The Florida District elected Dale Schaeffer 3 May as its next superintendent. Schaeffer currently serves as the lead pastor at Medford First Church of the Nazarene in Oregon, a position he has held since 2013.

Schaeffer’s new assignment will be effective 3 June. He replaces Larry Dennis, who is retiring after serving in Florida as district superintendent since 2000.

“The state of Florida is one of the most diverse and fastest growing states on the USA/Canada Region,” Schaeffer said. “We desperately need Spirit-filled women and men empowered and equipped to fulfill the mandate of Jesus to make disciples as we seek to plant the holiness message of new life in Christ in every town, city, village and neighborhood on the Florida District.”

Prior to moving to Oregon, Schaeffer served as the founding and lead pastor of BridgeWay Community Church of the Nazarene in Pekin, Illinois. Since the launch of BridgeWay in 2005, the church has grown from an initial gathering of 17 to more than 700, launched a church planter residency, and planted several churches.

Schaeffer previously served in youth ministry and evangelism in two different church plants in the Kansas City area.

In addition to leading Medford First, Schaeffer serves as a church planting coach and works closely with prospective and current church planters.

Dale and his wife, Steph, currently reside in Medford, Oregon.