Josh Mathews new Gateway associate dean
By Tyler Sanders/Gateway
ONTARIO, Calif. – Gateway alum Josh Mathews joined the seminary faculty as associate dean after having served Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, as dean of the faculty and vice president of academic affairs.
Gateway alum Josh Mathews joined the seminary faculty as associate dean on April 30, 2025, after having served Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, as dean of the faculty and vice president of academic affairs.
“Dr. Josh Mathews is everything we look for in a faculty member,” said Gateway President Adam Groza.
“His commitment to building up the church, to the hard work of biblical scholarship, and to the unwavering inerrancy of Scripture make him an ideal faculty member and leader at Gateway.”
Mathews earned the Ph.D. in biblical studies from Gateway in 2011 under John Sailhammer. He additionally earned two M.A.s, one in historical and systematic theology and the other in biblical exegesis from Wheaton College and double-majored in Bible/theology and New Testament Greek at Multnomah Bible College.
Mathews will serve as associate dean for educational effectiveness and professor of Old Testament studies. Mathews will manage Gateway’s accreditation processes with ATS and WSCUC beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. He will primarily teach through the seminary’s Pacific Northwest Campus in Vancouver, Washington, as well as Gateway Online.
At Western, Mathews served as dean and VP since 2021, as chair of the Center for Biblical and Theological studies from 2019-2021, and as associate professor of biblical studies since 2015. He also served as director of the Center for Leadership Development and of the Faith and Work Initiative at Western Seminary. Additionally, Mathews has taught as an adjunct at Gateway Seminary and Multnomah Bible College and Biblical Seminary.
“I graduated from Gateway Seminary and I am grateful for the opportunity to serve at an institution that has served me so well,” said Mathews.
“It is a great privilege to join the faculty and participate in the school’s mission of shaping leaders, faithfully supporting the church’s mission to expand God’s kingdom for his glory.”
Mathews is currently an elder at Gresham Bible Church in Gresham, Oregon, and has served churches in the area through preaching and leadership.
He is the author of Melchizedek’s Alternative Priestly Order: A Compositional Analysis of Genesis 14:18-20 and its Echoes throughout the Tanak, his dissertation published through Eisenbrauns, and a number of articles and chapters in books.
Ryan Lister new dean of students at Boyce College
By Travis Hearne/SBTS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – President R. Albert Mohler Jr. has announced the appointment of Ryan Lister as the new Dean of Students at Boyce College. Lister will also join the faculty, bringing over two decades of experience in theological education and pastoral ministry to the Boyce community.
“Boyce College and Southern Seminary are very pleased that Ryan Lister is joining us in this new position,” said President Mohler. “He brings a rich background in higher education, experience as a teacher, and a great love for students. He knows college students well, and I look forward to him serving as Dean of Students at Boyce College. This is a particularly important position for a college that is committed to Christ without compromise.”
Lister, a two-time graduate of Southern Seminary (Ph.D., M.Div.), is widely recognized for his work in systematic theology and theological education. His return to Louisville marks a significant addition to the leadership and academic team at Boyce College.
Previously, Lister served as Professor of Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, where he also led initiatives in discipleship and spiritual formation. Most recently, he directed the Residency Program at Regents School of Austin. He has taught at numerous institutions, including Biola University, California Baptist University, and Charleston Southern University, and served in pastoral roles at churches in Oregon and South Carolina.
Lister is also a prolific author, having written The Presence of God (Crossway, 2014) and co-authored the Reclaimed Creativity series with Thomas Terry of Humble Beast. His writing and speaking frequently explore the intersection of theology, creativity, and Christian living.
In his new role as Dean of Students, Lister will oversee student life, shepherding students in their spiritual, academic, and personal development. Known for his dynamic leadership and theological clarity, he brings a passion for cultivating a holistic and Christ-centered student experience.
Dustin Bruce, Dean of Boyce College, is excited for Boyce students to experience the leadership and conviction Lister brings.
“Ryan Lister combines theological clarity and conviction with a strong background in the formation and discipleship of students,” Bruce said. “I look forward to the many ways his leadership will further the authentic biblical community Boyce College Student Life is known for, while advancing the ways in which we prepare students for a lifetime of faithful service to Christ and the church.”
Boyce College is dedicated to providing a comprehensive education that equips students for gospel ministry and service in the marketplace. The addition of Lister to the leadership team underscores the institution’s commitment to fostering a supportive and enriching environment for its student body.
For more information about Boyce College and its programs, please visit Boycecollege.com.
David Haines elected associate professor of philosophy at Boyce College
By Travis Hearne/SBTS
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Boyce College is pleased to announce the appointment of David Haines as Associate Professor of Philosophy. With an exceptional academic background and with extensive teaching and publishing experience, Haines brings a rich blend of classical philosophy and deep theological reflection to the Boyce College faculty.
