JACKSON, Tenn. (June 30, 2015) — Union University has named Georgia pastor Ernest Easley as professor of evangelism in its School of Theology and Missions.
Easley, pastor of Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia, has more than 30 years of pastoral ministry experience and has been a denominational leader at both the state and national levels, said Tim Ellsworth, Associate VP for University Communications.
“Dr. Easley will be a great addition to our very strong Theology and Missions faculty,” Union President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said. “His excellent pastoral experience and meaningful leadership within Southern Baptist life is already an example for young leaders. To have him teaching and serving at Union is a blessing.”
According to Ellsworth, before beginning the Roswell Street pastorate in 2002, Easley served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Odessa, Texas; Central Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas; First Baptist Church in Springtown, Texas; and Wynnewood Baptist Church in Dallas.
He has served in such roles as chairman and vice chairman of the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, vice president of the Georgia Baptist Convention, member of the Executive Committee of the Georgia Baptist Convention and trustee of the International Mission Board, among other positions said Ellsworth.
“Ernest Easley is a seasoned pastor who brings to Union a passion for personal evangelism, a heart for pastoral ministry and a proven track record of leadership in Baptist denominational life,” said Nathan Finn, Union’s incoming dean of the School of Theology and Missions. “He will be an asset to our students who are training for pastoral ministry and a blessing to Tennessee Baptists.”
As professor of evangelism, Easley will teach courses and will lead the university’s efforts to assist churches, associations and others in being a resource for evangelism. He will also be responsible for leading and assisting student evangelism teams and assisting with church relations and denominational partnerships.
Easley is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University. He earned his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary.
Easly and his wife, Julie, have three children and seven grandchildren. Their son Jordan is senior pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson.
Easley said “I am excited to join Union University as the first professor of evangelism in school history,” He added. “I have known and appreciated Union through the years and am excited to be a part of all that is now happening at this great university in Southern Baptist life. I look forward to training the next generation of leaders in sharing Jesus as a lifestyle.”
Easley will begin his new position for the fall 2015 semester
