Pastor Wendell Receives Honorary Doctorate
The Northwest University Board of Directors awarded the honorary Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree to Pastor Wendell Smith during its 71st commencement, Saturday, May 5, 2007, amidst shouts of joy and spontaneous applause from several thousands attendees.
Pastor Wendell was shocked when, at a dinner with Dr. and Mrs. Argue and other university board members in April, he learned of the upcoming honor which was to be bestowed upon him. He was humbled when he learned that this was a result of a unanimous decision by the university’s board of directors.
At the commencement ceremony, Dr. Don Argue, retiring President of Northwest University, stated how pleased he was to be able to confer the university’s highest honor to Pastor Wendell, who, along with his wife, Gini, serves as senior pastor of the Seattle-based The City Church, which they pioneered in 1992. “City Church has grown into a great partner in ministry with Northwest University,” said Dr. Argue.
Pastor Wendell, along with Dr. Don Argue, serves on the Board of Church Growth International, which was founded by Dr. David Yonggi Cho in Seoul, South Korea. He is also Co-chairman of Ministers Fellowship International with Dr. Dick Iverson of Portland, Oregon.
He was appointed a founding board member of the Global Pastor's Network by the late Dr. Bill Bright and a Pastoral Skills Chair was established in his name in 2004.
A graduate of Northwest Nazarene University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion in 1972 and was elected to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, Pastor Wendell was a professor at Portland Bible College, in Portland, Oregon, from 1973 to 1992. He has been active in Christian ministry since 1969 and preaching since he was 16 years of age.
Pastor Wendell is a prolific producer of church resources, authoring more than twelve books and ministry manuals, including the books, Great Faith; From Zero to Eternity in 60 Seconds Flat; and his most recent book, Prosperity With a Purpose.
Out of the ministries of The City Church, he has directed the planting of several other churches in the United States including the latest in our nation's Capital -- The City Church WASHINGTON DC.
Published: May 09, 2007
Category: General, Events