Yeah Nazarenes!

I just wanted to give a shout out to my Nazarene peeps for a great day in our denomination yesterday. Two new General Superintendents (our bishops, we have 6 of them) were elected yesterday and for the first time we elected a GS from outside of North America. Eugenio Duarte who has served over the African region for a number of years and is from the Cape Verde Islands, was elected in the first election yesterday. By all accounts he is a pretty extraordinary individual, speaks 5 languages, and brings a new perspective and a whole different set of life experiences to the church. 60 % of Nazarenes live outside of North America, so we were way overdue to have an international GS. This is a great thing. When he was elected a delegation from Africa began to celebrate and dance and picked up Duarte and danced with him on their shoulders. I can think of nothing better for our church.

The other election resulted in Dr. John C. Bowling president of Olivet Nazarene University being elected. In many ways Dr. Bowling fits the typical mold of GS. He is an upperclass, midwestern, white man who has served as a leader in both Nazarene schools and some of the large and well known Nazarene churches. But Dr. Bowling is more than a stereotype. He is a very well educated and accomplished leader. He actually turned down his election four years ago to remain at Olivet. He will serve the church well I have no doubt.

So there is one more election left. The front runners are not known to me, but I will be in prayer today, along with many around the world, that God indeed will raise up the leadership our denomination needs so desperately.