An Interview with Alumnus

Nathan Poetzl 3
COME A Life Journal Entry 4
PAUL
LEAVENWORTH 5
SMALL GROUPS 7-8
HOW TO GET INVOLVED

topspots 10-12
GOGREEN 13
NHCC
BEYOND EUGENE 14
 WORDS: JASON DERBY // PHOTO: GARY HISAOKA
Nathan Poetzl, Lead Pastor at New Life
Church and Alumnus of EBC.
How did you get to be in your current position?
I have been in my current position at New Life for
over seven years now, and previous to my time
here, I served on the staff of Faith Center in Eugene,
Oregon as the college pastor. The time spent at Faith
Center proved to be terrific training for my current
assignment. How did I get here? To be honest, at
times I wonder myself! Also, I would like to add that
right along with the training received at Faith Center,
I am extremely grateful for the academic training
I recieved at Eugene Bible College (EBC) and
Multnomah Seminary.

What are your ministry and main responsibilities?

Officially, I am the Lead Pastor here at New Life Church

in Everett, Washington. My primary roles include firstly,
being a disciple of Jesus; secondly, a husband to my
wife and thirdly, a father to our four children. At the
church, I am responsible for the ethos of New Life while
blazing the theological path of the church. I also provide
direct leadership to all the church’s pastors and staff.

What are some of the oppositions you face in

your role?

Jennie and I pastor a large and diverse church that is

over seventy years old. That being said, the seven
decades that New Life has been in existence provides
a terrific foundation to build upon, but at times it can
also provide many challenges. Keeping our message
unchanging and our methodology incarnational and
relevant is probably one of the biggest challenges we
face. Another challenge would be an ancient difficulty
that Jesus addressed over 2,000 years ago, “The harvest
is ready, the workers are few.” So finding and preparing
people to engage in our world always proves to be a
challenge. Also, a final challenge would be the financial
side of doing church. We have been blessed here at
New Life with a wonderful facility, but the challenge
is that it takes hundreds of thousands of dollars each
month to keep things moving forward.

“When we emulate Jesus and are What have you seen that “works” / “doesn’t

filled with both ‘grace and truth,’

work” when it comes to doing ministry for you
and your staff?
It works when we equip people to
do the ministry instead of relying One of the things that works best is when we balance our

on paid staff to do the ministry.” proclamation of the message of Jesus with carrying out
the mission of Jesus. It doesn’t work when we do one
without the other. It only works when we emulate Jesus
and are filled with both “grace” and “truth.” It works when
we equip people to do the ministry instead of relying on
paid staff to do the ministry.
 FACULTY LIFE JOURNAL

“I watched as the Lamb opened

the first of the seven seals. Then
I heard one of the four living
creatures say in a voice like
thunder, ‘Come!’...When the
Lamb opened the second seal, I
heard the second living creature
say, ‘Come!’...When the Lamb
opened the third seal, I heard the
third living creature say, ‘Come!’...
When the Lamb opened the fourth
seal, I heard the voice of the
fourth living creature say, ‘Come!’”

Revelation 6:1, 3, 5, 7

COME IS FOR ME; GOD OPENING THE

DOOR SO I CAN SEE, SO I CAN TRUST,
SO I CAN BELIEVE, SO I CAN ACT.

As John sees these futuristic events it
is preceded by “Come.” “Come” holds
the idea of opening a door and looking
in, seeing what you were unable to see
with the door closed. In this case, it is
evident that the spiritual realm is beyond
the door, outside of John’s view. John
is invited to come and see the revealed
truth of the Spirit. This event of John’s
sounds like Jesus inviting His followers
to, “Come unto Me...and I will give you
rest.” Were His followers unable to
see and know that Jesus could/would
give them rest? Were they unable to
see their need beyond the door of life?
“Come” not only carries the idea of
invitation, but also revelation. “Come”
is one of God’s favorite words. God
asks people to come because He
wants to give them what they can not
have or know without Him.
As a follower of Jesus, I have learned
to come to Him, but my human side
demands controlling who I am. So,
I come when I want, when I choose.
But God bids me come when I need.
“Come” is for my spirit, not my flesh.
To come at God’s request will give me
spiritual truth and guidance when my
spirit is weak. God asks me to come so
He can reveal Himself and I can be strong
in Him. “Come” is for me; God opening
the door so I can see, so I can trust, so I
can believe, so I can act.
Father, help me to come to You at Your
request. Help me to diminish my experience
and my knowledge, so I can hear You when
You say, “Come.” Help me to be a child
in obediently coming because my Father
knows what I need. Amen.
 SPOTLIGHT FACULTY

PAUL
LEAVENWORTH
Paul has been working with Aaron Friesen on filming and
formatting his workbook for the distance learning series.
He also teams with Wayne Cordeiro and Larry Powers
WORDS: COURTNEY TSUCHIYAMA on an evening class entitled, The Bible Centered Leader.
PHOTO : MICHAEL WILLIAMSON A proposal has been put in for Paul to teach two more
classes next fall entitled, The Spirit Empowered Leader
and Mentoring and Equipping.
“That we as staff and faculty can play a role in helping student
leaders develop the necessary foundation and competencies to When asked what God is calling this exceptional man to do
fulfill their unique calling and finish well in life.” That is the heart next, he answered, “I do not think I am ready for a rocking
of Paul Leavenworth; a module teacher here at New Hope. Dr. chair yet and would welcome any on going opportunity
Leavenworth is a teacher who flies in from Des Moines, Iowa to serve at NHCC or someplace where God’s precious
to teach module classes twice a month. A module class is a young leaders gather for growth and development as
class that is usually three credits but with 2-3 hour long classes world changers for Christ!”
five days for two weeks. The module classes Paul teaches are
focused on spiritual formation, discipleship and leadership and In his personal life, Paul is an avid fly fisherman who,
an occasional topical class on Christianity and Culture. between his work in Des Moines, Iowa, and here at
New Hope, travels around the country taking in the most
We believe we are truly blessed to have such a wise man who beautiful spots of God’s creation. He is in the process of
has heard God’s call for his life and is actively pursuing the creating a Fly Fishing Ministry/Group here at the school,
desires that God has put on his heart. Paul’s call is to “identify, so individuals can particiapte and fellowship in this sport
train, deploy, and support leaders for the Church and the soon he so passionatly enjoys.
coming harvest in North America.” He has been working with
this college for nearly twenty years and has always been a God has continually given Paul a place here at NHCC
teacher who has a heart for both it and its spiritually transforming to fulfill his heart’s desire and bless upcoming emerging
student body. leaders.
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WORDS: MICHAEL WILLIAMSON // PHOTOS: ANTHONY ARGUETA AND MICHAEL WILLIAMSON
GO GREEN CAMPUS

WORDS
RYAN BLUEBAUGH

The Ignite presents “going green” as a reminder to students to follow these simple
steps in helping our community save on costs and keep our beautiful campus green.

Turn off heaters when not in room.
Turn off lights when leaving.
Unplug personal devices when done.
Use less water (showers, brushing, etc.).
Use iPads over computers when possible.
Shut down computers and printers.
Go paperless...when possible.
Recycle more.
Drive less, walk more .
SPREAD THE WORD!
CAMPUS COHORT SITES