Phillips Board Names F. Douglas Powe, Jr. President of Phillips Theological Seminary

Tulsa, Oklahoma, December 10, 2024 — Following a national search, the Board of Trustees of Phillips Theological Seminary has named the Rev. F. Douglas Powe, Jr., PhD as the school’s next president. Powe comes to Phillips from Wesley Theological Seminary where he currently serves as director of The Lewis Center for Church Leadership and the James C. Logan Chair in Evangelism (an E. Stanley Jones Professorship).

“We had several outstanding candidates who could lead Phillips into the future, and Dr. Powe’s perspectives on the future of theological education and the church demonstrated a visionary and hopeful approach,” said Claire Meredith, chair of the seminary’s board of trustees and the presidential search committee.

“Powe has an impressive record in leading, teaching and publishing,” Meredith said. “His work in evangelism, leadership development, rural and urban ministry will be valuable to Phillips as we continue to find new ways to live out our mission and vision.”

Besides leading the Lewis Center at Wesley Theological Seminary, Powe also served as Professor of Evangelism and Urban Ministry. He also taught at Saint Paul School of Theology, Spelman College and the Candler School of Theology.

“Phillips is uniquely positioned to help lead continued transformation in the church and community,” Powe said.  “While some seminaries are scaling back, Phillips is growing with its multiple ministry centers and the building of a new residential hospitality center called Bedford House. The more I’ve learned about Phillips, the more thrilled I am to become part of the seminary community.”

Powe is an ordained elder in the Baltimore/Washington Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He received his BA from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1987, his MDiv from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 1998, and his PhD from Emory University in 2004.

The search was led by a nine-member committee appointed by the Board of Trustees. The committee included board members, along with faculty, staff, and alum representation. The finalists also met with students, faculty and staff as part of the selection process. Academic Search assisted Phillips in the selection process. Powe will formally become president on January 31, 2025.

Phillips will host an inaugural service next fall and a special reception during the 2025 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Assembly in Memphis, Tenn. to welcome Powe to the seminary as its new president.

Phillips Theological Seminary offers Christian graduate theological education in service of intelligent, just, and compassionate religious and civic communities. Phillips welcomes students to a safe and brave space for truth-seeking conversations about the Bible, Jesus, and faithful living. Learn more at www.ptstulsa.edu.