Preacher of Year at SPU

Nuesh-Olver honored by Nazarene seminary

By ANDY SCOTT, News Writer

Published: April 12, 2006

SPU's own Dr. Delia Nuesch-Olver was named 2006 Preacher of the Year last week by the Nazarene Theological Seminary in a week-long event honoring her achievements.

Nuesch-Olver, associate professor of global and urban ministry, traveled to St. Louis, Mo., to accept the award and spoke in community chapels through the week.

The award is granted every year within the seminary, and to a pastor outside the Nazarene denomination every two years. Nuesch-Olver is only the second Free Methodist pastor to win the award.

Nuesch-Olver said she appreciated the time in St. Louis because it showed recognition different than what she receives at SPU.

"They celebrated who I am as a woman of God, and that does not get shown in the same way here," she said. "At SPU it's different, preparing lectures instead of sermons. It's a piece of me that most people at SPU didn't know existed."

Nuesch-Olver has taught at SPU for eight years, and is an ordained minister with the Free Methodist Church.

She said she was honored they chose her, and that her time at the seminary helped her connect with different students.

"I knew one person who received the award 15 years ago, so I know the caliber of people they recognize," she said.

Nuesch-Olver said the seminary contacted her last year about the award, giving her time to pray and reflect on what she would preach about.

Dr. Andy Johnson, professor of New Testament at Nazarene Theological Seminary said that Nuesch-Olver was chosen because she was well known among the faculty.

"Every year we acknowledge someone who has pastoral experience to offer in the service to students," he said. "Delia's name came up."

Johnson said Nuesch-Olver preached three times during the week, including a special chapel in which she was keynote speaker. She also spent 11 hours at the Tuesday meeting with students, particularly women who wanted to go into ministry.

"She's particularly good at answering questions from students about ministry," Johnson said. "She embodies qualities of pastoral experience, and her name rose to the top of our list."

Dr. Kevin Bolding, associate professor of electrical engineering, attends Nuesch-Olver's church in Rainier Valley and said he has been able to listen to her preach on numerous occasions.

"She's dynamic, very spirit-filled and very encouraging," he said. "When she's preaching she helps move you closer to God."

Bolding said he has been a member of Rainier Avenue Church for seven years, where Nuesch-Olver's husband, Paul Olver, is senior pastor.

"I love to hear her pray," he said. "She leads prayer well, and she's always involved in the church."

Sophomore Emily Hoffmann has taken two classes with Nuesch-Olver and said Nuesch-Olver is always involved in students' lives, helping students see new perspectives.

"She's really honest with her students and herself, and she's really encouraging," Hoffmann said. "I had a pretty hard quarter when I took her class, and she prayed for me and checked up on me."

Dr. Bob Drovdahl, professor of educational ministry, said that the award is confirmation that Nuesch-Olver's preaching is a blessing and said it confirms the School of Theology's work as a blessing.

"We all want to bask in her light," he said. "This is an individual honor, but we get some secondary benefit; it's good guilt by association."

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