Asbury Theological Seminary announces Associate Dean of the Beeson International Center for Biblical Preaching and Church Leadership

Dr. Leslie A. Andrews is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Russell W. West as the Associate Dean of the Beeson International Center for Biblical Preaching and Church Leadership.  West will help oversee each area of the Center’s mission to bridge Asbury Seminary to the global Church. Those areas include the doctor of ministry programs, the center for lay ministry, the center for lifelong learning, our extension campuses and our research and development work supporting pastoral leaders. 



West is currently the holder of the Ira L. Gallaway Professor of Leadership Development for Mission and Evangelism chair. He received a B.S. from Southeastern University, 1987; a M.A. from Old Dominion University, 1988; a M.A. from Regent University School of Divinity, 1988; and a Ph.D. from Regent University School of Communication and the Arts, 1997.  After eight years of leading doctoral programs in leadership and mentoring doctoral students through their dissertations, more than 75 Ph.D. and D.Min. completed dissertations, at Regent University’s Center for Leadership Studies and School of Divinity (Virginia Beach, VA), West joined the faculty of the E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism. He was the 2002 Teacher of the Year at Regent University’s School of Divinity.  West will continue to serve as professor of leadership education.

West is an organizational and leadership development consultant and coach for executive and emerging leaders. He co-founded several organizations including Leadership Training International and The Leadership Emergence Group International.  He has also served as staff pastor in areas of ministry and leadership development in several churches throughout his career. West and his wife, Jeri, have one son.

Dr. Tom Tumbiln, Dean of the Center, said, "Russell will bring exceptional leadership instincts, an engaging academic prowess and a contagious love for Christ's Church to the Beeson mission.  He pioneered the Regent University Doctor of Ministry Program. He served as college President at Tidewater Bible College, Virginia Beach, Virginia. He founded a consulting group. His default modes are entrepreneurship and mentoring-focused experiential learning. Students regularly praise his commitment to mentoring and the impact his wisdom is having in their lives. He will accelerate our ability to deliver on the Beeson Center's potential."