Ministry Team:

Hi!  My name is Pastor Doug and I’m Lead Pastor at Bethel Church of the Nazarene.  I am a graduate of Northwest Nazarene University and have been involved in pastoral ministry since 1988.  My wife, Joni, and I came to Nampa to pastor this church in 1999.  We love our Bethel Church family and count it a great privilege to serve as their pastor.  I enjoy preaching and teaching the Word of God and am blessed as I see lives changed by the marvelous grace of Jesus Christ.  My favorite verses in the Bible are from Philippians 3:12-14: “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Pastor Jim Franklin, Associate Pastor

I am Pastor Jim and I have been in full-time ministry since 1978.  I have been at Bethel Church since 2004.  As Associate Pastor, I disciple people, am a ministry leader for Celebrate Recovery, lead an adult Sunday school class, lead Work and Witness teams, and do pastoral counseling.  My wife Nancy and I have been married since 1973.  We love family get-togethers, music, traveling, eating out, and theme parks.  My favorite verse is Isaiah 40:31:  “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

 Pastor Bob Cruthirds, Family Life Pastor

I’m Pastor Bob and have been the Family Life Pastor since 2005.  I previously served many years as a Chaplain for the US Air Force.  At Bethel, I serve primarily in the area of family life ministries including marriage/family education and Celebrate Recovery.  I have been married to my wife, Kathy, since 1969.  My favorite verse is John 3:16:  “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

 Pastor Desiree Ferring, Youth Pastor

I have been married to my best friend, Jeremy since 2003. We have two amazing children, Brooke and Tristan…and of course our two fur baby dogs! Between our daughter who is active in volleyball and various other sports, and Tristan who is in every sport he can get into-they keep us on our toes and on the go. When given the opportunity to unwind, we enjoy hikes, long walks and bike rides. In my own personal time, I enjoy running, sports and not doing homework!

I felt called to ministry while being a youth leader at our previous church in Yakima, WA. I have always felt a tug on my heartstrings towards teens and missions, and while in Yakima, was able to get a taste for both-and found that God was working and patiently waiting for me to seek His call. We relocated to Nampa and started my endeavors of getting my Bachelor’s degrees in Christian Ministries and am actively pursuing ordination in the Church of the Nazarene.

Pastor Kym Slater, Early Childhood

Hello!  I have been the Early Childhood Pastor since February 2008.  I am a lay person who has felt called to serve as children’s pastor to the youngest of God’s people.  I have attended Bethel Church for 25 years with my husband Scott.  At Bethel, my primary responsibilities are to children from birth to Kindergarten and their families.  I am thankful for the opportunity God has given that I may be a part of His work.  I believe it is never too early to share the message of God and salvation through Jesus Christ.  In Promise Land we whet the appetite of children for the things of God.  We introduce them to His Holy Word- the Bible, the stories contained inside and the wonders of His creation.  We teach the children of Christ’s love and forgiveness.  As we teach, we use the child’s God-given curiosity to share with them the truths of God as revealed to us in the Bible.  My life verse:  “Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence of take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”  Psalm 51:10-12 

 Pastor Mindy Helena, Elementary

Hello my name is Mindy. Two weeks before I was to start the Master’s program for education at NNU, God laid on my heart a completely different idea. I had just dropped off my children at school, and was having my normal “heart to heart” with God on the way home. This time my talk with Him was different and I had to pull over into the dollar store parking lot to make sure I heard him correctly. To be honest my first response was, “are you sure, me?” God laid on my heart to trust him, serve him and lead others to him. I now am pursuing my Masters in Divinity with my specialization in Children’s Christian Education.

Pastor Weldon Shuman, Senior Adults