“We are very pleased that David Haines is joining us as professor of Philosophy at Boyce College,” said President R. Albert Mohler, Jr. “He brings a rich background of teaching experience and writing. He is with us convictionally and in worldview. He will bring a great deal of energy and excitement to the classroom, and we look forward to his arrival.”
Haines holds a PhD in Philosophy from Université Laval, where his dissertation focused on “The Question of Being” under the supervision of renowned philosopher Thomas De Koninck. He also earned a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary and a Bachelor of Theology from Covington Theological Seminary.
Throughout his academic career, Haines has taught at Bethlehem College & Seminary, Veritas International University, and Davenant Hall. His courses span a range of subjects, such as patristic and medieval theology, the works of Thomas Aquinas, Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, and responses to modern ethical challenges.
A prolific author, Haines has published extensively on topics including natural theology, classical theism, and the philosophical foundations of Christian thought. His books include Natural Theology: A Biblical and Historical Introduction and Defense, Without Excuse: Scripture, Reason, and Presuppositional Apologetics, and several volumes in the On Being series with Davenant Press covering Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, and Heidegger.
Dean of Boyce College, Dustin Bruce, expressed his enthusiasm about Haines joining the faculty.
“David Haines represents the best of the Christian philosophical tradition and makes a strong addition to the Boyce College faculty,” Bruce said. “He possesses a depth of philosophical knowledge, an unwavering fidelity to biblical truth, and a passion for the classroom.”
Haines’s appointment underscores Boyce College’s commitment to equipping students with an intellectual foundation rooted in Scripture and the classical Christian tradition. His expertise is expected to significantly enrich the college’s philosophy and theology offerings and provide students with thoughtful engagement on some of the most pressing philosophical and cultural issues of the time.
Nearly 200 Hispanic leaders trained at Georgia ‘For the Church’ conference
By Henry Durand/The Christian Index
JONESBORO, Ga. — Nearly 200 Spanish-speaking church leaders gathered at First Baptist Church Jonesboro Saturday, April 5, for a day of worship, encouragement and leadership training centered on the theme Liderazgo fiel y eficaz — Faithful and Effective Leadership.
Organized under Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s For the Church initiative, the conference drew pastors and ministry teams from across Georgia. Eighteen pastors and leadership groups representing 23 churches came together to seek the Lord’s guidance and strengthen their callings.
“Twenty-three churches represented, eighteen pastors present, and nearly 200 leaders gathered with one purpose: to seek the face of God for our city and to equip ourselves to lead from a posture of service,” said Daniel Santander, Hispanic consultant for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. “God is doing something beautiful in the midst of His Church!”
Keynote speakers included Ronald Vides, pastor of Ministerios Betesda in California, and Tony Miranda, pastor and author. Both men encouraged attendees to pursue leadership marked by biblical conviction, humility and service. Leaders from Midwestern’s growing Spanish-language program also participated in panel discussions, highlighting resources now available in Spanish, from certificates to doctoral degrees.
Santander, who helped organize the event, shared, “We had the opportunity to promote the growing Spanish program at Midwestern, from certificates to doctorates, while also discussing the book “Para la Iglesia (For the Church).” It was a blessing to share this time with brothers and sisters from so many Hispanic churches in Georgia.”
In addition to the main sessions, leaders attended specialized breakout workshops aimed at equipping them for specific areas of ministry.
- Josselin Rivas led a session for women titled “Superando el lado oscuro del liderazgo femenino” (“Overcoming the Dark Side of Female Leadership”), offering biblical encouragement and practical wisdom.
- David Cardoza taught “Leadership and the Next Generation,” focusing on the importance of discipling emerging leaders.
- Arnaldo Achucarro challenged pastors in his session “Relevantes ante los retos culturales (“Relevant Amid Cultural Challenges”), addressing the pressures church leaders face today.
- Ronald Vides also led a breakout for ministry leaders, “Superando el lado oscuro del liderazgo (“Overcoming the Dark Side of Leadership”), emphasizing resilience and integrity in Gospel service.
Santander thanked Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for its support, the Georgia Baptist Mission Board for its investment in local leadership and First Baptist Jonesboro for the warm welcome extended to attendees. “To all the volunteers, thank you for serving tirelessly,” he added.
The conference offered a strong reminder that faithful leadership begins with a heart surrendered to Christ and a willingness to serve others. As Hispanic churches across Georgia grow and multiply, events like For the Church are strengthening leaders who will build healthy congregations, share the Gospel boldly and shine the light of Christ in their communities.
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