Nazarene Theological Seminary elected a new president, but the president-elect was asked to delay his or her response.

The NTS Board of Trustees elected the new president during a meeting Thursday, said Board Chair and Kansas City District Superintendent Jeren Rowell in a statement.

"Following the search process adopted by the board in April, the president-elect was asked to suspend response until after opportunity to meet with the board and the faculty within the next 30 days," Rowell said. "The board designed the process in this way to afford the president-elect maximum opportunity for careful discernment in the consideration of this call.

"Announcement of the new president will follow immediately upon formal acceptance of the election."

In April, after more than a decade of exemplary service as president of the seminary, Ron Benefiel announced his resignation.

Benefiel, who had served as NTS president since July 2000, said his wife, Janet, had recently been diagnosed with cancer. As a result, they decided it was necessary to move back to Southern California to be near their children and family. Benefiel accepted an appointment as dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry at Point Loma Nazarene University, effective July 1.

Benefiel's tenure as NTS president ends June 30.