Introduction
The Nazarene General Superintendents are the spiritual leaders of the Church of the Nazarene, a global Protestant denomination with over 2.4 million members in 161 world areas. These leaders guide and oversee the church’s mission, doctrine, and operations.
History of the Nazarene General Superintendents
The office of General Superintendent was established in 1907, when the Church of the Nazarene was formed by the merger of several Pentecostal denominations. The first General Superintendent was Phineas F. Bresee, a Methodist minister who had been instrumental in the revival movement that led to the church’s founding.
Over the years, the Church of the Nazarene has had 30 General Superintendents, including:
| Name | Term |
|---|---|
| Phineas F. Bresee | 1907-1916 |
| H.F. Reynolds | 1916-1925 |
| C.B. Widmeyer | 1925-1937 |
| Roy T. Williams | 1937-1949 |
| G.B. Williamson | 1949-1968 |
| Hardy C. Powers | 1968-1982 |
| William J. Seymour | 1982-1998 |
| John A. Cerrato | 1998-2006 |
| Eugenio Duarte | 2006-2018 |
| David M. Graves | 2018-present |
Qualifications and Responsibilities
To become a General Superintendent, a candidate must be a licensed Nazarene minister who has served at least 15 years in pastoral ministry. They must also have a strong understanding of the church’s doctrine, mission, and history.
The General Superintendents are responsible for:
- Leading the church’s global ministries, including evangelism, discipleship, and compassion
- Developing and maintaining the church’s doctrine and polity
- Overseeing the church’s finances and operations
- Appointing and ordaining ministers
- Representing the church to the public and other denominations
Current General Superintendents
The current General Superintendents of the Church of the Nazarene are:
- David M. Graves (General Superintendent)
- Carla Sunberg (General Superintendent-elect)
- David Busic (Assistant General Superintendent)
- Carlos Campos (Assistant General Superintendent)
- Janice Chaffee (Assistant General Superintendent)
- José I. Cruz (Assistant General Superintendent)
- Bianka A. Guerra (Assistant General Superintendent)
- Victor Hugo Hernandez (Assistant General Superintendent)
- Stephanie Orumbi (Assistant General Superintendent)
- Brian F. Pruett (Assistant General Superintendent)
- Michael E. Smith (Assistant General Superintendent)
- Ronny J. Stephens (Assistant General Superintendent)
Conclusion
The Nazarene General Superintendents have played a vital role in shaping the Church of the Nazarene into the global movement it is today. Their leadership has helped the church to grow numerically, spiritually, and geographically. The current General Superintendents are committed to continuing this legacy of leadership and to leading the church into a future filled with hope and opportunity.
Additional Resources
- Official website of the Church of the Nazarene
- Biographies of the Nazarene General Superintendents
- History of the Church of the Nazarene