2025 REPORT impact
Living for Jesus
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.” Galatians 5:6*
The following pages of this report offer a beautiful vantage point to witness where and how Nazarene congregations are serving communities with the love and mercy of Jesus. Our churches across the globe minister in communities where people are living in extreme poverty on the margins of society, and these churches serve when disasters, crises, and violence strike. Behind the pages of this report are a holiness people who seek after God and live out Christlikeness among neighbors. Because Nazarene practices and commitments center on “faith working through love,” we are living a new picture of what is possible through Jesus
Faith, hope, and love are thriving in the world through thousands of holiness churches scattered throughout remote places across the globe. The body of Christ is firmly rooted, even where it is small. There, in the most remote locations, churches are planting seeds of good news in Jesus. With the help of NCM, local congregations are tending to the soil, growing crops, and training in small businesses. They are raising children to know Jesus and are committed to their education and development. They are responding with emergency supplies and assistance, and they remain present in the long term, even when war and violence persist. Our Nazarenes have built homes even where people are suffering, and there they live for Jesus.
5“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat what they produce… 7But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Jeremiah 29:5; 7
Director, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries
*all references are in NRSV unless noted
PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL IN WORD AND DEED
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries partners with local Nazarene congregations around the world to clothe, shelter, feed, heal, educate, and live in solidarity with those who suffer under oppression, injustice, violence, poverty, hunger, and disease. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries exists in and through the Church of the Nazarene to proclaim the gospel to all people in word and deed.
WHO WE THE CHURCH IN ACTION are
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) is the church in action. We are an outflow of the Church of the Nazarene in our world, working to mobilize local congregations to live out Christ’s call to care for those considered the “least of these” (Matthew 25). Through your partnership, NCM walks alongside local churches when they are looking for ways to meet the needs around them. We use a holistic ministry model that both proclaims and demonstrates the gospel of Christ, resulting in lives that are transformed through him.
Together, we partner with congregations around the world to provide tangible expressions of Christ’s compassion through church-led community development and emergency relief work. We are seeing lives and communities transformed through these nine areas of work:
35“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. … 40Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:35-36; 40 NIV
WHERE CHILDREN
HOLISTIC CHILD DEVELOPMENT
flourish
Holistic Child Development programming through NCM is rooted in Christ’s love for children. It seeks to nurture children’s spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and social development. In 2025, NCM partnered with congregations to strengthen discipleship and literacy, and expand education opportunities.
Holistic Child Development at a glance in 2025:
• In 47 countries, local churches are leading child development programs that embody compassion.
• 253 active child development centers provided care and support for children and families.
• Worldwide, 586 students graduated from child development centers this past school year.
• Churches launched 24 new child development centers, expanding opportunities for children to learn and grow.
• Through child sponsorship, 10,360 children received direct support for their education, health, and spiritual development.
• Nearly 20,000 children participated in holistic child development programs that offer safe spaces for growth and learning.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14
EDUCATION AND BELONGING FOR CHILDREN IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Many children who arrive with their families in Trinidad and Tobago leave their home countries in search of safety and stability. Sometimes these children attend NCM’s child development centers, where they learn in a supportive environment that helps them adjust to a new culture and education system.
Parents describe the center as a place where their children find encouragement and belonging. They appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and daily activities that help their children settle into life in Trinidad and Tobago. At home, children share songs from morning devotions and talk excitedly about classmates.
The center’s impact is especially visible beyond the classroom. After a recent field trip, one parent offered heartfelt gratitude: “I can only say thank you for your love and dedication to this great labor of educating our children. I am very happy for the experience we live day to day, especially when they do activities like these.” Moments like this remind families they are not walking this journey alone, and that their children’s futures are being shaped with care and hope.
restoring
WHAT WAS BROKEN
WITH EMERGENCY RELIEF
In 2025, NCM partnered with local congregations around the world to bring comfort and strength to communities facing disasters and conflict. In countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Ukraine, churches met immediate needs with food, shelter and trauma care. Together, they are helping rebuild homes, restore hope, and stand as a witness to a God who is making all things new.
Emergency Relief at a glance in 2025:
• Projects are active in 22 countries, reflecting the scope of the Church’s compassionate response.
• Over 26,000 people were impacted by emergency response efforts, peacebuilding practices, and preparedness initiatives.
• More than 30 local projects provided relief through food distribution, shelter support, and non-food assistance.
• Churches responded to droughts, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and conflict-related displacement , meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
• Churches in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Ukraine offered trauma care and reintegration programs to help families rebuild.
“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the ageold foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” Isaiah 58:12
REBUILDING LIFE IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
In the Virunga District of the Democratic Republic of Congo, years of conflict have left many families displaced and vulnerable. Local churches are journeying with families as they take steps toward stability, dignity, and renewed hope.
