Category Archives: Virtue

West Coast Initiative A Mosaic of Learning and Trust

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

On the West Coast wing of the Nurturing Care initiative, the stories coming in from congregations don’t read like a single program rollout. They read like a movement learning, week by week, what it takes to make worship and prayer … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Discipleship, Intergenerational, Nurturing Care, Virtue, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bend Nazarene Church releasing English, Spanish, bilingual kids’ worship albums

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

A news story from the Central Oregon Daily News on one of our Nurturing Care Prototypes at Bend Church of the Nazarene where leaders build trust through multilingual worship. Reporter Jakob Salao writes: BEND, Ore. — Church services can be … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Clergy, Intergenerational, Moral Integration, Nurturing Care, Virtue, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Children lead as ‘Maker’s Space’ prototypes spread from Arizona district gatherings to California outreach

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Nurturing Care is pleased to report new Gratitude and Trust Makers Space prototypes giving children across Nazarene congregations room to lead—reciting scripture, praying publicly, and serving their communities alongside adult volunteers—according to recent ministry reports from the Southwest Native American … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Family, Intergenerational, Leadership, Moral Integration, Nurturing Care, Virtue, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Go Tell it on the Mountain: Trust and Compassion on Display

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Dean G. Blevins

As Nurturing Care churches approach Christmas, the staff received an early Christmas present courtesy Palmer Family Church of the Nazarene. Palmer grant director Monica Gaige sent a video where children lead worship on Sunday morning inviting congregants to “Go Tell … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Clergy, Continuing Education, Discipleship, Moral Integration, Nurturing Care, PLNU, Practical Theology, Virtue, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Making Space for the Saints Among Us: Ministry and Worship with Neurodiverse People

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Dean G. Blevins

This Nurturing Care article explores how churches can minister to and worship with neurodiverse individuals. Drawing on recent presentations, the writing challenges assumptions of normative worship, advocates for belonging before belief, and calls the Church to recognize neurodiverse members as … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, Clergy, disability, KC Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care, Virtue | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Nurturing Care and Growing Hearts: Churches Empower Children into Deeper Trust & Gratitude through Worship and Prayer

Posted on July 18, 2025 by Dean G. Blevins

As a result of a larger west coast initiative, innovation appears to be reshaping how churches nurture an experience of God in their youngest congregants through a Nazarene Theological Seminary initiative. A collection of Nurturing Care grant proposals for 2025–2026 … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Clergy, Nurturing Care, Pedagogy, PLNU, Virtue, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Spiritual Families Support Autistic Kids Through Prayers of Gratitude

Posted on March 23, 2025 by Dean G. Blevins

Part of Nurturing Care’s ongoing work supporting congregations ministering to autistic children includes telling their stories. New Community Church recently provided in a story of how innovative micro communities, known as spiritual families, can make a difference alongside larger congregations. … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, Clergy, disability, KC Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care, Pedagogy, Virtue | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments