Stephanie Lobdell appointed MVNU campus pastor
Mount Vernon Nazarene University President Henry Spaulding II announced the appointment of Stephanie Lobdell as campus pastor, effective 1 July.
Lobdell will relocate to Mount Vernon from Mountain Home, Idaho, where she and her husband, Tommy, have co-pastored at Mountain Home Church of the Nazarene since 2015. They served in the same roles with the Kingston Church of the Nazarene in Kingston, Missouri, from 2009 to 2015. In addition, she served as a volunteer missionary in Palermo, Sicily, from 2007 to 2008.
“Stephanie is well-read, theologically articulate, an experienced pastor, and she has international experience,” Spaulding said. “All this will contribute to the spiritual development of our community.”
Lobdell will join MVNU as the university transitions from a university chaplain to a campus pastor. The move, according to Spaulding, is to emphasize the pastoral dimension of the position.
The campus pastor is charged with engaging the entire campus through chapel, pastoral care and counseling, leadership development, mission opportunities, and theological education toward mature Christian character.
Spaulding is looking forward to seeing students grow in their faith under Lobdell’s guidance.
“She connects with students very well,” Spaulding said. “Pastor Lobdell will journey with our students to assist them to comprehend the world through the lens of the Christian faith. She will lead small groups, guide the Campus Ministry Office, and plan an integrated program designed to lead the entire campus toward spiritual development. She will address issues that concern emerging adults.”
Lobdell holds a bachelor’s degrees in Christian Education and Spanish from MidAmerica Nazarene University, a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and she was presented the Corlett Holiness Sermon Award in 2012.
“I take seriously the role of Nazarene universities and seminaries in shaping students and setting the trajectory of their lives toward faithful service to God and the church, whatever one’s vocation might be,” Lobdell said. “Our schools have shaped me beyond measure and I am passionate about others experiencing the transforming power of Christ-centered, holiness-inspired, holistic education.”