Dr. Filimão M. Chambo was elected to the office of general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene in June 2017 by its 29th General Assembly, held in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. He was director of the Africa Region at the time of his election, a post he had held since 2009. As regional director, Dr. Chambo was responsible for overseeing the church planting and development efforts of the Church of the Nazarene across the continent of Africa.

Born in Mozambique, Filimão grew up in a pastor’s home. Both his father and mother served in full-time ministry for the Church of the Nazarene. At the age of 17, when God called him to full-time ministry, his answer was yes.

Chambo earned a Diploma in Theology at Seminário Nazareno em Mozambique (SNM) in 1993 and a Bachelor of Theology (ThB) at Nazarene Theological College (NTC) in 1997. He was ordained by Dr. Jim Diehl as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in January 2000 on the Gauteng District, South Africa; and later that year attained his Masters of Arts (MA) in Biblical Studies from the University of Johannesburg. His Doctor of Literature and Philosophy in Biblical Studies (PhD) was also earned at the University of Johannesburg and was completed in 2009.

Before serving in the regional office, Chambo’s ministry experience included pastoral positions and Christian higher education. He served as pastor in South Africa for the Mphagane and Eldorado Park Churches of the Nazarene and in Mozambique at Igreja do Nazareno da Matola Cidade. He was an educator at NTC, South Africa, and at Seminário Nazareno em Mozambique where he later became president. In 2005 Dr. Chambo was named education coordinator for the Africa Region, where he served until his appointment as regional director in 2009.

 
Filimão is married to Samantha, who is also an ordained elder, and they have two children, a daughter, Tsakani Gabriella, and a son, Emanuel.

Pastor Jay Height is married to Jane for 35+ years. They have three married children. All three and their spouses serve in full time ministry. The Heights have nine grandchildren. Jay served as pastor or co-pastor of Shepherd Community Church of the Nazarene for 25+ years. He
continues to serve the near Eastside of Indianapolis as Executive Director of Shepherd Community Center for almost 30 years. During his ministry, Shepherd Community Center has grown from 3 employees and $100,000 annual budget to more than 105 employees and over a $9,000,000 annual budget.

Since November, 2012, Jay has served as Coordinator of the Church of the Nazarene’s Compassionate Ministries for the USA and Canada region with resourcing more than 70 districts which contain more than 5,000 churches. His responsibilities include coordinating all Compassionate Ministries, Work and Witness, and Urban Ministries.
Jay and Jane live in the community in which they serve–the near east-side of Indianapolis. As Jay says, “this is where I live, work, and worship.”

Ruth Reynard is the NWO NMI District President, serving with the District NMI Council. Ruth was born in the Ituri region of the DRCongo of missionary parents. She was raised in Northern Ireland and attended European Nazarene College in Germany with her husband, Andrew Reynard, who is the lead pastor at Fayette and a chaplain. Ruth completed a PhD and Masters at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada.

The Reynards have served the Lord in Germany, the UK, Canada and the US with the Church of the Nazarene. Ruth has developed and/or taught ESL/EFL programs for teachers of English here in the US, the Middle East, and in China and consulted in online educational programs and curriculum development with German and Congolese institutions. Ruth has worked in educational administration and/or taught for TNU, ONU, MVNU and currently teaches as an online adjunct with Colorado Christian University. Ruth founded a community nonprofit in Fayette, Ohio, to provide education and training for lower-income individuals and families and is VP of the local community development group.

Sam Senica and his wife, Kristi, serve as missionaries with the Church of the Nazarene in the US & Canada Region, playing a pivotal role in the Bless Our Community Initiative. Their mission involves encouraging, equipping, empowering, and engaging local churches as they embark on this journey. 

Formerly assigned in the Dominican Republic, Sam and Kristi and their five children, returned to the US in 2023, and hailing originally from Illinois. With diverse experiences in various roles within local Nazarene churches, they extend their commitment to community-restoring and loving their neighbors wherever they reside. 

