Tuesday, May 17, 2005
- NTS News
Nazarene Theological Seminary held its 58th commencement on Sunday, May 8, at 4:00 p.m. at First Church of the Nazarene, 11811 State Line Road in Kansas City.
The Class of 2005 consists of 79 graduates as follows: forty-nine Master of Divinity; nine M.A. in Christian Education; four M.A. in Missiology; ten M.A. in Theological Studies; and five Doctor of Ministry. Nineteen students received diplomas or certificates, eight of which earned them in addition to their degree. This class represents nine countries including the United States, Germany, Swaziland, Canada, India, Brazil, Costa Rica, South Africa and Japan.
Mrs. Laura A. High, of Havana, Illinois represented her class on Sunday morning, May 8, 11at First Church of the Nazarene, Kansas City, MO by preaching the Corlett Senior Sermon.
Dr. Keith M. Wright, Superintendent of the Kansas City District Church of the Nazarene and Chairman of Nazarene Theological Seminary Board of Trustees, delivered the commencement address. Dr. Wright was elected district superintendent in August, 1990. Prior to his election as District Superintendent, he served as senior pastor at Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene. Previously, he pastored at Atlanta First Church, Georgia, and Pompano Beach, Florida.
Dr. Wright is a noted convention speaker for Sunday School Ministries and has experience in church planting and ethnic ministries. Thirty new churches have been planted on the Kansas City District of the Church of the Nazarene under his leadership. During his ministry, Dr. Wright has served as a member of District Advisory Boards, Finance Committees, Home Mission Boards and Ministerial Credentials Boards. For eight years, he was one of four coordinators for Personal Evangelism Training for Evangelism Ministries. Since 1990, he has served on the Board of Trustees for MidAmerica Nazarene University. He previously served on the Boards for Nazarene Bible College and the General Board of the International Church of the Nazarene.
Dr. Wright received his B.A. degree from Northwest Nazarene College (now Northwest Nazarene University), his M.R.E. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and MidAmerica Nazarene College (now University) conferred the Doctor of Divinity Degree (D.D.) upon him in 1996.
He and his wife, Elizabeth (Liz) were married in 1957. They have two daughters, Lori living in Boise, Idaho, and Stacey, who is married to Scot Cook and lives in Newberg, Oregon, with their two granddaughters, Cori Elizabeth and Kelly Nicole.