Pastor Bob Nienhuis

About Bob:

Senior pastor of Liberty Bible Church in Chesterton.

Bachelor's degree in psychology from Hope College.

Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

PhD in higher education from Michigan State University.

Ordained in 1978.

He and his wife, Bette Jo, live in Valparaiso and have two children and three grandchildren.

Accomplishments: Pastor Bob Nienhuis is the spiritual leader of Liberty Bible Church. He joined the assembly in November, 2006 and works with seven full-time pastors and a number of people who assist in ministry areas on a part-time basis to fulfill the church vision - "To love God supremely and others sacrificially." There is high emphasis on the word of God and worship celebrated at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. Sunday services and in helping congregants build vibrant relations through fellowship, small groups and outreach to the community. The church has strong youth and singles ministries: Life Line is for 18- to 20-year-old singles of the church and the community and Single Focus is for those 30 and older. "Our desire is to help them grow in their relationships with Christ and their relationship with others," he said. Liberty Bible Church is very involved in missions. The assembly supports a number of missionaries, is part of a house church planting movement in Bosnia and an outreach in

the southern Philippine Islands. The church sends four to six short-term mission teams to these and other areas each year. Last year, teams went to Bosnia, China, Guatemala, New Orleans and Nashville, Tenn. "We are very intentional to reach beyond our boundaries to reach internationally," he said. "Liberty is a church where all people are welcome.

Where we point all people to a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and challenge them to serve him with the gifts and abilities." Nienhuis is a member of the Valparaiso Christian Ministerial Association and Evangelical Free Church Ministerial Association.

Why I minister to others: "I sensed God's call in my life for ministry and as I came to understand what they meant, and myself, I saw my heart for people and my heart for God's word and those two come together in my role as pastor."

What I read: "Everything. I read a lot and read widely."

Advice: "We need to continue to develop our relationship with God through the word, prayer and daily focus."

What inspires me: "I get excited when I see people obey the word of God and find joy and peace through that obedience."

People might be surprised to know: "I've been privileged to travel to Asia many times to do ministry and I've eaten chicken's feet, pig intestines and fish bellies and enjoyed them all."

- SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

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