Kenneth Rice, retired director of the Church Schools and Adult Ministries departments at the International Headquarters of the Church of the Nazarene, passed away September 16. He was 96.

Born January 9, 1919, Rice grew up in the Greely, Colorado, Church of the Nazarene where his father served as Sunday school superintendent. Kenneth attended Northwest Nazarene College (now University) for one year before returning to Greely to attend the University of Northern Colorado. After graduating in 1941 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, he married Betty Blanchard at the Greely church.

Kenneth spent the next four years in the military. Upon returning in 1946, he studied for two years at Nazarene Theological Seminary before moving to Oklahoma City to serve as minister of education at the First Church of the Nazarene. Kenneth held the position until 1956 while continuing his education, eventually earning a master's and doctorate in religious education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

His next position took him to the International Headquarters of the Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri, serving as director of Christian Service Training until 1958. Kenneth returned to Oklahoma City to pastor First Church for three more years, from 1958 to 1961. 

On May 23, 1961, the Church of the Nazarene General Board elected Kenneth executive secretary of the Department of Church Schools. During his 15 years in the position, Kenneth led the denomination to record gains in Sunday school enrollment. He was also a prolific author, writing Sunday school curriculum, articles for the Herald of Holiness (now Holiness Today), and several books, including Sunday School: The Edge, How Sunday Schools Grow, and The Department Supervisor.

While serving as secretary, Kenneth also taught Christian education courses at NTS.

In 1978, he became executive director of Adult Ministries, expanding the department to include eight ministries. After six years in the position, Kenneth retired to Winter Haven, Florida, before eventually returning to Oklahoma City.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of 73 years, Betty.

Funeral service information is pending. More information will be posted as it is made available. 

Prayer is requested for the Rice family.