About Site Language

WHDL is viewable in multiple languages. Use the pull-down menu to select a language to view the site.

I changed my language, but I’m still seeing resources in the other languages?

If a resource or text has not been translated into your selected language, it will appear in the initially added language. We are always looking for help translating these resources. If you can help, contact us!

WHDL - 00017881

Holy fire: the diamond jubilee history of the Church of the Nazarene in the Philippines

Resource Types

Book

Resource Languages

English

Institutional Repository

Description / Abstract

In Holy Fire, three prominent contributors to the history of the Church,Floyd Cunningham, Ernesto Rulloda and Jason Hallig each contribute a section that collectively celebrates all that the Church of the Nazarene in the Philippines has become. What each section clearly reveals is that the Church of the Nazarene Philippines has developed, and matured as a result of God’s Grace at work in and through faithful individuals. The exciting thing to me personally as Director of the Asia-Pacific Region of the Church of the Nazarene, is the knowledge that the journey is far from being complete. The work that began 75 years ago through the dedication and commitment of pioneers and early leaders, yes even the imperfect ones, has placed the denomination on an exciting trajectory of transformational holiness discipleship and multiplication of churches and districts into each barangay and province that the Spirit continues to lead the church into.

Having served as Director of the Asia-Pacific Region for close to ten years, I have been absolutely blessed to spend many weeks in the Philippines, becoming acquainted with the beautiful people and cultures of this amazing archipelago. During this time, I have also seen the incredible potential that exists for the Gospel to bring about individual, communal, and societal transformation when lived faithfully, proclaimed powerfully, and exercised graciously. It has been and continues to be my privilege to become acquainted with and learn from the servants of the Church, hearing their vision, understanding more accurately their contextual reality, and seeking ways to co-labor with them in both the opportunities and challenges as encountered. It has also been my privilege to personally get to know two of the primary contributors of this book, Dr Floyd Cunningham and Dr Jason Hallig, two men who have given their lives in service of this Church that they so passionately and unapologetically write about.

While Holy Fire is a record of the past, Cunningham, Rulloda and Hallig also provide us with a timely reminder of the unrealized vision of a
Church of the Nazarene for each Barangay. In my interaction with Field and District leaders, I can testify that the vision continues to live on in the hearts and minds of many Nazarenes and toward the fulfillment of that vision the Church continues to move and grow. Holy Fire provides historic insight into how the now solid foundation of holiness evangelism, education and compassion has been established. It also reminds us of and challenges us anew to the fact that it took much sacrifice, determination, perseverance and focus to build only upon the Cornerstone that is Jesus, and no other matter that might negate the grace of God. It is upon the unshakeable foundation of Jesus and His teachings that the leadership of the Church of the Nazarene in the Philippines continues to serve, labor and equip the body for works of service.

The next chapter is already being written. It focuses on the role that the mature and fully integrated Church in the Philippines is playing in taking the Gospel to the unreached of the earth. The Church in the Philippines is no longer a missionary recipient church, but has instead through the labor of those celebrated herein and many others, matured into a fully engaged missional member of the global Nazarene family. Capacity continues to be developed within each Nazarene, local church and district. The quantifiable and qualitative outcomes continue to be Christlike Disciples contributing to ongoing growth and expansion of the Kingdom of God. It has been stated that past behavior is a good predictor of future action. My observations of the Church in the Philippines lead me to believe that the pace of development and growth is about to take off exponentially.