Verne Ward

Verne Ward was elected director of Global Missions in 2012. He seeks to assist the church in accomplishing the mission of God through the denominational network by leading the global church to go where the church is not yet.

Verne and his wife, Natalie, began their ministry as missionaries in 1983 in the country of Papua New Guinea. They have seen the Lord faithfully direct, enable, and equip them for various ministry opportunities, giving guidance in their lives daily. Verne ministered in church development as district superintendent in Papua New Guinea and as field strategy coordinator for the Melanesia Field, including of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, East Timor, and Vanuatu. At the time of his election as Global Missions director, he was serving as director of the Asia-Pacific Region.

An ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, Verne has studied business administration, religion, and spiritual formation and holds a Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, and honorary doctorates from Northwest Nazarene University and Korea Nazarene University. 

Verne married Natalie, his high school sweetheart, in 1976. They have four children and 11 grandchildren.