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Ministerial
Candidates

& DBMD

District Board of Ministerial Development

Hundreds of people are being called to serve the Kingdom as ministers of the Gospel. Many of them are second-career, non-traditional students in the Northwest District who are looking for accessible ways to complete their educational requirements. 

DBMD FORMS

Recommendation Form

Have your local church board complete the form.

Fillable
PDF

DBMD #1

Initial Questionnaire

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Fillable
PDF

DBMD #2

Initial Reference Form

Have 4 people complete the form.

Fillable
PDF

Register with TWCHub

This is where you can look up pastor contact information and access your transcripts to see what classes are needed.  

Register
Login

Background Check

Each candidate has to complete a background check. If you don't have a recent one with your local church, complete the form below.

Fillable
PDF

DBMD #3

This form is to be completed annually once you're scheduled for your annual DBMD interview.

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Fillable
PDF

Student Resources

Updated 2025 Resources

Sometimes the pathway to credentialing can feel confusing and unclear. We've provided you with the resources below to help equip you and make the process clear. For questions email info@northwestdistrict.org.

The Candidate Process

Whether you want to pursue Permanent Licensed Minister status or Ordination, complete the initial steps below.

Initial Candidate Steps

1. Complete Initial Forms.

  • ​Complete DBMD #1.

  • Have 4 people complete DBMD #2 reference form.

  • Complete a background check.

  • Submit a picture of yourself so the DBMD can put a face with your name.

  • Initial interview with the DBMD.

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Completed forms can be submitted to the District Office.

Info@northwestdistrict.org

Or mailed to The Northwest District 
721 26th St W, Williston, ND 58801

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2. Register with the Education and Clergy Development (ECD)

Click HERE to enroll. Once you enroll, TWCHub is where you can look up pastor contact information and access your transcripts to see what classes are needed.  

3. Submit your transcripts

Courses from accredited institutions or denominational course of study programs may be used to grant credit for ordination requirements. Have your official transcripts emailed to education@wesleyan.org or mailed to: Education and Clergy Development, 13300 Olio Rd., Fishers, IN 46031. They require the first and last submissions from an institution to be official transcripts, directly from the school. While attending, periodic submissions may be unofficial, sent by the student. Credits will be posted on ministerial preparation transcripts and can be viewed online at your record in the Student Portal.

 

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Ongoing  Credentialing Process

  • Submit your Annual Service Report (ASR).

  • Annual interview with the DBMD. 

  • Complete DBMD #3 annually.

Supervised Ministry Credit

  • All ordination candidates must have some form of supervised ministry credit. Satisfy at least one of the options below to earn ministry credit.​

  • The Northwest District now offers a self-paced Supervised Ministry experience for FREE! 

  • Complete a Supervised Ministry course through a Wesleyan University or Approved Seminary as part of an academic program.

    • Complete a Supervised Ministry course through Kingswood Extended

    • Submit for equivalent experience by assessment to Kingswood Extended

Pathways to Ministry

Ministerial students will find that they have several options to complete requirements for credentials including attending one of our Wesleyan Colleges/Universities, approved seminaries, FLAMA, district extension, Kingswood Extended, or Cross Training courses. Hundreds of people are being called to serve the Kingdom as ministers of the Gospel. Many of them are second-career, non-traditional students who are looking for accessible ways to complete their educational requirements. This page explores several pathways available to complete your academic training for credentialing in The Wesleyan Church.

FIND YOUR PATHWAY

 

Degree Pathways

  • These Education Pathways are approved to meet education requirements for the respective Credential Pathways in The Wesleyan Church.  Approved education pathways must include Wesleyan History & Discipline and Doctrine of Holiness course electives if they are not already included in the program requirements.

 

Non-Degree Pathways

  • There are several non-degree course options you may choose from to fulfill educational requirements for licensing/ ordination in The Wesleyan Church.

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Residency Offerings

Residencies can be a powerful addition to the ministry preparation process, and help provide valuable real-world experience to developing ministers of the Gospel. If you are looking for a residency to add to your development, we highly recommend the programs below.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DBMD INFORMATION

2. Complete the Ordination Application

Submit this form to your point-of-contact with the DBMD.

3. Send the DBMD your Basic Bio Information

4. Schedule and Complete an Ordination Interview

If married, your spouse is expected to be at the interview

1. Collect Ordination Reference Forms your leadership

Send the ​form below to all four (4) of these individuals for them to provide an evaluation of your readiness for ordination:

  • The District Superintendent

  • Your Senior Pastor

  • Your Local Board's Vice-Chair

  • A Local Board member

Ordinations & Transfers

If you're completing your process toward ordination as a minister of the Wesleyan Church, congratulations! The guidance below will help you take the necessary final steps toward ordination.

If you are transferring to the Northwest District, or to the Wesleyan Church, we recently updated our transfer process. Please follow the instructions in the link below. 

  • Ministerial Students that are requesting a transfer: Email the sending district, receiving district and emailing requesting to be transferred. Include where you're moving, your new address, the church you are transferring to and your new staff position, if applicable. 

Committees

The Northwest District of the Wesleyan Church is blessed to have many seasoned, wise, and tenured men and women serving in the development of new ministers of the Gospel. These important roles ensure a sound ministerial development process for tomorrow's pastors.

ORDINATION COUNCIL

Chairman Rev. Marc Sundstrom  |  Rev. Cheryl Arguello  |  Melodie DeVel  |  Rev. Todd Lynch  |  Rev. Wayne Mueller  |  Rev. David Rannabargar  |  Rev. Jessica Schmerse  |  Rev. Bob Solon

CHAIRMAN

Katy Kinnan 

Rev. Bob Solon - Chairman (2026)

Rev. Chopper Brown (2026), Melodie DeVel (2027)  |  Mitchell Jenkins (2027)  |  Rev. Jennifer Tillman (2028)  |  John Thomas (2027)

Rev. Todd Lynch - Chairman (2028)

Rev. Cheryl Arguello (2028)  |   Rev. Jamie Groneberg (2027)  |  Stephen Martin (2028)  |  Joanna Shulaw (2026)

Rev. Marc Sundstrom - Chairman (2028)

Renee Berg (2028)  |  Reed DeVries (2027)  |  Rev. Serenity Miller (2028)  |  Rev. Mandi Smith (2026)  |  Rev. Steph Tague (2028)

Rev. Jessica Schmerse - Chairman (2028)

Rev. Mike Cline (2028)  |  Chris Hayes (2027)  |  Rev. Malloree Norris (2028)  |  Rev. David Rannabargar (2027)  |  Pam Woods (2026)

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