Greenbrier Chef Changes Course in the Middle of the Journey

Three days each week, Frank Naglic makes the 124-mile round trip between Durbin and Buckhannon. The drive up and down mountains and around sharp curves is symbolic of the non-traditional student’s life. The former five-star Greenbrier Resort Chef is now on course to become an ordained United Methodist pastor.

Naglic is enrolled in Christian Education classes at West Virginia Wesleyan to help him earn a regents degree through Fairmont State University.  He plans to enroll in seminary in 2009, an amazing goal considering that religion was not important to Naglic through most of his early adult life.

Raised in Doylestown, OH, Naglic enjoyed life as a college student at the University of Akron in 1971.  He withdrew after one year and began working in kitchens.  He began taking night classes and eventually earned a degree from the Culinary Institute of America in 1984.  Shortly after graduation, he began a long career as a chef at the Greenbrier preparing meals for thousands of famous and affluent people from throughout the world.  

Naglic was not raised in the church and usually only stepped inside for Christmas and Easter services or for weddings and funerals.  After he and his wife married in 1989, he began to attend more frequently, especially after becoming a Boy Scout leader for his son’s troop at a small county United Methodist Church in Greenbrier County. 

“At a tent revival, his eight year-old son had a religious conversion experience, which prompted the elder Naglic to step up his church involvement.  When Rev. Paul Suttle, the minister at the East Greenbrier Charge, decided to build a new church, Naglic pitched in and helped.  At the same time, he was diagnosed with Carpel Tunnel, a common ailment for restaurant chefs.  In 2000, he served as a delegate to The United Methodist Church Annual Conference at Wesleyan.  “I experienced the call to ministry at that conference, which was a literal explosion inside of me, launching my second educational journey,” noted Naglic.  He has never missed an Annual Conference since that calling.

Naglic began serving as the minister at Durbin and Bethel United Methodist Churches in 2003. He works with over 60 church members, making hospital and home visitations, administering both churches, and preparing sermons while finding time to attend classes. 

This is his first semester at Wesleyan, where he is enrolled in “Introduction to the Bible,” and “United Methodist Heritage.”  “I love my experience here,” exclaimed Naglic.  “I am developing a much greater understanding of the Bible, which helps me tie scripture together for my sermons.  I am also learning about the traditions and roots of The United Methodist Church.  I feel like a vacuum cleaner, collecting as much information as possible.  I have developed a hunger and thirst for knowledge.”

Naglic is one of several students who have been assisted by Wesleyan’s Christian Education program.  “Wesleyan serves the church in many ways,” noted Dr. Marvin Carr, associate professor of Christian Education.  “While we have several graduates each year, we also assist many sojourner non-traditional students on their path to licensure or to seminary.  Frank’s story is so typical of many of our students.  He has changed course in the middle of life’s journey.”

Naglic plans only to enroll in one class, “Spiritual Disciplines,” during the spring semester at Wesleyan.  The drive from Durbin to Buckhannon and back is a spectacular one in autumn,” concluded Naglic.  “Winter, however, on Route 92 can be treacherous, which is why I will reduce the number of weekly journeys.” While winter weather will present a few obstacles, Naglic’s faith, persistence, and calling will keep him on course for the second journey in his life.