Written by MICHAELA CLASSEN, Midwest Baptist Theological Seminary
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Midwest Theological Seminary celebrated the election of Donald S. Whitney to the full-time faculty at the university’s Spring Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, April 9.
Whitney will serve as the John H. Powell Pastoral Mission Endowment Chair, professor of Biblical Spirituality and director of the Center for Biblical Spirituality at Midwest Theological Seminary.
President Jason Allen said: Whitney is a man of prayer and sound doctrine who loves his local church and the Great Commission. He also loves influencing his students. For these reasons and many more, we are pleased to welcome him to Midwest Seminary. ”
Dr. Allen noted the importance of Whitney’s role in teaching Biblical spirituality, saying: Whitney’s visit is a demonstration of the institution’s commitment to the holistic development of its students, especially their inner lives. We are looking for men and women who love the Lord Jesus Christ, who love prayer, the Bible, and all that Dr. Whitney’s teachings and writings represent. ”
Whitney currently serves as Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Associate Dean of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is also president of The Center for Biblical Spirituality, Inc., a nonprofit corporation founded by Whitney. 2003. A former pastor, Whitney has 24 years of experience serving as a pastor in local churches.
Mr. Whitney’s selection as pastor of the John H. Powell Endowed Ministry underscores his commitment to developing men and women who reflect Christ in their church, family, and personal lives.
Established in 2022, this endowed committee honors John, a church founder and pastor in New Caney, Texas, who heroically gave his life while helping a driver involved in a highway accident in July 2020.・This is a tribute to Powell.
Powell was a friend of Whitney’s and had studied and served in Louisville, Kentucky. Whitney said of Powell: ”
Whitney continued, “I am honored to be a part of something that bears John Powell’s name. is a great honor in my life.”
As a member of the faculty at Midwest Seminary, Whitney teaches courses in Biblical spirituality, preparing students for a life and ministry marked by personal growth in Christ. he said: “The first priority of a man or woman of God is to be a godly man or a godly woman. Without this, no one can truly bear fruit in ministry.”
Mr. Whitney will also direct the Center for Biblical Spirituality, which will be established at Midwest Seminary.
“Midwestern Seminary’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, Jason Duesing, said: ”
Prior to serving at Southern Seminary, Whitney spent 10 years as an associate professor of spiritual formation at Midwest Theological Seminary.
Whitney said, “God led me to the seminary ministry first through my involvement in a local church and then through my experience in pastoral ministry.” He added, “I have always viewed seminary ministry primarily in terms of preparing people to serve within and for the church.” Midwest Seminary’s mission “for the church” is… It perfectly aligns with how I think about my role in the classroom.”
Mr Duesing said: Whitney’s investment in generations of students has strengthened more churches than we will ever know. It is precisely this church-focused investment that makes his arrival at Midwest Seminary such a joy. ”
In addition to teaching at the seminary, Whitney regularly speaks and writes prolifically to serve the church.Whitney is the author of Spiritual discipline for the Christian life. Pray the Bible. 10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health; Family Worship; How Do You Know You’re a Christian?; Spiritual Disciplines within the Church. Simplify your spiritual life. and Finding God in Solitude: Jonathan Edwards’ Personal Piety and its Influence on His Pastoral Ministry.
Whitney holds a Ph.D. He holds a PhD in Theology from the University of the Free State in South Africa and a Doctorate in Mission from Trinity Evangelical Theological School. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arkansas State University.
Whitney is married to Caffey and they have one married daughter and four grandchildren. Caffee Whitney is a professional artist whose work is featured in the Spurgeon Library at Midwest Seminary.
To view the video announcement of Dr. Whitney’s selection to the faculty at Midwest Theological Seminary, visit mbts.edu/whitney.
