World Evangelism Fund 
                        Breaking News 
Cast:  

Local NMI President—introduces/concludes sketch
News Anchor
Reporter 1
Reporter 2

Setting:
The News Anchor sits at a desk with a microphone and with the world map according to regions prominently displayed nearby. Reporters 1 and 2 have microphones and are stationed elsewhere in the sanctuary.

 
NMI President: We have just received breaking news from Nazarene Missions International. We are broadcasting live from the mission newsroom of the Church of the Nazarene.
Anchor: Near the turn of the 20th century, a fledgling organization known as the Church of the Nazarene established a mission program resulting in thousands of people developing vibrant relationships with God. Since its inception, the Church of the Nazarene has started work in more than 155 world areas. Reporting approximately 790 missionaries from 40 world areas, more than 190 missionary kids, and providing pentions for more than 320 retired missionaries, the denomination is dedicated to the task of giving the Gospel to millions.
 
Reporter 1: Believing that people are more likely to be open to the Gospel message when their physical needs are met, thousands of people are treated at 64 medical clinics and hospitals and at a myriad of compassionate ministry centers globally.
 
Reporter 2: Years ago Nazarene leaders saw the need for educational institutions around the world. In 2008, 40 Bible and theological colleges and 11 universities in world mission areas reported a total enrollment of more than 30,500 students! More than 14,500 extension students received their education at 30 education extension centers that year. At these schools, men and women are trained to be witnesses of the power of the Gospel to their own people and to lead other Nazarenes around the world.
 
Reporter 1: In a church like ours that spans the globe, we understand that Nazarenes speak many languages. In 2008, 231 literature projects were completed in 56 languages. More than 700 projects are currently underway, representing 62 languages. Some of these projects will take a minimum of 3 years to complete.
 
Reporter 2: Did you know that more than 430 districts have been established around the world with more than 24,000 clergy?
 
News Anchor: Someone has said, “Money talks.” That statement is correct! It speaks of consecration, concern, and cooperation. The Church of the Nazarene has accomplished all of what has just been reported because of sacrificial giving by people just like you from around the world.
 
The World Evangelism Fund, of which the Easter Offering is a part, allows us to testify to each other locally and globally that we are consecrated, we are concerned, and we are cooperative. We are dedicated to helping people learn of God’s love, Jesus’ sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit’s fulfillment. Participating in the Easter Offering is your opportunity to keep the lifeline of our mission program flowing.
 
Reporter 2: The (name of your church) Church of the Nazarene wants to help keep the wheels of God’s mission rolling by giving (your World Evangelism Fund goal + [aim high]) in the Easter Offering. We may count the results of the Easter Offering in monetary units, but how can we count the results in souls won to Christ? Those results will be seen when we all gather around God’s throne.
 
News Anchor: We want to echo Paul’s words from Acts 20:35 when he said, “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
 
NMI President: The Easter Offering will be received on Easter Sunday, April 4th. Please be prayerful about your participation and give freely. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6). If 200 of us gave $25 each, we would meet our goal of $5,000. (Break your church’s goal down into smaller attainable goals for each family unit or even each member for the church.)
 
Allow the children to do chores around the house so they can give to the World Evangelism Fund. Make giving fun so your children will want to be a part of the Lord’s work around the world. We are never too young to help fund God’s mission!
 
Easter is a time of celebration—the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. Make the Easter Offering a family event this year and get everyone in each household involved.
 
Delilah Johnson
Seymour, Missouri