JACKSON, Tenn. — April 26, 2018 — 51社区 has named Ray Van Neste, professor of biblical studies, as dean for its School of Theology and Missions.
Van Neste has served on the Union faculty since 2001 and also is director of the R.C. Ryan Center for Biblical Studies. He will begin his role as dean on June 1.
鈥淕od has blessed us with the right person in our very midst, someone who can step up to assume the responsibilities of this office, and someone whom the faculty respects as a leader,鈥� Union Provost John Netland said. 鈥淲e can鈥檛 see the future, but we trust that God will continue to bless the School of Theology and Missions, and we have confidence that Ray will be the kind of leader who does not lean on his own understanding but will, in all of his ways, trust in the Lord and follow his guidance.鈥�
Netland said Van Neste is an accomplished scholar of the Scriptures, manager and administrator who loves the Lord, the Bible, the church, proclaiming the good news of the gospel and equipping others to do so.
Van Neste will become the third dean of Union鈥檚 School of Theology and Missions. The current dean, Nathan Finn, is leaving Union at the end of the spring semester to be provost at North Greenville University.
A native of Millington, Tennessee, Van Neste graduated from Union in 1992 with a major in religion/Greek. He finished his Master of Arts degree in New Testament from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and his Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
Van Neste is a prolific writer who has written dozens of articles, chapters and books. He wrote the commentaries on 1-2 Timothy and Titus for the Baker Illustrated Bible Background Commentary series, co-edited 鈥淩eformation 500: How the Greatest Revival Since Pentecost Continues to Shape the World Today鈥� and contributed study notes on the pastoral epistles for the Holman Christian Standard Study Bible, among numerous other projects.
He has also served as a pastor and is a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson.
鈥淩ay Van Neste is an incredible teacher whose love for Christ and God鈥檚 Word is clear in all he does,鈥� Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淗e is an accomplished scholar and an effective administrator. Having earned his undergraduate degree at Union, Ray鈥檚 commitment to Union鈥檚 Christ-centered mission is rock solid.
鈥淗is desire to serve the church and equip leaders for service in local congregations is evident,鈥� Oliver continued. 鈥淎nd, his personal warmth and winsome humor make him a joy to be around. We are thrilled that Ray is stepping in to this important role at Union.鈥�
Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, said Van Neste鈥檚 appointment was great news for Union.
鈥淗e is a gifted scholar and a phenomenal classroom instructor,鈥� Akin said. 鈥淢y own sons raved about him when they were students at Union. This is a choice that bodes well for Union鈥檚 future.鈥�
Chris Morgan, dean of the School of Christian Ministries at California Baptist University, said Van Neste, in addition to being one of the top New Testament scholars in the Southern Baptist Convention, is a gifted teacher and devoted pastor.
鈥淐hurches near Union will resonate with Ray, as he wakes up every morning deeply committed to serve the church,鈥� Morgan said.
Van Neste said he was humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve as dean at an institution that means so much to him. Citing 2 Corinthians 4:5, he said that the School of Theology and Missions wants to train people with servant hearts who can say with the Apostle Paul, 鈥淲e preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus鈥� sake.鈥�
鈥淚 love Union for what it stands for, for what it has meant to me and for what it means to the kingdom work of West Tennessee and beyond,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n a time where there is such a great need for faithful pastors and biblically and theologically informed lay people, the School of Theology and Missions plays a pivotal role helping to shape students from all walks of life.鈥�
Van Neste and his wife Tammie have six children.