January - Volunteer ministries
- Work & Witness - Often a group from the church that goes to a specific country to help with construction, evangelism, medical work, office work or any other type of service needed. This usually occurs within a two-week time frame.
- Skills Bank - A volunteer ministry allowing individuals with special skills to serve in an area from two weeks to three months, using those skills for God's glory.
- College And University Students Serving and Enabling - Volunteer projects similar to above lasting from 10 days to 2 weeks and organized around college breaks.
- Local and District Opportunities - Possibilities for ministry in areas close to home allow all age groups to participate in volunteer ministries.
- Community Service Projects
- Compassionate Ministries
- Good Samaritan Churches
- Special Needs Groups within local churches
- Prayer - Those involved in volunteer ministries are in need of intercession. Through prayer, everyone may participate.
February - Alabaster
- The Alabaster Program is a ministry of love based on the story of Mary of Bethany (Matthew 26:7-13). It is like "perfume money" spent, not on ourselves, but like Mary--given to Him. These love gifts are transformed into buildings and property sites for holy evangelism around the world. Alabaster works hand in hand with Work & Witness projects.
March - Easter Offering
- The Easter Offering and Thanksgiving Offering are two of the greatest avenues for going into all the world to preach the gospel to every person.
- World Day of Prayer - The first Friday in March is the World Day of Prayer.
April - Global Awareness (Mission Education)
- An informed church is a transformed church. April is the fuel month and information is the fuel without which the fire cannot burn. This is the month in which we are encouraged to read about the missions and the missionaries. How they are conduits to transforming lives as well as how their lives are transformed by their calling.
May - Missionary Health Care
NMI has for years accepted the responsibility of helping provide funds for medical needs of our missionaries. This is done in four ways:
- Memorial Roll - An annual Memorial Roll was first established in 1919 and the first names were inscribed on a roll and kept in the NMI office in Kansas City. Each district also keeps a Memorial Roll as well. The $50.00 donation is a significant way to honor deceased friends and loved ones by contributing to the medical needs of our missionaries.
- Distinguished Service Award - The Distinguished Service Award honors those within the church who are living and serving (such as a pastor, Sunday School worker, an usher, or another individual for his or her unique service. The $100.00 donation can only come from a church or an organization within the church and not single individuals.
- Gifts From the Heart - Providing health care for missionaries by honoring/memorializing friends and loved ones. Donate to Missionary Health Care for anniversaries, birthdays, new arrivals, retirements, in lieu of flowers, or "just because." You determine the donation.
- Every church is encouraged to give annual support to the medical needs of our missionaries.
June - World Mission Broadcast
Since 1953 the NMI has been underwriting this valuable evangelistic tool. The radio ministry now reaches approximately 100 countries and broadcasts in more than 40 dialects, vernaculars and languages. June is the time the local churches send their support.
July - International Ministry, Bible Schools and Seminaries
This is the month to pray for the success of our evangelistic efforts internationally. The importance of our educational work cannot be over emphasized. Some churches prepare cards with the names of people, places or schools and give them to individuals to take into their special prayer times.
August - LINKS - Loving, Interested Nazarenes, Knowing and Sharing
The LINKS program is designed to make sure those who answer the Call of Christ to serve around the world are linked to a specific church by a chain of prayer, concern and sharing.
- Every church adopts missionaries for a period of two years. They are taken into the church family.
- The congregation may write to them, assuring them that prayers are being sent.
- Specially prepared boxes can be sent to them as a surprise when special needs are determined.
September - Membership and Alabaster Offering
- The goal is "Every Nazarene a member of the NMI." We desire 100% involvement and full support for the immense mission of sharing Christ with the whole world.
- This month and in February an Alabaster Offering is taken which goes for acquiring church property or buildings used to spread God's Word. Often, in a team effort, Work & Witness teams will go to the mission area and refurbish the buildings that were acquired through the Alabaster Offerings.
October - Mission Priority One
- The local church Mission Priority One Program is based on four criteria:
- A plan is developed through which prayer becomes a vital part of the mission program.
- A plan involving encouraging members to read selected educational material is established.
- A plan involving the youth and children to become directly involved in specific mission activity.
- The General Budget must be paid in full.
- There are specific ways to obtain an Award of Excellence for both the local church and the district.
November - Thanksgiving Offering
November is the time that Nazarenes in many areas join in expressing gratitude to God in a material way by bringing in a generous offering for world evangelism.
December - Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
Because of needs around the world and close to home, the Office of Compassionate Ministries was established. Currently, more and more Christians are sharing their material blessings with those in need. This fund has literally meant the difference between life and death for people in many parts of the world.
Much of this information came from the Touching Our World, NMI Handbook and Constitution from the Church of the Nazarene.
