AUBURN – The Auburn Church of the Nazarene will hold a Centennial Celebration of the International Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, Oct. 5.

The Church of the Nazarene began when a group of Christians from several holiness organizations, seeking to repair the divisions between the north and the south after the Civil War, met in Pilot Point, Texas, in 1908. After several days of prayer, planning and negotiating, the group emerged united as the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene.

The Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene, later shortened simply to the Church of the Nazarene, made its mission to teach holiness of heart and life throughout the world. From its beginnings in Texas 100 years ago, the Church of the Nazarene has grown from approximately 10,000 to about 1.6 million members in more than 151 countries.

While teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the church’s main goal, the early leaders realized that to meet the spiritual needs of people, they must also help meet basic needs. Several programs were created that allows the church to help those in need. Programs such as Compassionate Ministries helps to clothe, shelter, feed, heal and educate many around the world.

One of the church’s biggest efforts comes in the form of Crisis Care Kits. The kits, donated by congregations around the world, contain the basic necessities a person needs to live. In 2007, more than 39,000 kits were sent to areas all over the world to help those whose lives had been devastated by floods, fires, hurricanes and other disasters.

On Oct. 5, parishioners will join with almost 21,000 churches around the globe to mark 100 years of fulfilling the commandment to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19).

The Auburn Church of the Nazarene, 38 Summer St., was founded on Feb. 3, 1919, with the Rev. Charles Washburn as minister. The building for the present location on Summer Street was started in 1943. The Rev. Eric M. Larsen has been the pastor for the last eight years.