A Community of Encouraging and Supportive Colleagues

NTS has over 7,000 alumni serving around the world as pastors, missionaries, chaplains, teachers, and non-profit and creative ministry leaders. Initiatives of NTS Alumni are designed to connect alumni to the resources of the seminary for continuing education, to foster fellowship and encouragement, and to equip alumni to be ambassadors for NTS to the next generation of ministry leaders.

Membership in the Association shall include all those who have received an earned degree from NTS, an honorary doctorate, emeriti and current faculty, and those completing a substantial number of educational hours at the seminary.

Alumni Sustainer
Alumni Sustainers is an initiative of the NTS Alumni Association, challenging NTS alumni and friends to consider investing monthly in theological education.

Your Gift Matters

  • Your monthly gift supports our students as they respond to God’s call on their lives
  • Becoming an Alumni Sustainer is a way to “pay it forward,” as the cost of tuition has risen significantly since you were a student
  • Your gift helps NTS fulfill its mission to prepare faithful and effective ministers of the gospel

Already donate through your church’s Seminary Sunday Offering?
Consider giving your offering directly to NTS, then both you and your church are credited.

SIGN UP FOR YOUR PERSONAL ALUMNI COMMUNICATIONS & GIVING PORTAL

As an NTS alum, you can sign up to use our secure, online, personal communications and giving portal. The portal connects you with the database where NTS stores all alumni contact information so we  can connect with you via email (including the monthly eConnection), mailing address and phone number. With the portal, you can view and update your contact information, make one-time gifts, create and customize recurring gifts, edit your payment preferences, see your giving history, and access your statement for taxes.

2023 – 2027 NTS ALUMNI COUNCIL / EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Officers of the NTSAA are elected each quadrennium prior to the General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene. The Seminary President and staff of the Office of Advancement work with the elected officers to involve alumni in quality opportunities for continued academic enrichment, relationship building, and Seminary support. Council members welcome the ideas, comments and suggestions of all NTS alumni.

Contact: [email protected]

Jennifer Showalter

President

Rev. Jennifer Showalter serves as the Engagement Officer for the Trevecca Nazarene University Alumni Association. Jennifer is a 1997 graduate of Trevecca with a bachelor’s degree in communications and she holds a master’s degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary. She has experience in educational and nonprofit organizations which includes roles as director of corporate and annual giving at Trevecca and communications assistant at Duke University.

As an ordained minister, Jennifer has also served as teaching pastor for Port Orange Church of the Nazarene and pastor to families with children at Houston First Church of the Nazarene. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Ministries for the Church of the Nazarene’s Florida district as well.

Hannah Jones-Nelson

Vice President

Rev. Hannah Jones-Nelson is the current Youth Pastor at Lansing South Church of the Nazarene. Hannah graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with her BS in Youth Ministry (2018), and from Nazarene Theological Seminary with her M.Div (2022). She is married to her high school sweetheart, David, and they have a dog named Bear. Hannah currently serves as the District President for Michigan District NYI. (Contact [email protected])

Joe Foltz

Secretary

Rev. Joe Foltz is senior pastor of Olive Hill Church of the Nazarene in Olive Hill, KY. He has been a senior pastor in the Church of the Nazarene since 2010, also serving congregations in Missouri and Michigan. He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry in Preaching program at Nazarene Theological Seminary and graduated from NTS with his Master of Divinity degree in 2010. His time in seminary was a pivotal time in his life, as NTS created an atmosphere that allowed the Holy Spirit to transform Joe’s life. He is convinced he would not be in ministry today if not for the time he spent at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Joe has been married to Audra since 2010 and they have three children, James, Jonathan, and Junia.

Communications Committee

Estela Reza

Chair

Rev. Dr. Estela Chao-Reza resides in Honolulu, Hawai’i. She is passionate about connecting with people from all different walks of life and discovering the relationship of humanity within our differences. She has a plethora of knowledge in working with marginalized urban communities in various contexts and is committed to the movement toward restorative justice. When Estela is not working, she travels, reads, drinks coffee, and enjoys the beach with her husband, family, and friends (and her future dog). She has received multiple degrees from Nazarene institutions and is certified in clinical pastoral education. She is a Board Certified Chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains and an Ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene.

Tomas Alvarez

Member

Dr. Tomás Alvarez was born and raised in Arriaga, Chiapas, Mexico. He became a follower of Jesus Christ at age 12. He married Ruth in 1978, and together, they had four grown children and nine grandchildren. Tomás graduated from Spanish American Nazarene Bible College with a BA, received a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Tomás served as a pastor and evangelist in Mexico from 1981 through 1998, within the Church of the Nazarene. During those years, he planted five churches in that country.

