A young woman in Canada had a vision of a flood and felt impressed to pray for a specific Nazarene missionary. When the missionary learned about the young woman’s prayers, he was deeply touched. He explained that while he hadn’t experienced a literal flood, his increasing responsibilities had felt to him like an overwhelming flood. He was blessed to know that God saw him and stirred her heart on his behalf.
How amazing that God connected this young woman and this missionary through prayer! But how did she know about the missionary in the first place? Through Care & Connection, one of NMI’s Five Areas of Impact.
Relationships between local churches and missionaries result in blessings on both sides. We celebrate that USA/Canada districts are finding creative ways to provide Care & Connection!
At children’s camp, the Philadelphia District used a letter template from Kids Kaleidoscope to encourage children to write letters to their Links missionaries as well as those sent from the district and those who had visited on deputation. Adult helpers sent photos of the children’s precious letters—with drawings in the margins—via email and WhatsApp, along with notes inviting the missionaries to respond. Replies are shared in the district’s NMI newsletter. Philadelphia children also participated in a prayer walk based on the prayer requests and praises from the 2025 Kids Global Week of Prayer booklet. Children placed their hands on maps and prayed for missionaries in each region who had specific ties to their district.
When a daughter of the Manswells, missionaries to Trinidad, got married, Canada West NMI hosted a virtual bridal shower, which turned into a joyful online celebration. They sent gift cards and emailed notes and photos from adults and children.
WAPAC NMI invited their Links missionaries to lead their NMI Missions Day. With the help of a young man who is gifted in technology, they’ve posted videos from these missionaries to their district Facebook page. They’ve also sent video greetings from the District NMI Council to the missionaries who have happily agreed to join their NMI convention via video call.
For the Hauns, missionaries to Bulgaria, Care & Connection is one of their favorite aspects of being missionaries. They commented, “We have been blessed to connect with so many churches and individuals in districts we would have never been connected to. It reminds us of just how small the Nazarene world is and how interconnected we all are!”
The USA/Canada Region isn’t alone. Churches on every region participate in Care & Connection. Missionary Heidi Bowes is linked with the Barbados District. She enjoys receiving occasional WhatsApp messages asking how she’s doing and how they can pray. She shares, “What a blessing! Churches in Barbados are praying for an American missionary living in Switzerland who works with people located between Ireland to Sri Lanka. Just as the Church of the Nazarene is a global church, Links exemplifies the global partnership we have in God’s mission together, as we follow his Spirit, who knows no boundaries.”
