Released: October 16, 2023
On October 12, 2023, the Nazarene Theological Seminary (NTS) Board of Trustees met together in Kansas City to convene their Fall meeting. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously to re-elect President Dr. Jeren L. Rowell, who has served since 2017, to a four-year term of office.
NTS Board Chair, Dr. Ian Fitzpatrick, reported, “We believe in and fully support Dr. Rowell’s leadership and we commit ourselves to help him fulfill God’s calling upon his life and the mission of Nazarene Theological Seminary. We also want to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Rowell for his selfless service in this important arena of ministry.”
Following this vote of the Board of Trustees, the Board of General Superintendents affirmed and approved this decision. The current Chair of the Board of General Superintendents, Dr. David Busic, shared his thoughts on the continuation of Dr. Rowell’s leadership: “Dr. Jeren Rowell embodies the kind of seminarian we hope to prepare for ministry in such a time as this. His strength of character, unique pastoral gifts, and Christlike leadership are a gift to the Church of the Nazarene.”
In response to the board’s vote of continued confidence and support, President Rowell said, “The affirmation of the Board of Trustees and the Board of General Superintendents strengthens my commitment to lead NTS in this season. It is a holy privilege to work at the intersection of the Spirit’s calling and the obedient response of women and men who are being sent into the world as servants of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Dr. Sarah Coleson-Derck, Dean of the Faculty, also noted, “Our seminary community is blessed to be led by Dr. Rowell, who is both a consummate shepherd of God’s people, and a gifted scholar in his academic discipline. We have been enriched by his imagination for theological education as gospel ministry and are eager for the next season of his leadership.”
This is the first time since 2009 that NTS has re-elected a president. In the last decade NTS has had 3 presidents. The last two presidents were elected to the Board of General Superintendents for the Church of the Nazarene. Rev. Heather Bryant, Dean for Enrollment and Marketing reflected, “As a leading theological and pastoral resource that supports the work of the church, NTS is a place where God forms faithful and effective ministers. The unanimous re-election of Dr. Rowell signals a new chapter for growth at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Join us as we pray for Nazarene Theological Seminary and for Dr. Rowell, asking God’s blessing on NTS through his leadership.”
About Nazarene Theological Seminary
Located in Kansas City, Missouri, Nazarene Theological Seminary is a graduate school of theology rooted in the Wesleyan-holiness tradition. www.nts.edu
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