Currently pursuing ordination in the Church of the Nazarene, Sam and Kristi exemplify a passion for deeply caring for those around them and fostering a sense of love and community of Jesus in every context they encounter.

Jenee Noriega was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the roughest of circumstances. Both of her parents left her at two months old. She was physically, mentally, emotionally, and sexually abused. Jenee started using street drugs at the age of 11 years old, which led to many years of criminal activity. She was on New Mexico’s most-wanted at the age of 16. Jenee has been arrested more the 24 times as a juvenile and has an extended adult record. She had 14 aliases when the F.B.I. arrested her at 19 years old. Jenee was facing a life sentence until one day, on March 6th, she met Jesus in the Urban Core of Albuquerque, NM, and was led to him by a lifelong Nazarene, Debbie Vanhook, who loved Jesus and lost people. Jenee was delivered from a 19-year drug addiction on that day.

The grace of God totally transformed her life. She currently is the Lead Pastor at a new church plant in the urban core of Kansas City, called Total Life Church of the Nazarene. Jenee is also the Associate Pastor of Evangelism and Discipleship at Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene. She served as the ABQ Central Campus Pastor at Sandia Church of the Nazarene and their street ministry director. Jenee was also the Outreach Pastor at Rio Vista Church of the Nazarene. 

She is a mother of four children and wife to Stevie for 33 years. She is a first-generation college graduate of Central New Mexico Community College and The University of New Mexico, double majoring in Psychology and Africana Studies and the Nazarene Theological Seminary where Jenee received her master’s degree. She is currently at NTS in the Doctor of Ministry program. 

Jenee is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene who preaches and teaches holiness. She has had the amazing opportunity to speak at women’s conferences, youth conferences, and leadership events, and has spoken to thousands of people about her faith in secular settings. She also travels around the world and the United States sharing Jesus’s love and teaching full deliverance through the message of Entire Sanctification.

Mark Coulter became the Church Planting & Multiplication Catalyzer for the Northwestern Ohio District in 2022, with a passion for creating a multiplying culture that plants, revitalizes, and starts all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people. Mark is certified as a Master Director of Church Planting Assessments and has helped lead several multi-district Assessment Centers. Mark is a Certified Trainer in Evangelism and Multiplication Training. In addition, he is a Certified Trainer in the following Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) courses: Churches Planting Churches, Church Planting Essentials, House Church Planting, Mentoring Church Planters, and New Church Dynamics.

Mark also serves as the Lead Pastor of The Valley Church, a multisite church that has three physical locations, two online campuses, a location at a campground, and several missional communities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Life Science Education from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a master’s degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University, a Doctorate of Education with a Specialization in Teacher Leadership from Walden University and a Doctor of Ministry focused on Innovative Leadership in Changing Contexts from Nazarene Theological Seminary. Before coming to The Valley in 2016, Mark worked as a teacher, baseball coach, and pastor in Ohio, Michigan, and South Carolina.  

Mark loves to coach church planters and those interested in church revitalization. He believes that planting new churches is the best way to reach people who do not know Jesus and desires to see Northwest Ohio plant dozens of churches over the next few years.

Mark and his wife, Jessica, have two children, Dilan and Zalome. He enjoys sports, reading, and traveling.

Richie Griffith is the Nazarene Youth International (NYI) President for the Northwestern Ohio Nazarene District (NWO). Richie and the NYI team’s focus is to catalyze mission to students and with students in the district from ages 12 to 26. NYI equips local churches, leaders, and students to spread the gospel effectively in their home environments. In three words: BE – Evangelism | DO – Discipleship | GO – Leadership Development. 

