Ken Norton, Montana Conference president, has accepted Voice of Prophecy’s invitation to serve as Discover Bible School director. He will begin his service on March 2, 2025.
Norton will replace Bill Payne, who recently became North American Division Sabbath School and personal ministries director.
“I get very excited when I see God lining things up for His work. It was obvious — almost immediately — that He was answering our prayers by sending Norton to us,” said Shawn Boonstra, VOP speaker/director. “Norton has a soul winner’s heart and deep experience in using Discover Bible School to lead people to Christ.”
Prior to his time in Montana, Norton served as Guam-Micronesia Mission president for five years. His professional background also includes pastoral ministry in Florida Conference, Georgia-Cumberland Conference and GMM, as well as teaching and international missions. Throughout his career, Norton has utilized Discover Bible School’s resources and aided its global growth.
VOP’s Discover Bible School is one of the largest Bible lesson programs in the world, supporting more than 2,800 local branches across North America, with hundreds more around the world. It offers lessons in more than 100 languages — a feat made possible, in part, by Norton.
While serving as GMM president, Norton led efforts to translate Discover Bible School guides into local island languages. He also developed a website enabling local islanders to study the lessons online.
“For a long time, I’ve had this passion for equipping lay church members in evangelism, and, of course, the foundation of that journey is studying the Bible with others,” Norton expressed. “In almost every district where I’ve been a pastor, I’ve started a Discover Bible School. I’m excited to help our churches as Discover Bible School director by getting as many lay people involved in soul winning as possible.”
Norton is especially looking forward to enriching Discover Bible School’s virtual outreach operations. In fact, Norton’s doctoral study focused on how video chat technology can help lay people organize effective small-group Bible studies. His academic journey resulted in a doctor in ministry degree from Andrews University and yet another connection to VOP: his main adviser was Kurt Johnson, World Bible School director and Discover Bible School associate director.
“Norton’s passion for Bible study ministry, his humility and his desire to live like Jesus are apparent,” said Johnson. “Both he and his wife, Julie, are devoted to missions — to walking in the footsteps of Jesus and doing everything in their power to help others make that same journey.”
Headquartered in Loveland, Colorado, VOP has been engaged in evangelism and media ministry since 1929, making it one of the longest-running Christian media ministries in existence.
"Norton has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to personal ministry and the involvement of others in Bible studies throughout his ministry," said John Freedman, North Pacific Union president. "His leadership and insights have meaningfully shaped our ministry dialogue and efforts in both Montana Conference and NPUC. We are confident that his dedication to evangelism and Bible study will continue to impact lives in his new role with VOP. We look forward to continuing our shared mission and are profoundly grateful for his steadfast passion for mission and his unwavering commitment to Christ."
Ken Norton is the new Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible School director.