Since 1998, Tomás has been planting churches in Illinois, Colorado, and Oregon. Currently, Dr. Alvarez is a Professor of Theology with Northwest Nazarene University.

John Prichard

Member

John Prichard is the Lead Pastor of the Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Colorado Springs, CO. After completing a Bachelors of Science in Biology, John felt led to prepare for ministry at NTS beginning in 1998 where he completed his MA in Christian Education. He spent 10 years in youth ministry and now 16 years as a lead pastor, serving churches in West Virginia, California, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Colorado. He loves spending time with his wife Brenda and two boys hiking and exploring the great outdoors. “NTS helped prepare me for a lifetime of ministry through academic rigor, a supportive community, and friendships that have continued to breathe life into me personally and professionally.”

Joe Foltz

ex officio

Rev. Joe Foltz is senior pastor of Olive Hill Church of the Nazarene in Olive Hill, KY. He has been a senior pastor in the Church of the Nazarene since 2010, also serving congregations in Missouri and Michigan. He is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry in Preaching program at Nazarene Theological Seminary and graduated from NTS with his Master of Divinity degree in 2010. His time in seminary was a pivotal time in his life, as NTS created an atmosphere that allowed the Holy Spirit to transform Joe’s life. He is convinced he would not be in ministry today if not for the time he spent at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Joe has been married to Audra since 2010 and they have three children, James, Jonathan, and Junia.

Networking Committee

Ben Lee

Chair

Rev. Dr. Ben Lee (NTS alum ‘08, MVNU alum ’04) is the President of In His Steps Foundation, a community foundation in the Cleveland area that grants about $8,500,000 a year to nonprofit organizations in Northeast Ohio and around the world. Prior to this role, Ben was Regional Director for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Pennsylvania, where he led a team responsible for fundraising $6,000,000 a year and granting over 1200 wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Prior to his work in the non-profit sector, Ben pastored a handful of Nazarene churches in various places (Alaska, Kansas City, Ohio) and capacities (lead pastor, church planter, associate pastor and youth pastor) from 2001 – 2015. Ben also taught several years as an adjunct professor of Christian Ministry for MVNU’s Master of Ministry program.
Ben grew up in the Church of the Nazarene in Juneau, Alaska, and has lived and worked all over the country. He and his wife Marcy homeschool their three children and enjoy hiking and traveling as a family. Ben enjoys organizing and leading study/pilgrimage trips to Israel, and – most recently – keeping his hives healthy as an amateur beekeeper.

Arodi Sanchez

Member

Arodi Sanchez was born and raised in Santiago, Dominican Republic as a pastor’s kid. He is currently serving as Deputy Director for Reaching Our City Inc. and Co-Pastor of ROC Church of the Nazarene (ROC Chapel) in Oklahoma City. He is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. He is a MidAmerica Nazarene University and NTS Alumni. He’s served in various pastoral roles in the Kansas City metro area and rural Missouri. He is married to Chrystalynn and they have three children: Hunter, Soren, and Emmerson.

Deanna Hayden

Member

Rev. Deanna lives in Shawnee, KS, with her husband Ben and their two children Josiah and Hannah. She is an ordained elder and teaches ministry classes at MidAmerica Nazarene University and Nazarene Theological Seminary. She’s pursuing a PhD through Nazarene Theological College in Manchester, England. Her previous ministry positions included serving as the Lead Pastor at Southwood Church of the Nazarene for 9 years, as Southwood’s Executive Pastor for 2 years, and 4 years as a minister at True Light Church of the Nazarene in the inner city of Kansas City, MO. Born and raised in San Diego, she also spent time living and teaching in South Korea. (Contact [email protected])

Paul MacPherson

Member

After pastorates in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York, Paul MacPherson was elected in May, 2022 as the District Superintendent of the Maine District Church of the Nazarene. He and his wife, Theresa, were married in 1990 & are the proud parents of Seth (& his wife Katie), Zeke & Naomi. They also are beyond blessed as Mommom & Poppie to Nora Joy Leilagi & Lopaki Neil! Paul received his Bachelor of Science degree from Mid-America Nazarene University (1988) & his Master of Divinity Degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary (1994). In 2022, he received his Doctor of Ministry Degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary. His dissertation was entitled, “Leadership Paradigm and Missional Faithfulness: An Examination of Adaptive Ecclesiastical Leadership.”

dana-preusch-nazarene-theological-seminary-web

Dana Preusch

Member, ex officio

Affinity Committee

Aimee Mulder

Chair

Aimee loves Jesus, her 3 teenage sons, her husband Devin and long walks on the coast of Lake Michigan. She is starting her 17th year of pastoral ministry in small churches where both congregations are over 100 years old. Aimee loves going to the Friday night High School games, bragging about her church and living incarnationally in her community.

