Stephen Stookey joins Texas Baptists as Director of Theological Education

Dr. Stephen Stookey has joined Texas Baptists as Director of Theological Education. Stookey, who has a deep background in higher education, will serve as liaison to the Theological Education Council, oversee the ministerial financial assistance program, and promote and facilitate collaboration among Texas Baptists and BGCT-related educational institutions.

Stookey began his duties Monday, July 10, succeeding Dr. Steve Mullen who was named to the same post in the summer of 2018. He moves from Wayland Baptist University, where he served as dean of the School of Christian Studies since 2018, and as professor of religion since 2016. Prior to that, he served at Dallas Baptist University, the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Craig Christina, Texas Baptists’ interim executive director, cited Stookey’s varied experience “as both an educator and administrator” in saying: “We could not have found a more qualified candidate.”

“With years of experience in theological education, church work and denominational service, Dr. Stephen Stookey is ideally gifted to serve Texas Baptists as the director of Theological Education,” said Christina, adding that Stookey, who has served as an active member of the Theological Education Council, “has established credibility and earned trust with each of our Texas Baptist universities.”

Stookey is a graduate of Baylor University. He holds a Master of Divinity (with languages) and a Ph.D. in church history from Southwestern Seminary. Prior to Wayland Baptist, his prior service includes teaching Christian heritage and leadership studies at Dallas Baptist, where he was the founding director of the university’s Master of Arts in Theological Studies program. He has served as a resident fellow at the B.H. Carroll Theological Institute and as a faculty member at Southwestern, where he was chair of the department of church history. Additionally, Stookey has served as guest professor at the Evangelical College of Theology in Sierra Leone and the Baptist Seminary in Havana, Cuba.

Stookey and his wife, Beverly, have two adult children. Additionally, Stookey is an award-winning photographer who holds the Master of Photography degree, awarded by the Professional Photographers of America. He is an avid baseball fan.

“I am deeply honored to serve the Texas Baptist family as director of Theological Education,” Stookey said. “I firmly believe in the mission of Texas Baptists. Our BGCT-related universities and seminaries represent a unique collection of academic resources. Individually and collectively our Texas Baptist academic institutions significantly influence gospel action in Texas, our nation and around the world.

“Each institution is a valuable partner in advancing the gospel for the whole world. Each institution offers unique programs to meet the varied needs of Texas Baptists and our global ministry partners. I look forward to serving our academic institutions and Texas Baptists in fulfilling the Great Commission through positive, collaborative relationships.”

A licensed and ordained Baptist minister, Stookey regularly preaches and teaches in both church and conference settings. He serves on two commissions with the Baptist World Alliance, is a trustee of the T.B. Maston Foundation and is a historical consultant for the Texas Baptist Historical Museum in Independence.

Stookey said his objectives include extending “the reach of theological education within the Texas Baptist family” with formal university and seminary programs, as well as with informal, lay study opportunities. He will also work to “expand opportunities for experiential learning” for university and seminary students in service to local churches and partner ministries, as well as in cross-cultural settings.

Christina said Stookey’s experience with the Theological Education Council will allow him to “smoothly transition to the role of BGCT staff liaison to the Council.”

“Dr. Steve Mullen left a solid foundation of collaboration between our Christian studies programs and deans,” Christina said. “Now, Dr. Stookey’s proven experience serving in Christian higher education will enable him to succeed in expanding the influence of Texas Baptists universities and seminaries in preparing current and future ministers and lay leaders.”