Caribbean Nazarene College inaugurates 11th president
Caribbean Nazarene College inaugurated Anthony Manswell as its 11th president during a service in the CNC Chapel. The college is the primary educational institution for the Church of the Nazarene in the English-speaking Caribbean.
Manswell was elected May 24 with an overwhelming majority vote by the CNC Board of Trustees. He assumed the role June 1. The inauguration service confirmed the support and encouragement of the constituents and the international church.
Manswell's immediate family was in attendance, including his wife, Barbara, and children, Kenrick, Kavanah, Jayedon, and Jerrick. Several brothers and their families were present while other relatives watched through the live stream. In his inaugural speech, Anthony mentioned the tremendous impact that his father has had on his spiritual, character, emotional, and physical development. Unfortunately, he was not able to attend as he is currently in the USA.
English Field Strategy Coordinator Alphonso Porter chaired the service and prayed for peace, power, and the presence of the Holy Spirit and for Manswell to fulfill all that God was leading him to do at CNC. Mesoamerica Regional Education Coordinator Ruben Fernandez and Church of the Nazarene Education Commissioner Dan Copp gave words of greeting, encouragement, and challenge. Former CNC President Scoffield Eversley and his wife, Margaret, were also there to pray, support, congratulate, and pass on the Presidential Medallion.
Manswell outlined four aspects of his vision for the college: educational personal convictions, progressive educational perspective, viable educational provider, and sustained educational prospective.
He also highlighted the college's spiritual development.
"We must not remove the ancient landmarks," Manswell said. "We are not a secular institution. We offer holistic education. And we do that in a Christian environment, unashamedly. Note our steeple up at the main building; it stands for everything Christian!"
His vision for CNC to become Caribbean Nazarene University was met with immediate, thunderous applause.
Manswell's speech challenged all those in attendance to support, contribute, and continue to pray that God would accomplish His purpose for CNC.
"CNC must engage its students and graduates and faculty and staff in being lifelong learners," he said. "CNC's graduates must be world leaders and world changers. I have never known Nazarenes and Christians to settle for mediocrity in service, ministry, and educational pursuits. Our people must continue to have a place where quality education in various disciplines is taught with truth. These disciplines must be seen as having capacity to meet service demands within the church and society."
--Caribbean Nazarene College