Pastor john nielson

Pastor John Nielson became Lead Pastor of Manchester Church of the Nazarene in July of 2025. Prior to coming to MCN, Pastor John was the Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Director of ENC Music at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts (2018-2024). Before joining the faculty at ENC, he served as the Lead Pastor of Melwood Church of the Nazarene (Upper Marlboro, MD) for 24 years. His first pastoral assignment was as Associate Pastor of Worship and Lay Ministry at St. Paul’s Church of the Nazarene.

Pastor John earned a BA in Religion from Eastern Nazarene College (1989) as well as an M. Div. from Nazarene Theological Seminary (1993). He earned the Doctor of Ministry degree (also from NTS) in 2013. His doctoral thesis was, Developing Practices of Corporate Lament for the Local Parish.

Pastor John and his wife Amy were married in 1989 and have three grown daughters: Bethany, Kathryn, and Jenna. Their daughter, Kathryn Drennan, and her husband, David, gave John and Amy their first grandson, Kayden in August of 2025.

Pastor John loves music, reading, and exploring museums and historical sites. He believes strongly in using LEGO as therapy and believes it is never too hot for coffee and never too cold for ice cream. He also has never met a Reese's he didn’t love.