General Superintendent David W. Graves announced the election of Robert Mahaffey as superintendent of the Southwestern Ohio District. 

Elected July 19 on the seventh ballot, Mahaffey replaces Douglas Van Nest, who served in the position for nine years. 

Mahaffey currently pastors the West Chester, Ohio, Church of the Nazarene, where he lives with his wife, Elaine. He will begin his new assignment August 19.

"Elaine and I are honored to be asked to serve in the important role of district superintendent for our home district," Robert said. "While not seeking this office, we will do our best to shepherd and lead the churches and pastors of Southwestern Ohio. We follow a great legacy of leaders — Harold Graves, Carlton Hansen, and Doug Van Nest. We will seek the wisdom of our Lord and give energy to this challenge. We look forward to experiencing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in every activity of this district. To live in the center of God’s will is the best place to be — we experienced that in staff ministry as a lead pastor and trust the same in this new calling."

After serving as a youth pastor for five years at Springdale Church of the Nazarene in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mahaffey accepted his first pastorate at Arlington, Texas, First Church of the Nazarene in 1989. Seven years later, he moved to Grace Church of the Nazarene in Nashville, Tennessee, serving for five years before moving back to Ohio. Mahaffey has served as a trustee at Mount Vernon Nazarene University for more than 20 years and is currently vice chair of its Executive Committee.

Mahaffey graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene College in 1974 with an Associate of Arts degree and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in communications from Ohio University. He earned a Master of Ministry degree from Cincinnati Christian Seminary in 1989, a master's degree from Southern Nazarene University in 1994, and a Doctor of Ministry from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 2001.