Rev. Trent McDowell serves as the Senior Pastor of Calgary First Church of the Nazarene. Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Trent sensed God’s call to ministry early in life and has been serving as a pastor since 2005. He was ordained in the Church of the Nazarene in 2010.
Trent completed his B.A. at Nazarene University College (2003) and later earned a Master of Arts in Leadership and Ministry from Ambrose Seminary (2016). Over the years he has served in a variety of pastoral and teaching roles, including eight years directing Spiritual Formation and Programming at Camp Harmattan, and he continues to speak at retreats, camps, and ministry events across Western Canada.
Before coming to First Naz, Trent pastored in Edmonton as both Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor. He later moved to Calgary to pursue graduate studies and to serve on the Camp Harmattan Executive Team. From 2017–21, he helped guide a Calgary church through a significant season of transition and renewal—an experience that deepened his passion for helping communities become healthy and vibrant expressions of the gospel.
At the heart of Trent’s ministry is a simple desire: to help people encounter Jesus and grow into a flourishing life with Him. He loves opening Scripture, fostering honest community, and seeing people discover the freedom and joy that come from walking closely with Christ.
Outside of ministry, Trent enjoys deep conversations over good coffee, staying active, reading, travelling when he can, and playing almost any board game set in front of him.