September 14, 2023
Nazarene Theological Seminary welcomes Kyren Martin, who was hired on August 7 to serve as Doctor of Ministry Program Recruiter. Kyren is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Black leadership at NTS, so he already comes to his role with an understanding of the needs and interests of prospective ministry students.
Kyren was born and raised in Ferguson, Missouri. He became a licensed minister in his teen years and attended MidAmerica Nazarene University on a track scholarship. As a 400 meter sprinter, he gained All-Conference and All-American honors. Kyren explains that track and field taught him the importance of preparation, keeping focus, and setting and achieving goals, convictions which continue to fuel his efforts in the classroom and as an employee.
After undergraduate studies, Kyren’s interests widened to include education. In 2022, he completed a graduate degree in teaching from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and went to work as a middle school teacher in Kansas City, Kansas, where he is also employed. He wants to address mental health issues and achievement gaps in education, as well as issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Kyren thinks holistically and feels that education and ministry go hand-in-hand. With his teaching credential firmly established, he pursued his DMin degree at NTS, with hopes to graduate in 2025.
In the meantime, Kyren hopes his recruiting efforts will bring more students into doctoral programs at NTS. He says, “I want to see all students achieve in the classroom and live out their potential.”
If you know of anyone interested in a DMin degree, please let Kyren know by email at Kyren.Martin@nts.edu.
