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Called home
Pastor finds reward in return to the church of his youth
By Steve Arney
sarney@pantagraph.com

Brad Nave looks to the prophet Isaiah, who told God, "Here am I. Send me." Brad Nave at 35 already has nearly 20 years of preaching experience. (Pantagraph/LORI ANN COOK)
The Pentecostal pastor's charismatic delivery includes calm periods, which serve as mere interludes to hyper-preaching. At times, he is shouting and outright screaming. Mostly, the Rev. Brad Nave's sermon is on a train-like roll.

Many of those in the congregation at Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Bloomington raise one hand at times. Sometimes they raise both hands. Often they clap and shout "Halleluiah" and affirmations. At one point, a young man jumps up and down, as if in a mosh pit.

When their energy wanes, Nave teases the listeners. After making a key point but hearing little reply, he exclaims facetiously, "Oh, I wish I had a believer in here!"

The audience rebounds with claps and hollers.

The emotionalism serves as a format, but not one devoid of substance, as this church preaches that Christianity is more than a Sunday pep rally. Within the talk, there is Scripture, teaching, challenges and application.

Contemporary gospel music warms up the attenders. It is Sunday night. They've already been through a boisterous round of church. But they are refreshed, and their new church building emits a similar sense of energy.

The sanctuary has a warm look -- dominated by one of those chameleon beige wall colors that shifts its earth-tone look depending on the light. Seventy-eight track lights beam from the ceiling. Ten sconced lights line the walls.

The pews seat 260 people, almost seven times more seats than needed on this night. Even in the busier Sunday morning service, the church is more than double the size needed. But Nave already is thinking toward the day when he'll need more than one a.m. service to accommodate the flock.

A son comes home

Late in 2004, James Nave was at the church construction site feeling overwhelmed. Now 66, he was pastor of a church that already was four years into a building project in which construction came sporadically, based on ability to pay.

Church met in a 1979 building on Tractor Lane, off U.S. 51 on the city's south edge. The new structure was being erected in front of the existing church. But completion still seemed distant.

Said James Nave: "I told the Lord, 'This is too big for me. I need some help.'"

For a time, his son Brad seemed the heir apparent to lead Apostolic Pentecostal Church.

Brad had played church as a child and by age 15 showed his interest in preaching was more than a child's mimicry of his father's vocation. By 16, he was giving talks at church and elsewhere, and he became youth pastor for the church at 20.

But Brad felt a tug away from Bloomington-Normal.

In 1999, he accepted a job as associate pastor at Winds of Pentecost Church in St. Charles County, Mo. He started Landmark Family Church in Maryland Heights, Mo., three years later.

The holidays in 2004 brought Brad Nave back from the St. Louis area, bringing a prayer answer that James Nave didn't expect but quickly embraced. Said the elder Nave, "He told me, 'What would you think if I came home?'"

In February 2005, James moved into semi-retirement, taking the title of church bishop, while Brad Nave, with board and congregation approval, became pastor.

Brad Nave is a third-generation preacher at Apostolic Pentecostal. His grandfather, W.A. Kessinger, led the congregation from 1958 until he died in 1988, whereupon Kessinger's son-in-law, James Nave, moved from assistant to pastor.

A family line of pastors isn't extraordinary in Pentecostal churches, according to the bishop.

But it also isn't a birthright.

Brad Nave at 35 already has nearly 20 years of preaching experience. He says he feels a deep caring for church members and community required of the job, as if born for ministry. He demonstrates a skill in preaching that he attributes to Holy Ghost power -- an "anointing."

The church family

Serving as confirmation of the son's return are the results.

An upsurge in attendance followed Brad Nave's commission as pastor.

With it came some new money, new talents and more hands to work on parts of the church. To shake hands with the younger Nave is to be reminded of the toil of the past year and a half.

In addition to his church work, he is a systems analyst for State Farm Insurance Cos. But his hands are rugged, as a laborer's. At this church, jobs that didn't require construction specialists have fallen to the congregation and the pastor.

Accompanying Brad's arrival, Cindy and Josh Linton moved from their church in Heyworth to support Brad and Krista Nave. Brad's wife, Krista, is Cindy's sister, and the Lintons became outreach directors for Apostolic Pentecostal.

Crucial to the construction, Josh is an electrician.

Also, Greg Wilhelm had moved to Missouri to work with Brad, and he moved back to serve as Apostolic Pentecostal's youth pastor. Wilhelm's great-grandfather, the Rev. Miles French Connour, was the second pastor for the church. Greg's father oversees church facilities and the new building's construction. Greg leads the worship and praise team and a new choir of teenagers and young adults.

