Warner Pacific welcomes Rev. Dr. Douglas W. Balzer, D.Min., as a Pastoral Studies Consultant and Senior Adjunct Professor. Dr. Balzer will teach ministry and Bible courses and will help guide the development of new Pastoral Studies offerings, in partnership with the Church of God and Mid-America Christian University.
Dr. Balzer currently serves as the ordained pastor of River Street Church of God in Newberg, Oregon, part of the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) movement where “Jesus is the subject.” His leadership is shaped by a clear vision: to be a people formed by Jesus, sent for the good of the world, embodying His Way, announcing His Kingdom, and bringing tangible transformation to the community.
His journey of faith began in a Mennonite community where simplicity, courage, and devotion to Christ set deep roots. His call to ministry led him to earn a B.A. from New Hope Christian College (1991), followed by advanced degrees at Portland Seminary: an M.A. (2008), M.Div. (2009), and a Doctor of Ministry in Semiotics and Future Thought (2012). His scholarship explores the intersection of theology and culture, inviting students to discern the sacred signs of God’s presence in everyday life.
For Dr. Balzer, theology is never abstract. Whether preaching, teaching, or mentoring, he seeks to hold Scripture and culture in creative conversation—helping students recognize the Kingdom of God breaking in all around them. Married to Jan, he shares a ministry rooted in hospitality and the conviction that the church’s best witness is found not in self-preservation, but in pouring itself out for the good of the world. At Warner Pacific, he looks forward to preparing the next generation of leaders who will live out their calling with faith, courage, and service.