PALCON 2024

FILIMÃO CHAMBO is a general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene. At the time of his election in 2017 he was director of the Africa Region where he previously had served as regional education coordinator. Born in Mozambique, his father and mother served in full-time ministry for the Church of the Nazarene, and at age 17 God called Fili to full-time ministry. He is a graduate of Seminário Nazareno em Mozambique (Diploma in Theology), Nazarene Theological College, South Africa (BTh), and the University of Johannesburg (MA and PhD in Biblical Studies). He served as a pastor in South Africa and Mozambique, and as president of Seminário Nazareno em Mozambique. Fili is married to Samantha, who is also an ordained elder. They have two children: a daughter, Tsakani Gabriella; and a son, Emanuel.

CHRIS ADAMS, grew up in a music ministry family in the Nashville area and is a third-generation pastor’s kid. He is an ordained elder and served in full-time music ministry for several years after graduating from Trevecca Nazarene University in 1993, and later as associate pastor at Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene. He also provided pastoral care to missionary families for Nazarene World Mission while completing doctoral work at Fuller Theological Seminary. Chris is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Mental Health and the Church Initiative at Rosemead Graduate School of Psychology, Biola University, and teaches ministry leadership and pastoral care/counseling courses for several seminaries. A clinical psychologist, Chris is a consultant to a number of denominations and seminaries in the areas of clergy candidate assessment, clergy health, and pastoral leadership formation, and is a consultant, researcher, and writer with the Duke Clergy Health Initiative and the Flourishing in Ministry project. He is a frequent lecturer at seminaries, retreats, and conferences. Chris enjoys music (especially jazz), tennis, pickleball, coaching soccer, scuba diving, and playing with his two kids. He and his wife, Lori, live in Sierra Madre, California.

KATHY MOWRY is Professor of Intercultural Studies and Christian Education at Trevecca Nazarene University, where she holds the J.B. Elizer Chair in Christian Ministry. Before coming to the university in 2007, she served in urban and global mission assignments, including an 11-year tenure in Russia and Ukraine, where she directed pastoral theological education across the countries of the former Soviet Union. Before this, she served in pastoral roles in urban, multicultural churches in Los Angeles and as director of graduate programs at the Bresee Institute for Urban Training. She holds a master’s degree from Wheaton College Graduate School and, from Fuller Theological Seminary, a master’s and PhD. Both Kathy and her husband Jon are ordained elders in the Church of the Nazarene. They make their home in Nashville, Tennessee, where Jon is deeply involved in ministry to the homeless population.

ANDREW ROOT is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, USA. He writes and researches in areas of theology, ministry, culture and younger generations. His most recent books are Churches and the Crisis of Decline (Baker, 2022), The Congregation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2021), The End of Youth Ministry? (Baker, 2020), The Pastor in a Secular Age: Ministry to People Who No Longer Need God (Baker, 2019), Faith Formation in a Secular Age (Baker, 2017), and Exploding Stars, Dead Dinosaurs, and Zombies: Youth Ministry in the Age of Science (Fortress Press, 2018).

AUSTIN LASH, is a passionate follower of God with a heart for worship. Born and raised in the Chicagoland area, he is the youngest of three boys and an unapologetic Chicago fan. Austin grew up in a musical family and has traveled/toured around the world, singing about the gospel since he was 11. He initially felt the call to ministry at 13 and later graduated from Cornerstone University with a Business Administration degree and a Music Minor with an emphasis in Worship. Austin has served in worship ministry for four years. In his free time, he loves to travel, hang out with friends, and create music with others.