Chicago | A Baptist will be the new president of Moody Bible Institute (MBI) starting August 17. Rick Melson will leave his role at Southwest Baptist University (SBU) in Bolivar, Missouri for the post vacated by Chicago pastor Mark Jobe after seven years.
Melson, with Baptist roots, joins the independent evangelical school founded by Dwight Moody in 1886. The school has had a series of shorter presidencies since the 2005 resignation of Joe Stowell after 18 years at the helm.
“It is a great privilege to be entrusted with leading and stewarding this extraordinary ministry into its next chapter,” Melson said. “I come to Moody with profound respect for its remarkable heritage and tremendous optimism for its future.” He also pointed to considerable ministry assets held by the Midwest-centered evangelical entity.
“Together, we will seek God’s wisdom as we strengthen Moody’s educational mission, expand Moody Global Media’s reach, extend Moody Publishers’ influence, and make the gospel available to more people than ever before,” Melson said.
Moody Bible Institute Alumni Student Center. MBI Facebook photo.
Melson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Murray State University, a master’s degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a doctoral degree from Dallas Baptist University. He served as SBU President five years.
Melson has led SBU through a season of renewal, the Missouri Pathway reported, “marked by enrollment growth, strategic innovation, financial strengthening, fundraising success, expanded academic opportunities, and a renewed focus on student success and Christ-centered discipleship.” Record incoming enrollment was reported in four of the past five years.
Moody’s trustees are hoping for similar results. MBI trustee Mark Flannery, who chaired the search committee, said, “Melson is a deeply committed follower of Jesus Christ, an accomplished leader in Christian higher education, an exceptional fundraiser, gifted communicator and proven executive who understands how to lead complex ministry organizations while remaining firmly anchored in God’s Word.”
Melson served with John Piper at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, and at the former Mars Hill Church of Seattle, which was founded by Mark Driscoll.
Jobe announced his planned departure in January. As Christian Post reported, Jobe “is credited with growth in enrollment and improved financial reserves, arriving in 2019 amid controversies over the sudden departures of multiple Institute leaders following an article published by The Roys Report noting allegations of self-dealing, mission drift and intimidation.”
A missionary kid in Spain, Jobe founded New Life Church in Chicago, a multi-lingual congregation that was one of the first multi-site churches in the Midwest.
The two schools are about the same size. SBU has an enrollment of about 2,300 students, while MBI has 2,200.