Dr. Doug Van Nest

Title: Dean of the School of Christian Ministry; Professor of Pastoral Practices

Years at MVNU: 2016-2025

Degrees:

* DMin, United Theological Seminary

* MDiv, Nazarene Theological Seminary

* BA in Religion, Mid America Nazarene University

Awards, Grants, Accolades, Publishing:

* President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2017-2018

* Contributor, Holiness Today, 2018, 2019

* Bible exposition content creator, Adult Faith Connections (The Foundry Publishing, Winter 2023-2024, and Winter 2025-2026)

* NetVUE Grant author and recipient, Fostering Leadership for Communities of Faith

* Lead Content Developer for a course in the new ministerial “course of study” for the Church of the Nazarene

Campus Involvement:

* Director, Certificate of Ministry Preparation, serving local churches and those pursuing ordination

* Interim University Chaplain, 2018-2019 academic year

* Co-leader, four Student Life Groups

* Faculty Advisor, Student Revival Week

* Committee member, Academic Leadership Team

* Committee member, Student Assessment and Learning

* Plenary session speaker, PALCON Conference (MVNU region), 2024

Service to the Church of the Nazarene

* Ordained Elder, Church of the Nazarene, 1992 - present

* Frequent pulpit supply and interim pastoral work, 2016-present

* District Superintendent, Southwestern Ohio District, 2007-2016

* Lead Pastor, West Carrollton Church of the Nazarene, 2005-2007

* Lead Pastor, Trenton Church of the Nazarene, 1999-2005

* Lead Pastor, Fairfax Church of the Nazarene, 1992-1999

* Pastor, Price Hill Church of the Nazarene, 1991-1992

Biography:

Dr. Doug Van Nest has served the students of MVNU since 2016, when a calling to be a professor in the Department of Christian Ministry was fulfilled. With his specialization in the field of pastoral ministry, Dr. Van Nest primarily speaks into the lives of students who are feeling a call to pastoral work in congregations through the teaching of courses in spiritual formation and discipleship, preaching and worship, pastoral theology, Nazarene history and polity, missional church leadership, and many more. Dr. Van Nest has also faithfully served MVNU as the Dean of the School of Christian Ministry for several years, where he has discipled and shepherded other faculty in the department in their respective gifts of ministry and service. As a student small group leader, his gifts of ministry to others extends to the weekly work of individually shepherding students as part of the chapel experience at MVNU. Dr. Van Nest is a writer, a pastor, a teacher, and a friend to all, including individuals who seek ordination credentials through MVNU’s Certificate of Ministry preparation.

Doug’s Testimony:

My journey of faith was deeply impacted by Nazarene higher education. As a graduate of a Nazarene university and seminary, I know firsthand the transformation one can experience through a campus community and it is something I have never forgotten. During my time in pastoral ministry, I began teaching courses on the district for those preparing for ministry. It was there that my heart began to be drawn toward the classroom. At that point, I assumed teaching ministry students would always be something I did in addition to my pastoral ministry, but the idea of doing it full-time did not seem possible.

When the position at MVNU came open, I recognized that this was how I wanted to give the rest of my time in service to the church. I can honestly say that walking with students as they seek to fulfill God’s call has not only been an amazing privilege, but the most rewarding years of my ministry.

Doug’s Favorite MVNU Memory:

Graduations, for me, are powerful memories, marked by so many contrasting emotions. There is an element of sadness in knowing these students, who you journeyed with for four years, will not be returning in the fall. There is also an immense joy and pride in observing all the ways they have grown and the incredible hope of what they will do in the world.

Doug’s Words to Students:

Remember two things: One, God has called you to be faithful, not successful by the measures of others.

Two, the church is always bigger than what you have experienced.

As you recall the impact of Dr. Van Nest’s influence on your life and learning, it would be a welcomed gesture for you to share words of affirmation or appreciation with him in the message box below. Dr. Van Nest’s modeling of servant leadership and faithful commitment to the Church has meaningfully impacted his students and colleagues. Doug’s presence on campus will be greatly missed.