[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE

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                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 17, 2008

  Mr. MARCHANT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Church of 
the Nazarene on its 100th Anniversary for providing a place to worship, 
learn, and assist those in need.
  In honor of this special anniversary, the Church of the Nazarene has 
declared October 5, 2008, as The Centennial Sunday. On that day, 
churches of this denomination will gather across the globe as one body 
united around a common worship, a common message, and a common 
scripture. The Centennial Sunday is an organized effort by the church 
to remember their heritage and those that have gone before them, as 
well as look to the future, as they continue, through the power of the 
Holy Spirit, to spread the gospel further throughout the world.
  This occasion serves to highlight the Church of the Nazarene's 
history and their continued commitment to the cause of Christ. The 
sustained growth of this church and their pledge to holiness stands as 
a lasting testament to the determination of a small group who overcame 
prejudices and divisions as they devoted themselves to God and unity 
with their fellow man.
  During and shortly after this country's bloody Civil War, our nation 
found itself bitterly divided. At that same time, the Wesleyan-Holiness 
Movement likewise splintered into numerous divisions over race, region 
and several theological issues such as baptism and women's role in the 
church. For the next 40 years the Holiness Movement was reduced to 
scattered denominations, divided by their location and ideologies.
  The year between October, 1907 and October, 1908 marked a significant 
turning point for the Holiness Movement. Three of the movement's 
regional denominations made a commitment to put aside past differences 
and embrace in unity the mutually held convictions of their faith. The 
culmination of their efforts came to fruition on October 8, 1908 in 
Pilot Point, Texas, where the denominations met together to form the 
Church of the Nazarene. Under the leadership of individuals such as 
Phineas Bresee and Hiram Reynolds, the church again united as one body 
and began to spread the gospel throughout the world.
  Looking back over the past 100 years, the Church of the Nazarene has 
experienced significant change. Yet, through these years, their mission 
has remained fundamentally the same. The Church itself has declared 
that, their ``primary objective . . . is to advance God's Kingdom by 
the preservation and propagation of Christian holiness as set forth in 
the Scriptures.'' The Church of the Nazarene has always taken seriously 
the call to take the Good News to all nations and to fellowship with 
one another in love. The church continues to serve as a beacon for 
holiness and Christian community throughout the world.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in applauding the Church of the 
Nazarene as it celebrates 100 years of dedicated fellowship. Clergy and 
members of the past and present are to be commended for their service 
to the church and greater community. It is my hope that the Church of 
the Nazarene continues to stand as symbol of resolve, inspiration, and 
worship for many years to come.

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