JACKSON, Tenn. — March 10, 2005 — Oklahoma Baptist University president emeritus and former 51社区 administrator Bob Agee will direct the new master in Christian studies degree at 51社区, Union president David S. Dockery has announced.
鈥淲e are delighted that Dr. Bob Agee has agreed to serve in a key leadership role for the new master in Christian studies program,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淒r. Agee is recognized as one of the premier leaders in Christian education in Baptist life and across the country. His strengths will underscore the work of the master of Christian studies program for the good of churches throughout this region.鈥�
Agee served as vice president for religious affairs, professor of practical studies in the religion department and as special assistant to the president for institutional planning at Union before taking the helm at OBU in 1982. He served as OBU president for 16 years, and in 1998 was selected as the executive director of the Association of Southern Baptist Colleges and Schools, a position he will continue to hold.
In addition to his leadership role in the master in Christian studies degree, Agee will also serve as professor of educational leadership at Union.
Launching this fall, the MCS degree is a 42-hour program designed for students already serving on church staffs or church members who are interested in expanding their education. Classes will typically meet one day a week, and the degree can be completed in two years.
鈥淭he churches of the area will benefit from the master in Christian studies degree because that degree is designed to help people get to the next level in their education, who are already out there doing ministry,鈥� said George Guthrie, chairman of Union鈥檚 Christian Studies department. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to place a very strong emphasis on integration between what the student is learning in the classroom and what they are actually doing in ministry each week in the church.鈥�
Union鈥檚 Christian Studies department has grown considerably over the past decade. During that time, students with Christian Studies majors have increased from 70 to 230. The number of faculty members in the department has risen from six to 13.