Bountiful Blessing: Eurasia

My church has a strong emphasis on missions and missions education. Each year members and friends of our church are encouraged to read six missions books. Each of the books are available free of charge at our church to read and return. This book focuses on the missionary work that is done in a large region called Eurasia.


Back of book says:

Welcome to the Eurasia Region, one of the most complex, fascinating, and exciting places to do ministry in the world. Covering 14 times zones, it is home to 6 of the top 10 developed nations as well as hundreds of communities that live far below the poverty line.

It is within this vast region that Christ was born...Paul traveled on his missionary journeys...and Martin Luther began his movement to reform Christianity. The first Bible was also translated and printed for public distribution here.

Yet this rich legacy is often contrasted by the enormous religious and social diversity within Eurasia.

Eurasia: Bountiful Blessing shows you how the Church of the Nazarene is joining the movement of God to again reform and revive His church in this part of the world. Through spiritual nourishment, education, medical services, relief for refugees, and much more, Eurasia Nazarenes are giving hope to thousands in desperate need of the Savior.

Call to Action (page 85)

1. Visit the Eurasia Region's web site at www.eurasianazarene.org to learn more about the exciting things God is doing in this part of the world. While you are there, take a look at the latest prayer requests for the region and spend time lifting them before the Lord in prayer.

2. Suscribe to the Eurasia Region's monthly newsletter Where Worlds Meet by emailing the editor at whereworldsmeet@eurasianazarene.org. Each issue contians greetings from a different field; the latest news on people, events and ministries throughout the region; and information about upcoming events and prayer needs.

3. Pray for Dr. Crocker and the many other leaders and pastors sacross the great region. Pray for God to impart His wisome, guidance, and discernment in every decision they face.

4. Consider volunteering your time in one of the many ministries in the Eurasion Region. For more information, contact the regional office at office@eurasiaregion.org or visit their web site.

If you attend a Nazarene church this book and five others (about different regions of the world) should be available for you to read. Check with your Pastor or NMI president for more information. If you are a Christian who is interested in missions and would like to learn more, you may purchase this book from NPH.

Krik? Krak! By Amy Crofford

My eight year old daughter recently read and enjoyed Krik? Krak! It is a children’s book filled with true stories of missionaries and their work in Haiti. Look at a world map or globe to find Haiti.

Back of Book says:

“Grandpa, please tell us a story,” the children begged.

“All right,” he answered. “Come and sit on the bench.”

Grandpa Lucien waited for the children to give him their complete attention. Then he asked, “KRIK [KRIK]?”

The children knew that meant “Are you ready to listen to a story?”

“KRAK [KRAK]!” the children exclaimed.

Grandpa knew they were ready to listen.

“Good!” he said. “Then let’s begin.”

If you attend a Nazarene church this book and five others similar to it should be available for your child to read at no cost. Check with your Pastor or NMI president for more information. If you are a Christian who is interested in missions and would like your child to learn about missions on their level, you may purchase the book from NPH.

My church is involved in a project that helps provide wells so the children of Haiti don't have to walk miles each day for fresh water. For more information check here.

Grab Their Knees - WWJD?

I'm reading one of my church's missionary books "Africa's Soul Hope: The AIDS crisis and the church" by Ellen Decker and I came across a quote from Charles Spurgeon that really cut to the heart of the matter...

"If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for."

What a task we have...Grab some knees and don't let go.

Near the end of the book this challenging quotes jumps out...

We can ask, "What would Jesus do?" or "What would John Wesley do?" or even "What is the Church doing? But the ultimate spiritual question is, "What will I do?"

What am I doing? What should I be doing? What will I do?

The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20

Children's Missions Books

Six new mission books correlate with each year's theme. Three books are written for all readers (grades 1-6), and three for Advanced Readers (grades 4-6).

All-Reader Books (grades 1 through 6) ...

A Monkey Ate My Homework —a story set in Cotonou, Benin
by Matt Price

Three third-culture kids shared a common experience, much like MKs. Born in one culture, they lived in another culture, and became products of both. The three friends attended a British school where their missionary teacher gave them a challenging assignment. For Shin, the assignment became more of a challenge than he expected.

The Jesus Jeepney—a story about evangelism and volunteerism in the Philippines by Wes Eby

When Benjy’s family moved to Manila so his father could teach at the seminary, Benjy learned how the Gospel is shared through creative transportation. Nine-year-old Benjy, an adventuresome boy, had a knack for getting lost. But he became instrumental in helping some “lost” Filipino boys find Christ as their Savior.

