An Interview with Alumnus

Nathan Poetzl

COME A Life Journal Entry

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How did you get to be in your current position?

I have been in my current position at New Life for over seven years now, and previous to my time here, I served on the staff of Faith Center in Eugene, Oregon as the college pastor. The time spent at Faith Center proved to be terrific training for my current assignment. How did I get here? To be honest, at times I wonder myself! Also, I would like to add that right along with the training received at Faith Center, I am extremely grateful for the academic training I recieved at Eugene Bible College (EBC) and Multnomah Seminary.

What are your ministry and main responsibilities?

Officially, I am the Lead Pastor here at New Life Church in Everett, Washington. My primary roles include firstly, being a disciple of Jesus; secondly, a husband to my wife and thirdly, a father to our four children. At the church, I am responsible for the ethos of New Life while blazing the theological path of the church. I also provide direct leadership to all the church’s pastors and staff.

What are some of the oppositions you face in your role?

Jennie and I pastor a large and diverse church that is over seventy years old. That being said, the seven decades that New Life has been in existence provides a terrific foundation to build upon, but at times it can also provide many challenges. Keeping our message unchanging and our methodology incarnational and relevant is probably one of the biggest challenges we face. Another challenge would be an ancient difficulty that Jesus addressed over 2,000 years ago, “The harvest is ready, the workers are few.” So finding and preparing people to engage in our world always proves to be a challenge. Also, a final challenge would be the financial side of doing church. We have been blessed here at New Life with a wonderful facility, but the challenge is that it takes hundreds of thousands of dollars each month to keep things moving forward.

What have you seen that “works” / “doesn’t work” when it comes to doing ministry for you and your staff?

One of the things that works best is when we balance our proclamation of the message of Jesus with carrying out the mission of Jesus. It doesn’t work when we do one without the other. It only works when we emulate Jesus and are filled with both “grace” and “truth.” It works when we equip people to do the ministry instead of relying on paid staff to do the ministry.

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Nathan Poetzl, Lead Pastor at New Life Church and Alumnus of EBC.

“When we emulate Jesus and are filled with both ‘grace and truth,’ It works when we equip people to do the ministry instead of relying on paid staff to do the ministry.”

As John sees these futuristic events it is preceded by “Come.” “Come” holds the idea of opening a door and looking in, seeing what you were unable to see with the door closed. In this case, it is evident that the spiritual realm is beyond the door, outside of John’s view. John is invited to come and see the revealed truth of the Spirit. This event of John’s sounds like Jesus inviting His followers to, “Come unto Me...and I will give you rest.” Were His followers unable to see and know that Jesus could/would give them rest? Were they unable to see their need beyond the door of life?

“I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, ‘Come!’...When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, ‘Come!’...When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come!’...When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, ‘Come!’”

Revelation 6:1, 3, 5, 7

“Come” not only carries the idea of invitation, but also revelation. “Come” is one of God’s favorite words. God asks people to come because He wants to give them what they can not have or know without Him.

As a follower of Jesus, I have learned to come to Him, but my human side demands controlling who I am. So, I come when I want, when I choose. But God bids me come when I need. “Come” is for my spirit, not my flesh. To come at God’s request will give me spiritual truth and guidance when my

spirit is weak. God asks me to come so He can reveal Himself and I can be strong in Him. “Come” is for me; God opening the door so I can see, so I can trust, so I can believe, so I can act.

Father, help me to come to You at Your request. Help me to diminish my experience and my knowledge, so I can hear You when You say, “Come.” Help me to be a child in obediently coming because my Father knows what I need. Amen.

COME IS FOR ME; GOD OPENING THE DOOR SO I CAN SEE, SO I CAN TRUST, SO I CAN BELIEVE, SO I CAN ACT.

FACULTY LIFE JOURNAL

PAULLEAVENWORTHWORDS: COURTNEY TSUCHIYAMAPHOTO : MICHAEL WILLIAMSON

FACULTYSPOTLIGHT

“That we as staff and faculty can play a role in helping student leaders develop the necessary foundation and competencies to fulfill their unique calling and finish well in life.” That is the heart of Paul Leavenworth; a module teacher here at New Hope. Dr. Leavenworth is a teacher who flies in from Des Moines, Iowa to teach module classes twice a month. A module class is a class that is usually three credits but with 2-3 hour long classes five days for two weeks. The module classes Paul teaches are focused on spiritual formation, discipleship and leadership and an occasional topical class on Christianity and Culture.

We believe we are truly blessed to have such a wise man who has heard God’s call for his life and is actively pursuing the desires that God has put on his heart. Paul’s call is to “identify, train, deploy, and support leaders for the Church and the soon coming harvest in North America.” He has been working with this college for nearly twenty years and has always been a teacher who has a heart for both it and its spiritually transforming student body.

Paul has been working with Aaron Friesen on filming and formatting his workbook for the distance learning series. He also teams with Wayne Cordeiro and Larry Powers on an evening class entitled, The Bible Centered Leader. A proposal has been put in for Paul to teach two more classes next fall entitled, The Spirit Empowered Leader and Mentoring and Equipping.

When asked what God is calling this exceptional man to do next, he answered, “I do not think I am ready for a rocking chair yet and would welcome any on going opportunity to serve at NHCC or someplace where God’s precious young leaders gather for growth and development as world changers for Christ!”

In his personal life, Paul is an avid fly fisherman who, between his work in Des Moines, Iowa, and here at New Hope, travels around the country taking in the most beautiful spots of God’s creation. He is in the process of creating a Fly Fishing Ministry/Group here at the school, so individuals can particiapte and fellowship in this sport he so passionatly enjoys.

God has continually given Paul a place here at NHCC to fulfill his heart’s desire and bless upcoming emerging leaders.

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WORDS: MICHAEL WILLIAMSON // PHOTOS: ANTHONY ARGUETA AND MICHAEL WILLIAMSON

The Ignite presents “going green” as a reminder to students to follow these simple steps in helping our community save on costs and keep our beautiful campus green.

Shut down computers and printers.Go paperless...when possible.Recycle more.Drive less, walk more .SPREAD THE WORD!

Turn off heaters when not in room.Turn off lights when leaving.Unplug personal devices when done.Use less water (showers, brushing, etc.).Use iPads over computers when possible.

CAMPUSGO GREEN

WORDSRYAN BLUEBAUGH

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