MidAmerica Nazarene University’s annual youth theology institute, The Call @ MNU, welcomed its largest group of participants yet—80 high school students from as far away as Michigan, New Mexico, and Ohio. The weeklong event, designed to help young people explore the vocation of ministry, offers a transformative experience rooted in the principles of Discover, Equip, Send.
Students engaged in a robust schedule of worship, leadership development, and spiritual formation infused with fun, games and relaxation. The week’s agenda was filled with opportunities for reflection, interactive sessions, and community-building. Through these carefully curated experiences, students were not only encouraged to discover God’s calling in their lives but also equipped with tools and insights to serve their local churches and communities effectively.
Yet this year’s event held special significance as The Call @ MNU paused to honor Rev. Mickey Cox—a beloved figure in Nazarene youth ministry—who is retiring after an extraordinary 57-year career in service.
Rev. Ed Belzer, (standing) lead pastor of Tower Community Fellowship, presents the Mickey Cox Passion to Serve award to Rev. Cox at The Call.
Rev. Cox, an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, has devoted his life to discipleship and youth ministry at local churches and denominational levels. He is a published author of “No Limits Discipleship Journal” and co-author of “Sacred Life: Spiritual Practices for Everyday Living.” Throughout his career, he has been known for his creative approach to spiritual formation, designing “Sacred Spaces” that invite young people into deeper encounters with God through prayer stations, silence, and solitude.
Mickey’s impact extends far beyond any single event. He has served at churches across the country—from Bethany First Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma to Kissimmee First Church of the Nazarene in Florida. He has held roles at Nazarene Theological Seminary, Northwest Nazarene University, and in the Nazarene Youth International department, where he shaped resources and programs for youth pastors. He also served as Assistant Director for the 2003 Nazarene Youth Conference and contributed to the Global NYI program.
Rev. Cox joins in the fun at The Call.
The Call Director, Dr. Ron Jackson honored Rev. Cox saying “Mickey Cox was, and continues to be, the standard in the Church of the Nazarene and beyond for what faithfulness in vocational youth ministry looks like. There are hundreds of adults, including my own wife, Sharon Rose, that owe the foundation of their spiritual life to the impact Mickey had on them during their formative teenage years.”
At The Call @ MNU, Rev. Cox has been a constant, designing and overseeing the Sacred Space where students explore creative and contemplative ways to understand their call to ministry. His presence, wisdom, and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the event’s impact.
As Rev. Cox steps into retirement, The Call @ MNU celebrates not just his years of service but also the thousands of young lives he has touched along the way. His commitment to nurturing the next generation of ministry leaders exemplifies the very mission of The Call: to discover, equip, and send students into meaningful service for Christ.
While The Call will pause in 2026 to allow students to attend the Nazarene Youth Conference in Utah, it will return June 7-11, 2027. Until then, Rev. Mickey Cox’s legacy stands as a testament to a life faithfully answering God’s call.
Enjoy more photos of The Call @MNU on Flickr.
