who we are

Who We Are  Back to Top

Every organization that endures over time is based on a deeply shared combination of purpose , belief , and values . So it is with the Church of the Nazarene. It was founded to transform the world by spreading scriptural holiness (Christ-like living). It is both a Great Commission church and a Holiness church at the same time. Our mission is to make Christ-like disciples of all nations.

The Church of the Nazarene believes you may discover forgiveness, peace, joy, purpose, love and meaning in life and the promise of heaven when life is over by entering and experiencing a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

We believe that there is a deeper level of life for the Christian in which there is victory over sin, power to witness and serve, and a richer fellowship with God. This happens for the Christian by the sanctifying (purifying) fullness of the Holy Spirit.

Each local congregation of the Church of the Nazarene is a faith community, ready to greet you in Jesus' name. There you will discover opportunities not only to encounter Jesus as your Savior and Lord, but to grow as a follower of Christ. Local churches offer ministry opportunities for serving others. Fellowship, worship, training and education are all part of our life together in Christ. With over 12,000 congregations worldwide, our vision and mission embraces the entire world. We invite you to experience the unique fellowship of your nearby Church of the Nazarene.

we believe

What We Believe  Back to Top

These are beliefs Nazarenes hold to be true. They are common to Christians worldwide:

We believe in one God-the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We believe that the Old and New Testament Scriptures, given by plenary inspiration, contain all truth necessary to faith and Christian living.

We believe that man is born with a fallen nature, and is, therefore, inclined to evil, and that continually.

We believe that the finally impenitent are hopelessly and eternally lost.

We believe that the atonement through Jesus Christ is for the whole human race; and that whosoever repents and believes on the Lord Jesus Christ is justified and regenerated and saved from the dominion of sin.

We believe that believers are to be sanctified wholly, subsequent to regeneration, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We believe that the Holy Spirit bears witness to the new birth, and also to the entire sanctification of believers.

We believe that our Lord will return, the dead will be raised, and the final judgment will take place.

core values

Core Values  Back to Top

We Are a Christian People

As members of the Church Universal, we join with all true believers in proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ and in embracing the historic Trinitarian creedal statements of Christian faith. We value our Wesleyan-Holiness heritage and believe it to be a way of understanding the faith that is true to Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience.

We Are a Holiness People

God, who is holy, calls us to a life of holiness. We believe that the Holy Spirit seeks to do in us a second work of grace, called by various terms including "entire sanctification" and "baptism with the Holy Spirit"-cleansing us from all sin; renewing us in the image of God: empowering us to love God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves; and producing in us the character of Christ. Holiness in the life of believers is most clearly understood as Christlikeness.

We Are a Missional People

We are a sent people, responding to the call of Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to go into all the world, witnessing to the Lordship of Christ and participating with God in the building of the Church and the extension of His kingdom (2 Corinthians 6:1).

Our Mission:

(a) begins in worship,

(b) ministers to the world in evangelism and compassion,

(c) encourages believers toward Christian maturity through discipleship, and

(d) prepares women and men for Christian service through Christian higher education.

fast facts

Fast Facts  Back to Top  

Organized in Pilot Point Texas.................................................1908

Current Membership World Wide.......................................1,496,296

New Nazarenes (2004).......................................................110,706

Number of Organized Churches.............................................13,672

Other Reported Congregations...............................................3,656

Number of Districts.................................................................425

Ordained Elders (Preachers).................................................14,069

Ordained Deacons...................................................................593

Licensed Ministers................................................................6,889

Nazarene Youth International Members................................336,950

Nazarene Missions International Members............................827,200

VBS Attendance (Children & Workers)..................................417,362

Average Weekly Sunday School Attendance..........................768,672

World Areas Ministering In.......................................................149

Number of Missionaries (including 264 volunteers).......................801

Number of World Areas Producing Missionaries.............................32

Paid for All Purposes...................................................817,847,424