The Trail of the Wooden Horse—a story about an unreached people group in Ukraine known as Gypsies by Judi Wiegman

When fire destroyed their cabin, Luda joined a caravan in search of a better life for her children, Anna and Alex. Their journey brought adventure and intrigue when Alex wandered into a village for a JESUS film showing and Anna met Valya, a Nazarene pastor’s daughter.

Advanced Reader Books (grades 4 through 6)

Snowballs and Coconuts—a story based on the life of O. L. King, an early missionary to Antigua by Cheryl Crouch

Oscar thought he had everything he could possibly want until he tasted coconut. He determined someday he would have all he could eat. But his plan to purchase the coconut he spied in a store window was diverted by snowballs and a boy named Ben. Oscar’s obedience to God brought contentment, friendship, and a tasty reward.

The Captain, His Daughter, and Their Discovery—a collection of stories about life on the mission field by Harmon Schmelzenbach and his daughter, Danielle

When the Schmelzenbachs became missionaries, they soon discovered their lives had changed forever. Through Harmon and Danielle’s personal insights and perspectives, learn how they faced the challenges of unfamiliar, unpredictable, and uncontrollable circumstances and made their greatest discovery.

The Case of the Secret Box—a story that gives insight into Japanese culture and the work of a Nazarene tentmaker by Amy Crofford

To help Keiko learn about their Japanese heritage, her mother gave her a special box with a mystery to solve while in Japan visiting her cousin Ai. With Ai’s help, Keiko not only solved the mystery and earned her own special box, but met Jason Lovelace and learned about tentmaker missionaries.

TO ORDER CLICK HERE Or call Nazarene Publishing House 1-800-877-0700 (Toll-free)

Missionary Books

My church has a strong emphasis on world missions. Each year our church publishing house puts out six adult mission books. This years books are:

Adult Missions Books
** Indicates books also recommended for youth

Africa’s Soul Hope: The AIDS crisis and the church **by Ellen Decker

Like a giant tsunami, the AIDS crisis in Africa propels itself forward, wiping out entire communities and destroying everything in its path. What hope is there for those facing this insidious, life-sucking disease? How is the Church of the Nazarene providing soul hope to millions of desperate people? Open this book. Read thoughtfully and prayerfully. A word of caution, however: you will never be the same.

Baboons on the Runway: And Other Humorous **Stories from Africaby Richard F. Zanner

Do missionaries ever have fun? According to this author, the answer is a resounding yes! Join former regional director Richard F. Zanner on a journey into the world of hilarious encounters and unlikely escapades lived out among his Nazarene colleagues in Africa. From being chased up a tree by a rhino to experiencing a “resurrection” in a morgue, you can be sure it’s an adventure you aren’t likely to forget!

A Love Story from Trinidad by Ruth O. Saxon

How do you fall in love with a village? A village with a bad reputation? Only God could have created the love story between missionary Ruth Saxon and Chanka Trace, Trinidad. An unlikely courtship, to say the least, it has stood the test of time and resulted in newfound hope and healing. Open your heart to this moving tale of joy and sorrow, healing and heartache, hope and disappointment. And let this stir anew your own love for the Savior and His precious lost children.

Meeting Jesus **by Keith Schwanz

Witchcraft. Gangs. Demon possession. These are but snippets of the opposition faced by JESUS film team members as they share the good news of Christ around theworld. At the risk of their own lives, these brave individuals seek to reap a harvest of lost souls . . . people who matter deeply to God. Written in the style of the Gospel of Luke, Meeting Jesus propels you into a world where good conquers evil and lives are transformed for eternity.

The Nudge in My Side: Stories from Indonesia and the Philippines by the Bob McCroskeys

This father/son missionary duo has teamed up to share life-changing stories from the far reaches of Asia. In Indonesia and the Philippines, where life is often simple and isolated, God has moved in astounding ways to call men and women to himself. Open the pages of this book. Savor the truths of these tantalizing stories. And be prepared to never see the world in the same way again.

They Saw Only Feet: More Life Lessons fromMissionary Kids by Dean Nelson

The call of a missionary often means sacrifice and surrender. Nobody knows that better than their children. Yet as the missionary kids in this book will tell you, God is faithful to care for His own. Between these pages you’ll meet men and women whose life experiences on the field changed them forever. Listen to their hearts, and let your own faith be strengthened as you do.

Click here to see the book covers and more info.