Brazil Nazarene University: One step nearer reality
Kansas City
According to Nazarene Education Commissioner Jerry Lambert, “The dream of a Nazarene university in Brazil has taken a giant step toward reality." Pending the final approval by the 2005 General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana, the visionary dream could result in the 58th Nazarene institution of higher education.

Jerry D. Porter, responsible General Superintendent for the South America Region, Louie E. Bustle, World Mission Department director, Bruno Radi, South America Regional director, and Aguiar Valvasoura, pastor of Campinas Central Church of the Nazarene and the chairman of the National Board of Brazil, announced the appointment of Geraldo Nunes as the first director of Brazil Nazarene University.

The development of this visionary strategy represents collaboration between the Central Church of the Nazarene in Campinas, Brazil, the National Board of Brazil, the International Church of the Nazarene (through the South America Region), and the International Board of Education.

Nina Gunter, Nazarene Missions International director, has agreed to partner with David Cooper of World Mission Department in an effort to encourage Work and Witness teams to work for the completion of the university classroom buildings now under construction at the Nazarene Academy campus.

Lambert added, “The global Church of the Nazarene looks forward to having a great Portuguese language, liberal arts university in Brazil as a partner in the global system of Nazarene education."

In an interesting sidelight, Lambert also noted that, “The Church of the Nazarene celebrated its 50th anniversary by opening a new work in Brazil. Now, Brazilian Nazarenes will help the Church of the Nazarene celebrate its centennial by founding our first Portuguese language university."
--IBOE and NCN News