On 22 January 2026, the Church of the Nazarene marked a historic milestone in CAA 10 North as leaders gathered for the first District Assembly and Ordination Service, held in conjunction with the nation’s first-ever commencement of Chapman International College (CIC). These events represent a significant step forward in leadership development and church organization within one of Southeast Asia’s most challenging mission contexts.
A Milestone in a Restricted Land: The setting heightens the importance of this moment. CAA 10 North is a Creative Access Area, where public proclamation of the gospel is restricted, and Christians continue to face pressure and persecution. Many believers worship quietly in homes, pastors serve without public recognition, and sharing the name of Jesus openly is often not possible.
Yet, in this difficult environment, the church has grown steadily through faithful discipleship, careful leadership formation, and deep dependence on the Holy Spirit. The journey to this moment has been remarkable. Just a few years ago, there was no Nazarene presence here. Through grassroots discipleship, house fellowships, and the steady development of leaders from within the community, churches began to multiply across villages and provinces.
Today, the region includes dozens of congregations and thousands of believers—many of whom are first-generation Christians—testifying to God’s work in places where the church once did not exist.
Equipping Leaders for the Harvest: Dr. Christian Sarmiento, General Superintendent, presided over the Assembly and Ordination Service, joining local and regional leaders to celebrate what God has done through years of patient, prayerful ministry. During the service, one elder was ordained, and 39 pastors were formally recognized with ministerial licenses, marking a new level of accountability and responsibility for local leadership.
A central highlight of the assembly was the appointment of the founding District Superintendent, Rev. B. A missionary from Korea, Rev. B arrived in CAA 10 with his family 16 years ago. Through nearly two decades of perseverance and great faith, the Lord has richly blessed his ministry, culminating in this historic organization.
During the service, one elder was ordained, and 39 pastors were formally recognized with ministerial licenses, marking a new level of accountability and responsibility for local leadership under Rev. B’s guidance.
Held concurrently, the CIC 1st Commencement Exercises celebrated the first group of 12 graduates to complete theological training within CAA 10. Chapman International College has played a central role in the region’s growth by offering contextualized, local-language education through flexible extension centers that meet leaders where they are. These graduates represent the fruit of years of teaching, mentoring, and decentralized training designed to equip pastors to serve faithfully in restricted and rural contexts.
From Colombia to CAA 10 North: A Shared Legacy. During the service, Dr. Sarmiento shared a deeply personal testimony that resonated with those present. He recalled that nearly 50 years ago, he was among the first pastors to receive a district license at the inaugural district assembly in Colombia.
His beginnings were humble, resources were limited, and the future was uncertain. Yet God used that district to nurture his calling and shape his ministry—eventually leading him to serve the global church as a General Superintendent. Standing alongside his wife, Margit, Dr. Sarmiento reflected on how meaningful it was to witness a similar moment in CAA 10 North. Together, they prayed that God would use the first ordained elder and the 39 licensed pastors to serve faithfully and powerfully, trusting that from this new district, God would raise leaders for the expansion of His kingdom.
Looking Toward 2030: This milestone in CAA 10 North is also part of a wider movement across the Southeast Asia Field. By 2030, the Field is intentionally developing 11 Pioneer Areas—where the Church of the Nazarene is being planted among largely unreached populations for the first time.
Of these, five pioneer areas are being prayerfully guided toward district organization, with CAA 10 North among the first to reach this stage. What God has done here offers encouragement and hope for other frontier areas where the church remains young, fragile, and growing under pressure.
Leaders across Southeast Asia invite the global church to pray—not only in thanksgiving for what God has accomplished in CAA 10 North but also for the other pioneer areas where the gospel is just beginning to take root. In many of these places, believers continue to worship quietly, pastors lead with courage amid uncertainty, and discipleship requires perseverance. The prayer is that God will protect His people, raise faithful leaders, and continue to multiply churches until the unreached are reached and new districts are born for the glory of His name.
