Invitation

To all who are in distress and need comfort;

To all who are weary and need rest,

To all who are friendless and desire friendship,

To all who believe in God and wish to worship,

To all who hunger for prayer and wish to pray,

To all who know sin and need a Savior,

We would be happy to have you make this your home Church.  We are in this community to serve God through Christ, to minister and not to be ministered unto.

To all who are convinced that they ought to put first things first - this church opens its doors in the name of Jesus our Lord and for His sake bids you WELCOME!

Rev. Dr. James L. Peterson

 Get to know Pastor Jim,

Personal Background:

Pastor Jim has been married to Mona since March 5, 1982.  While traveling our country serving God, the family grew to include Kelly, age 20; Molly, age 17; and Jack, age 15. The family resides in Pilesgrove Township where Paster Jim is actively involved in coaching high school tennis for the girl's tennis team at Schalick High School.

Other coaching commitments for Pastor Peterson include Cumberland Regional High School boys tennis team and Sacred Heart High School girls tennis team.  Pastor Jim really knows how to keep in shape and we understand his serve is tremendous and his back stroke is performed with percision.  He is a USPTR certified Tennis Teaching Professional and works part-time giving lessons

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE. 

     Dr. James Peterson received his Doctorate in Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California in May 2003. He has two Masters degrees. 

     A Masters in Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Philadelphia Pennsylvania received May 1989 and a Master of Arts in Religion from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary was received December 1989. 

      Dr. Jim received his Bachelorof Arts in Psychology from Glassboro State College currently renamed as Rown University, Glassboro, New Jersey in May 1984.

MINISTRY TASKS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Completed construction of a $1.35 million sanctuary facility in 12 months at The Las Vegas First Church of the Nazarene.  Raised in pledges over $500,000 in a 100-week capital stewardship campaign designed and implemented in-house.  Collected over $500,000.

• Implemented the “Stephen Ministry” program to expand pastoral care providers allowing for continued quality care of congregational members as well as laying the foundation for meeting the needs of additional members.  Personally trained as a “Stephen Leader.” 

• Reduced church indebtedness at The Pensacola First Church of the Nazarene (PCN) from $244,000 to $44,000 in less than four years and increased church cash assets from $15,000 to $125,000. Raised $100,000 on Celebration Sunday to launch the PCN building program completing a sanctuary renovation project increasing seating capacity by 50 percent. 

• Started in Pensacola with no ministerial staff.  Hired a full-time associate pastor and part-time worship leader one-year prior to leaving which laid the groundwork for future growth and ministry expansion.  Average worship attendance during the last quarter of 1999 was 250+.

• Worked in all areas of ministry at The Richardson Church of the Nazarene including office management, budgeting, pastoral counseling, visitation, preaching and training seminars. 

• Implemented a two-year plan of church growth and development leading the Malaga United Methodist Church into full-time pastoral status.  Key elements included financial development, outreach events and one-on-one discipleship.

• Provided leadership training for the development of small groups aimed at effective outreach and discipleship in each church setting.

SPECIALIZED TRAINING:

Spirituality, Pastoral Counseling and Holiness

            “Spirituality and Ministry,” with Dr. Dallas Willard

            Doctor of Ministry Course at Fuller Theological Seminary

            “Pastoral Counseling as Soulmaking,” with Dr. David Augsburger

            Doctor of Ministry Course at Fuller Theological Seminary

            Conference on “Power and Purity” with Dr. Dennis Kinlaw

            Seminar on “Holiness of Heart and Life” with Dr. David Seamonds

            Graduate Work in Counseling Psychology at Temple University and Eastern Seminary

            Clinical Pastoral Education summer internship at the Delaware State Psychiatric Hospital

Church Growth Seminar Training

            “How to Break the 800 Barrier” with Carl George

            “How to Build a Purpose Driven Church” with Rick Warren

“How to Break the 200 Barrier” with C. Peter Wagner, John Maxwell, and Conrad Lowe

            “Implementing a Strategic Ministry Plan” with Dr. James Scott

“Small Group Ministry” Seminar with Dale Galloway

            “Church Growth with Integrity” Seminar with Dr. Bill Easum

Religious Experience:

1208 - 07/09

Ewan United Methodist Church

Ewan, New Jersey

Senior Pastor

1/07 – 11/08             

West Chester Nazarene Church

West Chester, Pennsylvania

Senior Pastor

9/04 – 12/06             

Various Interim Pastoral Assignments for the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene to include: New Egypt, Bridgeton, and Philadelphia First

5/99 – 9/04               

Las Vegas First Church of the Nazarene

Las Vegas, Nevada

Senior Pastor

2/95 – 5/99               

Pensacola First Church of the Nazarene

Cantonment, Florida

Senior Pastor

7/93 - 1/95                

Richardson Church of the Nazarene

Richardson, Texas – Associate Pastor/Christian Education and Administration

 (Ordained Elder upon arrival to the Dallas District, 8/93)

2/90 - 7/93                

Malaga United Methodist Church and Willow Grove United Methodist Church

Malaga, New Jersey 

Senior Pastor

Additional Ministry experience:

• Vineland Counseling Service, Pastoral Counselor, 1/87 - 3/89

• Delaware State Psychiatric Hospital, Chaplain Intern (CPE Program), 6/88 -8/88

• West Park United Methodist Church, Christian Life Coordinator, 4/85 - 9/86

• South Jersey Youth for Christ, Campus Life Club Director, 1/85 – 6/87

• Vineland Nazarene Church, Director of Youth Ministries, 9/83 - 3/85

On a More Personal Note:

Some challenges that our Bishop shared with us are...

Our churches are no longer to be defined as a "building"

Our churches are to be defined by how we treat people

Our congregations are to be agents of change in our communities

Our churches need to stop wasting precious time and get down to work

Our churches are not to hoard funds

Our churches need open minds, closed minds won't do God"s work

Our churches are called to serve as Jesus Christ served

Our people need to prepare for action and discipline ourselves

Our people need to set their hope on the grace of Jesus Christ