BOLIVAR, Mo. – Southwest Baptist University has named Dr. C. Ryan Griffith as Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff, and Associate Professor of Church History.
“Dr. Griffith brings extraordinary experience, leadership gifts, and administrative
talents to SBU,” said Dr. Rick Melson, president of SBU. “When I was praying who God
might have for our Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff at
SBU, I trusted He would provide the right person for the role and for SBU. The Lord,
as He often does, exceeded my expectations when He brought us Dr. Griffith. He is
a servant leader, talented administrator, and gifted theologian among Baptist life
and will join us at this important time as we lead SBU to its greatest days ahead!”
Griffith comes to SBU after serving as Pastor and Director of Operations and Training at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn. Griffith also serves as a Consultant and Coach for Context Succession, LLC, as a lead product developer to help privately held corporations in transitioning leadership from one generation to the next.
Prior to serving in these roles, Griffith served as the Executive Director for The Gospel Coalition, Director of Global Training for The Gospel Coalition, and has a decade of experience serving in Higher Education as the Director of Integrated Curriculum and the Founding Director of Undergraduate Studies at Bethlehem College & Seminary. Additionally, Griffith served for more than 17 years at various institutions in faculty roles, including Indianapolis Theological Seminary, Bethlehem College & Seminary, University of Northwestern-St. Paul, and The Bethlehem Institute.
“I am convinced of the critical importance of Christ-centered education,” Griffith said. “All knowledge finds its point of integration – its fundamental coherence – in the person of Christ Jesus. Christian universities exist to discover and to demonstrate how this is the case. Students devote themselves to study not simply to earn a better wage or to hone a specific craft, but to become better parents, parishioners, citizens, and councilmen. This kind of study begets more grace – a truly Christian education is a giving-gift.
“In God’s wisdom, it shapes students to become more happy, holy, and helpful in the home, church, and workplace. I love that this is the vision of President Melson and I am thrilled to join SBU in its commitment to develop and send out men and women to impact the world for the glory of Christ.”
Griffith has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Wheaton College, a master’s degree in Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College Graduate School, a master’s degree in Biblical and Pastoral Studies from Bethlehem College & Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Biblical Spirituality and Church History from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Additionally, he has written several publications and academic articles.
Griffith will serve on the President’s Executive Cabinet as Vice President for Strategic Planning and Chief of Staff and will assume his role on Aug. 1. Please join us in welcoming, Dr. Ryan Griffith.
Founded in 1878, Southwest Baptist University (SBU) is a Christian liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of academic study at undergraduate and graduate levels throughout four physical campuses in Bolivar, Mountain View, Salem and Springfield, Mo., plus an online campus.
*Published: 6-13-2022