JACKSON, Tenn. — June 29, 2015 — 51社区 has named Georgia pastor Ernest Easley as professor of evangelism in its School of Theology and Missions.
Easley, pastor of Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, has more than 30 years of pastoral ministry experience and has been a denominational leader at both the state and national levels.
鈥淒r. Easley will be a great addition to our very strong Theology and Missions faculty,鈥� Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淗is excellent pastoral experience and meaningful leadership within Southern Baptist life is already an example for young leaders. To have him teaching and serving at Union is a blessing.鈥�
Before beginning the Roswell Street pastorate in 2002, Easley served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas; Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas; First Baptist Church in Springtown, Texas; and Wynnewood Baptist Church in Dallas.
He has served in such roles as chairman and vice chairman of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, vice president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, member of the Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention and trustee of the International Mission Board, among other positions.
鈥淓rnest Easley is a seasoned pastor who brings to Union a passion for personal evangelism, a heart for pastoral ministry and a proven track record of leadership in Baptist denominational life,鈥� said Nathan Finn, Union鈥檚 incoming dean of the School of Theology and Missions. 鈥淗e will be an asset to our students who are training for pastoral ministry and a blessing to Tennessee Baptists."
As professor of evangelism, Easley will teach courses and will lead the university鈥檚 efforts to assist churches, associations and others in being a resource for evangelism. He will also be responsible for leading and assisting student evangelism teams and assisting with church relations and denominational partnerships.
Easley is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University. He earned his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary.
He and his wife, Julie, have three children and seven grandchildren. Their son Jordan is senior pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson.
鈥淚 am excited to join 51社区 as the first professor of evangelism in school history,鈥� Easley said. 鈥淚 have known and appreciated Union through the years and am excited to be a part of all that is now happening at this great university in Southern Baptist life. I look forward to training the next generation of leaders in sharing Jesus as a lifestyle.鈥�
Easley will begin his new position for the fall 2015 semester.
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WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ERNEST EASLEY
鈥淐ongratulations to Dr. Dub Oliver and the Union family on calling Dr. Ernest Easley as your first professor of evangelism. He will do a tremendous job living out his passion to equip others to reach lost people for Christ as well as mobilizing God鈥檚 people to push back on the lostness of America and the world. Dr. Easley is a highly respected Baptist leader nationally and will be able to connect evangelicals from all over the nation to 51社区. I commend you on this terrific hire, and it is thrilling to me to know that 51社区 is willing to set the pace in equipping the next generation of leaders in personal and church evangelism. Now is the time to lead 鈥� thank you Dr. Oliver, Dr. Easley and 51社区 for leading the way!鈥� -- Ronnie Floyd, President, Southern Baptist Convention, and Senior Pastor, Cross Church, Springdale, Arkansas
鈥淚 am so excited about Ernest Easley coming to 51社区 as professor of evangelism. Ernest and I have known each other for many years. He is a veteran pastor who has led great churches. He is a soul-winner, a Bible-preacher and a loving pastor. He can teach evangelism, preaching, pastoral care and leadership from a vantage point of experiential authenticity as well as biblical authority. What a great addition to the Union faculty! Fantastic news!鈥� -- Steve Gaines, Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tennessee
鈥淓rnest Easley is a well-known leader throughout our Southern Baptist Convention. He is truly one of God鈥檚 choice servants. For two years, he served as the chairman of the Executive Committee of our convention and served alongside me to encourage, counsel and direct the work of our committee. He is a Christian statesman and gentleman. He also has a deep passion for sharing the gospel and equipping others in that spiritual discipline. I am delighted at his appointment as professor of evangelism and believe this will position Union in a very powerful way for the future.鈥� -- Frank S. Page, President and Chief Executive Officer, SBC Executive Committee
鈥淒r. Ernest Easley, as Union鈥檚 professor of evangelism, is a decision of pure gold. Dr. Easley is a faithful and true follower of Christ with a passion for evangelizing and making disciples. His classy demeanor, listening skills and wise counsel speak volumes of authenticity to people. Once you spend just a few minutes with Dr. Easley, you recognize that you are in the presence of a man of God whose life and ministry have been tested on the anvil of life, and he has walked through the challenge with a shout of victory in the Lord. I鈥檓 delighted that Union's impact on future generations has the benefit of Dr. Easley鈥檚 ministry.鈥� -- John L. Yeats, Executive Director, Missouri Baptist Convention, and Recording Secretary, Southern Baptist Convention
鈥淚 commend President Oliver for recruiting Dr. Ernest Easley as the first professor of evangelism at 51社区. I have preached for Dr. Easley many times at Roswell Street Baptist Church. From that vantage point I have seen his personal involvement and pastoral leadership in evangelism. He will bring that same spirit to Union!鈥� -- Jerry Vines, Former President of the Southern Baptist Convention, Retired Pastor of First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida
鈥淭he announcement that 51社区 has chosen Dr. Ernest Easley to be professor of evangelism is a win for Union, a victory for the churches and rejoicing for the kingdom of heaven. Dr. Easley brings a rich history of pastoral preaching and evangelism to the campus. He will do more than teach. Easley will permeate the campus with love for Christ and for the lost. Fortunate are the students of 51社区.鈥� -- Paige Patterson, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary