Jeren Rowell now serves as district superintendent of the Kansas City District Church of the Nazarene. Prior to his election in August 2005, he served for fourteen years as Senior Pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Shawnee, Kansas. He also served for twelve years in Associate Pastor assignments at Nampa, Idaho; Shawnee, Kansas; and Chicago, Illinois. He is a graduate of Northwest Nazarene University (B.A., Philosophy and Religion), Olivet Nazarene University (M.A. Religion); and has also been a student at Nazarene Theological Seminary and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Olivet Nazarene University in the Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership program.

Rev. Rowell is a frequent speaker in churches, workshops, college and seminary classes, retreats and marriage enrichment events. He has been a writer and editor for two periodicals in the Church of the Nazarene: The Communicator and Preacher’s Magazine. He was a contributor to the books, Holiness 101 and Dirty Hands, Pure Hearts. He also authored What’s A Pastor to Do? – The Good and Difficult Work of Ministry. He has contributed articles for Holiness Today, Family Style, and Table Talk magazines. Jeren and his wife, Starla, are certified Marriage Enrichment leaders and trainers through the Church of the Nazarene.

Rev. Rowell has a particular passion for helping pastors and their families learn to balance the unique pressures of pastoral ministry while enjoying healthy family relationships and a maturing walk with Christ Jesus. He also has a deep concern that local congregations learn to live together under the lordship of Jesus in such a way that we truly become a living sign of the kingdom of God. Our churches should be models of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace. Jesus prayed, “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me” (John 17:23). He also believes deeply in our holiness message and preaches that holiness is more than “one part” of our identity; holiness is a way of being in the world — a world hungry to know that life transformation really is possible.

Jeren and Starla have four children, two of which are married, and one granddaughter. They reside in Shawnee, Kansas.