Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: From 7–10 August 2025, over 200 Nazarenes gathered from 6 Mongolian churches for the annual Holiness Gathering. Over the years, the purpose of the Holiness Gathering has varied from evangelistic to discipleship. This year, the 7th annual Holiness Gathering focused on building up leaders.
This year was special as Paul Bold, a Nazarene Mongolian pastor in Chicago, was able to preach in person rather than on Zoom. Pastor Bold led the participants into this year’s theme: Walk in Step with the Spirit. Together, they unraveled the words of Galatians 5:25, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit”. Study sessions led by the missionary team focused on strengthening spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study, service, and generosity, as well as attuning to God and others. Reflecting on the biblical teaching, one newcomer to the church declared, “This is the truth!”
During the adults’ meetings, the children worshiped, learned, and played together, led by young leaders of the Mongolia District who stepped up and created an experience specifically for discipling the future leaders of the church. Ninety children were led through the life and salvation of Christ with their own theme, “Walk with Jesus.”
The Holiness Gathering concluded Sunday morning with communion and a blessing for those returning home. But for some, the journey continued with a Leadership Camp following the Holiness Gathering.
Pastors and those studying for ministry remained for the camp, where the focus turned to John 15, abiding in Christ. Leaders explored communication and teamwork through fun games and activities; these experiential activities provided a lighthearted atmosphere to discuss important themes on how we lead through action and words and how to navigate conversations when individuals have different values or ideas.
Through activities and exploration of John 15, significant spiritual work happened such that on the last morning, there was a powerful time of prayer and reconciliation. Individuals yielded to the work of the Holy Spirit, old wounds were healed, and forgiveness was requested and received. In the final activity, the participants were led in a foot washing service where leaders eagerly rushed to minister to one another.
Although the Holiness Gathering and Leadership Camp concluded and everyone was sent back to their areas of ministry, the journey did not end. Two weeks after the events, the pastors and leaders again met on Zoom. In this meeting, they shared how they were implementing what they had learned and how they had changed as a result. A few had already begun using some of the activities with their youth and children. Many participants expressed how the recent events helped them find freedom from fear, release through restored relationships, the ability to offer grace to others, and a newfound excitement for their ministries.
God is at work in the Church of the Nazarene in Mongolia, enlightening and freeing hearts. The annual Holiness Gathering continues to impact the church by forming people who live in holy love.
Written by: Ingrid Lustaña with Amy M.