March 20, 2019
The Board of Trustees at Wesley Biblical Seminary is excited to announce that Dr. John Oswalt has been appointed Interim President at Wesley Biblical Seminary. He will hold this position until May 2020 or until a permanent successor has been selected.
“As clearly as any time in my life, I have felt God directing me to make myself available for this appointment,” Dr. Oswalt said. “I am grateful for the Seminary’s unwavering commitment to the authority of Scripture, to the reality of the Spirit-filled, sanctified life, and to the service of the church of Jesus Christ.”
Dr. Oswalt’s appointment comes less than two weeks after President John Neihof tragically passed away from an apparent heart attack.
“Dr. Neihof gave his whole self to God and to the work, and God blessed that offering,” Dr. Oswalt said. “I want to do what I can to be sure that what he did is conserved and even strengthened in the days ahead so that Dr. Neihof’s successor can take the helm of a ship in full sail.”
Dr. Oswalt brings a rich background in theological education and leadership to his new role as interim president. He is Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary, where he has taught for 31 years in three separate periods (1970-1982, 1989-1999, 2009- present. In the intervening years, he served as President of Asbury University, Wilmore, Kentucky; Professor of Old Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois, and Research Professor of Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi. He is the author of fifteen books, the most notable of which is his two-volume commentary on Isaiah in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series.
“Seminary education is undergoing rapid changes in this day, but the call of God to give our heart, soul, mind, and strength in service to him and his people has not changed and will not change,” Dr. Oswalt said. “I know that you will join me in seeing that his call is carried out here in our part of the vineyard, Wesley Biblical Seminary, where he has placed us together.”
Please pray for Dr. Oswalt and his wife, Karen, as they step into this vital role to serve the mission of WBS.