New Leadership: An Interview with Rev. Dr. Nathan Hart

There are many key qualities that earmark Hope College with academic and social prestige. Yet, there is one element of Hope that cannot be measured in numbers, or be fully contained in a written review. This element is the faith community here at Hope. This year, new leadership has arrived on campus. In a recent interview, the new Dean of Chapel, Rev. Dr. Nathan Hart, shares a vision for nurturing faith at Hope College. He emphasizes appreciation for professors, a shared hunger for the transcendent and a career that is fixed on Jesus. 

First, the Anchor asked Dr. Hart about his journey at Hope when he was an undergrad. “When I was a student here. . . I was involved in three departments: religion, communication and theater. All three of those fields really trained, equipped and informed me on how to be a pastor.” Dr. Hart noted how some professors, especially in the theatre department, left an impact on his career in ministry.  “I remember specific things that they taught me about acting that helped me be a more authentic pastor . . . One of my big discoveries about acting is that acting is not actually ‘pretend.’ You’re accessing a part of you that is real and authentic . . .Those professors in the theater department had as much influence on my ministry as anyone else.” Throughout the interview Dr. Hart continued to emphasize his appreciation for professors and his interactions with students.

When asked about his experience returning to campus as the Dean of Chapel, Hart said, “I noticed that the professors and the staff are still so intentional and so generous with their time . . . I am so encouraged by my interactions with students, they have an amazing energy, curiosity and hunger.” Hart expanded on this “hunger” when telling the Anchor how he would address the spiritual needs of students. “One of my favorite quotes is from a guy named D. T. Niles,” Hart began. “Niles said, ‘Evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where to find some bread.’ What I take that to mean is that it’s not just students that are hungry, I’m hungry too. If people are hungry and Jesus is the bread of life, I’m going to give them Jesus.” Further, Hart told the Anchor what this looks like in action. “It’s making sure Christ gets mentioned in every chapel talk and gathering, it’s Christ being sung about in the songs, it’s Jesus being studied in small groups.” Hart elaborated on the integration of this message into the services at Hope. 

This semester, the textual focus of Chapel and The Gathering services, as well the small groups, is the book of Galatians. When asked, “Why Galatians?” Hart answered, “It was actually Jennfier Ryden who chose Galatians before I came on staff. When she told me about it, I was so excited that that was where God had led her, because I had already known I wanted my first message as the Dean of the Chapel to be the Gospel – which Galatians conveys so clearly.” 

Finally, The Anchor asked Hart what he plans to bring to the faith community. He emphasized one figure: Jesus. “If people can meet Jesus, he’s going to do the heavy lifting of my whole ministry,” Hart said. “When I say ‘He’ I mean the living Christ. If I can put Him forward, and students, faculty and staff can have an encounter with the living Christ, I think I have done my job.” Hart concluded with this sentiment: “I don’t care if they remember my name, but I do care if they remember the name of Jesus.”

For some, the faith community at Hope surpasses other areas of prestige.  Hart’s connections with professors have guided him towards his career in ministry and now that he has been called back to campus, his leadership intends to bring Christ to the forefront. This year, we look forward to Rev. Dr. Nathan Hart as he takes on new leadership as the Dean of Chapel.