MidAmerica Nazarene University joins the global Church of the Nazarene in marking the passing of Dr. James H. Diehl, general superintendent emeritus, who passed away on November 2, 2025. A beloved pastor, evangelist, writer, and denominational leader, Dr. Diehl’s life and ministry touched countless people across generations and around the world.
Dr. Diehl’s connection to MidAmerica Nazarene University was both deep and enduring. He first served MNU from 1973 to 1976 as assistant to the president, then later as a member of the Board of Trustees.
After a career as a senior pastor, Dr. Diehl was elected to the Church of the Nazarene Board of General Superintendents in 1993. Dr. Diehl served faithfully until his retirement in 2009 and was subsequently named general superintendent emeritus. His decades of leadership were marked by humility, vision, and an unwavering love for his Savior, the church and its mission.
Following his retirement, Dr. Diehl returned to serve the university once again—this time as interim president from July 1, 2011, to January 31, 2012, while the Board of Trustees conducted a presidential search. In recognition of his faithful service and lasting impact, the Board presented him with MNU’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
MNU President Jon D. North worked alongside Dr. Diehl during his term as interim president.
“When I think about Dr. Jim Diehl, I remember all the key moments in time his ministry as an administrator served the university,” North said. “From planning the celebration when MNU was first accredited in 1974, to seeing the university obtain a critical $7 million gift in 2011, his influence is woven into our history and will always be remembered.”
Before his denominational leadership, Dr. Diehl served as a pastor in Iowa, Georgia, and at Denver First Church of the Nazarene, where his ministry flourished through creative outreach and dynamic preaching. He also contributed prolifically to publications such as Herald of Holiness, Holiness Today, and Preacher’s Magazine, among others. Before his passing, he continued to preach and speak—both in his own church, Lakewood Church of the Nazarene in Lakewood, Colorado—and across the country, having recently stated that he was trying to limit his travel to just once a month.
A graduate of Olivet Nazarene University, Dr. Diehl was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Northwest Nazarene University in 1990 for his outstanding achievements. His commitment to Christian higher education extended across the denomination through service on the boards of MNU, Nazarene Theological Seminary, Nazarene Bible College, and Northwest Nazarene University, where he also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Diehl and his late wife, Dorothy, shared a lifelong partnership in ministry, raising four children together, all of whom attended MNU. The Diehl family’s legacy of faith and service continues through their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.
As Dr. Diehl once reflected on his calling, echoing Paul’s words to Timothy, he saw himself as “a pastor, a preacher, and an administrator.” Those who knew him will remember a heart devoted to Christ, a voice that proclaimed holiness with grace, and a life that modeled steadfast faith and servant leadership.
MidAmerica Nazarene University extends its gratitude for the life and ministry of Dr. Jim Diehl, whose influence endures in the lives of those he served, taught, and inspired.
A gift to the Diehl Family Scholarship in honor of Dr. Jim Diehl may be made at www.mnu.edu/diehlmemorial.
Thanks to Nazarene.org as a source for much of this article.