Richie is married to Kristen Griffith, a lifelong member of the NWO and together they lead a church plant in Tipp City, Ohio, called Movement Church. Their mission is to help others experience God in new and exciting ways. Richie received his bachelor’s degree from Nazarene Bible College in Pastoral Ministries. He is also a certified DCPI Trainer in church planting. Richie often travels and speaks at local churches and also at youth camps and retreats throughout the year. Richie also serves on our East Central Field Council helping with events like Field Blast and sharing how to resource our local churches effectively. 

Previously, he served as a youth and worship pastor at Tipp City Nazarene. While there he helped run a weekly teen rec center and developed a concert ministries team to reach the city in new ways. He has also served in the city of Springfield at High Street Nazarene Church, where he developed a new ministry called The Rock, a basketball program aimed to reach students within the inner city reaching those with addictions, students in gangs, and students outside the mainstream. 

Richie is passionate about connecting with students and equipping and empowering them to do the same! He believes that these students are not just the church of tomorrow but are the church of today.

Phil Starr is the President and Team Leader for NWO’s Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI) which is a catalyst for equipping local churches to carry out the Great Commission to make Christlike Disciples in the nations beginning with our children, youth, and adults.

Phil is the Lead Pastor of Mt Sterling First Church of the Nazarene which ministers to the tri-county area of Madison, Pickaway, and Fayette County. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a Masters of Pastoral Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University, and Intergenerational Training through Fuller Youth Institute’s Sticky Faith Cohort. Phil also currently serves as Field Vice Chair and Call Coordinator for East Central Field NYI. He is a co-author of “Go: Engaging Youth In Leadership” published by the NYI Resource Library.

Previously, he served as Field Training of Youth Leaders for the East Central Field NYI. He was the Pastor of Student Ministries at Lima Community Church prior to moving to Mt Sterling. Phil also served as Pastor of Student Ministries at Grand Rapids International Fellowship a multi-ethnic community focused on making disciples in multicultural, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist communities. He was part of the restart launch team for Springfield Community Church in Springfield, MO. He is passionate about making disciples and equipping leaders in the coming generations. He is an advocate for the marginalized, youth, and multi-generational communities.

Phil and his wife, Melanie, have four children – Cathryn, Eli, Isaiah, and Aubrey. He enjoys learning, spending time with others, and camping in the mountains.

Jeff Stark is the catalyst for revitalization and leadership development for the Northwestern Ohio district. He became a Jesus follower at age 25 in Skopje, Macedonia, deployed with the US Army. He served on staff for seven years at Clarksville First Church of the Nazarene, filling a variety of associate roles while planting two churches. He then spent five years in a small rural community in Erin, TN. In 2014, he moved to Bridgeway Community Church, a multi-site, church-planting church in Pekin, IL. In the summer of 2019, he moved to the heart of Chicago to serve as the Executive Director of Reach77 and Missional Director for the Chicago Central District Church of the Nazarene until August 2022. During his time in Chicago, he assisted Community Christian Church in relaunching its city campus post-COVID. He’s spent the last two years serving as a coach and consultant with churches and districts across the United States.

In addition, Jeff has been an Associate Professor at Olivet Nazarene University for the last six years and now serves as the Director of Graduate Programming for the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. He currently teaches undergraduate and graduate classes. His focus is Missional Theology and the convergence of Christianity and Culture. He is the author of the book from The Foundry Publishing – The News is Good: Evangelism as a Way of Life and the forthcoming book from Wipf and Stock – Root and Fruit: Developing a Reproducing Leadership Culture.

Jeff graduated with a B.A. from Otterbein University in English Literature (’98), served 4 1/2 years in the Army as an Arabic Linguist, graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University (M.A. Religion ’06), completed a M.T.S. from Vanderbilt Divinity School (’10), and finished a Doctor of Ministry program at Lipscomb University in Missional Theology and Spiritual Formation (’17), writing an extensive dissertation on multiplication and movement. 

Jeff is passionate about empowering leaders, teams, and organizations to build an inspired story. Married for 25 years, Jeff and Angie have two sons, Derek (24) and Lt. Chance Stark – US Army (23) married to Olivia.