The old church building is being transformed into an area for teen and young adult programming. The new one is closer to the highway. Furnishing and finishing rooms in the new structure are ahead, and the 26,000-square-foot building's unfinished basement might become a fellowship hall. The church moved to the new building in July, and a formal dedication occurred in September.

'Stir us up'

On this Sunday night, Nave's talk is "God is Great in the Midst."

It starts with Isaiah, who famously asked to be commissioned by God.

The message moves into Acts and to other post-Gospel books in which the Apostles, after Jesus' ascension into heaven, become filled with the Holy Spirit. The church holds especially close to these passages, as Apostolic Pentecostal Church aligns itself to the Holy Spirit's empowerment at Pentecost and the churches created by the Apostles thereafter.

He circles back to Isaiah. "It's time to stir us up. 'Lord, here am I. Send me.'"

Side by side

On the altar, father and son sit together -- and stand together, clapping and raising hands -- during services. Pastor Nave preaches at most services. Bishop Nave preaches on occasion and runs adult ministries.

There have been awkward moments in the past two years, and that could be expected, the bishop said after the service. "We've reversed roles. I was his pastor. Now, he's my pastor."

Brad Nave added, "Dad has been awesome."

The pastor speaks of the bishop with utmost respect, but he also says he needed to be away for a time to learn and mature.

"There are things I couldn't learn in that security," Nave said. Essential to leadership, he said, he returned with a new stature.

He left being "Brad" to many people at the church, and he returned as "Pastor Nave."

Church life



  • 2810 Tractor Lane, off U.S. 51 in south Bloomington


  • Sunday services: 10 a.m. evangelical service; 6 p.m. celebratory service


  • Wednesday night: 7 p.m. study and educational service


  • Web site: www.theapc.org


  • Church history: The earliest church records show the church existed in the early 1930s as Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ. Its founding date is unclear. Its first pastor was Silas Sanders and first location was 812 W. Market.


    • It moved to 1108 W. Wood Street in 1935 and to 1101 W. Market in 1943, when it was renamed The Apostolic Temple.

    It became the Apostolic Pentecost Church in 1958. The church moved to a new structure in 1979, to what became Tractor Lane. The new church was built in front of the 1979 church and opened in July. This year, the church was again renamed, to Apostolic Pentecostal Church, as a grammatical correction.

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    Apostolic Pentecostal Church has occupied its current location since 1979. (Pantagraph/LORI ANN COOK)
    Pastor Brad Nave and Bishop James Nave work and worship together at Apostolic Pentecostal Church. Here, they sang together at a Sunday night service. (Pantagraph/LORI ANN COOK)
    As the service closes on a recent Sunday, the congregation gathers at the altar for prayer and worship. (Pantagraph/LORI ANN COOK)
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    Reader comments on this story - 30 total

    Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

    Rosemary Brown wrote on Feb 24, 2008 12:31 AM:

    " What is a mosh pit? never heard of it When God got ahold of my heart It was the most wonderful feeling in the world. I was so happy I just simply could not be still I was very shy and did not want to shout or holler so I just ran up and down the hill which was in front of the house where we lived. Rose "

    website wrote on Mar 1, 2007 2:58 PM:

    " that website is looking great! "

    reply to How Can? wrote on Mar 1, 2007 2:57 PM:

    " We dont base it solely off of that verse. We base our plan of salvation off of the bible in it's entirety, and we believe that it all echoes in agreeance wit that verse. That verse is what you need to start salvation in a nutshell, which is the reason why it is focused upon. But there is more than that, which is taught in the church. "

    reply to Cynthia wrote on Mar 1, 2007 2:53 PM:

    " There are some problems with your statements. The people who got kicked off of the platform were kicked off because of the platform- not pentecostal- "dress code" because most pastors feel it is a good idea to have people up on the platform that will be an example. To the judgement part, I'm sorry you feel that way. On the other hand, there are milions of people willing to say to the contrary. We as a movement believe that Once you follow the plan of salvation, God will lead you to what he feels are necessary changes. For this church specifically, anyone with a pair of eyes who sits down in a service will see that this isn't true just by the overwhelming percentage of the congregation who is made up by returning visitors. Sorry to tell ya, but they wouldn't return if they felt judged, and those newly born in the spirit, or newly baptized, which we have many of wouldn't be staying if they felt judged. "

    Vikari wrote on Feb 6, 2007 8:45 PM:

