Over 500 videos were filmed at the Global Ministry Center of the Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, from 29 July – 8 August. Roughly 60 people from around the United States and Canada traveled to Lenexa over those 10 days to participate in an extensive revamp of the Modular Course of Study, a non-degree video-based program for the USA/Canada Region.

The process leading up to the filming was over two years long, according to USA/Canada Region Education Coordinator Samantha Chambo. The current modular courses were outdated, and Chambo says they hope to strengthen the regulations in order to ensure the quality of the education.

“We wanted a new, updated modular Course of Study that was rich and relevant but also had more control systems around it,” Chambo said.

Chambo joined later in the program development process, which the late Dan Copp, former director of Global Education and Clergy Development, initially spearheaded. Three people were assigned to develop one of the 21 separate courses, leading to roughly 60 individuals from diverse backgrounds developing the non-degree Course of Study track.

Once the course development was complete, accommodations were arranged for the group’s travel, stay, and food during the filming. The group was split into various teams that recorded for three days at a time at the GMC. A total of 12 different studio rooms, three of which were set up for three-person panel discussions, were used for the filming.

Caleb Gerdes, technical director at Northwest Nazarene University, led a team of 12 different producers. The team utilized Trevecca Nazarene University's Panopto subscription, a video program designed to record and capture lecture videos, which allowed for quick video capture and editing led by Drew Clausing, senior instructional designer at Trevecca Nazarene University. 

A team from the Global Communications office helped set up equipment, provided troubleshooting on-site, and ensured the quality of the recordings. The Global Ministry Center’s transportation department helped with airport and hotel pick-up and drop-off.

“Getting something like that pulled off takes a big team,” Chambo said. “And the people’s attitudes, spirit, and enthusiasm encouraged me.”

The Modular Course of Study is designed to be offered for people whose lifestyles and contexts do not allow them to enroll in a traditional undergraduate program to complete the Course of Study for ordination.

“We are hoping to significantly simplify the road to ordination for people on the non-degree track,” Chambo said.

It will also provide a level of consistency in how the courses are delivered and in their quality.

“We are trying to simplify but also make sure that all the students, at every level, get a good, quality education that will prepare them well for ministry,” Chambo said.

The new Modular Course of Study is targeted for release in mid-2025.