Gina Cordy

Member

Gina is the Lead Pastor of Lynn First Church Of The Nazarene in Lynn, MA, where she has attended for approximately 15 years and became lead pastor in January 2023, after serving for a number of years in various leadership and ministry roles. Gina is married with four children and two grandchildren. She works part-time as a school social worker at a private, Catholic school. She graduated from NTS with an MDiv in 2022 and am currently in a doctorate program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She also earned a Masters degree from Salem State University in 2011. Gina is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She loves football and singing shows like “The Voice” and “American Idol”, and cooking.

Ciara Cunningham

Member

Rev. Ciara Cunningham is blessed with a husband, Aaron and 2 children Carter and Lanie. They live in Murfreesboro TN and she currently serves at Blackman Community Church of the Nazarene. She works with the youth, teaches a neighborhood class in her home and has started a creative arts ministry called Fragrant Offerings. Ciara graduated from NTS in 2006 and really enjoyed her time there. She looks forward to serving on the NTS Alumni Council and helping future ministers along the path God has set before them.

Hannah Jones-Nelson

ex officio

Rev. Hannah Jones-Nelson is the current Youth Pastor at Lansing South Church of the Nazarene. Hannah graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with her BS in Youth Ministry (2018), and from Nazarene Theological Seminary with her M.Div (2022). She is married to her high school sweetheart, David, and they have a dog named Bear. Hannah currently serves as the District President for Michigan District NYI. (Contact [email protected])

Recruitment and Outreach Committee

Andy Rubin

Chair

Rev. Andy Rubin is a versatile, restorative, cultural hybrid, dynamic leader from the beautiful island of Trinidad and Tobago. He has been a Christian since 1983 and a gospel minister for over 30 years. He has served as Youth Director, Evangelist, Church Planter, Pastor, and Executive Board Member in Trinidad, Barbados, and St. Lucia islands. He relocated to the US in 2003 and joined Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene in 2006. In 2013 joined the pastoral team and served as Men’s Pastor and co-lead with the women’s Pastor in congregational life. Pastor Andy is an Elder in the Church of the Nazarene, a West Indies School of Theology graduate, The Sure Foundation Theological Institute, Nazarene Bible College, and recently, Nazarene Theological Seminary with a Master’s in Transformational Leadership. He is a NY State Chaplin Task Force member and the Citizens Police Academy, bridging the gap between church and community. He is married to his beautiful wife, Rose Rubin (Jamaican), and between them, they have six children and two grandchildren. (Contact: [email protected])

Herb Ireland

Member

After thirty-five years pastoring four churches and teaching adults through Olivet Nazarene University for ten years, Rev. Herb Ireland retired. He and his wife then traveled in their small RV for five months a year. They enjoyed visiting the state capitols and presidential sites. Before the recent sale of that RV, the Irelands traveled in 48 states and put on 71,000 miles in six years.

Jasmine Brenneman

Member

Jasmine Brenneman is the Pastor to Families with Children at First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena. Before going into the ministry, Jasmine taught in the public schools in Orange County, CA.She grew up on the Sacramento District, graduated from PLNU, and enjoys making memories with her husband, Bob, and their two sons. She is grateful for the community she became a part of at NTS during her Master of Divinity degree program. “The classes I took and the people I met here have shaped my faith and grown me as a pastor and as a person.”

Jen Showalter

ex officio

CONSTITUTION of the NAZARENE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ALUMNI ASSOCATION 2023

 ARTICLE I  (NAME)

The Association shall be known as the Nazarene Theological Seminary Alumni Association (the Association).

ARTICLE II (PURPOSE)

The purpose of the Association shall be:  (1) to bind the Alumni into a unit of influence to be exerted for the advancement and development of NTS; (2) to cultivate and perpetuate individual acquaintance, networking, mentoring, professional growth, spiritual growth, and friendship among NTS Alumni.

ARTICLE III  (MEMBERSHIP)

Membership in the Association shall include all those who have received an earned degree from NTS, an honorary doctorate, emeriti and current faculty, and those completing a substantial number (12 or more) of educational hours at the Seminary.

BY LAWS

ARTICLE I  (ALUMNI COUNCIL)

SECTION 1.       The officers of the Association shall be a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, Chairpersons of standing committees and no less than 2 persons to serve on each of the standing committees. These officers, along with the Seminary President and the Director of Alumni Relations, shall constitute the Alumni Council of the NTS Alumni Association.

