“As my ministry changes, I continue to draw from the well of my Master of Arts in Pastoral Leadership degree,” says Will Warfel ’19 MAPL, Discipleship Pastor for Pantano Christian Church in Tucson, Arizona — named as one of the top 10 fastest growing churches in the U.S. by Outreach Magazine. “And as I’m going through ministry and life, I want to continue to help others grow just like my cohort helped me to grow.”
Ministry has long been Will’s focus in all areas of his life. His dad, Gene Warfel, was a second career pastor, and Will grew up knowing the joys and challenges of ministry. After careers in music performance and business management, he combined his talents, skills and experiences to answer a new calling from the Lord. He served as a worship pastor, first at BridgeWay Church in suburban Dallas, Texas, and then at People’s Church in suburban Oklahoma City.
Time to Grow
“When I began thinking about moving to a new area of ministry, I wanted to have the pastoral education and skills I needed,” Will says. “I began searching online for a master’s degree program that wasn’t related to worship ministry. I found just want I wanted at Olivet Nazarene University. I was already familiar with ONU because my stepmom, Laura Warfel, was the public relations specialist for the University.”
At that time, Will was working full-time in ministry and leading a small group with his wife, Alana. Their two young children were already involved in many activities, and Alana was working outside the home, too. “I needed a fully online degree program,” he says. “ONU is one of the few schools offering a pastoral leadership degree and all online. I knew this was the opportunity I needed to grow in my leadership and my faith, and to connect with people who would challenge me and foster my growth.” 
Will appreciated the many new Biblical perspectives he gained about a pastoral leader as a shepherd, priest and king. From examples in Scripture, interactions with his professors, his personal study and input from the other students in his cohort, he learned how to lead in more dynamic and Christ-centered ways. And the support of his cohort — which included their very active private Facebook group — helped build a camaraderie he wasn’t expecting.
“I especially appreciated working in a cohort with 14 other people and completing our degree program together,” Will says. “Taking one course at a time with a break in between fit my schedule really well. I didn’t have to do a lot of juggling with my other responsibilities.”
One of Will’s favorite memories from his graduate education experience is being able to participate in ONU’s commencement ceremony on campus. He was able to meet and connect with students and professors he had only met online. Being on ONU’s campus for the first time was a special blessing.
Positioned for the Future
“I was a much better graduate student than I was as an undergrad,” Will says. “I became more self-motivated, held myself to the standard of completing everything with excellence, and communicating well with others. I’m carrying that into ministry every day.”
Today, as Discipleship Pastor for Pantano Christian Church — with 5,000 members and growing — Will supervises a team of four plus 75 volunteer DifferenceMakers. He manages the Discipleship Pathway to get new members active in Christian life and the church’s Care Ministries to serve a variety of personal needs.
Will serves with Lead Pastor Trevor Devage, whose vision for reaching the greater Tucson area with the Gospel is resulting in thousands of people accepting Christ. In 2024, the church baptized 1,155 people. Will continues to thank God for the opportunity to serve in a place where God is moving, speaking and building His Kingdom.
“When people know that you’ve committed to study and earn a graduate degree, they see you at a different level as a leader,” Will says. “Because of my MAPL degree from ONU, I’m a better communicator, a better lifelong learner and a better leader.”
Learn more about ONU’s graduate degree programs at olivet.edu/academics/graduate-programs. For more information or to enroll, email onlineadmissions@olivet.edu or call 877-465-4838.