    " I enjoyed your page. Keep up the good work! "

    new york wrote on Dec 8, 2006 3:34 PM:

    " Igrew up mainstream amezion church and i sat there wondering was Jesus real well now i know i go to a upci church in upstate ny and it has been the best thing to happen to me.He is real "

    I wonder wrote on Nov 1, 2006 1:37 PM:

    " Do they sacrice animals there? I'm locking my cat in the house from now on. "

    "Mosh pit boy" hahahaha wrote on Nov 1, 2006 12:32 PM:

    " Yeah, I'm gonna have to agree with Shawne, but on the other hand, those who don't go to that kind of church will look to the losest thing to relate it to, so he described it as best he could. I don't believe he was trying to ridicule us, he just didn't understand the form of worship. To all those who don't, let me explain it to you. If you win a million dollars, you're gonna move. Having the one and only true God being inside of you, the feeling He gives you, and being to interact with His Spirit is going to make you want to move even more so. It's not irreverant, for the bible says we were created to worship Him. We worshp Him just as the Jews, and the first church did. "

    how can wrote on Oct 25, 2006 4:10 AM:

    " how can you soley base the key to salvation on Acts 2:38? "

    but wrote on Oct 22, 2006 3:27 PM:

    " Samson's hair was his strength, why can't men have long hair? "

    Cynthia wrote on Oct 18, 2006 7:03 PM:

    " I am a former pentecostal church memer. I was raised in the church all my life and had to choose for myself what I felt was right and wrong. The bible does talk about genders not dressing a like, however it also speaks of having more than one wife, and woman not being ministers. I personally don't believe tha I'm going to hell when I throw on a pair of slacks or a little makeup. You are wrong when you say that the church doesn't judge its members for doing this, I've seen many people told to get off the platform because they were not following the pentecostal dress code. Lets not forget about the men, they can't wear shorts, short sleeve shirts, facial hair, or long hair. You may say you choose this type of lifestyle, however I know first hand that this type of church dictates what you can and can't do. Yes, I did attend this church a long time ago, as well as other pentecostal churches. They are all the same, some church standards are lower than others, but the concept is the same. Think for yourself. "

    to: hey there wrote on Oct 17, 2006 1:18 PM:

    " The ladies don't believe doing these things will send them to hell! They believe God delights in their striving to do His will according to the Bible, but they don't judge others that don't! God didn't say "to enter into Heaven you must wear a skirt"!!! But if you study the Word, He does talk about being modest and to not wear clothes that pertaineth to the opposite sex. It also talks about a woman's hair being her glory and makes angels encamp all around her to protect her. "

    hey there wrote on Oct 16, 2006 1:19 AM:

    " Its ok ladies, go ahead and cut your hair and throw on a pair of pants. It won't send you to hell. "

    GolfFan wrote on Oct 15, 2006 6:03 AM:

    " There was ( maybe still is) a small church at the bottom of the hill from St. Mary's Catholic church. It was (maybe still is) a small, unassuming concrete block building. But, the sounds of Negro spirituals and other glorious music which emanated from its open windows on a Summer Sunday tempted more than a few of us to ditch our never ending diet of Gregorian Chant and take up temporary residence near one of those open windows. I can't honestly say that it "saved" me. But I certainly derived "sinful" enjoyment from the attempt. Hosanna in Excelsis. "

    JTE wrote on Oct 12, 2006 4:47 PM:

    " Why is the way people worship AND praise God supposed to be limited? There are times for quite reflection (what I suspect LILY refers to a "reverance") and they need to be respected. If jumping and shouting isn't how you worship and praise that's fine. But for some people it is. David danced out of his clothes if you recall. And David said "make a joyful noise...". My church is full of folks who shout, jump, dance, and sing. I'n not one of them. But then I don't jump and yell at sporting events or concerts, either. And there are a lot of us there who smile, hug, and cry too. It's all different ways we individuals praise the one who saved us. "

    Bishop Nave wrote on Oct 12, 2006 2:28 PM:

    " I am pleased with the article as written. The descriptive words of it's author are his reaction to what he heard and saw. I talked with him on Monday, and he told me he enjoyed the service very much. If you are in doubt about the worship being real and genuine. come and see for yourself. "

    Planet Earth wrote on Oct 12, 2006 9:59 AM:

    " I'd like to thank all of you for telling everybody I'm only a few thousand years old rather than many billions...very flatering. "

    A Believer wrote on Oct 12, 2006 9:46 AM:

