J. Bret Metcalfe, superintendent of the Pittsburgh District, resigned his position this week to return to pastoral ministry.

Elected district superintendent July 24, 2010, at the 103rd Pittsburgh District Assembly, Metcalfe has served on the Pittsburgh District since 1996 when he began pastoring the Greenville, Pennsylvania, Lifeway Church of the Nazarene. He previously served as district secretary for more than 11 years and also served on the Pittsburgh District Advisory Board, as well as on other boards and committees.

"The Church of the Nazarene is deeply grateful for the anointed leadership that Bret and Terri Metcalfe have given to the Pittsburgh District," said Bob Broadbooks, USA/Canada regional director. "For six years they have given themselves to advance compassionate holiness ministry among the people of the district. We rejoice with the Metcalfes as they enter this exciting new ministry."

Metcalfe sent the following email to district pastors on Wednesday:

Last night I resigned as district superintendent of the Pittsburgh District. This came after much prayer and seeking the will of the Lord. It is time for someone else to come in and continue the movement that the Lord has started. It has been a pleasure to serve with each of you and I will continue to pray that the Lord will use you in mighty and effective ways for His kingdom. My last official day will be Dec. 8 and we will be around for a couple extra weeks preparing to make the move. We have sensed it was time to return to pastoral ministry and have accepted the call to pastor a church. Please pray for us as we make this transition.

Prayer is requested for the Metcalfe family and Pittsburgh District in this time of transition.