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Moving Ministers: April 2025

Nazarene News staff

Compiled by the General Secretary's Office from district reports, Moving Ministers is a monthly listing of Nazarene ministers in new assignments on the USA/Canada Region.

Roles included in the latest report are pastor, student, and pastoral service. Entries were received in January 2024.
To view the April report, click here.

For previous reports, see usacanadanazarene.org.

First women’s conference on Mexico South District leaves mark of faith, purpose

Nazarene News staff

More than 200 women from the Frailesca Zone in southern Mexico gathered to be affirmed in their identity, heal their self-esteem, and discover God’s eternal purpose for their lives.

The Las Arboledas Hall in Villaflores, Chiapas, hosted an unprecedented event 14-15 March. The first women’s conference of the Mexico South District, titled “Chosen from the Beginning,” united women who have the same longing: to remember and reaffirm that they were designed by God before birth with a unique and eternal purpose.

“This conference came at the moment I needed it most,” said Erika de León Morales, one of the participants. “This experience was a great blessing in my life—I was filled with peace and confidence. I learned from other women, and I’m leaving with great joy.”

This historic conference was led by Pastor Yadira de la Cruz along with a committed team of female volunteers who, grounded in the biblical conviction of God’s divine calling for each woman, created a transformative space that deeply impacted all who attended.

“My experience was wonderful,” said attendee Selene Montejo. “It was filled with joy and learning through each speaker whom God gave words that encouraged us to keep moving forward. Sharing this time with God and other women filled me with blessings. He confirmed his love for us.”

The program included spaces for biblical reflections led by prominent female ministers and pastors such as Sharon Víquez, Danna Leyva, and Karla Gurría. In addition, singer-songwriter Saskia Ramos led worship moments, creating a spiritual atmosphere where many women experienced inner healing, the restoration of their self-esteem, and the renewal of their calling.

“What great joy it brings to see women affirming in their lives the Word of love that God gives them!” said Rosi Mendoza, one of the event’s organizers.

The response was so meaningful that the district leadership is already dreaming of future conferences. They are convinced that women have specific needs and that by ministering to them intentionally, they can be empowered to live their faith and purpose more fully.

“Our prayer is that every woman who attends will be affirmed in the Word and continue growing in faith and fellowship with God and with others,” Mendoza said.

This conference marked a turning point in the lives of many women who returned home with full hearts, renewed faith, and the certainty that they were, are, and always will be loved from the beginning.

Everyday faith: Katy's story

Church of the Nazarene Eurasia

In this article, Katy Dawson from Ashton, England, shares how her faith shapes her everyday life—from her work as a midwife to the different ways she reflects God’s love in the ordinary and often challenging moments of her journey.

My name is Katy Dawson. I am a mum, wife, musician, midwife, and a follower of Jesus.

In my younger years, I imagined living an exciting life as a medical missionary in a distant place of great need. In my pursuit, I had the privilege of working with the Church of the Nazarene in Russia and Albania, at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital in Papua New Guinea, and many other countries across Eurasia.

Despite my efforts and passion, the doors to long-term global missions closed, and I did not understand why. My everyday life became a much more ordinary existence, juggling my family, job, interests, and church activities. Thankfully, our God is gracious and patient. He helped me see the missions field that I was already in the middle of—both humbling and amazing!

For many years I worked as a community midwife. In one day I would visit and care for such a diverse set of people and circumstances. I visited families who had fled countries like Afghanistan or Eritrea. I might go from one home with a healthy, thriving baby to another mother whose premature baby was in the hospital, then to the lovely home of a wealthy family with organic everything for their newborn. Around the next corner, I might visit a terrified teenager with her first baby, a single mother escaping domestic abuse, or a patient pregnant as a result of suspected sex trafficking.

Recently, I returned to the hospital setting, working in specialist midwifery roles in fetal medicine and, now, ultrasound.

Fetal medicine is a place no patient wants to be. It’s a place of tears and heartache as parents grapple with difficult genetic, chromosomal, or structural diagnoses.

I remember caring for a couple faced with the heartbreaking news that their unborn baby would not survive outside the womb. Although they had the option to end their pregnancy, the couple chose to continue. When their baby was born, they were able to hear their child cry and hold the baby for a few precious hours between the baby's first and last breaths. Despite the pain and grief of their loss, the family was incredibly grateful for that special time and thanked me for the care that I had provided. It was a deeply humbling privilege to hear that.