    " Thank you Steve and Lori for the story. Not always do people understand the Pentecostal form of worship, but to be a Pentecostal is a wonderful life. I wouldn't trade it for anything. This particular church does not point fingers nor judge another church. We love all. The only way you can find that out is to get to know us. Please don't judge us by someone else's actions. Pastor Nave is a sincere young man and lives what he preaches - So must we all. "

    IamaWorshiper wrote on Oct 12, 2006 8:21 AM:

    " The book of Psalms talks about how David and others worshiped God by making a joyful noise, dancing before God, raising their hands in praise and shouting with a loud voice of triumph. The bible teaches us how to worship. If you knew where God had brought me from, the life style of drugs and addictions he delivered me from, you too would stand in his presence with your hands raised, tears streaming down your face in utter thankfulness for his mercy and grace. Some people worship Idols or Gods that are no longer alive, but I serve a living God and he is worthy of all my praise! "

    Concerned Colleague wrote on Oct 12, 2006 8:21 AM:

    " I serve a local congregation on a similar growth path. I applaud your efforts and look forward to building bridges between us and the community! God speed, Brad! p.s. beware, the church is under Satanic attack... from the inside out! "

    Guy wrote on Oct 11, 2006 3:47 PM:

    " I grew up in a Pentacostal church but also went to a Catholic school my whole life. Pentacostals go by more of where they feel God leads them to. Catholics are more ritualistic. I don't think either is wrong.(Although I found mass truly boring and monotonous but just an opinion) I guess as long as you get something positive, and uplifting from it, doesn't matter HOW you get it... "

    Not a cult! wrote on Oct 11, 2006 2:26 PM:

    " When you love God and really realize what He's done for you, you get excited! Why is it ok to yell and scream at a baseball or football game and get excited, but not ok at church? God SAVED us from our wicked human nature and gives us miracles and wonders in this life! How can you NOT get excited about that? Pastor Brad is a very fun and exciting person who loves his work of ministering the Gospel to the whole world...also, the Pentecostal church does not worship anything or any person other than our God and Saviour. Please, I encourage anyone who really thinks that because we aren't "pew warmers" or like the traditional "hear a pin drop" services at other Christian churches that we are a cult to visit a service. We just have a different way of worshipping the Lord! It's addicting to be so excited about God and church and I promise you'll think so too. "

    LILY wrote on Oct 11, 2006 12:57 PM:

    " Why the need to scream? How you can feel the spirit when there is no reverance? I am staying away from this one. "

    to lucky from why wrote on Oct 11, 2006 1:57 AM:

    " I attended that particular church for six months. It takes more than three times attending a service to draw a proper opinion. "

    Lucky wrote on Oct 10, 2006 4:50 PM:

    " Well, I'm in a church that's filled with pew warmers. This church certainly sounds like it's full of life. And to "Why?" Good Grief, look who's quick to judge. I would recommend you attend at least 3 of their services before making a comment like you have! Same to "sounds like a cult group". I think you need to look up the definition of cult. In a cult, members are typically taught to worship the group's leader. "

    why? wrote on Oct 10, 2006 2:13 PM:

    " Do you have to jump up and down, scream and shout to get "the word" across? These types of people are quick to judge and point fingers at other world religions. Its either their way, or the highway. "

    sounds like wrote on Oct 10, 2006 2:10 PM:

    " sounds like a cult group "

    A Testimony wrote on Oct 10, 2006 8:08 AM:

    " I love love love this church...These people are FULL of God on the inside and it shows abundantly on the outside. Their desire is to tell EVERYONE about the goodness of God and how making Him #1 in their life will forever change their lives for the better! I highly recommend visiting this wonderful church!!! (PS - Shawne, I agree...the mosh pit comment does make the church look like a joke, but hopefully that won't turn people away when they ready that! In Jesus Name!) "

    Shawne wrote on Oct 9, 2006 9:43 PM:

    " I am appalled at the author's similation of the wording "mosh pit" in the second paragraph. I was raised in this church the first 25 years of my life and I would NEVER relate glorifying the word of God in such a manner. There IS NO comparison!! The wording of the article was almost as if it were making "fun" of the Spirit moving amongst christians during preaching. Believe me, Bradley Nave can preach the word of God that will MAKE you "jump up and down" in the sheer joy of being free to serve God and hear/believe His word. There is no relation between shouting/jumping for God and shouting/jumping within a "mosh pit". "

    Dean wrote on Oct 9, 2006 8:07 AM:

    " Well done. I really enjoyed this article, it is good to see that the A.P.C. is keeping the faith, there was never a doubt in my mind. Dean Indinapolis, IN "
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