Port Naz: Porterville Church of the Nazarene

Port Naz: Porterville Church of the Nazarene A community of hope and encouragement Port Naz is a group of people on a journey with Jesus. You’re invited to sit quietly and reflect or be fully engaged.
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We don’t claim to have it all figured out and recognize that each of us is in a different spot on that journey. From those just exploring Jesus, to those starting to figure out how to walk with Him, to those fully engaged in that pursuit—everyone is welcome here! Whatever your thoughts on church, whatever your beliefs about God, come as you are. LifeChange happens here...it’s infectious and it’s awesome! So, come! Be yourself, and be prepared to be challenged. See you soon!

06/14/2026

Sunday Service:06/14/2026

This Sunday, we will continue with our series, “A Minor Prophet with a Major Message,” as we look into the book of Amos....
06/12/2026

This Sunday, we will continue with our series, “A Minor Prophet with a Major Message,” as we look into the book of Amos.

This is not always an easy book to read. Much of the message is about God using the prophet Amos to call out the sin of His people and bring judgment when they had turned away from Him. But even in the middle of that hard message, there is still a glimmer of hope.

I have always been a “why” person. When I was little, I used to ask my mom, “Why?” all the time. If she gave me an answer and I understood there was a good reason behind it, I was usually okay with it. But there was one answer I did not like very much, “Because I said so, and I’m the mom!”

At the time, that answer felt hard to accept. I wanted to understand. I wanted the reason. I wanted to know why I had to listen. But as I got older, I realized that mom saw the bigger picture. She was looking at me, my choices, my safety, my future, and my well-being.

In many ways, the book of Amos reminds us of that same truth about God.

When God confronts His people, He is not doing it because He is harsh or distant. He is not simply saying, “Because I said so.” God sees what they cannot see. He sees the motives of the heart. He sees the injustice they have excused, the worship that has become empty, and the ways they have gone through the motions while drifting away from Him.

And because He loves them, He speaks.

Amos reminds us that God is not only looking at what appears good on the outside. He is concerned with what is happening on the inside. Whether we are going through the motions, assuming we are doing well, or even living with our backs turned toward Him, God continues to pursue us.

His conviction is not meant to simply condemn us. It is meant to expose what is broken, awaken us to what matters, and restore us back into right relationship with Him.

This Sunday, we will be reminded that even when God confronts, He does so with purpose. His correction is never separated from His love. His desire is always to call His people back to Himself.

I hope you will join us as we will open the book of Amos together and listen for the message God has for us today. I’ll be looking for you.

06/07/2026

Sunday Service:06/07/2026

I want to invite you today to reflect on a time when you said the words, “I’m sorry.” take a moment. Why did you say the...
06/05/2026

I want to invite you today to reflect on a time when you said the words, “I’m sorry.” take a moment. Why did you say them? Was it to avoid consequences? Was it born out of genuine conviction? Maybe it came from a place of frustration or obligation—words spoken simply because you felt forced to say them, without truly meaning them.
The word “sorry” can become as broad and complicated as the word “love.” We say, “I love tacos,” “I love the beach,” “I love golf,” and “I love my wife.” Clearly, these are very different kinds of love, yet we use the same word to describe them all.
There is a book of the Bible that has captured my attention for years. Early in my study of Scripture, I encountered the story of a man named Hosea and a woman named Gomer. Hosea, a prophet of God, was called to love a woman who was unfaithful—a pr******te, a harlot. The story immediately struck me because it felt so unusual and difficult to understand.
Why would God ask this of Hosea? Why would He call a man to love someone who continually ran away from that love?
At its core, the story reveals a powerful picture of extravagant, relentless love shown to someone who seemed unable to fully receive or understand it. One might assume that a person shown such grace and compassion would naturally run into the arms of the one loving them so faithfully. Yet Gomer runs away again.
Before we are too quick to judge her choices, perhaps we should ask ourselves: Have we ever been Gomer? Have I? Have you?
Have there been moments when we heard the words “I love you,” yet struggled to believe them in our hearts? Moments when we could not fully comprehend what love truly meant?
Many people view Hosea’s story simply as one of a wife running from a loving husband—or humanity running from a loving God. But perhaps the deeper truth is this: it is the story of a God who relentlessly pursues His people. It is the story of a God who runs after you.
So how do we respond to a love that is authentic, genuine, relentless, and without limits? What could we possibly do to earn it?
The answer is that we cannot earn it. We simply turn toward it with an authentic heart and say, “I’m sorry,” and, “I receive Your love.” We accept it even when we do not fully understand it. We choose to live within that love and allow it to shape the way we love others in return.
“I’m sorry” and “I love you” can become empty phrases when spoken carelessly. But when they come from a sincere and honest heart, they carry incredible depth and meaning.

