User:Niea-online

The Nazarene International Education Association is a part of the Church of the Nazarene that is a Protestant denomination within the broad tradition of Methodism.

History
The Nazarene International Education Association (NIEA) was born out of the concern of Nazarene educators. They recognized the need for a support network to provide fellowship and resources to strengthen their educational ministries. The Association of Nazarene Christian Schools (ANCS) was the first grass roots response to this need.

In 1980, the General Assembly placed responsibility for Christian Schools in Children's Ministries. In a 1982 report to ANCS, Miriam Hall, director of Children's Ministries, proposed a denominationally sponsored organization. ANCS voluntarily disbanded in flavor of the new organization. After two years of planning, the Christian School Steering Committee adopted the concept and name of NIEA on April 17, 1984.

In June of 1984, the new NIEA Executive Council proposed a Constitution and Bylaws. In February of 1985, the General Board of the Church of the Nazarene approved the documents paving the way for ratification by NIEA membership.