Meet the Team – Peter and Antonie (Regional Education Coordinators)

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I am Peter Rae, and I’m based in Manchester, where I have served at Nazarene Theological College since 1996. I am currently Dean and Vice Principal at NTC – a place I have long connection with, since my father served as Principal in the early years of the College.  I have also served at Canadian Nazarene College – and it was in Canada where I met my wife, Patricia.  We have two adult children: Jennifer (married to Alex) based in Manchester, and Robert (married to Katharina), based in southern Sweden. I’m an active member of the Longsight Church of the Nazarene, and lead a worship team there (and serve as treasurer!). Patricia and I love walking. I enjoy cycling (mostly urban, these days), am an omnivorous reader, and confess to being a long-time Manchester United fan.

Tell us a bit about your role:

I have been serving since November as part-time regional education coordinators, alongside Revd Antonie Holleman – someone I’ve enjoyed working with over many years on various regional initiatives. We’re really facilitators, encouragers, resourcers: we work alongside the districts, fields, and educational institutions, as advisers and co-labourers (we’re certainly not in charge of them!). So our key role is to build good relationships, to think about how education helps serve the causes of the Church and the Kingdom, and to see ways to ‘hold up the arms’ of those who serve on the front edge of ministry on the region in meeting our common goals, and shaping a common strategy.

What is a highlight you have experienced being part of the Region?

A particular joy in the work I have been involved in has been to see young, emerging leaders take on key roles in the church, and to help nurture a more diverse group of leaders from a greater range of contexts step into responsibility.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Just to celebrate the close working relationship between Church and Schools in our region – and a commitment to seeing this develop further, in places where there are tensions, or where the provision of education is vestigial.

How can we pray for you?

Pray that Antonie and I might find that these dual roles – for the region, and for College and Church – might prove to be a fruitful innovation, with one strengthening the other, rather than proving unmanageable.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

I am Antonie Holleman, born and raised in the Netherlands. With my wife Wilma we lived for 17 years in Büsingen as Nazarene missionaries, serving European Nazarene College. Currently, I serve as part-time District Superintendent in the Netherlands, and my wife is a local church pastor. We have two children, Frank, married to Babette, and Corianne. We love the adventure of hiking in the mountains, and as a family, we have spent many vacations discovering and enjoying the beauty of the Swiss alps.

Tell us a bit about your role:

From November 2022, Peter Rae and I serve as part-time regional education coordinators. We have known each other for many years and have worked together in various regional educational committees. Our responsibility is to assist the regional education institutions in working together towards reaching the educational priorities of the region. It is also our task to secure good working relationships between the schools and the fields and districts as partners in fulfilling the mission of the region.

What is a highlight you have experienced being part of the Region?

I have been part of the region from the very beginning in 1983, attended all the regional conferences and served the region in various roles. Former students are now pastors and district leaders throughout the region. The region to me is like an extended family. We have been through many things together, prayed for each other and for our ministries and praised God together for His blessings.

 Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I am a pastor in heart and am passionate about equipping people for ministry. Not only those who feel called to ordained ministry, but all of God’s people for fulfilling God’s mission as one team.

How can we pray for you?

Peter and I have this regional responsibility next to our responsibilities at NTC Manchester and the Dutch District. Pray for wisdom to balance both responsibilities well.