The Board of Trustees of Phillips Theological Seminary announces the appointment of the Rev. Gary W. Kidwell as interim president beginning Oct. 1, 2024. Kidwell comes to the seminary from the Christian Church Foundation where he has served as president since 2003.
“With more than 20 years of service as trustee at Lexington Theological Seminary, including six years as chair of the board, along with decades of additional leadership experience, Gary brings important insight into graduate theological education,” said Claire Meredith, trustees chair. “Phillips is fortunate to have Gary step into the president’s role to lead the seminary as we take the time to conduct a national search for our next president.”
Phillips President Nancy Claire Pittman will retire from the seminary Sept. 30. She has served the institution in several roles before being named the seminary’s first female president in 2019.
In accepting this new call to ministry, Kidwell said, “Phillips is a great and vital seminary on solid ground. I look forward to serving as a bridge between Dr. Pittman’s outstanding leadership to the next president.”
Kidwell is a graduate of Campbellsville University and received his Master of Divinity degree from Lexington Theological Seminary. He is a Chartered Financial Consultant, Certified Fundraising Executive, and a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He holds a certificate in nonprofit management from Harvard Business School.
Kidwell also brings the heart and passion of a church pastor to the role at Phillips having launched Twin Pines Christian Church in Lexington, KY, in 1985, as a new church pastor/developer. He also served as pastor of Walton Christian Church, Walton, KY, from 1980 to 1985.
Kidwell and his spouse, Judy, are members of Geist Christian Church in Indianapolis and are the parents of two adult children.
About Phillips Theological Seminary
Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Phillips Theological Seminary offers comprehensive theological education dedicated to learning, leadership, and service to society. It provides a range of graduate programs that prepare students to be thoughtful, informed, and responsible religious leaders in diverse community contexts.