The term “Swaziland Partnership” was first established by Rev. David Busic and Dr. Loren Gresham in 2007 as they desired for Bethany First Church of the Nazarene and Southern Nazarene University to come alongside Swaziland in their battle against HIV/AIDS.

The meaning of these words attracted attention from organizations and people in Swaziland, the United States, South Africa, and Canada. Many felt that this was a term that could be used for many groups who are working together to benefit the people and nation of Swaziland.

Rev. Busic and Dr. Gresham agreed and gladly gave the use of Swaziland Partnership for everyone.

Here are the partners and the leadership they provide:

Swaziland Church of the Nazarene

The Church of the Nazarene has four districts in Swaziland led by a Swazi National Board and four district superintendents. Together, they have 150 churches in Swaziland that minister to the spiritual and compassionate needs of Swaziland.

Swaziland Nazarene Health Institutions

The Swaziland Nazarene Health Institutions include Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital and their 17 rural clinics. It also includes the College of Nursing that provides excellent nurses for the country of Swaziland.

Swaziland HIV/AIDS Task Force

Founded by Mary Magagula and Evelyn Shongwe, they now have almost 200 volunteer caregivers providing home-based care to those dying of AIDS. The Task Force encourages communities to form co-ops for gardens and have 95 children supported through child sponsorship.

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) Africa

Since 1984 NCM Africa has been acting as the “Good Samaritan” of the Church of the Nazarene in Africa. NCM Africa has been instrumental in mobilizing resources and developing initiatives to respond compassionately to the neediest people in poor rural and urban communities. They respond through Child Development Centers for orphan and vulnerable children, community based healthcare, education, nutrition for children, agricultural training, disaster response and HIV/AIDS prevention and outreach programs.

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, Inc. (NCMI)

NCMI equips the faith community by mobilizing public and private resources to eliminate poverty and its root causes. They do this by strengthening youth and communities, responding to hunger, HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and disasters.

Bethany First Church of the Nazarene (BFC)

BFC encourages its people to join a Global Outreach (GO) Team for short-term service so that their hearts will be challenged to pray and to serve. In addition BFC has responded to the Swazi National Board Plan with long-term projects such as medical equipment for Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital; water systems; renovation of clinics and churches; a new pediatric Standard Treatment Book; education for physicians, nurses, pastors and home-based health workers; and compassionate projects for orphans and vulnerable children.

Southern Nazarene University (SNU)

SNU encourages students and faculty to get involved in Swaziland through GO Teams for service or academic internships.  Dr. Loren Gresham recently signed an agreement with the University of Swaziland for cooperative programs with SNU's Morningstar Institute for the evaluation of community gardens and the economic benefit to these communities.