Church mourns the loss of former USA/Canada director
 Bill M. Sullivan, who served at Nazarene Headquarters for 23 years, including most recently as director of USA/Canada Mission/Evangelism, passed away this morning at his home in Olathe, Kansas.
Sullivan was diagnosed with cancer approximately two years ago. His condition recently deteriorated and he was surrounded by family and close friends in his final days. He passed away in the early morning hours of June 23 with his wife, Kiddy, and daughters Deb and Diann by his side.
Sullivan was a 1954 graduate of Bethany Nazarene College (now Southern Nazarene University), where he earned a B.A. in philosophy/religion. He earned a B.D. from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1957 for his studies on the New Testament, and an M.Div. from the same institution in 1971. In 1985, Sullivan earned a D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary for his work in church growth.
He was ordained on the Kansas City District in 1958 and served on the South Arkansas, Colorado, Northwest Oklahoma, North Carolina, and Kansas City districts. In 1980, he was named director of the Church of the Nazarene’s Church Growth Division, which is now known as USA/Canada Mission/Evangelism.
Upon Sullivan’s retirement in 2003, General Superintendent Jesse C. Middendorf offered a tribute to Sullivan on behalf of the Board of General Superintendents at the 80th Session of the General Board held in Nashville, Tennessee.
Alluding to Sullivan's “gentle Arkansas humor and personal warmth,” Middendorf commended Sullivan’s career achievements and personal passion for planting new churches.
“Sullivan's ministry will provide a lasting influence upon the Church of the Nazarene," the general superintendent stated. Middendorf also noted the valuable assistance provided Sullivan by his wife of more than 50 years, Kiddy.
Upon being called to the podium after the tribute for recognition, Sullivan responded to Middendorf’s acknowledgments by simply stating, “Planting new churches is the hope of the future for our denomination."
In what could be described as typical, self-effacing fashion, Sullivan offered his appreciation and thankfulness for all those who have accompanied him on his ministry journey.
After his retirement, Sullivan held seminars, served as a consultant to a variety of entities, and managed the www.200barrier.org
web site - a site to resource local churches committed to breaking the difficult 200-person size barrier in attendance. The site is in coordination with his book, New Perspectives on Breaking the 200 Barrier.
Among those surviving Sullivan are his wife, Kiddy, and daughters Deb King (Brad) and Diann Diehl (Don).
Daniel Vanderpool, senior associate pastor at the Olathe, Kansas College Church of the Nazarene, has informed NCN News visitation for Dr. Sullivan will be Monday, June 25 from 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at College Church. From 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. there will be a brief tribute presented in honor of Dr. Sullivan in the church’s Garrett Chapel.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 26 at 2:00 P.M. in the sanctuary of College Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Church of the Nazarene Foundation. Funds will be used to carry on Bill's passion for starting new churches and providing pastoral training. Donations should be made payable to Church of the Nazarene Foundation at 13795 S. Mur-Len Road, Suite 101, Olathe, KS 66062.
--NCN News, Olathe College Church of the Nazarene (Note: All times Central.) |
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