JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 5, 2008 — C. Richard Wells has been named dean of the chapel and professor of Christian studies at 51社区.
Wells has served as senior pastor of South Canyon Baptist Church in Rapid City, S.D., since 2003. Prior to that he was president of Criswell College from 1997-2003, and he previously served Criswell as professor of pastoral theology and dean of students. Wells also taught preaching at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University for many years.
鈥淚 am thrilled that Richard Wells has been led to join the 51社区 community,鈥� Union President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淗is impressive academic credentials and vast ministry experience seem to be, in God鈥檚 good providence, the perfect combination for this key role.鈥�
As dean of the chapel, Wells will serve as pastor of the entire 51社区 community 鈥� students, faculty and staff. He will have oversight of the Union chapel, including all aspects of worship, service and mission.
In addition to his responsibility for the work of campus ministries, Wells will work closely with all campus leaders and administrators to help the university fulfill its Christ-centered mission, Dockery said.
Wells has served churches in Texas, Alabama and Florida, in addition to his current position in South Dakota. He has one Doctor of Philosophy degree from Baylor University and a second doctorate from North Texas University.
He holds master鈥檚 degrees from Stetson University and Criswell College, and a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Florida Southern College.
The co-author of 鈥淚nspired Preaching,鈥� has also written almost 50 articles or chapters for such publications as The Baker Dictionary of the Cults, The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics, 鈥淚nterpreting the New Testament,鈥� 鈥淭he Challenge of Postmodernism鈥� and others.
He has served as a visiting professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., and the Alliance Graduate School in Manila, Philippines.
Wells and his wife Carol have three adult children and five grandchildren. He will begin his role at Union Aug. 15.