SECTION 2.       Nominations shall be made by the entire Association during the same year of the General Assembly. The Alumni Council will then review the nominees, striving for representation on the council of those from various educational regions, ministry backgrounds (pastorate, non-profit, chaplaincy, etc.) as well as from international and non-Nazarene contexts in order to accurately reflect the increasing diversity of NTS alumni. A final ballot will be presented to the full Association via email prior to the General Assembly.

SECTION 3.       The election of the officers shall take place on the year of the denominational General Assembly to be approved by a 2/3rds majority vote with a yes/no ballot. The officers shall serve until the next General Assembly or until their successors are elected.

SECTION 4.       All Alumni Council Officers may serve for up to 2 terms but must be voted on in a ballot measure at each General Assembly.

SECTION 5.       There shall be at least 12 persons elected to serve on the standing committees.

SECTION 6.       In the event of a vacancy in any office during the term, the Alumni Council is empowered to fill the vacancy.

ARTICLE II   (DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND ALUMNI COUNCIL)

SECTION 1.  President – It shall be the duty of the president to work alongside the NTS alumni director to cast vision for the work of the Council, oversee meetings, represent the school at various gatherings, and serve as an ex-officio member of the NTS Board of Trustees. The president will also connect with committee chairpersons on a regular basis regarding their progress on projects and initiatives and report back to the Council. The president will also sit on one of the standing committees. The president must be a member in good standing in the Church of the Nazarene.

SECTION 2.  Vice President – It shall be the duty of the vice president to serve in the president’s stead if/when needed. The vice president will also partner with the president and alumni director to connect with committee chairpersons on a regular basis regarding their progress on projects and initiatives and report back to the Council.  The vice president will also sit on one of the standing committees below. The vice president must be a member in good standing in the Church of the Nazarene.

SECTION 3.  Secretary – It shall be the duty of the secretary to record and distribute meeting minutes. The secretary will also sit on one of the standing committees.

SECTION 4.  Alumni Director – It shall be the duty of the director to serve as a liaison between the Council and the NTS cabinet, staff, and faculty regarding alumni initiatives and communication. The director will sit on one of the standing committees as needed.

SECTION 5.  Committee Chairs and Members (12 total elected)

(Messaging) Communications (3 members with one to serve as Chair) – This committee will work closely with the communications team at NTS regarding ongoing messaging to alumni on social media and more, help gather alumni stories for ongoing promotional purposes, and help plan strategy for messaging about upcoming events.  The committee will also seek to provide alumni with information regarding the activities and needs of NTS and encourage members to engage in supporting the school through prayers, volunteer work, and financial support.

(Equipping) Networking (3 members with one to serve as Chair) – This committee will help recruit, equip, and follow up with alumni who serve as representatives at strategic events local to them (ex. regional campus events, Christian Community Development Association, Youth Specialties, district assemblies, etc.) and plan regular Zoom conversations on relevant topics including conversations with current/emeriti faculty and among affinity groups such as children’s pastors, chaplains, and non-profit leads.

(Planning) Events (3 members with one to serve as Chair) – This committee will help plan and organize in-person alumni events at denominational gatherings, on Nazarene regional campuses (homecomings and pastor day events, for example), hub-city gatherings, class/regional reunions and more.

(Inviting) Recruitment and Outreach (3 members with one to serve as Chair) – This committee will help identify and execute new and creative ways to recruit students and donors as well as nurture current donors. This will include support and promotion of NTS annual and special giving projects, capital campaigns, and procurement of endowment funds.

SECTION 6.  Removal – A member is subject to removal by a super majority vote (75% or more) of the Council if (1) he or she has missed three consecutive scheduled meetings, or (2) the council member’s code-of-conduct is out of compliance with the signed commitment form for the Council.

ARTICLE III  (MEETINGS)

SECTION 1.       There shall be no less than 2 meetings each year of the Alumni Council and additional meetings as necessary.

SECTION 2.       A meeting of the full Association shall be held at the time and place of the General Assembly.

 

ARTICLE IV (CONSTITUTIONAL and BYLAW AMENDMENTS)

This constitution may be amended or revised as follows: An amendment shall be introduced at a meeting of the Alumni Council and, if approved by a super majority (75% or more) of those voting, shall be submitted to the full Association for its approval via an electronic/mail ballot. Amendments or revisions of the By Laws will be approved by the Alumni Council.

The by-laws and any duly adopted amendments shall constitute the governing rules for operating the Association and all conduct taken by or on behalf of its members. Any dispute or conflict arising from the interpretation of the By-Laws shall be resolved by a super-majority vote of the Alumni Council under the direction and supervision of the Alumni Director.  If any such dispute or conflict involves, directly or indirectly, the actions or inactions of the Alumni Director, the Council by and through its President shall consult with the NTS President.

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