Shane Lima will join Eastern Nazarene College as college pastor and executive director of Spiritual Life. Lima is the lead pastor of Ambassadors Church of the Nazarene in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene.

Lima, a fourth-generation Nazarene pastor, will oversee the Office of Spiritual Life, an office foundational in realizing the college’s mission to equip diverse students to lead and serve their world as agents of Christ’s love and truth.

“The college is thrilled to welcome Shane as college pastor to lead, love, and serve our students with a pastor’s heart and with intentionality to help every student come to know the love of Jesus and grow in their faith,” said ENC President Colleen Derr. “We look forward to the spiritual leadership he will provide, the intentionality to discipleship he will bring, and the college-wide integration of faith and learning he will champion.”

Along with years of pastoral experience, Lima brings with him a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Rhode Island, a Master of Arts in theology from the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and ordination as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene.

Students will recognize Lima as one of the 2023 Nazarene Youth Conference (NYC ’23) host pastors. NYC is a formational Nazarene youth event in North America that takes place every four years when over 10,000 students gather for worship, teaching, and community service. 

Lima, a sought-after speaker on college campuses and youth ministry events, is known for his Bible-centered preaching communicated in a relational and accessible way. He says he is passionate about connecting all people to the freedom and hope that comes with having a personal relationship with Jesus.

Shane has been married to Alynne Lima for eight years, and together they have a one-year-old son, Christian James. Shane is excited to develop close relationships with the students and see them experience the transforming power of Christ during their time at Eastern Nazarene College.

--Eastern Nazarene College