Over 500 videos were filmed at the Global Ministry Center of the Church of the Nazarene in Lenexa, Kansas, from 29 July – 8 August. Roughly 60 people from around the United States and Canada traveled to Lenexa over those 10 days to participate in an extensive revamp of the Course of Study’s modular education program for the USA/Canada Region.

The process leading up to the filming was over two years long, according to USA/Canada Region Education Coordinator Samantha Chambo. The current modular courses are 25 years old, and according to Chambo, there were no regulations to ensure the quality of the education delivered.

“We wanted a new, updated Course of Study that was rich and relevant but also had more control systems around it,” Chambo said.

Chambo joined later in the program development process, which the late Dan Copp, former director of Global Education and Clergy Development, initially spearheaded. Three people were assigned to develop more than 20 separate courses, leading to roughly 60 individuals from diverse backgrounds developing the non-degree Course of Study track.

Once the course development was complete, accommodations were arranged for the group’s travel, stay, and food during the filming. The group was split into various teams that recorded for three days at a time at the GMC. A total of 12 different studio rooms, three of which were set up for three-person panel discussions, were used for the filming.

Caleb Gerdes, technical director at Northwest Nazarene University, led a team of 12 different producers. Panopto, a video program designed to record and capture lecture videos at Trevecca Nazarene University, allowed for quick video capture and editing led by Drew Clausing, senior instructional designer at Trevecca Nazarene University. 

A team from the Global Communications office helped set up equipment, provided troubleshooting on-site, and ensured the quality of the recordings. The Global Ministry Center’s transportation department helped with airport and hotel pick-up and drop-off.

“Getting something like that pulled off takes a big team,” Chambo said. “And the people’s attitudes, spirit, and enthusiasm encouraged me.”

The Modular Course of Study is designed to be offered at a district level for people whose lifestyles and contexts do not allow for enrollment in a traditional undergraduate program to complete the Course of Study.

“By just having this one system, we are hoping to significantly simplify the road to ordination for people on the non-degree track,” Chambo said.

It will also provide a level of consistency in how the courses are delivered and in their quality.

“We are trying to simplify but also make sure that all the students, at every level, get a good, quality education that will prepare them well for ministry,” Chambo said.

The new modular Course of Study is targeted for release in mid-2025.