Welcome
Our Mission
The Elkhart Church of the Nazarene was established in 1913 and has been at its current location since 1927. Nazarenes believe that God calls Christians to a life of holy living that is marked by an act of God, cleansing the heart from original sin and filling the individual with love for God and humankind. As a global community of faith, we are commissioned to take the Good News of life in Jesus Christ to people everywhere and to spread the message of scriptural holiness across the lands.
Faith Verse
Philippians 2:12-15 " Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed-- not only in my presence, buy now much more in my absence-- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become, blameless, and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and deprave generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe"
meet our pastor
I'm a proud native of rural Kansas and grew up in the small town of Stafford. I spend all of my school years there and was what many would call as "bus kid" at Stafford Nazarene Church.
Some of my earliest experiences of God's love came from the incredible women who led our Children's Church. Their care for me and my five brothers left a lasting impact on my life, and I'll always be grateful for their faithful example.
After high school, I attended MidAmerica Nazarene University, where I earned a degree in Physical Education. More importantly, its where I meet my amazing wife, Jolene. We begun our life together and now have four wonderful children: Raelee Espinosa (and her husband Damian, along with our grandchildren Eliseo and Riella), Josie Hall (and her husband Adam), Roberto Adreono Ibarra, and Emilio Ibarra.
Later in life, I felt the Lord calling me into full-time ministry, I returned to school and earned a degree in Ministerial Studies from Nazarene Bible College. Over the past 13 years, I've had the honor of pastoring and serving in various ministries--working with children, youth, and adults. No matter the age or stage, my passion is the same: to see the church be the hands and feet of Jesus in the community-- reaching out with love, compassion, and hope.
One verse that continues to guide my heart and ministry is Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
I believe that when we live out this calling, we reflect the very heart of God to a world that desperately needs Him.