R. Lamar Vest Selected to Serve As Next President of Pentecostal Theological Seminary
Cleveland, TN—On Saturday, May 31, 2014, Dr. Mark Williams, General Overseer of the Church of God, announced to graduates and friends gathered at the 39th Commencement Exercises for the Pentecostal Theological Seminary that Dr. R. Lamar Vest has been selected to serve as the tenth president of the Seminary. Vest was selected by the PTS Board of Trustees in consultation with the International Executive Committee of the Church of God. Dr. Vest will follow Dr. Steven J. Land who announced in January his intention to transition from the Office of the President to a role as “teacher, author, and consultant.”
R. Lamar Vest
On the selection of Vest, Dr. J. Martin Taylor, Seminary Board chair shared, “The Seminary Board has believed the choosing of the next president would be a defining moment for the Seminary. We knew we needed to hear from God. We had several outstanding candidates to consider, any of which would have blessed the Seminary with their leadership. When the Seminary Board Search Committee discussed the attributes and giftedness the new president would need to have to be effective, the Holy Spirit brought Lamar Vest to our minds. Although Dr. Vest had not been a candidate for consideration, and was hesitant after our initial approach to him, he agreed to join with us in prayer and subsequent dialogue. After a season of prayer and additional discussion, the Seminary Board unanimously decided to ask him to serve as President. Meanwhile, as Dr. Vest and his wife prayed, they came to a moment when they heard from God that they were to make themselves available for this time of service as Seminary president. We believe we witnessed the Holy Spirit moving our search committee and Seminary Board towards Dr. Vest; and at the same time, confirming it with the Vests during their time of prayer. We praise God for His direction and His grace.”
In speaking of Vest and his leadership through the years, current Church of God General Overseer Mark Williams said, “Lamar Vest holds the rare combination of leadership abilities which demonstrate servanthood, while at the same time garnering the respect and integrity needed to lead large organizations. He is a trans-generational leader whose legacy in Church of God history has been solidified, but his contributions go far beyond this movement to touch the entire Body of Christ.”
Called to preach at the age of 14, Vest accepted his first pastorate at the age of 20 in his native state of South Carolina. Since that time, he has led a life of distinguished ministry service that includes positions as state evangelist for the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) in South Carolina, state youth and discipleship leader (Oklahoma, California, and Maryland), director of the International Youth and Christian Education Department for the Church of God, president of Lee College (now Lee University), member of the Church of God Executive Committee, and in 1990 he was selected to serve in the denomination’s top leadership post, general overseer. Vest served until tenure limitations placed him out of office in 1994. Just two years later he was re-elected to the committee, advancing again to general overseer in 2000 and serving until 2004. Vest is one of the few ministers in the history of the Church of God to serve twice as general overseer.
Vest has served on numerous committees and boards that have impacted communities around the world. He has been on the executive committee for the United Bible Societies’ Global Board and served as Chairman of the National Association of Evangelicals. His leadership has included service as Vice Chairman of the World Pentecostal Fellowship and Chancellor of Education for the Church of God.
Most recently, Vest served as president of the American Bible Society from 2009 to 2013. Vest began his tenure with ABS in 1991 as a board member, and was elected chairman ten years later. He served for six years as chairman before being tapped to fill the post of executive vice president for Global Scripture Ministries in 2006. He served in that capacity until moving to the presidency in 2009.
“I can think of no one more experienced and qualified to fill the role of president than Dr. Vest,” said Steven J. Land, outgoing president of the Seminary. “Dr. Vest sees this position not primarily as an office but as a function of the Holy Spirit. With God’s help, Dr. Vest will facilitate processes that will move the Seminary to the next level with strategic vision.”
Dr. Paul Conn, President of Lee University, responded to the announcement by saying, “It will be enjoyable to have Dr. Vest working with us in Church of God higher education. All of us at Lee University are looking forward to a very positive relationship with the Seminary under his leadership.”
Dr. Vest will assume the role of president at the upcoming International General Assembly of the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee) effective August 1, 2014. Dr. Vest shared “My wife Vickie and I are honored by the opportunity to serve the Pentecostal Theological Seminary at this important time in its history. While we are committed to building on the past accomplishments of those who have very successfully filled this position, our future will be shaped by the prayers and corporate discernment of those who love, support and serve the Seminary.”
(Source: Pentecostal Theological Seminary)
