The Church of the Nazarene as it is known today was born in Pilot Point, Texas, USA, on Tuesday morning, October 13, 1908. On that occasion, representatives from groups of holiness people based out of the southern region of the USA, including one known as the Holiness Church of Christ, gathered together under a big tent with representatives of the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene, a group with churches located primarily on the country’s east and west coast. During their morning session, at 10:40am, a motion “that the union of the two churches be now consummated” was made, seconded, and unanimously adopted amid great enthusiasm.
Years later, one eyewitness reflected on the scene that day:
“When it was announced that the vote for union was unanimous, the assembly could not contain its exuberant joy. The Mason-Dixon Line and the ugly scars of the Civil War were forgotten and the chasm between North and South was bridged forever! The delighted delegates waved their handkerchiefs in the air as tears of joy flowed down their cheeks. Loud shouts of ‘Hallelujah,’ ‘Praise the Lord,’ ‘Glory to His Name,’ rent the air. Shaking of hands, hugs, and slaps on the back led to a grand ‘Hallelujah March’ around the outside of the huge tent. Just how many times the Nazarenes marched round the tent no one will ever know. But their faces were aglow with joy and determination to ‘encircle the globe with salvation with Holiness Unto the Lord.’”
From that memorable morning until today, the Church of the Nazarene has indeed encircled the globe. In its first 114 years, the people called Nazarenes have carried the message of Scriptural holiness across six continents and 164 world areas. By God’s grace, the message will continue to encircle the globe as the Church of the Nazarene fulfills its mission to make Christlike disciples in the nations.
