General Assembly & Conventions 2009

On the 7th ballot, receiving 783 out of 959 valid ballots cast, the 2009 General Assembly Church of the Nazarene has elected the first General Superintendent outside of USA and Canada.

Dr. Eugenio Duarte currently serves as the regional director of the Africa Region. Born and raised in the Cape Verde Islands, he has served as pastor and district superintendent, before being appointed to regional and field leadership roles.

He and his wife Maria Teresa have three grown children, and live in Johannesburg, South Africa where the regional office is located.

This historic moment in the Church of the Nazarene was greeted by thunderous applause from the delegates and the gallery.  Many of the African delegates responded with joyful singing, flag-waving, and surrounding Dr. Duarte with hugs.  After several moments of cheering, clapping, singing (and even lifting Dr. Duarte into the air), he was escorted to the platform, declared elected, and invited to speak.

After his speech, he was invited to sit on the platform with the other General Superintendents and General Superintendents Emeriti.  At the same time, his wife was escorted to the front row, to join the other spouses of the General Superintendents.  This row was directly in front of the Maine Delegation, and Melody reports that there was much embracing, rejoicing, and tears of joy.

The 2009 General Assembly is the highest doctrinal and legislative authority in the Church of the Nazarene, and meets quadrennially to conduct business.  It is currently convened in Orlando, Florida, and will elect two more General Superintendents before adjournment later this week.

Dr. Duarte will be one of 6 General Superintendents who provide pastoral leadership and missional guidance to the Church of the Nazarene, as well as ordaining and interpreting the doctrines and Manual statements of the church.

You can watch a video of this historic moment here.

Wikipedia Entry