Current Status: Alumni
Graduation Year: 2010
Upon sensing God’s call on her life to full-time ministry, Nicole Rowan (BA '10) transferred from the University of Kentucky to HIU so she could study God’s word while majoring in journalism. As she was earning her degree in Journalism at Hope, she also dove deeply into the biblical courses available to her at HIU.
Fast-forward six years, Nicole and husband Perris (BA '11) have now helped plant four churches. Nicole has written and published a 30-day devotional for women and serves in a senior leadership role at Presence OC Church in Orange County, CA.
Nicole says that HIU prepared her for ministry in various ways, but what impacted her life the most was seeing other women lead well.
“I had never seen a women lead on a senior level, especially a young woman. In my first year at HIU I met amazing women who were teaching in their church, served on their elder team, and humbly lived exemplary lives as models for female HIU students.”
In her most recent endeavor, Nicole, Perris and their friends Jesse and Jessica Skinner joined together to plant Presence OC, a church dedicated to “to see the PRESENCE of God saturate the city of Costa Mesa.” The team was compelled to start a church that honors the gifts of the spirit and empowers people to affect change in the mainstream culture of society. The young and growing congregation now has approximately 200 regular attendees and features a testimonial page on their website that is already filled with God encounters and miracles.
Since graduating, Nicole has come full circle, teaming up with HIU Biblical Studies Professor Kelly Dagley to start the SoCal Women in Ministry Network to support and empower young females who currently serve in ministry and/or are preparing for vocational ministry. This monthly gathering on HIU’s Fullerton campus features speakers who share the vision to encourage both current and future female ministry leaders. In the October meeting, Nicole shared with the group her own experience of what it means – and what it takes -- to “lead powerfully.”
For details regarding the upcoming SoCal Women in Ministry Network schedule and speakers, click here.
