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BBS to see change in leadership

A new team will direct Baptist Bible Seminary beginning next year.

Dr. Howard Bixby, the Seminary Dean and Vice President for Seminary Academics who has led the school since 1986, will retire after 22 years of service at the Seminary.

Dr. Mike Stallard, currently a professor of systematic theology and director of the Ph.D. program, will become Seminary Dean. He has taught at the Seminary since 1994.

Dr. Jim Lytle, currently Vice President of College & Graduate School Academics at Baptist Bible College, will become Vice President and Provost, adding Seminary oversight to his responsibilities.

The changes are effective June 1, 2008.

Jim Jeffery, President of Baptist Bible College & Seminary, said Dr. Bixby has led the Seminary well.

“We have seen growth in many areas due to his vision and leadership,” Jeffery said.

During Dr. Bixby’s tenure, BBS has grown to 283 students, up from 38 students in the spring of 1986. BBS has added the Master of Ministry, Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Philosophy degrees during the period.

The Seminary has prepared college and seminary presidents, academic deans and professors for ministry around the world. While at BBS, Dr. Bixby has traveled, spoken widely, and served on numerous accreditation teams. He is also the founder of Project Jerusalem, a church planting ministry.

“Before coming to BBC&S, I served as a pastor for 19 years,” said Dr. Bixby. “After my retirement, I will enter a third phase of ministry: consultation with pastors and churches to help them grow and be healthy.”

Dr. Stallard, a frequent conference speaker, has several years experience as a senior pastor, including inner-city church planting. He is the founder and director of Mission Scranton and the founding pastor at New Life Baptist Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

“I aim to keep the Seminary theologically pure and maintain the philosophy of ministry we currently have of balance between academics and ministry. That is what attracted me into coming to BBS in the first place,” said Dr. Stallard.

Dr. Lytle returned to BBC&S in January 2007 after 14 years serving as a missionary in South Africa. He taught as a Bible professor and worked in other positions at Baptist Bible College prior to his missionary service..

Baptist Bible Seminary is located in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. It offers a variety of distance learning and online classes and grants five advanced degrees.

Posted on: 9/26/2007 5:59:40 PM