Dr. Filimão M. Chambo was elected to the office of general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene in June 2017 by its 29th General Assembly, held in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. He was director of the Africa Region at the time of his election, a post he had held since 2009. As regional director, Dr. Chambo was responsible for overseeing the church planting and development efforts of the Church of the Nazarene across the continent of Africa.

Born in Mozambique, Filimão grew up in a pastor’s home. Both his father and mother served in full-time ministry for the Church of the Nazarene. At the age of 17, when God called him to full-time ministry, his answer was yes.

Chambo earned a Diploma in Theology at Seminário Nazareno em Mozambique (SNM) in 1993 and a Bachelor of Theology (ThB) at Nazarene Theological College (NTC) in 1997. He was ordained by Dr. Jim Diehl as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in January 2000 on the Gauteng District, South Africa; and later that year attained his Masters of Arts (MA) in Biblical Studies from the University of Johannesburg. His Doctor of Literature and Philosophy in Biblical Studies (PhD) was also earned at the University of Johannesburg and was completed in 2009.

Before serving in the regional office, Chambo’s ministry experience included pastoral positions and Christian higher education. He served as pastor in South Africa for the Mphagane and Eldorado Park Churches of the Nazarene and in Mozambique at Igreja do Nazareno da Matola Cidade. He was an educator at NTC, South Africa, and at Seminário Nazareno em Mozambique where he later became president. In 2005 Dr. Chambo was named education coordinator for the Africa Region, where he served until his appointment as regional director in 2009.

 
Filimão is married to Samantha, who is also an ordained elder, and they have two children, a daughter, Tsakani Gabriella, and a son, Emanuel.

Mark Bane serves as Director of Evangelism & New Church Development for the USA/Canada region of the Church of the Nazarene and has been in that role since July 2016. Mark is focused on multiplying the church in North America through disciple-making and church planting.

In 2018 Mark launched a church planting network called Total Life Church of the Nazarene (TLC) to reach the urban core in North America. His vision is to plant 203 Urban Core Churches in 203 urban areas.

Mark is currently the lead pastor, supported by an amazing leadership team, of Total Life Church (TLC), in the urban core of Kansas City, Missouri.

Mark’s life mission is to “win as many people to Jesus as possible, then die.”

Mark and his wife, Cheryl, have been happily married for 36 years; and have two adult children, Katie (Mike) Finn of Missouri, and Kelley (Jeff) Rossmann of Georgia.

Ruth Reynard is the NWO NMI District President, serving with the District NMI Council. Ruth was born in the Ituri region of the DRCongo of missionary parents. She was raised in Northern Ireland and attended European Nazarene College in Germany with her husband, Andrew Reynard, who is the lead pastor at Fayette and a chaplain. Ruth completed a PhD and Masters at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada.

The Reynards have served the Lord in Germany, the UK, Canada and the US with the Church of the Nazarene. Ruth has developed and/or taught ESL/EFL programs for teachers of English here in the US, the Middle East, and in China and consulted in online educational programs and curriculum development with German and Congolese institutions. Ruth has worked in educational administration and/or taught for TNU, ONU, MVNU and currently teaches as an online adjunct with Colorado Christian University. Ruth founded a community nonprofit in Fayette, Ohio, to provide education and training for lower-income individuals and families and is VP of the local community development group.

Sam Senica and his wife, Kristi, serve as missionaries with the Church of the Nazarene in the US & Canada Region, playing a pivotal role in the Bless Our Community Initiative. Their mission involves encouraging, equipping, empowering, and engaging local churches as they embark on this journey. 

Formerly assigned in the Dominican Republic, Sam and Kristi and their five children, returned to the US in 2023, and hailing originally from Illinois. With diverse experiences in various roles within local Nazarene churches, they extend their commitment to community-restoring and loving their neighbors wherever they reside. 

