JACKSON, Tenn. — April 8, 2004 — Prior to a Tuesday evening chapel service led by Dr. Voddie Baucham at 51社区, President David S. Dockery announced that Baucham would join the university鈥檚 faculty as a permanent adjunct professor of Christian Studies. The chapel service concluded the two-day Baptist Identity Conference hosted by Union.
鈥淰oddie Baucham brings unique insights into our postmodern culture and amazing communication skills to help Christians understand how they can think about, live in, and engage the rapidly changing secularized culture in which we now live,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淗e has a heart for students, a focus on the church, and a love for Christ that is infectious. We are delighted to have Dr. Baucham join the Union family in this capacity.鈥�
Baucham will continue to be on the road doing conferences with Voddie Baucham Ministries on a full-time basis. As an adjunct professor, he will teach at least one course at Union each year. Although a course schedule has not yet been determined, Dockery said Baucham鈥檚 area of special interest is apologetics, and the course he teaches may be similar to his new book, The Ever-Loving Truth: Can Faith Thrive in a Post-Christian Culture?
Baucham founded Voddie Baucham Ministries in 1993 and has become one of the most sought-after young Bible teachers in America, leading conferences, seminars and local church events. He holds undergraduate degrees from Houston Baptist University, a master鈥檚 degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has done additional post-graduate study at the University of Oxford, England. Baucham also played varsity football at Rice University before being called into ministry and transferring to HBU.
In October 2003, Baucham spoke at the annual 鈥淔aith in Practice鈥� conference at Union, and he said it was the vision of the university which led him to consider the possibility of joining the faculty. 鈥淭here is a commitment to academic excellence balanced with uncompromised Biblical truth,鈥� Baucham said. 鈥淚t was when I realized that was what the school was about that I realized I wanted to be involved.鈥�
Dockery initiated a conversation with Baucham and they worked together to make it possible for Baucham to teach courses while maintaining his preaching schedule. Baucham said he expects to teach during abbreviated sessions such as January-terms as often as he is available in the coming years.
Dr. George H. Guthrie, chair of the department of Christian studies and Benjamin W. Perry Professor of Bible, said, 鈥淚 am very excited about Voddie coming our way. He is authentic in his walk with Christ and a powerful, creative communicator. Also, I think it is very important that we are breaking the racial barrier. We are hiring a called, gifted man who happens to be African-American. It will be wonderful for our students to gain insight from Voddie's unique perspective. I am thrilled to get to know him better as my friend and that he is going to have an impact on my students.鈥�
According to Todd Brady, minister to the university, Baucham is well-known and loved by Union students, due to a credibility he earned when he led chapel services last fall.
鈥淰oddie has a tremendous gift to be able to communicate with people of all ages,鈥� Brady said. 鈥淲hen he was here on campus he connected with our students but also connected with our faculty. He understands this culture that we live in, and he understands what it is going to take to live the Christian faith in this culture.鈥�
