The Fire-Stoker

by Michael R. Palmer and Josh Broward with additional reporting by WooYoung Jeong

The Church of the Nazarene is spreading like wildfire in Bangladesh. With a new church started almost every day, Bangladesh birthed almost 40 percent of all the new Nazarene churches in 2011. Started in 1994, Bangladesh now has more than 2,200 churches. A full 8 percent of all Nazarene churches are now in Bangladesh.

Behind this blazing growth is a fire-stoker. Pastor Nathan*, the national director for the Church of the Nazarene in Bangladesh, is quietly fanning the flames of the Spirit and building the structures to facilitate this radical expansion. Nathan is meek and humble, yet deeply wise. God is using him to help the Church of the Nazarene reach people at an unprecedented pace.  

Why did you decide to become a Nazarene?
I chose the Nazarene Church for two reasons. First, I chose it because I could see how the holiness tradition impacts our relationship with God in everyday life. Second, the Nazarene Church is a great international denomination, which respects the national leadership.

What did you do before working with the Nazarene Church?
I was working with Food for the Hungry International. I started as a teacher’s assistant, maybe the second lowest position in their system. I was cleaning floors and collecting books. After 11 years, I was one of their top three leaders within Bangladesh.

One key Nazarene strategy in Bangladesh is Child Development Centers (CDCs), which minister holistically to children. CDCs are funded through child sponsorship. However, there are not enough sponsors for all the children who need help. How do you decide which children get sponsors?

We focus on the poorest of the poor in the community. We identify those who are extremely needy including landless farmers, child-headed homes, and children of widows.

How have Nazarenes reached so many people in Bangladesh?
The JESUS film is the driving force to reach non-Christians. CDCs also significantly impact the community. Many people come to know Christ through the CDCs, mentoring programs, or disaster relief. We try to build relationships with the community. Both the local churches and the students are involved in making Christ known to the community. Everything is integrated.

With a new church planted every day, you need lots of pastors. How do you choose and prepare your new pastors?
We don’t actually select the pastors. When we form a group of new believers into a church, the community itself selects the leaders from among their own members. Then, we work to empower and to train the leaders they have chosen. Through the extension centers of South Asia Nazarene Bible College, we offer training in the Bible, leadership, and theology. The ministry training course has 24 classes, and it usually takes about two and a half years to complete.

Why did the Church of the Nazarene in Bangladesh split into three separate districts, recently?
We were a very large district. The split allows me to focus on other responsibilities, like developing our national strategy and mission. Also, other leaders, who are already well prepared, can step up and grow into their potential. As the national director, I will continue to mentor the leaders of all three districts.

What is the next big steps for the Church of the Nazarene in Bangladesh?
The next step is to establish an orphans’ and widows’ village in northwestern Bangladesh. This is a big new challenge for us. However, while this is a new strategy to deal with an old problem, we believe God will help us to fulfill the mission.

Tell us about the work the Church of the Nazarene is doing in the new area of Salet in Northeast Bangladesh.
Most of the people in this area are landless laborers who have been working on tea plantations for many generations. They are basically slaves because of the generational cycles of poverty and lack of education.

We started in July of 2010 by sending a JESUS film team. Now we have more than 20 churches there. Since then Sung-Nam Church in South Korea made two short trips there and funded a beautiful CDC, which will provide food and education for 80 children. Our hope is that through the JESUS film teams and other ministries we will have more churches in that area soon. Then we can combine these churches with the churches in the Dhaka area and create a fourth district..

How can other Nazarene churches help Bangladesh?
I think the first thing Nazarene churches can do is pray for the church in Bangladesh. Also, they can support our children through child sponsorship or by sponsoring an entire CDC (about $10,000 (USD) a year). They can support our village for widows and orphans through prayers, giving, and Work and Witness trips.

How can Bangladesh help the international Church of the Nazarene?
Nazarenes can come learn from our lifestyle and growth. If they visit, they can learn from how we work, glorify God, and build his kingdom starting with love for the poor. In Bangladesh they will see action, not just talk.


Michael R. Palmer is an English teacher in the foreign language institute at Korea Nazarene University (KNU).
Josh Broward is lead pastor of KNU International English Church. WooYoung Jeong is a senior at ChoongNam Foreign Language High School.


*For security reasons, the last name has been omitted.


Holiness Today, September/October 2012

 

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