Currently pursuing ordination in the Church of the Nazarene, Sam and Kristi exemplify a passion for deeply caring for those around them and fostering a sense of love and community of Jesus in every context they encounter.

Jenee Noriega was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the roughest of circumstances. Both of her parents left her at two months old. She was physically, mentally, emotionally, and sexually abused. Jenee started using street drugs at the age of 11 years old, which led to many years of criminal activity. She was on New Mexico’s most-wanted at the age of 16. Jenee has been arrested more the 24 times as a juvenile and has an extended adult record. She had 14 aliases when the F.B.I. arrested her at 19 years old. Jenee was facing a life sentence until one day, on March 6th, she met Jesus in the Urban Core of Albuquerque, NM, and was led to him by a lifelong Nazarene, Debbie Vanhook, who loved Jesus and lost people. Jenee was delivered from a 19-year drug addiction on that day.

The grace of God totally transformed her life. She currently is the Lead Pastor at a new church plant in the urban core of Kansas City, called Total Life Church of the Nazarene. Jenee is also the Associate Pastor of Evangelism and Discipleship at Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene. She served as the ABQ Central Campus Pastor at Sandia Church of the Nazarene and their street ministry director. Jenee was also the Outreach Pastor at Rio Vista Church of the Nazarene. 

She is a mother of four children and wife to Stevie for 33 years. She is a first-generation college graduate of Central New Mexico Community College and The University of New Mexico, double majoring in Psychology and Africana Studies and the Nazarene Theological Seminary where Jenee received her master’s degree. She is currently at NTS in the Doctor of Ministry program. 

Jenee is an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene who preaches and teaches holiness. She has had the amazing opportunity to speak at women’s conferences, youth conferences, and leadership events, and has spoken to thousands of people about her faith in secular settings. She also travels around the world and the United States sharing Jesus’s love and teaching full deliverance through the message of Entire Sanctification.

Mark Coulter became the Church Planting & Multiplication Catalyzer for the Northwestern Ohio District in 2022, with a passion for creating a multiplying culture that plants, revitalizes, and starts all kinds of churches to reach all kinds of people. Mark is certified as a Master Director of Church Planting Assessments and has helped lead several multi-district Assessment Centers. Mark is a Certified Trainer in Evangelism and Multiplication Training. In addition, he is a Certified Trainer in the following Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI) courses: Churches Planting Churches, Church Planting Essentials, House Church Planting, Mentoring Church Planters, and New Church Dynamics.

Mark also serves as the Lead Pastor of The Valley Church, a multisite church that has three physical locations, two online campuses, a location at a campground, and several missional communities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Life Science Education from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a master’s degree in education from Indiana Wesleyan University, a Doctorate of Education with a Specialization in Teacher Leadership from Walden University and a Doctor of Ministry focused on Innovative Leadership in Changing Contexts from Nazarene Theological Seminary. Before coming to The Valley in 2016, Mark worked as a teacher, baseball coach, and pastor in Ohio, Michigan, and South Carolina.  

Mark loves to coach church planters and those interested in church revitalization. He believes that planting new churches is the best way to reach people who do not know Jesus and desires to see Northwest Ohio plant dozens of churches over the next few years.

Mark and his wife, Jessica, have two children, Dilan and Zalome. He enjoys sports, reading, and traveling.

Richie Griffith is the Nazarene Youth International (NYI) President for the Northwestern Ohio Nazarene District (NWO). Richie and the NYI team’s focus is to catalyze mission to students and with students in the district from ages 12 to 26. NYI equips local churches, leaders, and students to spread the gospel effectively in their home environments. In three words: BE – Evangelism | DO – Discipleship | GO – Leadership Development. 

Richie is married to Kristen Griffith, a lifelong member of the NWO and together they lead a church plant in Tipp City, Ohio, called Movement Church. Their mission is to help others experience God in new and exciting ways. Richie received his bachelor’s degree from Nazarene Bible College in Pastoral Ministries. He is also a certified DCPI Trainer in church planting. Richie often travels and speaks at local churches and also at youth camps and retreats throughout the year. Richie also serves on our East Central Field Council helping with events like Field Blast and sharing how to resource our local churches effectively. 

