Pastor Brady Braatz
Brady serves as the University Chaplain and has been a part of the Spiritual Life Office since 2003. As an alumni of MNU in 2001, he also earned a Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 2008, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2017. In addition to overseeing the spiritual formation activities of MNU, you might run into Brady and his wife, Kreisa (MNU alumni from 2001), with their three kids at an MNU sporting event or school activity. Brady’s office is in Weatherby Chapel and is never low on coffee or conversation.
bbraatz@mnu.edu
Sharon Jackson
Sharon serves as the Spiritual Life Office Coordinator. Her time at MNU began when the institution was still MidAmerica Nazarene College. Sharon has been a regular fixture of our campus since she and her husband, Dr. Ron Jackson, led the college ministry at College Church of the Nazarene. Sharon’s days are spent mentoring students, providing logistical support, and keeping the Spiritual Life team on track. Sharon’s office is in Weatherby Chapel and is a source of warmth for students and staff alike.
srjackson@mnu.edu
Pastor Andy Cook
Andy serves as an Assistant Chaplain in the Spiritual Life Office. He is an alumni of MNU, graduating with a Ministry degree in 2014. Recently, Andy graduated from Nazarene Theological Seminary with a Master’s of Divinity. Before joining the Spiritual Life, he served as a Young Adult Pastor in the Kansas City. You might bump into Andy and his wife Celeste, taking their dogs, Sadie & Judah, on a walk or at a worship service where Andy is drumming and Celeste is leading the worship through singing. Andy’s office is located in the School of Christian Ministry and Formation (Smith Building), and he’d love to talk to you about worship in song or the St. Louis Cardinals.
cscook@mnu.edu
Pastor Deanna Williams
Deanna serves as an Assistant Chaplain in the Spiritual Life Office. Graduating from MNU in 2011 with a degree in Intercultural Studies, she has served as a missionary prior to returning to MNU. Deanna is also an alumni of Nazarene Theological Seminary, where she graduated with a Master of Divinity in 2016. You might bump into Deanna at a coffee shop in Olathe or eating dinner with a friend in Kansas City. Deanna’s office is located in the School of Christian Ministry & Formation, in the Smith Building. If you’d like to talk about serving through MNU, what it’s like to live abroad, or the best place to get restaurant Thai food, she’d love to chat.
dmwilliams@mnu.edu
Dr. Jamie Myrtle
Professor Jamie Myrtle joined the Spiritual Life Office in the spring of 2022 and also serves as a Dean at MNU. Her area of expertise is strategic planning, and her wisdom is a gift to our office. Be it leading a small group for gals, assisting with chapel or mentoring a student, Dr. Myrtle is a minister on our campus. In addition to her work in the Spiritual Life Office, Dr. Myrtle currently serves as the Dean for Professional & Graduate Studies. Both Jamie and her husband, Stan are alumni of MNU (though it was called MANC at the time) and incredible examples of lives lived for the sake of the world that God loves so much. If you need someone to talk to, grab a Diet Coke and head over to Dr. Myrtle’s office in Metz.
jsmyrtle@mnu.edu
Seth Watkins
Seth Watkins serves as an Assistant Chaplain in the Spiritual Life Office. Graduating from MNU in 2023 with a degree in General Ministry, he began working at MNU immediately. In addition to his role in the Spiritual Life Office, Seth also serves alongside of the students in the Associated Student Government. Seth and his wife Tina live on campus, and you might bump into them on a walk, eating at an authentic Jamaican restaurant, or doing an outfit of the day video shoot for Tina’s Instagram account. Seth’s office is located in Student Development, in the Cunningham Building. If you’d like to talk about leading a small group, questions you have about your iAttended App, or the adventure of early married life, don’t hesitate to track Seth down.
scwatkins@mnu.edu
