Noting Dr. James Diehl’s passion for salvation and holiness of heart and his understanding of biblical truth, delegates to the 1993 General Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene in Indianapolis, Indiana, elected him to the Board of General Superintendents. Following his 16 years of service to the Church of the Nazarene, the 27th General Assembly in 2009 in Orlando, Florida, bestowed on him the honor of general superintendent emeritus status. During his tenure on the Board of General Superintendents, he presided at hundreds of district assemblies around the world with a core message of Christian holiness from a Wesleyan perspective.

A love for ministry has always been and continues to be at the center of his heart. He first demonstrated this as a pastor in Iowa and Georgia. As pastor at Oskaloosa, Iowa, he conducted live radio programs for seven years and led his church to develop a weekly television broadcast. He came to the general superintendency from his senior pastor role at First Church of the Nazarene in Denver, Colorado. His ministry passion also led him to an administrative role at MidAmerica Nazarene University. Additionally, he served for a decade as district superintendent in both Nebraska and Colorado.

Dr. Diehl is a prolific writer with numerous articles that have appeared in the Herald of Holiness, Holiness Today, Preacher’s Magazine, Bread, World Mission, The Holiness Digest, Perspective, and others.

Dr. Diehl has a great love for education. He is a graduate of Olivet Nazarene University. In 1990 Northwest Nazarene University conferred on him a doctor of divinity degree in recognition of outstanding achievements. His passion for education has led him to serve on the Board of Trustees at MidAmerica Nazarene University, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Nazarene Bible College, and Northwest Nazarene University. He also served as chairman of the Board of Regents at Northwest Nazarene University.

Dr. Diehl married the love of his life, Dorothy, and together they have four children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

Those who know Dr. Diehl recognize him as an encourager of people and a preacher of the Word of God with outstanding insight and practical application. His humor and love for people are evident from his preaching. His heart beats ardently for evangelism, missions, youth, families, and the communication of the Spirit-filled life to people of all ages and cultures.

As Paul described his ministry to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:11, so Dr. Diehl describes his calling: to be a pastor, a preacher, and an administrator. While laying down the administrative call in retirement, his passion continues fervently in the preaching ministry from a pastor’s heart. He frequently speaks at camp meetings, college revivals, district ministerial retreats, district lay retreats, zone crusades, and international events.