000-07:00

Last year a few of our EFCN folks spent some time serving those in need in Lilongwe, Malawi.

A child living on the streets.

Dave handing out soap to the local children.

Sephra and Lyn with Grace and Trimore, two students at NTCCA.

This year, many more are going...

Challenge: Look at these little children's faces and take a moment to pray for them. Pray that our team will be effective in their ministry. Pray for safe travels for these short-term missionaries as they leave this Sunday. And pray that God's will be done through those He is sending!

Jesus says, "GO and DO as I have commanded you, and I will always be by your side."
Paraphrase from Matthew 28:18-20.

>> >> >> Stay tuned for periodic updates from the team in Lilongwe! << << <<

Mega Sports Camp 2011

2011-06-06T20:30:00.000-07:00

Do you like sports? Do you like kids? Do you like volunteering or maybe feel called to start?

Let me challenge you to carve out a few hours a night for only 4 nights to serve your local community here in Eugene, Oregon. You may have only answered one of those questions with a "yes," but we can definitely still use you!

Eugene First Church of the Nazarene is hosting a Mega Sports Camp from June 20-23, 6:30 - 8:00pm. It's for 1st - 5th graders and we need lots of helpers! If you can volunteer with us, please call (541) 484-1814 to sign up.

If you can't help during the week, there is one more opportunity: on Saturday, June 18, we need a large team for canvassing flyers. We will meet at Bethel Community Park to pick up flyers, be assigned a nearby neighborhood area and invite kids! Call the number above if you can help anytime between 10:00-5:00 on that day.

In the meantime, please pray for all the workers and leaders of the event as they prepare for a fun week. Pray for all the kiddos who will be attending, that an impact is made in their lives in a positive Christlike way.

Skinners Coming to Creswell

2011-06-02T15:36:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the last time you heard a missionary speak? Wasn't it inspiring and encouraging? Definitely! So come join us Tuesday night, June 7th as we head down to Creswell, Oregon to hear from some great missionaries in person. Bob & Colleen Skinner will be sharing with the men and women, respectively, in separate locations. Come be motivated by pictures and stories from the mission field in Ukraine, Armenia and more.

Also, please be in prayer for the Skinner family during their deputation weeks - that they stay healthy during all the travel and that God speaks through them and touches many lives throughout.

Listen in Sunday School this Sunday for a chance to sign up - or leave a comment below to let us know you'd like to come along with us! More details on directions and times will be announced on Sunday.

The Corks in Colombia

2011-05-25T22:43:00.000-07:00

Vince and Alyson Cork have answered a huge call from God to head up the Extreme Colombia project in Cali, Colombia. They went through intense language training in Arequipa, Peru for 4 months and then were deployed to their new home in Cali last month.

Their son, Wellington, is almost two years old and his favorite word is "CARRO," which means "car." His Spanish is coming along nicely!

Be in prayer for them specifically over the next month as they continue to learn a new culture, build relationships and plan all the details for hosting all the short-term missions teams scheduled to come down very soon.

And now, please take a couple minutes and watch this video they made for us!

Welcome!

2011-04-30T17:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Eugene First Church of the Nazarene's Mission Blog. This has been created to capture the stories of our local church members in their acts of serving others, highlighting missionaries with whom we've come in contact, announcing new happenings, posting fun photos and much more.

Thank you for stopping by and please click the "Follow" button on the side of the screen to receive updates in your RSS Feeds or Readers.

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few..." - Luke 10:1-3