I had the privilege of attending the 2025 Academics in the Alps Conference (25–28 August). This year’s gathering was a deeply worshipful and engaging event, bringing together more than 100 participants from 22 countries. Held at Credo House in Switzerland, the conference blended inspiring worship, rich Bible study, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking plenary sessions. Each morning began with Bible studies under the theme Seeing Truth—How John Teaches Trust in Jesus. These sessions highlighted the distinctive teaching methods of the Gospel of John, showing how both content and form shape believers to place their trust in Christ more fully. The plenary talks challenged us to reflect on vital themes for Christian scholarship:

• Following Jesus as We Prepare the Soil – drawing on the Parable of the Soils to underline the importance of preparing minds and hearts before sowing the seed of the Gospel.
• Following Jesus in the Academy – exploring how teaching, research, and administration can all be undertaken to the glory of God.
• Following Jesus in the Face of Temptations – considering the particular temptations of academic life and God’s promise to provide strength and a way of endurance.
• Following Jesus in a Flat World – closing the conference with a call to live intentionally and passionately for Christ within the academic sphere.

A wide range of workshops provided space for dialogue across disciplines and contexts. Topics included the integration of faith and science, apologetics in a secular culture, digital leadership, mentoring, and the arts. Participants exchanged best practices, prayed for one another, and laid the foundations for future collaboration across national and disciplinary boundaries. I was also asked to take part in the programme by facilitating one of the theological sessions and by leading the Lord’s Supper in the closing celebration—both moments of deep encouragement and shared faith. Despite the remarkable success of this year’s conference and the importance of bringing together representatives from so many countries and disciplines, the organisers have not announced a date for the next event. Instead, they expressed a desire and readiness to invest in national networks, intending to empower local impact through stronger connections. It was deeply inspiring to see how many scholars, beyond the field of theological education, are committed to bearing witness to a genuinely evangelical faith within the academy. This encourages me to continue seeking ways to strengthen our training initiatives so that the whole people of God may be well prepared to share the Gospel wherever the Lord has called them to serve. At EuNC, that means to reaffirm our commitment to contextualised and flexible training, not only for future ministers but also for lay people, challenging us to remain attentive to the demands of the present while staying firmly rooted in our tradition to fulfil our mission of “Enabling Christlike Disciples for Ministry.

Rev. Dr. Matteo Ricciardi, Academic Dean

In June, Dr. Wolfgang Köhler (EuNC Chair for Cluster A, Bible), taught “Introduction to the Old Testament” for the EuNC Albania-Kosova Learning Centre. It was his second time teaching for the learning centre though more than ten years have passed since the first time. He was encouraged “to see how the Learning Centre has developed and to get to know the current students.” We have gathered voices from then enriching learning community experience.

“I was enriched to get to know their lifes and find out more about their ministry. The teaching commitment followed up on a trip to Greece, where I followed in the footsteps of Paul's second missionary journey. It is possible that Paul also visited Albania, even though it is unknown how this fits within his framework of missionary journeys presented in the book of Acts. Nevertheless, I felt closer to the biblical world by teaching the Old Testament in this place and engaging with the students. It was widening my horizon, and I hope it did the same for the students.” – Dr. Wolfgang Köhler, Faculty

“This course has helped my ability on interpreting the texts in the Old Testament on the historical Contexts and has deep my theological  understanding by encouraging a reading of the Scriptures that is more informed and contextualised.” - Pal, Student

“This course has helped me to get dipper on the context of the whole Old Testament and read it with more humble and the practical lents. One of the new things I have been more thankful is the love that I received to understand better the message of the prophets.”
Xhulio, Student

Convocation not only marks the start of a new academic year, it also reminds us of the new learners who are joining the EuNC family. For the 2024–2025 academic year, we are grateful to report encouraging growth:

• 112 new students admitted into EuNC’s accredited programmes (including 5 returning students).

• 20 new participants in Continuous Learning (CL),

This brings the total to 124 new learners engaged with EuNC during the year — among the highest in recent years. In addition, EuNC served 403 registered students in accredited studies and 157 participants in CL, with 187 accredited classes and 4 CL events offered across our 14 Learning Centres.

As Rector Mária Gusztinné Tulipán noted: “It’s truly encouraging to see that we’ve reached 112 new accredited programme students—even with 5 being returning students, this is a strong and hopeful sign. Adding the new CL participants makes this one of our most vibrant admission years in recent memory. Praise God for His continued work through EuNC!”

These numbers represent more than statistics: they are lives being equipped for Christlike leadership in local churches and beyond. We are deeply grateful for the prayers, faithful work, and generous support that make this growth possible.

When I look back on my years at EuNC, I realize just how deeply those six years shaped my life. Even twenty years later, I can say with confidence that they were among the most meaningful years I’ve lived—years that expanded my world in ways I could never have imagined.

