In 2020, Steve and Nancy received an invitation to consider a partnership in starting a Christian school with a Nazarene church in Kansas City. Over several months of discussion and prayer, it became evident that the Lord was leading them to this new and exciting ministry!
We are excited for this new adventure for Steve and Nancy and would like to thank them for their devoted service to First Church. Steve and Nancy have served the Lord through First Church and Nazarene Christian Academy for 17 years! Within these 17 years, the Shonamons have joyfully served in a variety of areas of ministry.
Through First Church, both Steve and Nancy have been true spiritual leaders in many areas of ministry. They have led several discipleship groups, including the “Freedom” track, small groups, and one-on-one discipleship. They have served in outreach ministries such as the Food Pantry, VBS, Trunk or Treat, Fall Festival, Craft Fair, and more. They have also served in ministry to the homeless, Esther House, Salvation Army, Joplin disaster relief, and the West Texas Disaster Relief team. Lastly, they have served alongside the youth and children’s ministry while also being a part of our first impressions team.
For Nazarene Christian Academy, the Shonamons have been a tremendous blessing and have helped shape all that NCA is today. Upon their arrival in 2004, Steve was coaching and leading PE while Nancy was teaching fourth grade. At that time, NCA had only two sports teams and had just added 10th grade to their high school program.
Steve began as Athletic Director in 2006 and began building the athletic program at NCA. The banners on the TMC gym wall tell the story well. He has developed championship teams as well as led in vast improvements of our ball fields. The NCA softball field is named the “Steve Shonamon” field. Steve has received the “Coach of the Year” award from the Texas Christian Athletic Fellowship (TCAF) numerous times in basketball, volleyball, and softball. He has also taught a World Views Bible class and several math classes.
After just one year, Nancy moved into an administrative role as the NCA Academic Advisor, where she served 13 years. Nancy led in the development of the dual enrollment program, building programs to support changing graduation requirements, and developing academic support for students who struggle. These accomplishments are a small example of the passion she brought to NCA. Over the past several years, she served as the NCA Administrator and Elementary Principal. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nancy has been on the front lines leading NCA through the CDC and county health guidelines.
Steve and Nancy, along with their grown children: Charity, Ezra, and Makayla, are dearly loved by both First Church and NCA. They have left a lasting impact through their labor of love that will never be forgotten.
Come celebrate with us as we show our love and appreciation to the Shonamon family!