“Since the war, we have been living a very difficult life,” said one participant. “The greatest difficulty for us was returning to our village to continue our farming activities, because that is how we find food.” When the project launched, families received resources like tools and seeds that immediately changed their outlook on the future. “Our lives have really changed. This project makes our lives easier and allows us to gradually reintegrate into our community.”
For displaced families, being able to return to their land and restart their livelihoods is a critical step toward recovery. Today, hope is slowly being restored with the help of the local church. “I hope to be able to take matters into my own hands and make progress in my farming business,” he explained. “I am deeply grateful to [the church] for helping my family and me, as we did not expect this blessing.”
clean
WATER, RESTORED HOPE
WATER ACCESS, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE (WASH)
Around the world, millions of people still walk long distances each day to collect water that is often unsafe to drink and causes preventable illnesses to spread quickly. In response, local churches helped communities in countries like Malawi, India, and Guinea-Bissau gain safe and reliable access to water by providing new wells, sanitation systems, and hygiene education to families. Through this work, families experienced improved health, restored dignity, and renewed hope.
WASH at a glance in 2025:
• 19 projects in 13 countries improved access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
• More than 16,600 people benefited from clean water and improved sanitation facilities.
• 9 new borehole wells were constructed, creating reliable access to clean drinking water.
• Hygiene education in 11 communities helped prevent illness and promote healthy practices.
• In India, new waste bins and government trash collection sparked change for 985 families.
• 12 community drainage systems and waste management facilities were installed to create safer, cleaner neighborhoods.
“You care for the
land and water it;
you
enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water...” Psalm 65:9
THE VILLAGE THAT INSPIRED TEN MORE
In a rural village in India, residents struggled with scattered waste and growing health concerns. With no designated place to dispose of garbage, families often left waste along the roadside. When the Bangarapet WASH Project introduced waste bins and hygiene awareness sessions, supported by local Nazarene churches, the change began quickly.
“We are so happy with the installation of garbage bins,” shared Vennila, a local resident. “Now our village is cleaner, and our health is better.”
Even elders noticed the improvement. “These garbage bins have been very helpful for our village. It’s good work you’ve done. Thank you,” said Venkateshappa, one elder in the community.
As households embraced the new system, the church and local leaders continued to support community engagement. The visible improvements inspired regional leaders to replicate the same waste management approach in ten neighboring communities, turning this single village into a model for broader transformation. What began as a practical need became a shared movement toward a cleaner, healthier environment.
EQUIPPING WOMEN FOR FLOURISHING
futures
WOMEN AND GIRLS EMPOWERMENT
Across communities in Liberia, Ghana, and Ethiopia, women stepped into new possibilities through church-led empowerment initiatives. In partnership with NCM, they learned vocational trades, managed small businesses, and formed savings groups. These programs created spaces where women grew in confidence, faith, and a sense of belonging. Each story of success echoes the truth that when women believe God’s promises, whole communities flourish.
Women and Girls Empowerment at a glance in 2025:
• 3 projects in Liberia, Ghana, and Ethiopia equipped women and girls with skills to build sustainable livelihoods.
• Over 350 women in these countries enrolled in vocational and business training programs.
• 76 women graduated from Liberia’s Empowering Women with Dignity Project, with 86 more enrolled in ongoing classes.
• 37 graduates completed Ghana’s first training cohort, and 53 new participants began business courses.
• 100 women in Ethiopia gained government recognition as the region’s largest women-led enterprise.
• Participants developed skills in baking, tailoring, cosmetology, soap-making, beekeeping, beauty therapy, and handicrafts.
“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.”
Luke 1:45
OPENING DOORS FOR A NEW GENERATION IN LIBERIA
In Liberia, the Empowering Women with Dignity Project opens doors for young women, including 17-year-old Mariama. Although life has been difficult for her family, she is determined to build something new.
Mariama joined the catering classes offered through the project, and the experience is shaping her. “I am learning catering. I enjoy the teaching and fun we share in class,” she explained. “I enjoy the portion of food we can carry home.”
Before the program, Mariama spent her afternoons unsure how to move forward. “Before attending this school, I used to sit home after school and watch the students work from the vocational school,” she said.
With each new skill, Mariama’s confidence grows. “Life is improving because I can now fix many things I did not think I could do,” she shared. Mariama carries her grandmother’s memory as she learns. “Each time I am in class I think of her,” she said. “I encourage myself to work harder and wish she was here to see me. I am privileged to be part of this program and appreciate the church and sponsors.”
FISCAL YEAR 2025
ANNUAL R E V E NU E
ANNUAL SPENDING
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. … Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:35-36; 40 NIV
