children and youth

When speaking of Japan’s top tourist destinations, Kyoto is always mentioned. The very word “Kyoto” brings to mind shrines, Buddhist temples, and a city where traditional Japanese culture and architecture are alive.

Kyoto is also home to two public aquariums: Kyoto Aquarium and Kyoto Hanazono Church Aquarium.

 

Fish and turtle

 

In Jordan, several churches are meeting community needs through creative and compassionate ministry.

Gardens Church of the Nazarene hosts a thriving compassion center—a welcoming place where young adults from the church volunteer to serve anyone in need. The center offers job-skills training, language classes, small-business support, and children’s activities. Each program helps participants gain confidence and open doors to greater economic and emotional security.

Tucked into the hills above Chile’s rugged coastline, a small Nazarene church is quietly making a big difference in their community.

“Sometimes all you need is one person to change the world,” says Pastor Lorena Noé.

For children who have experienced displacement and hardship, a stable learning environment provides hope and opportunity. The Church of the Nazarene in Jordan partners with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries to develop schools that serve as a refuge for students seeking knowledge, stability, and a brighter future.

Through the safety and consistency found in these schools, students not only gain academic skills but also find encouragement, community, and a deeper understanding of God’s love.

In one large city in Southeast Asia, the contrast between bustling development and deep-rooted poverty is striking. For many immigrants and low-income workers, the promise of a better life often feels just out of reach, particularly when it comes to providing their children with an education. Amid this struggle, Zion Church of the Nazarene, through its initiative called the "Love Class,” offers a ray of hope to the community. This church is located in a neighborhood rife with economic hardship, drug addiction, and violence, issues that can impact students’ attendance.

paraguay - children

This report was submitted by staff of a child development center in Paraguay. To reach their community, this center has a strong focus on sports ministry and English classes.

This January, young Nazarene leaders from around the world gathered in Orlando and Lake Placid, Florida, for the Nazarene Youth International Third Wave conference. Together, these young men and women experienced worship, learning, and service opportunities. Nazarene Compassionate Ministries joined the Third Wave event for a day of training and ministry.

“I thank God because I am part of the child development center!”

Eyrá grew up attending the local Nazarene child development center in her community in Panama, a center focused on afterschool activity and academic support. Growing up in a place affected by the challenges of poverty, her center was a place of refuge. Not only did Eyrá receive holistic care that supported her growth and development, but she also found a life-long faith in Christ through the guidance of the teachers and staff.

Sarah*, a recent graduate of a Nazarene child development center in the Philippines, shared her inspiring journey during the center's anniversary celebration this year. From joining the center at age three to becoming a graduate and now a volunteer teacher for other children, Sarah's testimony highlighted the profound impact the center has had on her life. Keep reading for an excerpt from her remarks.

In a world that constantly changes, the needs of children around the world are always present. Whether it’s protection from harm, provision for their basic needs, help escaping the weight of poverty, or spiritual care, children need our prayers now more than ever. As parents, educators, caregivers, and compassionate individuals, we are called to intercede on their behalf—lifting up their health, safety, well-being, and dreams before God.