Welcome, Rich Nathan!

I am grateful to share that Rich Nathan has joined the staff of For Columbus to lead a new Pastoral Residency Program, launching this fall!

For many in our city, Rich is synonymous with decades of faithful leadership at Vineyard Columbus, where he served as Senior Pastor and helped shape one of the most diverse and missionally engaged congregations in our region. But beyond titles and roles, Rich has quietly and consistently invested in people — across denominations, cultures, theological traditions, and ministry contexts.

I can say personally that I am one of those leaders. Rich has invested in me in ways that have strengthened my theology, sharpened my leadership, and deepened my love for the Church. He has never been territorial. He has always been generous. And he has done this not just for me, but for pastors and leaders across our city — young and old, charismatic and non-charismatic, majority and minority leaders, church planters and long-tenured pastors. That breadth matters, and will bring so much value and wisdom to his new role as the For Columbus Pastoral Residency Director.

The Pastoral Residency

The For Columbus Pastoral Residency is a 15-month leadership development pathway designed to strengthen emerging pastors and church leaders.

Residents will:

• Serve within a local Columbus congregation

• Receive direct mentoring and coaching from Rich

• Engage in structured theological and leadership formation

• Build relationships with pastors across traditions and networks

This will be hands-on and relational — rooted in the local church and grounded in real ministry.

Why This Matters

Healthy churches require healthy pastors. And healthy pastors rarely grow in isolation. This residency is a practical investment in character, theological depth, pastoral resilience, and cross-church friendship. It reflects something I’ve seen in Rich for years — a deep commitment not just to building one church, but to strengthening the whole Church in Columbus. I’m personally thankful he said yes to this role. I believe his experience, wisdom, and generosity will serve many in the years ahead. If you care about the future of pastoral leadership in our city, this is a meaningful step forward.

For more information on the residency, click here.