Area of Emphasis: Care & Connection
Supporting Our Missionaries
Strategically Connecting
As one area of emphasis for NMI, we seek to strategically connect Nazarene missionaries and Nazarene churches through prayer, personal contact, and generous giving.
In 2023, there were 482 missionaries originating from 59 world areas, serving in 83 countries. Of these missionaries, 319 served as global deployed and 163 were sponsored deployed. Last year, there were 41 new missionary deployments. Within these missionary families, there are 257 missionary kids.
We have several ways to engage with our missionaries included in this section.
Deputation
We are continually connecting with missionaries and working on their deputation visits to WAPAC. This is a great opportunity to connect with God’s work beyond our community.
Links Missionaries
Each district is assigned district Links missionaries for a year (January through December).
A Links relationship cultivates a sense of involvement with Nazarene Missions through regular correspondence to and from missionaries, updates from their field of service, and presentations by Links missionaries when they are on home assignment. Your prayers, letters, gifts, and connection to our district-assigned missionaries will make a huge difference in encouraging them and the people they are reaching in the mission field!
WAPAC Retired Missionaries
Retired missionaries on WAPAC include:
- Ivan and Virginia Lathrop
- Fred and June Forster
- Gary and Kathy Hughes
- Daniel and Carol Ketchum
- Kathie Ketchum
These faithful servants need as much prayer as our active missionaries. Many are going through battles physically, spiritually, mentally, emotionally and financially. Your WAPAC NMI Council is coming alongside them in some of these areas, but we (and they) need help. Please join us in prayer for them.
Types of Missionaries
What is the difference between a Global Missionary and a Sponsored Missionary?
A Global Missionary is primarily funded by the global efforts of World Evangelism and called to serve up to a full career in the field. Affirmed by the Church of the Nazarene, Global Missionaries have prior ministry experience and still strategically serve in a global assignment wherever they are needed in the world.
A Sponsored Missionary is primarily funded by their local church community and called to serve a localized need in the field. Affirmed by the local church, district and Church of the Nazarene, they will serve a maximum of four years in the field and have no previous ministry experience.
Both types of missionaries are important to furthering God’s work in our world. Are you or someone you know feeling a call to missions?
Missionary Medical Plan
Missionaries often live in areas with higher health risks than in their homeland. Getting adequate health care in a global setting can also be a challenge. Even when proper care is available, the cost may be exorbitant. In some world areas, missionaries incur high travel costs to get to where they can receive needed medical attention. The Missionary Medical Plan helps provide for active and retired Nazarene missionaries and their families when medical needs and emergencies arise.
The Nazarene Missionary Medical Plan pays for insurance that typically covers diagnosis of physical conditions and diseases, dental/vision/auditory health care, evacuation by air and ground ambulance when needed, physical exams for Nazarene missionary families, treatment of childhood diseases and injuries for missionary kids, hospitalization, emergency care, prescription medications, surgical procedures, maternity care and mental health services.
There are several ways churches can support the Missionary Medical Plan.
Distinguished Service Award (DSA). This is an award churches give in honor of people in their church who are living for a particular area of service (e.g., Sunday School worker, usher, staff member). Although the DSA is given through NMI, it doesn’t have to be given in the service area of missions. These awards are presented by a church or a department of the church; individuals may not give this award. The cost of the DSA is $125, and the funds go to the Missionary Medical Plan.
Memorial Roll. This is presented by a local church, group or individual in memory of a deceased family member or friend. A certificate is issued in the name of the person memorialized and is often presented to a family member or displayed in the church. The cost is $75, and the funds go to the Missionary Medical Plan.
Freewill Offerings. Your church can pick a month or week to focus on gifts to support the Missionary Medical Plan. All money given to the medical plan is used directly for Nazarene missionaries’ health care and may count as 10% giving for your church. None of the money is used for administrative costs.
The Missionary Medical Plan provides comprehensive coverage to both active and retired Nazarene missionaries.
NMI Facts: Providing Care and Connection to Nazarene Missionaries
- NMI provides care and connection between missionaries and local Churches of the Nazarene.
- All six regions participate in providing Care and Connection between districts and Nazarene missionaries through Links.
- In 2023, there were 482 missionaries originating from 59 world areas, serving in 83 countries. Of these missionaries, 319 served as global deployed and 163 were sponsored deployed. Last year, there were 41 new missionary deployments. Within these missionary families, there are 257 missionary kids.
- Nazarenes gave U.S. $4.7 million in deputation and missionary support offerings for
missionaries. - Missionary Health Care provided U.S. $353,677 in medical assistance for Nazarene missionaries, through offerings, Memorial Roll gifts, and Distinguished Service Award gifts.
- 372 retired missionaries received benefits through the Global Missions Pension Plan for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.