Ron Benefiel accepted his election as dean of Point Loma Nazarene University's School of Theology and Christian Ministry, effective July 1.

Benefiel and his wife, Janet, are moving back to San Diego from Kansas City, where Benefiel served as president of Nazarene Theological Seminary for the past 11 years. The move back to Point Loma is a "homecoming" for Benefiel as he served on the university faculty before being elected president of NTS. Janet's ongoing treatment for cancer is part of the reason for their return, as it will allow them to be closer to their three children who live in San Diego. The Benefiels' daughters, Leanne and Robyn, are Point Loma alumni. Their son, Tim, is a current student. 

"In returning to PLNU, I am thankful for the opportunity to be faithful as a Christian educator to this generation of students as so many have been faithful to me," Benefiel said. "My first priority will be to re-engage the PLNU community. I plan to do a lot of listening in my first few months."

Under Benefiel's presidency, NTS became a "missional seminary serving a missional church." The school expanded its focus globally and offered courses in new formats, including online and video conferencing. This past year, the seminary developed collaborative partnerships, providing NTS coursework at several Nazarene college campuses.

As a Point Loma professor from 1996 to 2000, Benefiel cofounded and co-pastored Mid City Church of the Nazarene with John Wright and David Whitelaw. Mid City is now a thriving multi-congregational church.

From 1982 to 1996, Benefiel served as pastor of the First Church of the Nazarene in Los Angeles, a multi-congregational church. He also founded and served as the executive director of the P.F. Bresee Foundation, a nonprofit community center in Los Angeles's Mid-Wilshire district.

Benefiel has a passion for serving his community, and his name is highly respected within the Church of the Nazarene. Over the past 40 years, he has served the denomination on numerous councils and boards related to education, research, and youth ministry. His work in the community has included serving on the board of directors of the Kansas City Urban Youth Center and of rescue missions in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Kansas City.  

Benefiel received his bachelor of arts, master of arts, and an honorary doctor of letters degree from Point Loma. He earned his doctorate in sociology from the University of Southern California. 
--Point Loma Nazarene University