General Superintendent Carla D. Sunberg announced the appointment of Virgil Askren III as superintendent of the South Arkansas District. 

Askren currently pastors the Bend, Oregon, Church of the Nazarene. He follows Russell Branstetter, who retired after 25 years in the position.

Prior to accepting the Bend pastorate in 2003, Askren led the Klamath Falls and Columbia Ridge churches in Oregon. He also in served at Portland, Oregon, First Church of the Nazarene and Dundee Hills Church of the Nazarene in Kansas City, Missouri. 

He will begin his new assignment 1 January. Virgil and his wife, Judy, reside in Bend. 

“Judy and I are grateful for the opportunity to serve the South Arkansas District and are looking forward to investing in this Kingdom venture," Virgil said. "We simply want to be used by God wherever He sees fit.” 

Virgil holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion from Northwest Nazarene College (now Northwest Nazarene University), a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Western Seminary.