I am not permitted to speak about Jesus or my faith with my patients, but I do not believe that stops me from reflecting the love, light, and compassion of our God.

Over the years, I have had the privilege of seeing two of my colleagues decide to follow Jesus. Many others have asked me to pray for situations they are facing. I believe this comes from years of building relationships, where people watch how you live out your faith in the everyday.

I used to think my life hadn’t turned out the way I imagined, but maybe it actually did—just in a much more unexpected and rich way.

Your passions, the things that bring you joy, and what surrounds you when you truly open your eyes—pour your time and effort into those things and give them to God. I believe you will find meaning, purpose, joy, and true life as you journey through your own roller coaster of life.

Kansas District invests in lay leaders to lead revival

Daniel Sperry for Nazarene News

The Kansas District is encouraging and equipping its churches' lay leadership through a lay ministry academy held for the first time in March. While organizers expected to have around 30 attendees, 75 lay leaders traveled from across the district to attend the day-long academy in Pratt, Kansas.

The event brought together lay leaders to hear from keynote speakers and form relationships with others in the same positions. Sunday school teachers, worship leaders, and leaders who work with children, youth, and small groups attended the event.

"The seminar has helped me to affirm my calling to teach those in our congregation and to help provide [an in-depth] understanding of our beliefs and practices and to avoid distractions away from our purpose," said Roger Unruh, an attendee from Garden City Church of the Nazarene.

When Scott Powell became the district Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI) president, he realized that many churches in the district were in the same boat as he was.

Powell pastors Abundant Harvest Church of the Nazarene in Pratt, which is located in a rural town of a little over 6,000 people. The church is healthy, with up to 250 members now, but Powell remains the sole staff member of his church. Those who lead the other ministries are primarily volunteers and lay ministry leaders.

"Some of them are stipend types of positions, but the lion's share is probably more volunteer," Powell said. "Sometimes, we give our lay leaders a big job, but we don't give them any authority because they're not actually on staff. For the district to start recognizing them, it will give them some of that authority and accountability."

The academy was created to help support these non-clergy staff, providing a day of equipping and encouragement. While plenary sessions focused on larger topics, the breakout groups brought together attendees in their ministry-specific groups to talk about topics within their respective contexts.

Powell said those discussions were almost therapeutic for some.

"Between the speakers and the breakout sessions, it was so good to be reminded of what we are called to and know that we were all in it together," said Connie Oltmanns of Abundant Harvest Church of the Nazarene. "It was good to hear from those serving in lay ministry and discuss our individual struggles and strategies."

Powell hopes to do more of these conferences because he sees lay leaders as a key part of a revival of the church in America.

"In the new revival that we're starting to see burgeon across the United States, there is a need for the laity to rise and say, 'We take responsibility for the ministry,'" Powell said.

He added that reaching new people is not just about inviting them to church anymore; it's about getting them involved and creating ownership of their role in the church's ministry. Especially so for the younger generations.

"The blessing of our younger generations, both millennial and Gen Z, is they really want authentic relationships," Powell said. "But they also are only going to get involved in things that are really impacting. So, if you've talked to them and say, 'Help us do this,' they're on board. Otherwise, you're just asking them to verify whether or not they think you're doing it right."

In Memoriam: 9 May 2025

Nazarene News staff

The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who have recently gone home to be with the Lord. Notices were received 5-9 May 2025.

Charles Brooks, 85, of Georgetown, Ohio, passed away 4 May 2025. He was a retired minister, serving in Wisconsin and New York. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Brooks, in 2009.

Jack Clinkingbeard, 96, of Blackwell, Oklahoma, passed away 2 May 2025. He was a retired minister, serving in Oklahoma. He was preceded in death his wife, Velma Clinkingbeard, in 2001.

Robert Mann, 90, of Oneonta, New York, passed away 6 May 2025. He was a retired minister, serving in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. He is survived by his wife, Beatrice Mann.

Harold Westlund, 96, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away 1 May 2025. He was a retired minister, serving in Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, and Arizona. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat Westlund, in 2009.

