Brief history of Nazarene Missions International (NMI)
TL;DR
Nazarene Missions International (NMI) is a global mobilizing arm of the Church of the Nazarene, inspiring prayer, giving, and participation in world evangelism. It began in 1899 as the Women’s Foreign Missionary Society under Susan Norris Fitkin, who later became its first general president. Over the decades, NMI evolved through several name changes—Nazarene Foreign Missionary Society, Nazarene World Missionary Society, and finally, Nazarene Missions International (2001)—while expanding its focus efforts by women to include the entire church. Today, NMI operates in 165+ world areas, coordinating prayer, fundraising, and mission education at local, district, and global levels. It serves as the Church’s missions catalyst— linking every Nazarene congregation to global outreach through giving, prayer, and service
Nazarene Missions International is the mobilizer of
passion, prayer, and financial support for the ends-of-the-earth outreach of the Church of the Nazarene.
Susan Fitkin was the early leader of what is now Nazarene Missions International
Names of the organization have included Women's Foreign Missionary Society, Nazarene
Foreign Missionary Society, and Nazarene World Missionary Society
"A church without missions is a church without a mission. A church that is not
reaching out is passing out." -- Victor Patterson, Northwest Nazarene University student
Susan Fitkin
Story of what is now called Nazarene Missions International
NMI mobilizes passion. prayer, and financial support for theChurch of the Nazarene's ends-
of-the-earth outreach.. At the global level, the NMI holds an
international convention in conjunction with the quadrennial (once every four years) Nazarene
General Assembly. While the NMI has its own Global Council composed of representatives
from all world regions, it operates within the World Mission Office structure of the General Board.
Every local Nazarene church is urged to have a functioning NMI organization. Each
geographical district of Nazarene churches has a functioning NMI organization. At the local and
district levels, all NMI officers are volunteers.
1899 -- Women's Foreign Missionary Society organized in Providence, Rhode Island.
Susan Fitkin (whose biography and story of a call to missions are
inspiring) was one of the eight charter members. That first year, the society raised $6.05 for world missions.
1915 -- General Missionary Committee authorized by Nazarene General Assembly. Susan Fitkin was one of the three original members. The others were Ada Bresee from Los Angeles and Mrs. J.T. Benson from Nashville.
1919 -- Susan Fitkin elected general president
Relief and Retirement Fund (now Medical Plan) offering instituted Memorial Roll begun to honor deceased loved ones and friends
1921 -- Box Work (now called Links) initiated to get local churches to ship personal items and ministry supplies to missionaries [ more on Links ]
First Nazarene missionary picture set produced
1923 -- Women's Missionary Society Constitution placed in Nazarene Manual, initially without the qualifying word "foreign".
General Budget (now called World Evangelism Fund) set up to unify denominational fundraising efforts
1924 -- Prayer and Fasting League launched with an article in the April Other Sheep. Members were asked to give 25 cents per week.
Requirements for Standard and Superior Societies established
1925 -- Board of General Superintendents asks that the Prayer and Fasting League be devoted specifically to world missions
1927 -- First adult missionary study book, Latin Americans, Our Southern
Neighbors, published. That avenue of missions information is now a weekly email newsletter called
NMI Central."
1928 -- First General Convention. The name changed to Women's Foreign Missionary Society
Indian Head penny and nickel offerings begun
1934 -- Missionary Training Course launched (forerunner of current annual NMI mission books)
1936 -- Foreign added to name to distinguish the area of focus
1940 -- Emma Word named first full-time general secretary
25th Anniversary Offering for Reynolds Memorial Bible School
1946 -- First issue of General Council Tidings (later called Focus)
1948 -- Louise Robinson Chapman succeeds Susan Fitkin as general president
1950 -- Mary Scott becomes executive secretary of the organization
Mary Scott
1952 -- Name changed to Nazarene Foreign Missionary Society. Men are invited to join.
Star Society emphasis begun (replacing Standard Society)
1953 -- Spanish radio broadcast offering begun (now World Evangelism broadcast offering) Prayer Chart introduced with requests being written on a printed chart posted in local churches and then answers noted when news was received
1954 -- Denomination-wide offering to open work in Papua New Guinea
1958 -- Saturday night SKYWATCH promoted during the denomination's 50th anniversary year. People were asked to pray for one hour on Saturday night: 30 minutes for work on mission fields and 30 minutes for an unsaved loved one.
