Nazarene Theological Seminary

Formation never stops. Welcome to summer at NTS.

Summer learning at Nazarene Theological Seminary continues in real ministry contexts, where students remain present in churches, communities, and daily life while engaging theological study.

Accessible excellence means learning where you live while staying deeply connected to a real academic community.

The community of Nazarene Theological Seminary mourns the passing of Dr. Harold Raser last month. Dr. Raser served as Professor of the History of Christianity at Nazarene Theological Seminary from 1980 until his retirement in 2018.

A memorial service honoring Dr. Raser will be held on Saturday, June 6, at Overland Park Church of the Nazarene. The service will begin at 10:00 a.m., with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites gifts to the Dr. Harold Raser Scholarship Fund at NTS.

To read the full reflection and/or give to the scholarship fund, visit nts.edu/remembering-dr-harold-raser

Each year, the graduating class honors members of the NTS community who have deeply shaped their seminary experience through encouragement, friendship, and service.

Congratulations to this year’s recipients:

Barnabas Award
Melinda Morgan

Heart of a Servant Award
Tim Evans
Kelly Varner

These honors reflect something central to NTS: theological formation happens not only in classrooms, but also in community, generosity, and faithful care for one another.

With sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Lamar Hardwick, also known as the Autism Pastor, after a difficult journey with cancer. Dr. Hardwick was a champion of disability ministry, respected preacher and pastor to many. We ask that members of our community hold his wife and her family in our prayers. May God's grace forever shine on the legacy of Dr. Hardwick who graced us with his wisdom and passion.

Juneteenth matters to the church and we want to answer your questions about it.

This Juneteenth, Praxis at Nazarene Theological Seminary will release a special panel discussion featuring Dr. Charles Thurman, Dr. Kelly Varner, Dr. Whitney Weathers, Rev. Irene Lewis-Wimbley, and Rev. Ryan Gage as they reflect on the significance of Juneteenth, the witness of the Black Church, and the ongoing call to faithful ministry today.

We want to hear your questions ahead of the conversation so our panelists can answer them.

Submit your questions by May 29 at the link below:
ntspraxis.org/juneteenth



Praxis at Nazarene Theological Seminary

As part of commencement each year, Nazarene Theological Seminary recognizes masters-level students whose work, scholarship, and ministry witness have stood out during their time at NTS.

We are honored to celebrate the 2026 recipients of several academic and faculty-selected awards:
• Brandon Kuba, Zondervan Biblical Studies Award
• Elise Snowden, Zondervan Theology Award
• Vanessa Bonilla and Jennifer Martinez, General Superintendents’ Scholarship
• Joshua Dringenberg, Evangelism Award
• Deborah Mitchell, Award for Academic Excellence

These awards reflect careful study, theological depth, faithful leadership, and a commitment to serving the Church with wisdom and integrity.

We are grateful for the ways these graduates and continuing students embody what it means to be faithful and effective.

Congratulations to each of this year’s honorees.

Going to a PalCon this summer?

The NTS Wynkoop Center for Women in Leadership, in partnership with the Nazarene Women’s Clergy Council, is hosting two gatherings for women clergy and advocates during PalCon 2026.

These dinners are designed as spaces for relationship building, encouragement, and conversation among women serving in ministry across many contexts.

Olivet Nazarene University
June 3
5:–6:30 p.m.
President’s Dining Room, Ludwig Center
Register here:
https://brushfire.com/olivet/palcon-womenclergy

Trevecca Nazarene University
June 11
5–6:30 p.m.
President’s Dining Room, Jernigan

Whether you are serving in the church, in education, chaplaincy, nonprofit leadership, or another ministry context, we would love to gather with you.

Space is limited, so register early.

Each year, NTS recognizes doctoral work that makes a meaningful contribution to the Church and to the wider field of ministry scholarship.

Congratulations to the 2026 recipients of the Dissertation of Distinction award!

These dissertations reflect the kind of scholarship that serves the Church by addressing real questions of ministry, leadership, trauma, belonging, resilience, and faithful witness.

We are proud of the work emerging from this year’s doctoral graduates.

NTS will be at PALCON this summer.

Olivet Nazarene University June 3–5

Trevecca Nazarene University June 11–13

Across both gatherings, NTS faculty and leaders will offer workshops, host alumni events, and create space for conversation.

If you are attending, make plans to connect with us.