Department of Theology and Christian Ministry

Faculty

LEON BLANCHETTE (2003)
  Professor of Christian Education
B.A., 1992, Trevecca Nazarene University
M.A., 1995, Trevecca Nazarene University
Ed.D., 2008, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

JAMES EDWARD ELLIS (2006)
  Professor of Biblical Literature
B.A., 1986, Stetson University
M.Div., 1991, Asbury Theological Seminary
Th.M., 1999, Emory University
Ph.D., 2005, Baylor University

MARK FRISIUS (2008)
  Professor of Theology: Director of Undergraduate Programs
B.A., 1998, George Fox University
M.Div., 2002, Asbury Theological Seminary
M.A., 2006, The Catholic University of America
Ph.D., 2009, The Catholic University of America

KEVIN TWAIN LOWERY (2004)
  Professor of Theology & Philosophy
B.A., 1987, Frostburg State University
M.Div., 1993, Asbury Theological Seminary
Ph.D., 2004, University of Notre Dame

CHAD MAXSON (2019)
  Assistant Professor of Theology & Philosophy
B.A., 1998, Olivet Nazarene University
M.A., 2003, Chicago Theological Seminary
Ed.D., 2017, Olivet Nazarene University
Ph.D., 2024, Vanderbilt University

KEVIN MELLISH (2004)
  Professor of Biblical Literature
B.A., 1990, Olivet Nazarene University
M.Div., 1995, Nazarene Theological Seminary
M.A.R., 2005, Claremont Graduate University
Ph.D., 2006, Claremont Graduate University

CHARLES PERABEAU (2005)
  Professor of Religion & Society; Dean, School of Theology and Christian Ministry
B.A., 1994, Olivet Nazarene University
M.A., 1998, Loyola University
M.Phil., 2001, Drew University
Ph.D., 2011, Drew University

JEFFERY STARK (2019)
  Associate Professor of Christian Ministry; Director of Graduate Programs
B.A., 1998, Otterbein College
M.A., 2007, Trevecca Nazarene University
M.T.S., 2010, Vanderbilt University
D.Min., 2017, Lipscomb University

SIMONE TWIBELL (2020)
  Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry
B.A., 2006, Olivet Nazarene University
M.A., 2007, Olivet Nazarene University
M.Div., 2013, Asbury Theological Seminary
Ph.D., 2019, Trinity International University

LAURA WIDSTROM (2021)
  Associate Professor of Christian Ministry
B.A., 1997, Trinity Christian College
M.A., 2002, Wheaton College Graduate School
Ph.D., 2007, Trinity International University

Please see Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs  for information on undergraduate to graduate program completion.

For information on ordination in the Church of the Nazarene, please see Academic Requirements for Ordination .

Programs

• Biblical Studies Major, B.A.
• Children’s Ministry Major, B.S.
• Christian Education Major, B.S.
• Christian Ministry Major, (ONLINE) B.S.
• Christian Ministry Major, B.S.
• Christian Studies Major (B.A.)
• Intercultural Studies Major, B.A.
• Ministerial Missions Major, B.S.
• Pastoral Ministry Major, B.S.
• Philosophy and Religion Major, B.A.
• Theology Major, B.A.
• Youth Ministry Major, B.S.

• Biblical Languages Minor
• Biblical Studies Minor
• Children’s Ministry Minor
• Christian Education Minor
• Christian Studies Minor
• Greek Minor
• Hebrew Minor
• Intercultural Studies Minor
• Philosophy Minor
• Religious Studies Minor
• Theology Minor
• Youth Ministry Minor

• Christian Ministry, M.A.
• Family Ministry, M.A.
• Master of Arts in Ministerial Studies, M.A.
• Master of Arts in Missional Multiplication, M.A.
• Master of Divinity, M.Div.
• Master of Ministry in Spanish, M.M.
• Master of Ministry, M.M.
• Pastoral Leadership, M.A.
• Pastoral Ministry, M.A.
• Religion, M.A.
• Urban Ministry, M.A.