PALCON 2022

FILIMÃO CHAMBO is a general superintendent of the Church of the Nazarene. At the time of his election in 2017 he was director of the Africa Region where he previously had served as regional education coordinator. Born in Mozambique, his father and mother served in full-time ministry for the Church of the Nazarene, and at age 17 God called Fili to full-time ministry. He is a graduate of Seminário Nazareno em Mozambique (Diploma in Theology), Nazarene Theological College, South Africa (BTh), and the University of Johannesburg (MA and PhD in Biblical Studies). He served as a pastor in South Africa and Mozambique, and as president of Seminário Nazareno em Mozambique. Fili is married to Samantha, who is also an ordained elder. They have two children: a daughter, Tsakani Gabriella; and a son, Emanuel.

BRAD STRAWN is a licensed psychologist, maintains a private practice in Pasadena, and is ordained in the Church of the Nazarene serving on the pastoral staff at Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene in Pasadena, California. He is also the Evelyn and Frank Freed Chief of Spiritual Formation and Integration, and Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Fuller Graduate School of Psychology, Fuller Seminary. He holds degrees in theology and psychology and has advanced training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Brad regularly publishes at the intersection of psychology and theology and is a consulting editor of the Journal of Psychology & Christianity and Associate Editor of the Journal of Psychology and Theology.

DIANE LECLERC grew up in Maryland, and graduated from Eastern Nazarene College, Nazarene Theological Seminary (M.Div), and Drew University (PhD, historical theology). She has pastored congregations in Maine and Idaho, and has published numerous articles and eight books, including Discovering Christian Holiness. Diane is in her third decade of service at Northwest Nazarene University as professor of historical theology, and travels often to speak in a variety of venues. In addition, she serves as Associate Pastor of Congregational Care at College Church of the Nazarene (Nampa) and ministers to about 80 older women every Tuesday as leader of a women’s Bible study.

ALTHEA TAYLOR, an ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene, currently serves as the Director for the Tom Nees Center for Compassion, Justice & Immigration for the Metro NY District in the Church of the Nazarene. She served 8 years as the Executive Pastor for Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, is the former Coordinator for Nazarene Compassionate Ministries USA/Canada, and has served the Urban Strategic Readiness Taskforce, Global Social Justice Committee, and Connecting a New Generation committee within the Church of the Nazarene. She currently serves as a member of USA/Canada Nazarene Women Clergy Council.

Althea also serves with several national Christian organizations that seek to enhance the welfare of others and advocate for just practices, including her work as Executive Director for The Immigration Alliance, as founder of Breathe Hope Inc., a non-profit, which exists to Restore Hope, Rebuild Lives and Renew Communities, and as a member of the NOW Movement which seeks racial reconciliation and justice within the Church of the Nazarene. She holds a BA in Business Administration, a MS in Management of Technology, and a Master of Divinity.

DAVE ROBERTS is lead pastor of Montrose Church of the Nazarene, where he has served since 1988. Montrose Church a multi-site congregation deeply committed to serving the greater Los Angeles community and needs around the world through long term community and mission partnerships. Dave has a passion for rebuilding real conversation and connection. He is the author of Healing Conversations (Morgan James, 2020), which explores the seven elements vital to healthy communication. He also hosts a weekly radio segment on KABC790 AM in Los Angeles. Dave is married and the father of four daughters and a grandfather of four. He resides in Glendale, CA.