EMMA SWANK
I’m Emma, and I'm passionate about the places where Earth intersects with the Kingdom of Heaven (which I believe, by the power of the Spirit, can be everywhere!) I’ve served in churches of varying sizes and cultures throughout my ministerial journey. I received my first District License with the Church of the Nazarene through Euclid Nazarene in Boise, Idaho, where I served as an associate pastor and worship leader for just under three years. In June of 2024, my wonderful husband Levi and I moved to Tumwater, Washington, so I could begin my role as a Resident Pastor with Mountain View Church of the Nazarene.
I was one of two students who helped NNU begin their Residency Program in their College of Theology and Christian Ministries, and I was the first resident sent by NNU. One of the components of this program is that Resident Pastors will spend two years at a church after their junior year, finishing their Bachelor of Arts degree and beginning their Master of Arts degree, while working full-time in a variety of different ministry areas to best prepare them for success after graduation. As my second year as a Resident Pastor ends in June, my desire is to join a church in full-time ministry where lives can be transformed as individuals and as a community.
I believe in journeying with God’s people to worship well on Sundays and to partner with God in bringing about the Kingdom of God from Monday to Saturday. I believe that God is already present in every situation, and we’re called to notice the work that God is doing and follow the call of joining that work. Because of this philosophy, I’m passionate about things like missions, community involvement, and living our lives as prayer to our Creator. I love journeying with God’s people and affirming the ways that they’ve been gifted as individuals and as groups; in doing so, my desire is that they would go out into the world as sent people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, who can rest in the love of God and cause others to be transformed by that same love.
ABOUT ME
passion areas
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I love studying and exegeting passages of Scripture to discover the truth that they hold for local contexts. I get energized when I’m able to interact with the congregation in creative and transformative ways.
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My teaching style tends to be discussion-focused. I love walking with participants on their faith journey, engaging with theological truths in a way that is often not possible in large-group settings, and watching the passion of discovering new things be ignited as participants discover what God wants to reveal to them!
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One of my greatest joys is connecting with guests who are new to the church, to the denomination, or to faith. I love showing hospitality to those who may be wary of a new environment, whether that be through showing that I’m interested in them as individuals in conversations, writing letters, connecting them with life-giving groups and ministries, or other ways that I can be creative in caring for guests!
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I believe strongly that the Church should be in proximity to our neighbors, both in the church walls and outside of it. I have a holistic view of missions and love participating with the Church to help meet tangible needs (physical, spiritual, or otherwise) in dignifying, sustainable ways. I also love proving to our neighbors outside our walls that we have their best interest in mind, and the church doesn’t need to be a place that causes anxiety!
developing skills
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I’ve led music teams in multiple contexts, from Euclid’s Sunday morning team to Mountain View’s youth group music team to collaborating on music teams from the time I was twelve. In the youth group, I also preached often and led different aspects of the service. I’ve taught a variety of topics during Sunday morning classes, as well as leading a college-aged small group.
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I’ve collaborated with our staff to plan events for up to 400 people, from kids’ ministry events to youth group parties to church socials and more. This has included budgeting, gathering materials, recruiting and delegating volunteers, and providing leadership during the event’s set-up, duration, and clean-up. I also regularly participate in many different kinds of meetings, from NDI to board meetings to council meetings for our 55+ group. Since June of 2024, I’ve also coordinated Mountain View’s communion servers and anointing prayer hosts for Sunday mornings (10 per week).
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I’m proficient in Microsoft Programs and Planning Center, and I have a little experience in Photoshop and Canva to create graphic designs and promotional materials. I’ve created worship slides using ProPresenter, mixed our livestream audio for services, and operated livestream cameras (both as a camera operator and as a livestream producer). I have a little experience in social media and website design (and, in fact, I created this page!)
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I love using any opportunity I can get to learn and grow, and one of the greatest ways that I’ve been formed has been through theological and spiritually formative literature. Some of the books that have greatly shaped my philosophy of ministry are “Practicing the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence and “Liturgy of the Ordinary” by Tish Harrison Warren. Some of the books that have challenged and formed my theology are “God Without Being” by Jean-Luc Marion, “Misreading Scripture With Western Eyes” by E. Randolph Richards and Brandon J. O’Brien, and “Night” by Elie Wiesel. Some of the books that I’m currently reading are “Let Your Life Speak” by Parker Palmer and “Abuelita Faith” by Kat Armas.
sunday worship leading
Here are some sermons preached at different churches, as well as some songs led!
References
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Co-Lead Pastor at Mountain View Church of the Nazarene
Tumwater, Washington
Email: sjohnson@mvcnlife.org
Phone: (360) 943-0795
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Co-Lead Pastor at Mountain View Church of the Nazarene
Tumwater, Washington
Email: cjohnson@mvcnlife.org
Phone: (360) 943-0795
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Lead Pastor at Euclid Church of the Nazarene
Boise, Idaho
Email: sbartolome@nnu.edu
Phone: (208) 907-5619
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Professor of Youth & Family Ministries at NNU
Nampa, Idaho
Email: makipp@nnu.edu
Phone: (208) 467-8759
Contact me
eswank@mvcnlife.org
(208) 550-2376
6628 Littlerock Rd SW
Tumwater, WA 98512