(l. to r.) Woodruff, Cunningham,  Middendorf

On November 20, 2008, General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf installed Floyd T. Cunningham as the fifth president of Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS). Dr. Middendorf, jurisdictional general superintendent for the Asia-Pacific Region, charged Dr. Cunningham to be a servant leader, carefully patterning his life and work after the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

Cunningham received his A.B. in religion and history from Eastern Nazarene College, his M.Div. from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Johns Hopkins University. He has taught at APNTS since the school began in 1983.

Two former presidents of APNTS were also present: E. LeBron Fairbanks, now commissioner of the Church of the Nazarene’s International Board of Education (IBOE), and John Nielson, currently a professor at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Others participating in this historic event included Robert Woodruff, global education coordinator; Jerry Lambert, former IBOE commissioner; Ron Benefiel, president of Nazarene Theological Seminary; Im Seung-An, president of Korea Nazarene University; Melvin Rigsby, Regional Education Commissioner for the Asia-Pacific Region; and the faculty of APNTS.

A large delegation from the Korea Church of the Nazarene was in attendance, as well as many from the Philippines Church of the Nazarene, along with students, staff, and a host of alumni.

Cunningham responded to the charge with his inaugural address focusing attention on the foundations of Biblical understanding of Christ and grace and Wesleyan heritage. From the school’s motto of “Bridging Cultures for Christ,” he took up the challenge of “building new bridges,” especially emphasizing the corporate embodying of holiness that must happen if we are to make Christlike disciples in the nations.

”We are compelled to build new bridges to others, build new bridges on sure foundations, build bridges that will bring people to oneness in Christ,” said Cunningham. “We are trying to discern where God already is constructing [bridges] that we may join Him in His work.”

The inauguration was part of a weeklong celebration of the 25th anniversary of the founding of APNTS. Other events included the rechristening of the Fairbanks International School of Communication, Foundation Day program and concert, children’s fair, leadership workshops, alumni gathering and banquet, and APNTS partnership meetings.

Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary is located in Taytay, Rizal, Philippines.  

--Beverly Gruver for APNTS