Transformational Lives
For over nearly 25 years, NBC’s purpose statement has been: “Nazarene Bible College exists to glorify Jesus Christ as Lord by preparing adults to evangelize, disciple, and minister to the world.” This sums up the ever-important question, “Why we do what we do?”
For over 50 years, the school’s “Why” has been embodied by the men and women who studied and learned, on campus and online, to be effective Christian ministers. Some of those students are described below and plan to graduate in May, 2020. Allow me to introduce them to you.
Daryl’s family has deep, generational holiness roots. He serves as the lead pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Springdale, Ohio. He noted, “God is teaching me and showing me new things each day. I am thankful for His call on my life and for the people of God with whom I have crossed paths.’
Irene was born in San Jose, California, but moved from one place to the next for many years. God has exchanged her brokenness for wholeness since she surrendered her life to him and follows His will for her life. About her time at NBC, she says, “Nothing I have ever done has ever been so difficult, as I work fulltime (cleaning houses) attending online school at night, and I am a single mother of a teenage daughter. Only Jesus could get me through every day.”
Paul’s Pennsylvania upbringing included serving as an altar boy and lector. His move to Ohio led to substance abuse. He accepted Christ in his room at rehab after having a terrible dream. He wrote, “Praise the Lord for meeting us where we are in life!”
Beau is an Arkansan, born and raised. He serves as an associate pastor at the church where his wife is the lead pastor. He said, “The road to ordination has a few miles yet to go, but my heart is set on working hard to get the work done that God has for me.”
Jolinda serves as the corps officer in Davenport, Iowa, and her husband is the Quad City Coordinator for the TSA. She says, “Each Sunday is different in terms of service outline, ways to preach a sermon, using gospel arts and how I expect the people to respond.”
Matthew’s father passed away when Matthew was three. His mother “showed him the love of Jesus in all she said and did.” They attended a New Year’s party at Richland COTN in OKC metro area. He has attended that church since, and was installed as senior pastor there in November, 2017.
Erica, born in Seoul, SK, moved with her family to LA when she was in junior high. She has served the TSA in Washington, Hawaii, California, Los Angeles, Alaska and back to Tacoma to do ministry for the homeless people at the homeless shelter and the Corps. She says, “I experienced [sic] that God leads me to good ways when I fully surrender and trust Him.”
These students are just a sampling of students who have been a part of theological education in the past few years at NBC and are now approaching graduation, so that they can continue in fruitful, practical Christian ministry impacting God’s kingdom here in the USA and around the world.
Published: 10/14/2019
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