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Have you ever wondered if the Church of the Nazarene was involved in mission work before it was officially formed?
Maybe you’ve asked how far the message had gone before the denomination even had a name.
If so, you’re not alone. This article is for you.
Let’s begin with a little background.
The Church of the Nazarene officially began in 1908 in the United States.
But its roots go back further — to groups and individuals who were already committed to preaching holiness and reaching the world with the gospel.
So before the Church became official, where had its people already gone?
Here’s the answer:
India was the first country.
Missionaries who would later become part of the Church of the Nazarene arrived there in 1898.
This was under the guidance of the Association of Pentecostal Churches of America, one of the groups that later merged into the denomination.
Then came Cape Verde.
Although the Cape Verde mission officially began in 1901, the groundwork and connections were already being formed before the Church’s organization.
So to put it simply:
- India (1898)
- Cape Verde (1901)
These early missions laid the foundation for the Church’s international work.
Even before the name “Church of the Nazarene” was known, the heart for global outreach was already alive.
This shows us something important — the Church of the Nazarene wasn’t just born with a name.
It was born with a mission.