Take a moment this week to listen to the song “Nothing Else.” Jesus has given us His life and His love. God does not simply want empty words from us, he wants our hearts!

Nothing Else (feat. Cody Carnes) // The Belonging Co
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLBvCTV23qw
[CCLI #:7123436]

06/02/2026

Have you bought your ticket to Man Day yet?

Consider purchasing a Buy One, Bless One ticket and help another man attend this impactful day of fellowship, encouragement, and faith.

📅 Saturday, June 13
🕥 10:30 AM

Invite a friend, buy a ticket, and be part of what God is doing!

05/31/2026

Sunday Service:05/31/2026

Summer is right around the corner, and with its arrival we begin our new summer sermon series, A Minor Prophet with a M...
05/29/2026

Summer is right around the corner, and with its arrival we begin our new summer sermon series, A Minor Prophet with a Major Message, beginning this Sunday, with the Book of Joel.

Joel’s world was one of crisis—a devastating locust plague had stripped the land and shaken the people. His words cut straight to the heart: When life is shaken, God is speaking. It’s a call to see beyond our immediate circumstances and ask, “What is God saying to us?” At its core, Joel delivers a powerful, two-part promise. First, God uses crisis to awaken us. Second, and most beautiful, He immediately extends an invitation: “Yet even now…return to me with all your heart” Joel 2:12. This isn't a call to religious performance, but to a genuine, heartfelt return. It’s an open door - always.

Joel doesn’t end with warning, but with hope. God promises to restore what was lost and to pour out His Spirit on all people—a promise that was illustrated on the Day of Pentecost, found in Acts 2. And that same Spirit is available for us today.

Why Joel now? Because this book answers urgent questions for today.
» How does God speak in disruption?
» What does real repentance look like?
» Can God truly restore what’s been lost?
» How do we live as Spirit-empowered people?

Join us Sunday as we begin this timely summer series. This minor prophet will provide a major message, and a fresh word for our hearts today. I’m looking forward to seeing you.

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday - the moment the Holy Spirit descended on the early church, turning fearful disciples in...
05/22/2026

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday - the moment the Holy Spirit descended on the early church, turning fearful disciples into bold witnesses. It’s more than a historical event; it’s the birthday of the Church and a reminder that God’s power is still available to us today. Pentecost represents God’s promise fulfilled - He doesn’t leave us to live life alone. The same Spirit that ignited the early church brings guidance, comfort, and strength into our lives today, RIGHT NOW! Whether you’re feeling weary, uncertain, or in need of renewal, this is a day to encounter that living Presence. Being together in worship allows us to corporately seek God’s Spirit, to be refreshed, reunited, and reminded that we are part of something far bigger than ourselves. Come expectant.

Sunday, come expectant - you won’t want to miss what God has in store. We will also come to the Lord’s Table to celebrate holy communion. A final word - on this special Sunday, I will introduce our summer sermon series. It will be a day you won’t want to miss.

05/22/2026

Man Day!
Saturday, June 13
Register online at www.portnaz.org under "Events"
(video credit: Dawson Pitcher)

05/17/2026

Sunday Service:05/17/2026

Address

2005 W Olive Avenue
Porterville, CA
93257

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
6:30pm - 8pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
6:30pm - 8pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
6:30pm - 8pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm
Sunday 8:30am - 9:30am
11am - 12pm

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