Rodger Nishioka
1997 Educator of the Year

"And when a few of us are singled out up here for gracious awards, the ultimate message is that any one of us could be up here this day. Because we are the educators of Christ's church, and we run..together! Indeed, this is Christ's church. And as the Holy Spirit leads us into the future, I cling to promise that we are being led into the future together. Oh, that we might run, friends. That we might run hand in hand, with courage, into the future to which our Lord is calling us. We are the educators of Christ's church. We can do no less!"

Rodger Nishioka believes that when God is at God's very best, junior highers are the result. "I discovered this profound theological truth when I was teaching at Curtis Junior High School in Tacoma, Washington," he says. "I love the energy, compassion, and resilience of early adolescents. I very much see God in and through them."

Rodger was born in Honolulu and grew up in Seattle in the Japanese Presbyterian Church where his father serves as pastor. After teaching public school, Rodger was called to serve as associate for youth ministry in the Atlanta offices of the General Assembly. In his ten years of working for the General Assembly, Rodger has served as staff for the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, the annual Continuing Education Event for Youth Ministry Professionals, the National Youth Ministry Council and the Montreat Youth Conferences.

In January, 1997, Rodger will assume a new role with the General Assembly as the coordinator of youth and young adult ministries. He is also studying full-time at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago for a Master's Degree in Theological Studies. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in religious education and hopes to serve in a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) seminary as professor of Christian education.