Danny Wing, 78, of Luther, Oklahoma, passed away 4 May 2025. He was a retired minister, serving in Oklahoma. He is survived by his wife, Marcella Wing.

Roger Wiliams, 97, of Sun City, Arizona, passed away on 29 April 2025. He was a retired minister and educator, serving in Saskatchewan, Alberta, Illinois, New York, Arizona, Oklahoma, California, and Colorado. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Williams, in 2022. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Janet Smith Williams, in 2018.

To view past editions of In Memoriam, click here.

Note: Please join with us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to submitnews@ncnnews.com.
--Compiled by NCN News

Celebrating the life, ministry of Bob Woodruff

Nazarene News staff

Robert “Bob” Leroy Woodruff, 77, of Hamilton Hill, Australia, passed away 10 April 2025. He was a retired missionary and educator who served for five decades in Papua New Guinea, Australia, Germany, and Kenya.

Woodruff received his bachelor’s degree from George Fox College in Newberg, Oregon, and both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Western Evangelical Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He also held a Doctor of Philosophy from Griffith University.

His first missions experience was as a high school teacher in Sydney, Australia. While in Australia, he met his wife, Susan, in 1971. Sue began her nursing career at Nazarene General Hospital in Kudjip, Papua New Guinea, in 1972. Soon after, Bob and Sue got married and the two joined together in missions work in PNG.

Bob taught at the Kudjip Mission Station school and served as the hospital chaplain. Sue was a registered nurse and a midwife. Together they served in academic and medical missions roles across the globe.

While serving as missionaries in Australia, Bob pastored both Sydney Enmore and Sydney Hills Community Church of the Nazarene. He then served as principal of Nazarene Theological College–Brisbane (1981-1986) and European Nazarene College (1989-1991).

Bob also served as foundational deputy vice-chancellor and interim vice-chancellor of Africa Nazarene University.

“As chancellor of Africa Nazarene University, he helped guide over 1,500 students, fostering an environment where they could thrive and grow,” said Carol Bestre, Melanesia South Pacific Field education coordinator. “His emphasis on mentorship and hands-on experience in education has shaped generations of leaders.”

Between assignments, Bob taught in classrooms while preaching in local churches, maintaining his influence within the Church of the Nazarene and pioneering the implementation of video conferencing across Nazarene colleges worldwide.

In his retirement, Bob made semi-regular trips to PNG, helping with education. He passed away during one of those visits.

“He left the comfort of his home and family to just walk among us, live with us, and most of all, to bring us the message of eternal life through Jesus Christ,” Bestre said. “He did not come for wealth, family, or recognition. He came with love, with purpose, and with a calling. He became one of us. He shared in our joys, our struggles, our culture, and our faith. His life was a testimony of sacrifice and a living example of what it means to carry the cross daily. What a painful loss, yet what a powerful legacy. Your labor was not in vain; you have touched countless lives, and your reward is great in heaven.”

Bob was honored with services of remembrance both at the Kudjip Nazarene Hospital chapel and at the nursing and education college. Rosen, a leader from the field team in PNG, wrote a tribute to Bob that was read at a memorial service in PNG.

"You spoke about your deep desire to return to Niugini, the place where your mission began—your second home,” Rosen said. “You told me how your wife chose your first anniversary for this trip back to PNG, a reflection of how much it means to you both...Oh, what beautiful feet came back home to PNG, even with your walking stick and unwavering commitment to the mission."

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Sue; his two daughters, Kristi and Katina; sons-in-law, Craig and Mike; and grandchildren, Isabelle, Ruby, and Ebony.

He was laid to rest at the Melanesia Nazarene Bible College Tuman Campus in Jiwaka Province, PNG. A memorial service was held at Persall Church of the Nazarene in Pearsall, Western Australia, on 25 April 2025. To view the service, click here.

West Texas District elects Timothy P. Kellerman superintendent

Nazarene News Staff

The West Texas District elected Timothy P. Kellerman 10 April 2025 to serve as its new superintendent. Kellerman currently serves as the superintendent of the Northeastern Indiana District, a role he has held since 2020.

“Jamie and I are honored and not a little overwhelmed by our election to serve the great people of the West Texas District," Tim said. "We felt the same when we were elected to the same role on the Northeastern Indiana District. For the last five years, we have loved and been loved by these good people and pastors. Now as we turn the page to a new chapter, we are excited to open our hearts even more for those we will do ministry with in the great state of Texas. We are excited to begin this new adventure with them.”