Children's missionary lessons appear in Junior Topics
1959 -- Denomination-wide children's offering to open work in Samoa
1964 -- Name changed to Nazarene World Missionary Society 50th Anniversary Offering to build Papua New Guineahospital
1965 -- Mission books in recorded audio format for the first time
1966 -- Denomination's first-ever construction mission trip (from Southern Nazarene University to Muzquiz, Mexico)
1975 -- Wanda Knox succeeds Mary Scott [ Knox biography ]
"The church needs more Wanda Knoxes because our work is not finished. Without future
Wandas that are obedient to God, we will not finish the Great Commission of taking the Gospel
to the ends of the world." -- Robert Holloway, Northwest Nazarene University student
Wanda Knox, NMI director
"Reading the biography of Wanda Knox made a huge impact on me. She had a passion for global missions but didn't hear a clear call until after she was married. She had such a tender heart and a love for people groups who don't know the Lord." -- Joy Phinney, Nazarene Bible College student
1972 -- Paul Gamertsfelder is the first male elected to what is now the General NMI council
1974 -- Men in Missions (now called Work & Witness) program introduced [ more on Work & Witness ]
1975 -- The Other Sheep magazine is re-named World Mission.
1976 -- Distinguished Service Award introduced Star Society program changed to
Mission Award Number of international representatives on General Council expanded
1980 -- Name changed to Nazarene World Mission Society
Phyllis Hartley Brown Perkins succeeds Wanda Knox as director
Phyllis Perkins
1981 -- Telephone Prayer Mobilization Line inaugurated (now a weekly email page called "NMI Central")
1982 -- Denomination-wide offering to begin work in Venezuela
1989 -- One Million Hours of Prayer plan for General Assembly and Conventions
1990 -- Denomination-wide offering for evangelism in Hong
Kong/Chinese communities worldwide in celebration of NMI's 75th anniversary
Global Glimpses, a Sunday bulletin insert, introduced
1991 -- First Youth Mission Commitment Day sponsored jointly by NMI and NYI
Award of Excellence for World Evangelism Fund overpayment launched Bibles for Russia project
1992 -- Special World Mission Radio offering in honor of Louise Robinson Chapman's 100th birthday
1994 -- MedCare Pak program formed with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, first
shipment goes to Mozambique
1995 -- World Mission Video Magazine begins production Prayer
Mobilization Line expands to e-mail delivery Casa Robles missionary retirement home 50th Anniversary Project
1996 -- Nazarene World Week of p\Prayer begun annually in March
1997 -- Children's "Wings for the Gospel" project to purchase an airplane General
Budget changed to World Evangelism Fund Bev Borbe
elected as general president Denominational participation in the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church
2001 -- Organization name changed to Nazarene Missions International; Former missionary
Eunice Brubaker elected as General President
2005 -- Following the election of Nina Gunter as a Nazarene General Superintendent,
missionary Dan Ketchum is named NMI General Director
2009 -- Jennifer Brown from Jamaica becomes the first non-USA citizen to be elected NMI General President
2013 -- Philip Weatherill from the British Isles North District is elected as global NMI president
2015 -- Lola Brickey becomes global NMI director
2022 -- Mission books, together with the Prayer Mobilization Line, morph into the weekly
NMI Central email publication
2025 -- Chieryl Crouch becomes global NMI direcdtor
"I have a link on our church website to your pages. You have lots of information. You are a blessing and an encouragement." --Marge R., California, USA
Nazarene Missions International (NMI) is an organization within the global Church of the
Nazarene dedicated to mobilizing and supporting missions efforts around the world. Here are six things you need to know about NMI:
Mission Statement: The mission of NMI is to
mobilize the church global in mission through praying, discipling, giving, and educating. NMI
aims to engage every member of the Church of the Nazarene in the work of world missions.
History: Nazarene Missions International has its
roots in the early days of the Church of the Nazarene. It was formally organized in 1915.
NMI operates at various levels within the
Church of the Nazarene, including local churches, districts, regions, and globally. Each level of
organization has a leadership structure to handle world missions activities and initiatives.
NMI coordinates and supports a wide range of missions-related activities and programs, including:
Prayer initiatives for missionaries and global mission needs.
Fundraising efforts to support missionaries and projects around the world.
Educational resources to raise awareness about global missions and cultural sensitivity.
Short-term mission trips and other volunteer opportunities for church members.
Global Reach: Nazarene Missions International operates in churches in over 165 world area, supporting missionaries, church planting efforts,
community development projects, disaster relief, and other mission initiatives
Financial Support: NMI plays a major role in raising financial support for missions through offerings, pledges, and fundraising events organized at the local, district, and
global levels.
In a nutshell, Nazarene Missions International serves as a vital link between local congregations and missions efforts worldwide. It mobilizes and equips church members to participate in fulfilling the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations.
