Hardin-Simmons University has named West Texas pastor Jacob West as associate dean of Logsdon School of Theology. He is scheduled to begin March 25.
West earned all three of his degrees from Hardin-Simmons—Bachelor of Arts in Bible (2004), Master of Divinity (2007) and Doctor of Ministry (2013).
West said HSU and family ties in the region were strong lures back to campus, stating, “I want to strengthen Logsdon’s ties to West Texas churches and build a team to guide new ministries to love and lead the church.”
“Dr. West brings a wealth of knowledge and education that he gained while a student at Logsdon School of Theology and Logsdon Seminary,” said Kacie Eurek, HSU director for university marketing.
West served as adjunct professor at Wayland Baptist University the past four years.
Pastor and professor
West returns to Logsdon School of Theology from First Baptist Church in Plainview, where he has been pastor since December 2017. He served other churches around West Texas, including Stamford, Sweetwater and Rotan, where he served as youth pastor.
“His practical experience in church work on a daily basis provides the expertise needed to engage the minds and nurture the spirits of future Christian leaders in the HSU classroom,” Eurek said.
West will continue to see himself as a pastor in his new role. “After being a lead pastor for 16 years, it will be inevitable,” he said, adding, “Faculty and students will know I’m interested in their lives.”
“I want to lead a team approach to ministry preparation,” West said in an email to Baptist Standard.
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“Every Logsdon student and faculty member is an essential member of the team,” each one adding value and growing together in Christian community, he added.
“I am also eager to connect with those already hard at work preparing ministers throughout Texas,” West said.
Stating a desire to partner with Texas Baptists to equip students for the call and to listen to the Holy Spirit, West cited an extensive network —around Texas, the United States and the world—of colleagues, friends and ministry partners in church planting, camp ministry and the Christian Life Commission.
“I am thrilled” by West’s appointment, Katie Frugé—director of Texas Baptists’ Christian Life Commission and Center for Cultural Engagement—said in an email to Baptist Standard.
“His background makes him uniquely qualified and ideally suited to equip the next generation of ministry students to live out the mission and calling of Micah 6:8. We celebrate with the HSU community today and look forward to continued partnerships in the days to come,” Frugé added.
West’s teaching responsibilities will include subjects in Hardin-Simmons’ Foundational Curriculum and “ministry courses for majors and minors in Logsdon,” Eurek said.
Logsdon then and now
Logsdon School of Theology, founded in 1984 to offer undergraduate ministry degrees, was moved under the Cynthia Ann Parker College of Liberal Arts after HSU announced, Feb. 7, 2020, the closure of Logsdon Seminary, which was founded in 2004.
Hardin-Simmons offers a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Behavioral Sciences in Christian Studies, as well as a concentration in worship leadership in the music program.
Larry McGraw is the current associate dean of Logsdon School of Theology and professor of Bible. Kelvin Kelley is associate professor of theology. Kelly Pigott is professor of church history.
Asked about future plans for Logsdon School of Theology, Eurek replied: “The Logsdon School of Theology has a rich history and tradition of training qualified pastoral and ministerial candidates who have impacted the world for Christ. We strive for spiritual growth and formation in our students as we grow this program and serve the Body of Christ.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Jacob back to HSU in this new capacity,” HSU President Eric Bruntmyer said in the university’s announcement. “With his applicable experiences, Jacob will undoubtedly enrich our community and enhance our mission of providing an education enlightened by Christian faith and values.”
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