Kellerman’s new assignment begins 26 May 2025. He replaces David Downs, who has led the West Texas District for 14 years.

Shortly after graduating from Olivet Nazarene University (then College) in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in theology, Kellerman took his first assignment as an associate pastor in New Albany, Indiana. A year later, he took his first lead pastoral role at Boonville First Church of the Nazarene in Indiana. He served there for two years before leading Evansville Diamond Valley Church of the Nazarene and Bedford Church of the Nazarene (1991-1995). He then moved to Conway, Arkansas, to lead Conway First Church of the Nazarene. He served there until 2013, when he returned to Indiana to pastor Grace Pointe Church of the Nazarene for seven years before being elected superintendent of the Northeastern Indiana District.

Tim and his wife, Jaime, currently reside in Marion, Indiana.

ENC announces updates regarding closure

Nazarene News Staff

Seven months after Eastern Nazarene College announced its closure, the ENC Transition Board has provided updates regarding several aspects of the college’s transition.

The updates include information about accreditation, records preservation, the sale of the campus, and financial stewardship.

“As we reflect on ENC’s rich history of equipping diverse students to lead and serve our world as agents of Christ’s love and truth, we are filled with profound gratitude for all who have been part of this journey,” said David Bowser on behalf of the ENC Transition Board. “We want to express our deepest appreciation to everyone who has supported ENC throughout its 125 years – through your prayers, your attendance as students, your professional skills as faculty and staff, and your generous giving. Your faithful commitment to ENC has enabled generations of students to receive a transformational education grounded in Christ’s love and truth.”

Visit enc.edu to see the latest updates.

Hunter Mizar elected superintendent of Alaska District

Nazarene News Staff

Hunter Mizar was elected superintendent of the Alaska District on 25 April 2025. He currently pastors the Weiser, Idaho, Church of the Nazarene.

Mizar will replace Paul Hartley, who has served as superintendent of the Alaska District since 2010. Mizar will assume his new role 24 May 2025.

"The Alaska District is my home district growing up," Mizar said. "This is the place I was saved, called into ministry, and invested in. This is an incredible honor for me to go back and serve a people that invested so much in me."

Prior to pastoring the Weiser church, Mizar led Kamiah Valley View Church of the Nazarene in Idaho from 2005 to 2013. He also served at Oakdale, California, Family Church of the Nazarene (2002-2005) and Boise, Idaho, Euclid Community Church (1999-2001).

Mizar holds a bachelor's degree in religious education from Northwest Nazarene University.

He and his wife, Chrissy, reside in Weiser, Idaho.

In Memoriam: 2 May 2025

Nazarene News staff

The following is a weekly listing of Nazarene ministers and leaders who have recently gone home to be with the Lord. Notices were received 28 April - 2 May 2025.

Rosa Burdette, 72, of Elkview, West Virginia, passed away 29 April 2025. She was the wife of minister Billy Burdette Sr., who serves in West Virginia.

James Blue, 80, of Georgetown, Illinois, passed away 28 April 2025. He was a retired minister, serving in Illinois. He is survived by his wife, Christina Blue.

William Britton, 91, of Cadillac, Michigan, passed away 16 April 2025. He was a retired minister, serving in Michigan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Britton, in 2016.

Gregory Freed, 72, of Vicksburg, Michigan, passed away 28 April 2025. He was a retired minister, serving in California, Ohio, and Michigan. He is survived by his wife, Christine (Beer) Freed.

James Oakley, 76, of Yuma, Arizona, passed away 22 April 2025. He was a retired minister, serving in Florida, Louisiana, Idaho, Washington, Alabama, California, and Oregon. He is survived by his wife, Sherry (Roach) Oakley.

Bradley Warkentine, 74, of La Follette, Tennessee, passed away 26 April 2025. He was a retired minister and chaplain, serving in Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Dianne Warkentine.

To view past editions of In Memoriam, click here.

Note: Please join with us in prayer for the families who have lost loved ones. Click on names for full stories, funeral information, local online obituaries, and/or guest books (if available). To submit an entry of a minister or church leader, send to submitnews@ncnnews.com.
--Compiled by NCN News