Effective August 1, 2011, Rev. Richard Sowder began serving as the National Coordinator for Nazarene Disaster Response. Richard joins the USA/Canada Regional Office to work collaboratively with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries USA/Canada under the direction of its Coordinator, Rev. Althea C. Taylor.

 

Richard Sowder brings a broad range of skills and leadership to this role. He has served the Global Church of the Nazarene for many years a local Pastor in Oklahoma and Kansas and as District Superintendent in Australia. He has given leadership to the General Church as the Human Resource Director as well as other leadership roles under World Mission, (now Global Mission). Richard and his wife, Ellen, were instrumental in providing early leadership

in the development of RV Work & Witness, now known as ROAM. They helped to develop that ministry using RV members to coordinate and build churches in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma, as well as volunteering service at campgrounds and churches throughout the United States. Richard also served for 20 years in the United States Army, retiring as a Major. In 2007 he retired from the pastorate but remains very active in the local church and on his district, Oklahoma, where he has served as the NMI President since 2004. He continues to serve on the boards of various non-profit, community, and ministry organizations and as the president of the board of directors for the Family Health Center of Southern Oklahoma.

 

Althea Taylor, Coordinator - Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, USA/Canada, states, “Richard Sowder is a welcomed addition to the team. He brings strong leadership skills and a heart for ministry. In a time when the Church of the Nazarene is facing some of its most challenging times financially, Richard brings a spirit of collaboration and a passion to see the Church work together to serve those who have been impacted by devastating circumstances. Richard’s vision for mobilizing the Church across ministry disciplines and effectively using resources to meet the

needs of the hurting is an asset to how we are leading in Compassionate Ministries.”

 

In Richard’s own words he states, “A Christ-centered Samaritan mindset calls us to energetically meet the needs of the hurting, and the broad scope of “lifestyle compassion” offers limitless prospects for service. As a ministry opportunity, Nazarene Disaster Response resonates perfectly with my understanding of Jesus’ teaching of the work of His Church. My personal experiences in various Christian service including disaster response and compassionate

ministries have nurtured a strong desire to be personally involved and further, to help match similarly committed Nazarenes with the work our Lord has laid before them. I hope to honor my Lord by serving in a coordinative role to encourage and maximize our NDR resource capacity - building relationships, developing partnerships, offering effective training and team building, and building on the accomplishments of such as J.V. Morsch, Steve Creech, and Mark Berry in recent years, to continue to facilitate the great heritage of our church to offer a heartfelt, passionate response in times of disaster that is timely, visible, viable, and tangible.”

 

Richard Sowder is assuming the role previously held by Rev. Steve Creech, who served faithfully as the National Director for Nazarene Disaster Response and led during the churches response to Hurricane Katrina. Steve Creech transitioned from his role as National Director in April 2011 but remained in the interim position until a new Coordinator could be named. J.V. Morsch, former District Superintendent, preceded both Creech and Sowder as a liaison for Disaster Response prior to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It is on the shoulders of these faithful servants that Richard Sowder now stands as he leads the Church in understanding how she can mobilize during times of disaster to serve those who are hurting.  

 

NDR is Nazarenes mobilizing for disaster through readiness, response, and recovery. For more information on how you can get involved call 800-306-9950 or visit the links on the left to learn more. Register as an NDR volunteer at www.NazServe.org.