Completing the Task: From Headquarters to Global Ministry Center

As of September 15, the Church of the Nazarene is operating its administrative offices for worldwide ministries from the Global Ministry Center (GMC) in Lenexa, Kansas. On the opening day employees were welcomed by the Board of General Superintendents. Members of that Board led the group in a time of worship, giving thanks for God's blessing on the work and vision that led to the creation and occupancy of the GMC. General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf, Board chair with jurisdiction over the GMC, stated, "What a thrill it is to experience the reality of moving from Headquarters to Global Ministry Center. This is a new day for the Church of the Nazarene. How fitting that we are now operating from the GMC as we celebrate our Centennial and begin writing the history of our second century from such a beautiful and functional facility. General Treasurer Marilyn McCool has done an exceptional job with the task of project leader and as a denomination we are indebted to her and to everyone involved in this challenging task." In addition to the GMC employee group, all regional directors were on site for the opening event. Representing the six World Mission regions were Gustavo Crocker (Eurasia), Eugenio Duarte (Africa), Carlos Saenz (Mexico and Central America), Christian Sarmiento (South America), John Smee (Caribbean), and Verne Ward III (Asia-Pacific). The presence of this group helped connect, in spirit, the entire Nazarene family. At approximately 109,000 square feet, the two-story GMC is located on 38 acres and functions as an administrative hub in supporting Nazarene personnel, churches, missions, and ministries around the world. The concept was to have the facility completed this fall in conjunction with the denomination's Centennial, which is being celebrated around the world on Sunday, October 5. A key purpose of the GMC is to function as a collaborative and flexible environment allowing staff and visitors various means of communicating around issues important to the church's ministries and administrative needs. The property that operated as the Church of the Nazarene International Headquarters previously is a multi-acre complex in Kansas City, Missouri, with three office buildings, the first of which was built in the 1950s. After considerable research, prayer, and professional guidance, the General Board voted in 2005 for the relocation. The decision was made under the direction of the Board of General Superintendents and the General Board Executive Committee. Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) and Nazarene Publishing House (NPH) have chosen to remain at their current locations in Kansas City. The GMC acreage allows for future development of NTS and NPH should those entities choose to relocate there in the future. Friends and constituents of the Church of the Nazarene continue to provide financial gifts and pledges representing a worldwide effort in support of the denomination's administrative center. In 2006, Japanese and South Korean Nazarenes provided the impetus for additional financial support as they led the way in key donations. World Mission regions provided a $1 million (USD) commitment. General Board members, GMC employees, individuals, churches, districts, and Nazarene institutions are adding to the gifts. GMC photos and information are available on-line at www.nazareneglobalministrycenter.org. GMC Contact Information Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center 17001 Prairie Star Parkway Lenexa, KS 66220 Phone: 913-577-0500 —GMC Communications Holiness Today, November/December 2008

 

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