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

Kentucky congregation supports Church Without Walls

Ashland, Kentucky

(The Daily Independent, July 31) Evelyn Sacks shared a free breakfast of biscuits and gravy with her 11-month-old grandson while the pastor delivered a message of hope on a cool Saturday morning in Central Park.

For local residents like Sacks, who receive little to no income, Saturdays at the park basketball court serve as a godsend.

Church Without Walls is the ministry providing that blessing. The church feeds the hungry with hot breakfast and bag lunches every week, rain or shine. It also gives clothes and other basic necessities to those in need.

Pastor Kevin Campbell leads the sermons and organizes the services. But naturally, the mission needs help from other local churches and nonprofits to cover costs. This weekend, the Worthington Church of the Nazarene extended a financial crutch.

For the rest of the story, click here. 

Illinois churches partner for mobile food pantry

Decatur, Illinois

(Herald & Review, July 29) It's a rare thing when a food pantry comes to you rather than the other way around.

And as Hopeful Heart Ministries has continued to roam Decatur for the past 3 1/2 years, its characteristic green school bus has started picking up more support and using it to help more people.

“Every little bit helps us so immensely,” said April Norman. “We don't have to stress so much about running out.”

Norman is a member of Oak Grove Church of the Nazarene, which along with sister churches Parkway, Trinity, and West Side, have operated the mobile food ministry since November 2012 with money they raise themselves and with food they purchase from the Central Illinois Foodbank in Springfield.

For the rest of the story, click here. 

Arizona church donates unused preschool supplies 

Sedona, Arizona

(Verde News, August 1) Talk with Sonia Feldtkeller and you will find yourself becoming very enthused about the new Sedona Integrated Preschool at Big Park Community School. This will be the only preschool in the area which assimilates children with special needs into a mainstream classroom, with a director certified in Preschool Special Education. "This setting is best for the children, both conventional and special education," said Feldtkeller.

Sonia is excited about the new International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Big Park and its benefits for her young charges. She said that all of Big Park's teachers will become IB trained for ages 3-12, which means eventually she and her staff will be integrating all of their preschoolers into the IB program. Unlike the daycare currently operating at Big Park, this new preschool is an official part of the Sedona Oak Creek Unified School District.

For the rest of the story, click here. 

Nebraska church to celebrate 100 years

Beatrice, Nebraska

(Beatrice Daily Sun, August 4) A Beatrice church is celebrating its 100th anniversary with games, activities, and music this weekend.

The Church of the Nazarene in Beatrice is also changing its name this year to Finish Line Church of the Nazarene.

"The name change went into effect in June, but we haven't changed signage yet," said Janece Wheeler, the wife of the church's pastor, Rob Wheeler. "The name comes from First Corinthians, chapter 9, verses 24 through 27. It's a verse about running the race to completion and reaching the finish line."

For the rest of the story, click here. 

Stories to share? Send them to news@nazarene.org.

--Compiled by NCN News