Local Nazarenes join in global centennial celebrations

Church of the Nazarene in 151 countries around the world in celebrating its Centennial observance on October 5. The theme for the celebrations was “Out of Many One, out of One Many.”

On this historic occasion, the message of holiness to all persons congregating in Nazarene churches across TT and around the world was that the Bible says that we, as believers in Christ, are a “chosen, holy”, and a “sent” people “to declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light” (I Peter 2:29).

A gala banquet, under the patronage of current District Superintendent Victor George and his wife Marilyn, was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Port-of-Spain on September 20 to recognise the pastoral and educational ministry of Nazarenes who have served in TT since the coming of the first Nazarene missionaries to these shores in 1924.

District Superintendent Emeritus Dr Clifford Manswell was especially honoured for his 25 years of service in the office of the District Superintendent.

One of the highlights of the evening was the book launch of the History of the Church of the Nazarene in Trinidad and Tobago, written by University of the West Indies (UWI) lecturer Dr. Gelien Matthews, a member of the Tunapuna Church of the Nazarene. UWI Professor Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh, who himself has recently written on the contribution of the Presbyterian Church to education in TT, introduced Dr Matthews’ book to those in attendance. Orders for the book may be placed with the TT Nazarene District Office located at Angelina and

Mooneram Streets, St James, telephone numbers 622-9552 or 622-8549.

Social Development Minister Dr Amery Browne, one of the featured speakers, congratulated the church on its achievements over the past 100 years.

The Church of the Nazarene has 25 churches in Trinidad and two churches in Tobago. The TT Nazarene Church also supports one educational institution, the Caribbean Nazarene College, an accredited tertiary institution, located in Santa Cruz, Trinidad.

The main thrust of the Church of the Nazarene is Christian evangelism accompanied by compassionate ministry and holistic education. The core values of the church are Christian, Holiness, and Missional.