Welcome to Church of the Nazarene

The Church of the Nazarene is a church committed to the message that we can live lives pleasing to God through His work in us. We trace our roots to an anniversary date of 1908. The Church of the Nazarene was founded to spread the message of holiness (Christlike living) across the lands. Today you will find Nazarene churches spread throughout 152 world areas.

The Pastoral Team

SVCN has a great group of committed pastors. Each one carries unique responsibilities yet they are focused on a unified mission; To Encounter Christ and Engage Our World!

Randy Owens - Senior Pastor

Family: Judy, my amazing and beautiful wife, and I have two married adult children, Nate (Hope), lives in Lenexa, Kansas and Jamie (Ryan) resides in Ft. Wayne, IN. We are anticipating our first grandson (Forest) in March, 2010!

Education: B.A. Mount Vernon Nazarene University; M.A. Ashland Theological Seminary

History: Born a Buckeye ( I know , it explains my weird sports tastes). I was married and started pastoring a rural church in Ohio while a student at MVNU. After graduating we came to Michigan for a brief stint as a youth pastor and found a home pasturing for the next 9 years in the great white north! Our time in Michigan was interrupted for some 12 years when Judy and I served as Global Missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene in the Middle East and West Africa. We came to serve at SVCN in the summer of 2005.

Favorites
Authors: Chiam Potok, Eugene Peterson, N.T. Wright
Food: Pizza and Hot Wings
Snack Food: Mmmmmm
Movies: What About Bob? Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? Lawrence of Arabia
TV Show: The Food Channel, Travel Channel and ESPN
On my ipod: Jonny Lang, James Taylor, Jars of Clay, Third Day
Time of Day: Meal Time!
Season: Ahh, smell the leaves! Fall, of course!
Place in the World: Ohio, Amman, Dakar, Senegal; Cairo, Egypt; Beirut, Lebanon; Saginaw
Scripture: I Thessalonians 5:24
Sports Team: Buckeyes, Browns & Reds
Sport: Football & Basketball

Least Favorite
Food: cooked peas
Sports Team: Steelers, Lakers & University of Mich.

Ryan Wolford - Associate Pastor For Student Ministries

Family: My wife's name is Melissa, and we have one daughter named Selah. Melissa is a stay-at-home mom and loves partnering with me in ministry. Our daughter's name "Selah" is from the Psalms, and while its meaning is unclear, many think it to mean a reflective pause to meditate upon what was said. While Selah's name is very beautiful, she does not sit still and reflect very much!!

Education: B.A. in Ancient Languages (Greek and Hebrew) at Wheaton College; currently in M.Min program at MVNU

History: I was born in London, England and lived much of my childhood overseas. I fully accepted my call to the ministry when I was a sophomore in college. That summer, I interned as a youth pastor at Sciotoville Church of the Nazarene. After studying for 3.5 months in Israel, my wife and I served at Whitehall Church of the Nazarene and the Central Ohio District for OSU Outreach. We came here to SVCN in September 2010.

Favorites

Books: The Wealth of Nations, Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright, the New International Greek Testament Commentary series

Food: Steak and Seafood

Snack Food: star crunch, puppy chow!

Movies: Invictus, Braveheart, Power of One, Avatar

TV Shows: The Mentalist and Modern Family

On My iPod: Third Day, Chris Tomlin, Sanctus Real

Time of Day: When I'm on my morning run

Season: Spring

Place in the World: It's all good when you're in the center of God's will

Scripture: Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness...

Sports Team: Go Bucks!!

Sport: I love it all

Least Favorite

Food: fast food...yuck!

Sports Team: U of M

Monica Brown - Children's Pastor

Family: Jim (Husband) Children: Janelle, Courtney, Krista, Mason, and Renna
Education: Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Physiology and Business Administration
History: I grew up loving drawing, painting, and Barbies. I also did a lot of babysitting! Central Michigan University is my Alma Mater. After marrying Jim, we had an instant family of 5. We lived in a three bedroom home in Midland with our three girls. Then Mason came along. Then came Renna. Then came a new house in Bay City! Jim and I have actively served in church in many different capacities including Young Adults, VBS, MOPS, various boards and Youth. I love children-always have. I love God-always have. Maybe this is why serving as children's pastor feels like such a perfect fit for me!

Favorites
Books: The Secret Life of Bees
Food: Mexican, Chinese, American, and Italian
Snack Food: Yogurt Covered pretzels, anything chocolate
Movies: The Wizard of Oz, O Brother, Where art Thou
TV Show: CSI
On my ipod: I don't have one
Actor: Harrison Ford, Matthew McConaughey
Actress: Kate Hudson, Sandra Bulluck
Time of Day: Morning
Season: Summer and Fall
Place in the World: By Jim's side
Place to Pray: My room
Scripture: Romans 8:28

Least Favorite
Food: Organ Meats
Time of Day: 3:00 PM
Season: Winter

Most people don't know this about me: I have a twin brother.

Rodney Kilgore - Pastor of Worship Arts

Pastor Rodney comes to us from New Mexico. He has been a welcomed addition to the SVCN team. His unique blend of musical abilities, creative talents, as well as his heart for Jesus brings an authentic worship to our service.