MVNU announces 2025 Alumni Award honorees

From left, MVNU Alumni Association president Ron Keiser, honorees Rev. Kent Estep and Dr. Ronald Bolender, and Rev. Mike Cheek, Executive Director of Alumni and Major Gifts at MVNU.

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MOUNT VERNON, Ohio — Every year, the MVNU Alumni Association celebrates alumni who embody the values of the university through their work and lives — inspiring true meaning and creating momentum for others. Join us in celebrating this year’s seven honorees.

The Distinguished Alumni Service Award recognizes an alumnus who has demonstrated and modeled the University’s values throughout their life and career. This award honors alumni who exemplify humility, compassion, service, and love.

Dr. Ronald Keith Bolender ’77

Dr. Ronald Keith Bolender’s life has been shaped by his faith and Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s motto: To seek to learn is to seek to serve. After accepting Christ at a Nazarene children’s camp in 1964, he devoted himself to both spiritual growth and lifelong learning, earning degrees from Mount Vernon Nazarene College (B.A.), the University of Cincinnati (M.A.), Nova Southeastern University (Ed.D.), and MVNU (M.B.A.). He continues exploring new fields, including artificial intelligence.

Dr. Bolender has built a distinguished career spanning business and higher education. He earned “Rookie of the Year” honors at Universal Computer Services, founded Bolender Consulting to serve small businesses, and later became Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where he received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Today, he operates Bolender Initiatives, LLC, and Systemic Coaching, LLP, providing business development and AI consulting services, particularly within the Hispanic community.

His commitment to service extends beyond his professional life. From leading district IMPACT teams as a youth to serving as president of the Living Witness Organization in college, Dr. Bolender has remained active in ministry. He has worked with inner-city teens, led evangelistic outreach for a church plant in Houston, and currently serves as a spiritual influence in Utah’s Hispanic community.

Dr. Bolender enjoys desert hiking, traveling with his fiancé Blanca, and photography — his images of Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture have been published internationally. He encourages others to cultivate curiosity, believing it enriches life and keeps it from becoming boring.

The Outstanding Young Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus within 10 years of graduation who has already demonstrated significant impact in their profession and in serving those around them.

Richie ’20 and Bethany ’20 (Richardson) Johns

Richie and Bethany Johns are the creative forces behind Studio 523, a Nashville-based production studio dedicated to communicating the gospel through film and television. Both 2020 graduates of Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Richie and Bethany share a deep passion for storytelling that inspires faith, hope, and redemption.

Richie, who was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in 2023, brings pastoral insight and vision to their work, while Bethany’s producing expertise ensures that each project is both artistically excellent and spiritually impactful.

Together, they are the producers behind the breakout comedy series The Promised Land, where The Office meets The Exodus. As director and producer respectively, Richie and Bethany also lead the creative team behind their upcoming feature film, Still Hope, a powerful faith-based drama inspired by true stories of sex trafficking survivors and their journey toward healing. Still Hope releases in theaters nationwide on February 5, 2026.

When they’re not on set, they reside in Franklin, Tenn., with their two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Esther and Melchizedek.

The Outstanding Clergy Alumni Award is presented to an alumnus whose ministry demonstrates exceptional impact in the world around them.

Rev. Kevin Jack ’06
Lead Pastor at Church for The One

Rev. Kevin Jack has served as Lead Pastor of Church for The One in Lakeland, Fla., since April 3, 2022. He grew up at West Chester (OH) Church of the Nazarene, where he met his future wife, Bethany, in youth group. Jack graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 2006 with a B.A. in Pastoral Ministries and earned his M.A. in Christian Leadership from Trinity Seminary in 2012. Prior to his current role, he spent 5 1/2 years as Lead Pastor at Be Hope Church in Beavercreek, Ohio.

Jack believes the Church is the greatest force for good in the world and is passionate about helping people discover and live out their God-given calling with courage and compassion. Under his leadership, Church for The One has become a thriving community centered on leading people to love God and love others while providing a safe space for recovery, healing, and wholeness.

Beyond the local church, Jack extends his ministry influence through the Leading Hope with Kevin Jack podcast, where he shares insights from his ministry journey and explores themes of perseverance and long-term success. He is also a published author.

He and Bethany are the proud parents of four children: Madi, Emily, Molly, and Parker.

The Phineas F. Bresee Pastoral Service Award, named for the founding pastor of the Church of the Nazarene, recognizes exemplary pastors who embody his legacy of holiness preaching, compassionate service to the marginalized, and visionary leadership. This award celebrates clergy who advance the Wesleyan-Holiness heritage while fostering educational and communal impact. Nominees must be ordained elders in good standing within the Church of the Nazarene with at least 20 years of active pastoral service.

Rev. Kent Estep ’87
Lead Pastor at South Charleston (WV) First Church of the Nazarene

Rev. Kent Alan Estep, who has served as Senior Pastor of South Charleston First Church of the Nazarene since 2005, is a 1987 graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene College with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Christian Education. Kent was ordained in 2003 after completing his course of study through MVNU and Nazarene Bible College.

South Charleston First is the only church Kent has ever called home. He began in lay ministry before accepting a pastoral role in 1999, serving as Children’s Pastor, Daycare Director, and Associate Pastor. In 2003, he became co-pastor alongside his father, Rev. Morton Estep, and then Senior Pastor in 2005. His service continues the legacy of his parents, Morton and Carolyn, who pastored the church for almost 40 years.

Kent served as an MVNU trustee and executive board member from 2010 to 2021. He is married to Kelly (Weghorst) Estep, also a 1987 MVNC graduate, with whom he has shared 38 years of marriage and ministry. They have two grown children — Ross (Mackenzie Walker) Estep and Hope (Andy) Flavin — all MVNU graduates.

The Matthew 25 Servant Leadership Award recognizes individuals who embrace the spirit of service, charity, kindness, and stewardship as presented by Jesus in Matthew 25. Recipients exhibit faithful stewardship of God-given gifts and embody the calling to love and care for “the least of these.”

Ked ’99 and Michelle ’97 (Ayala) Frank
Both graduates of MVNC, Ked and Michelle Frank have served in full-time ministry for nearly three decades with a heart to bring healing and hope to those experiencing profound hopelessness. They champion the mission of serving every woman and child in harm’s way and are dedicated to transforming lives through freedom and wholeness.

Ked holds a master’s degree in counseling from Liberty University and has devoted 18 years to anti-trafficking work. He founded Refuge for Women, where he served for 13 years, and has opened 12 homes across seven states. He currently serves as President of Safe Places for Women, leading new initiatives in Colorado in partnership with the Avodah Collective and the Her Campaign.

Michelle has held various ministry roles including Staff Development Pastor, Executive Director, and Chief Program Officer. She is passionate about empowering leaders and maximizing Kingdom impact through team health and organizational effectiveness. She provides coaching, tools, and strategies to help teams reach their fullest potential and create sustainable, thriving organizations.

Together, they enjoy hiking, coffee, and time with family. The Franks have been married for 26 years and have three children: daughters Julianna and Bailey, and son Nathaniel (Audrey).