I was interviewed the other day about "the Nazarenes and who we are." I used this descriptive phrase: We are "progressive conservatives." The more I think about it, the more I realize how accurate that tag is. Let me explain.

In baseball, a ball pitcher assumes one of three roles: starter, reliever, or closer. The closer's job is to protect the team's gains and close out the game on a triumphant note.

C. W. Ruth's wide-ranging travels brought him into personal contact with other holiness groups. He was the starter in each of four steps that created the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene between October 1907 and October 1908.¹

With an optimistic attitude and my Buddhist meditations, I thought I could conquer any obstacle. After all, I'd run more than 100 marathons and ultra-marathons, including 150 miles through the Sahara and Mojave deserts.

That was before my wife asked me to leave our home.

The time for celebration is at hand. In just a few weeks, the Church of the Nazarene will reach its Centennial.

As 1.7 million Nazarenes gather in more than 20,000 congregations in 151 world areas, we will celebrate 100 years of holiness evangelism. We will celebrate our message of salvation by grace and a life of holiness through the infilling of the Holy Spirit. We will celebrate our mission: To make Christlike disciples in the nations.

Carlos' story is like many urban tales. His parents divorced when he was young. Then he moved in with his aunt, four uncles, and grandmother. Since they were a devout Catholic family, Carlos did hear about Jesus and faith. But when he was 12, he returned to his mother's home.

How many divine appointments do we miss for not being at God's designated place at the right time?

This question came home to me recently. I would have canceled my trip to a Christian retreat in New Mexico if it had not been for the fact I already paid for it and the plane trip well in advance. The result would have been that a newfound friend would not have had me there when she needed someone desperately.

It had been a long flight from Indianapolis to my destination in the Horn of Africa where I had been invited to be a part of a District Superintendents' and Pastors' Conference. I did not know what to expect when I arrived in this area known for the mighty movement of God despite resistance to the gospel. Granted, stories abounded about the amazing things God was doing there. But I had no idea that I was about to witness a scene from the Book of Acts lived out in the 21st century.

While attending seminary, I also had the opportunity to work for a large company. I was paired with an experienced senior employee who was bright, outgoing, kind, and humorous. She was well-liked by everyone and helped me with my job.

One thing I noticed about her was that, despite having many great qualities, she was often highly critical of her church. In passing, she would criticize her church and the people with whom she worshipped.

HT: Tell us about your background.

JF: I had a dysfunctional family. When I was 4 years old, I saw my mother shoot a woman who was beating her. When I was 5, I began to experience life in the hood. At 9, I worked in a prostitution house doing chores and keeping an eye out for the police.

Riley Coulter is chancellor of Ambrose University College, the official Canadian school of both the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church and the Church of the Nazarene, Canada. He has also served as president of Canadian Nazarene College (CNC), and trustee of the Nazarene asset in Ambrose. Coulter, a sports enthusiast, and his wife, Karen, have three grown children as well as one granddaughter.

Where were you born and raised?