Stephanie Lobdell appointed MVNU campus pastor
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Mount Vernon Nazarene University President Henry W. Spaulding II, Ph.D., has announced the appointment of Rev. Stephanie Lobdell as campus pastor, effective July 1.
Lobdell will relocate to Mount Vernon from Mountain Home, Idaho, where she and her husband, Tommy, have co-pastored at Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene since 2015. They served in the same roles with the Kingston Church of the Nazarene in Kingston, Missouri, from 2009-2015. In addition, she served as a volunteer missionary in Palermo, Sicily from 2007-08.
“Stephanie is well-read, theologically articulate, an experienced pastor and she has international experience,” said Spaulding. “All this will contribute to the spiritual development of our community.”
The campus pastor is charged with engaging the entire campus through chapel, pastoral counseling/care, leadership development, mission opportunities and theological education toward mature Christian character. Spaulding is looking forward to seeing students grow in their faith under Lobdell’s guidance.
“She connects with students very well,” Spaulding said. “Pastor Lobdell will journey with our students to assist them to comprehend the world through the lens of the Christian faith. She will lead small groups, guide the Campus Ministry Office, and plan an integrated program designed to lead the entire campus toward spiritual development. She will address issues that concern emerging adults.”
“I take seriously the role of Nazarene universities and seminaries in shaping students and setting the trajectory of their lives toward faithful service to God and the church, whatever one’s vocation might be,” Lobdell said. “Our schools have shaped me beyond measure and I am passionate about others experiencing the transforming power of Christ-centered, holiness-inspired, holistic education.”
She holds bachelor’s degrees in Christian Education and Spanish from MidAmerica Nazarene University and a Masters of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary. She was presented the Corlett Holiness Sermon Award in 2012, and participated in the Christians for Biblical Equality Writing Contest in 2017 and Collegeville Writing Institute Workshop Invitation in 2018. Her book, “Signs of Life: Resurrecting Hope Out of Ordinary Losses,” is scheduled for release Oct. 1.
Pastor Lobdell will join MVNU as the university transitions from a university chaplain to a campus pastor. The move, according to Spaulding, is to emphasize the pastoral dimension of the position.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and several convenient Graduate and Professional Studies locations throughout the state, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education to more than 2,200 students from 31 states and 22 countries/U.S. territories.
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