Previously, he served as a youth and worship pastor at Tipp City Nazarene. While there he helped run a weekly teen rec center and developed a concert ministries team to reach the city in new ways. He has also served in the city of Springfield at High Street Nazarene Church, where he developed a new ministry called The Rock, a basketball program aimed to reach students within the inner city reaching those with addictions, students in gangs, and students outside the mainstream. 

Richie is passionate about connecting with students and equipping and empowering them to do the same! He believes that these students are not just the church of tomorrow but are the church of today.

Phil Starr is the President and Team Leader for NWO’s Nazarene Discipleship International (NDI) which is a catalyst for equipping local churches to carry out the Great Commission to make Christlike Disciples in the nations beginning with our children, youth, and adults.

Phil is the Lead Pastor of Mt Sterling First Church of the Nazarene which ministers to the tri-county area of Madison, Pickaway, and Fayette County. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a Masters of Pastoral Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University, and Intergenerational Training through Fuller Youth Institute’s Sticky Faith Cohort. Phil also currently serves as Field Vice Chair and Call Coordinator for East Central Field NYI. He is a co-author of “Go: Engaging Youth In Leadership” published by the NYI Resource Library.

Previously, he served as Field Training of Youth Leaders for the East Central Field NYI. He was the Pastor of Student Ministries at Lima Community Church prior to moving to Mt Sterling. Phil also served as Pastor of Student Ministries at Grand Rapids International Fellowship a multi-ethnic community focused on making disciples in multicultural, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist communities. He was part of the restart launch team for Springfield Community Church in Springfield, MO. He is passionate about making disciples and equipping leaders in the coming generations. He is an advocate for the marginalized, youth, and multi-generational communities.

Phil and his wife, Melanie, have four children – Cathryn, Eli, Isaiah, and Aubrey. He enjoys learning, spending time with others, and camping in the mountains.

Jeff Stark is the catalyst for revitalization and leadership development for the Northwestern Ohio district. He became a Jesus follower at age 25 in Skopje, Macedonia, deployed with the US Army. He served on staff for seven years at Clarksville First Church of the Nazarene, filling a variety of associate roles while planting two churches. He then spent five years in a small rural community in Erin, TN. In 2014, he moved to Bridgeway Community Church, a multi-site, church-planting church in Pekin, IL. In the summer of 2019, he moved to the heart of Chicago to serve as the Executive Director of Reach77 and Missional Director for the Chicago Central District Church of the Nazarene until August 2022. During his time in Chicago, he assisted Community Christian Church in relaunching its city campus post-COVID. He’s spent the last two years serving as a coach and consultant with churches and districts across the United States.

In addition, Jeff has been an Associate Professor at Olivet Nazarene University for the last six years and now serves as the Director of Graduate Programming for the School of Theology and Christian Ministry. He currently teaches undergraduate and graduate classes. His focus is Missional Theology and the convergence of Christianity and Culture. He is the author of the book from The Foundry Publishing – The News is Good: Evangelism as a Way of Life and the forthcoming book from Wipf and Stock – Root and Fruit: Developing a Reproducing Leadership Culture.

Jeff graduated with a B.A. from Otterbein University in English Literature (’98), served 4 1/2 years in the Army as an Arabic Linguist, graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University (M.A. Religion ’06), completed a M.T.S. from Vanderbilt Divinity School (’10), and finished a Doctor of Ministry program at Lipscomb University in Missional Theology and Spiritual Formation (’17), writing an extensive dissertation on multiplication and movement. 

Jeff is passionate about empowering leaders, teams, and organizations to build an inspired story. Married for 25 years, Jeff and Angie have two sons, Derek (24) and Lt. Chance Stark – US Army (23) married to Olivia.