In July, new coordinators were appointed for Women’s Ministries and Nazarene Missions International on the South America Region. Waner Maia Torres Nunes is the new coordinator for Women’s Ministries and Alessandro Polonio will lead NMI for the region.

Nunes, a  graduate of Brazil Nazarene University, is a hospital chaplain and family psychiatrist. Since 1981, she has served alongside her husband, Geraldo Nunes, in ministry. To date, they have pastored six churches, of which they started three, including Castelo Church of the Nazarene, where they have served for the last four years. In 2009, Waner served as national coordinator for Women’s Ministries and organized the first-ever women’s conference, attended by 2,000 women from across Brazil. That conference spurred the ministry on to hold three more events at different places in Brazil.

“I am grateful to serve in the women’s ministry, which certainly is a great challenge to do here in South America," Waner said. "Women play an important role and influence in society, family and the church.”

Polonio began his pastoral ministry in Central de Campinas Church of the Nazarene in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He then served for 12 years at Soussa Church Of the Nazarene, where he organized short-term mission trips for the Sudeste Paulista District until he felt called to be a full-time regional missionary. In 2013, he began serving with his family in Chile as coordinator and superintendent of the Los Lagos District, among other responsibilities.

Both pastors recognize that they face a new challenge to which they say: “Here am I Lord.”

--Church of the Nazarene South America Region