From October 19th to the 21st 2016, it was held in Panama City, the first Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Regional Conference “Impacting the World with Love”. Forty-six leaders from 10 countries of the 5 fields of the region participated in the event, which was aimed to provide training and useful tools for efficiently ministry development.

They had devotionals led by Regional Director Dr. Carlos Saenz and specialized workshops led by experts in the thematic. Prof. Adriana E. Garcia, founder of DFEM (Development to Promote Women’s Entrepreneurship) shared the ” Leadership and Entrepreneurial Development” workshop; Dr. Lesly Jules, business development specialist, shared the workshop “Entrepreneurship and Organizational Development”; Nell Becker Sweeden, Global NCM (Nazarene Compassionate Ministries) Coordinator, shared about the problems of migration and resources for effective ministry to this need; Miguel and Irene Garita, Family Care Ministry, shared about Migrant Support from the Local Church. Finally Mr. Zekarias Asfaw, water supply global adviser, shared the workshop on “Sanitation and Hygiene”. Different work groups where leaders could work by field on ideas on how to respond in different situations that were raised by the panelists were also conducted.

During the conference Haiti NCM Coordinator, David Campos, shared about the state of the church in that country after Hurricane Matthew and how NCM has responded. The Grand ‘Anse district superintendent, David Esperance also shared his experience where he said: “During the hurricane I took refuge in the church, but the church collapsed with me inside … it was a very difficult night” The group had special time of prayer for the people of Haiti and the leadership of the church.

Thank God for successful time of training to regional leadership. God bless each field through them.

Mesoamerica Communications