Nestled in the idyllic village of Büsingen, our small campus welcomed students and visitors from across the globe. In any given year, we often had students from 18 to 20 countries, along with faculty, staff, and volunteers representing diverse backgrounds. Together, we formed a vibrant community of learning. Our shared bond in the Christian faith, and our connection to the Church of the Nazarene, united us. Yet, it was the richness of our cultural differences that made our community so extraordinary.

The impact of this small college in its quiet Swiss-German setting stretched far beyond its geographic size to include learning centers across the Eurasia Region. Over the years, I have had the joy of watching students go on to raise families, serve as pastors, leaders, and laypersons, and take up influential leadership roles both across the Eurasia Region and around the world. Many of them now guide EuNC’s learning centers in Europe as faculty and directors, continuing the cycle of service and growth.

The dedicated faculty, staff, and volunteers who gave themselves so generously created a dynamic environment for education and discipleship. Learning happened everywhere: in classrooms and chapels, yes, but also in dorm rooms, over coffee, in the dining hall, in the library, and while working side by side on the campus grounds. Our commitment to Jesus Christ was deepened and our vision for service in God’s Kingdom was enlarged while students simultaneously received excellent academic preparation.

Some of my fondest memories are of conversations with colleagues and friends—such as a recent visit with Antonie and Wilma Holleman—reflecting together on how much our lives were enriched by being part of this diverse Christian community. At the time, I knew the experience was valuable. Only with time and distance have I truly understood the profound ways it shaped my heart and mind.

Living in a multicultural setting gave me the gift of perspective. It allowed me to see myself more clearly—distinguishing what belonged to my own culture from what was a universal principle. Encountering people whose views and experiences differed from mine broadened my understanding and deepened my wisdom. I discovered new approaches to challenges, fresh ways of thinking, and better ways of listening and leading. Our shared faith created a foundation of trust that encouraged openness, curiosity, and genuine dialogue.

For me—and I believe for many others—EuNC was more than a college. It was a place of transformation. A place where faith, culture, and community intersected to shape lives in lasting ways. And it will always hold a special place in my heart because of the people I encountered there.

Dr. McGee holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Trevecca Nazarene University, an MBA from the University of Tennessee, and a Doctor of Arts in Economics from Middle Tennessee State University. Over the course of her career in higher education, Corlis has served in leadership and academic roles across several institutions. These include faculty member and department chair at Trevecca Nazarene University, Vice President of Academic Affairs at MidAmerica Nazarene University, Graduate Dean at Point Loma Nazarene University, Rector of European Nazarene College, and President of Eastern Nazarene College.

Rev. Dr. Wolfgang Köhler (EuNC Germany LC Coordinator)

On May 17, 2025, the EuNC Portugal Learning Centre (European Nazarene College - Centro de Estudos de Portugal) hosted a Ministerial Training Day at the Church of the Nazarene Comunidade Artos in Arrifana, under the theme “Servant Leadership and Pastoral Care.”

Rev. Dr. Leonel DeLeon, an international pastor and speaker with extensive academic and ministerial experience, led the session. He trains in seminaries, schools, and universities, has authored six books, and currently serves as the dean of students at the ENTE (Educación Nazarena Teológica Especializada) ministerial programme in the United States and Canada.

The content focused on servant leadership in ministry, drawing on the example of Jesus. It highlighted the importance of reclaiming the biblical model of leadership and discovering relevant and contextualised ways to communicate the Gospel today, while maintaining fidelity to the biblical message.

51 participants from 9 churches attended, along with the District Superintendent and Field Strategic Coordinator.

The training arose as a response to a survey conducted the previous year among the district’s pastors, which identified priority themes for ministerial development. This initiative aimed to support the district’s vision with a pastoral and practical proposal, empowering ministers and laypeople to faithfully exercise their vocation and mission in the body of Christ.

Rev. Dr. Matteo Ricciardi (EuNC Portugal LC Coordinator)

The EuNC Spain Learning Centre and the Spain District of the Church of the Nazarene held a community retreat on the weekend of 23-25 May. The purpose of the gathering was for faculty, students, mentors, alumni and members of the district to foster and develop relationships and connections with each other and with church leaders.

40 participants took time to slow down, reflect, listen to God and live together as one learning community. Special guests were the Spain District Superintendent as well as the Coordinator for the EuNC Italy Learning Centre and the EuNC Portugal Learning Centre. The event marked another important step in the personal and spiritual development of our students.

Rev. Dr. Fernando Almeida, EuNC Spain LC Coordinator

Thank you, clergy, for your ministry! We are grateful for the way you serve, the time you spend, the heart and effort that you invest! This word of encouragement, brought by EuNC the Netherlands Learning Centre Administrator Rev. Wilma Holleman during Clergy Appreciation Month, is for you!