The Global Service of Thanks brought together more than 45,000 Nazarenes around the world from 21-22 November. The one-hour service was live streamed on multiple platforms in the denomination’s five main languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Korean.

“What a great blessing it has been to hear and read the response of the global church to the Global Service of Thanks,” said Fili Chambo, chair of the Board of General Superintendents. “The participation in and response to this service is a testimony to the depth and strength of the bond and connectedness of the global Nazarene family. May we continue to be faithful to our covenant to journey together as the Lord continues His transformational work in and through us.”

The service highlighted the global church family in many ways, beginning with a piano special from Hiram Galvez, a Nazarene missionary on the Eurasia Region. He was followed by a compilation of worship leaders from around the globe who led the global church in a time of worship. The three songs were sung in seven different languages.

“[It] brings images of what heaven will be like, worshiping together!” wrote Darla Kearce of Tennessee.

Nazarenes from all corners of the globe participated in an interactive reading of Psalm 136, sharing about God’s love in more than 20 languages.

The Board of General Superintendents then delivered a message about giving thanks despite the unusual year. They highlighted Paul’s letter to the church of Philippi, where Paul discusses giving thanks to God. In closing, they invited the global church to embrace an attitude of thankfulness amid the challenges we are facing and urged them to have hope and joy in the midst of the pandemic.

“Thank God for this timely message. I can’t thank Him enough for many, many blessings in my life and that of my family,” said John Opiyo, who watched from Africa. “He is present even sometimes in the middle of huge challenges.”

The 24-hour live stream was available through Facebook Live and Church Online in addition to being available for download on Vimeo. In just the Church Online stream, viewers attended the service for more than 200,000 minutes cumulatively. 

“This service was more impactful than we could have ever imagined,” said Bill Sawyer, chief administrative officer. “This unique season required a new method of connection for the global church, and it has paid off by bringing together more people than any single General Assembly service in our history.”

Viewers were able to interact in the comment section of both streaming platforms, bringing together Nazarenes from Minnesota to Papa New Guinea, to London, to South Africa.

“I have so many brothers and sisters from different places in the world,” wrote Diva Inquiltupa of Chile. “I am part of the global Nazarene church, from Arica, Chile, to the whole world.”

Among the many reactions, Pastor Sol Ye Lee from Korea summed up the experience by saying “I am proud.”

To view the Global Service of Thanks, click here.