Scott Pace appointed as dean of The College at Southeastern

Pace will succeed Jamie Dew, whom New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary trustees elected as president of the seminary June 5. Pace will begin his role as dean of the college effective immediately.

“I am thrilled to announce that Scott Pace will serve as the newly appointed dean of The College at Southeastern following the election of Jamie Dew as president of New Orleans seminary,” said SEBTS President Danny Akin. “He is the perfect choice to continue the exciting growth of our college. He is an outstanding preacher and teacher, and he has already demonstrated his superb administrative skills in leading our Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership.”

Previously, Pace served as the director of the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership at SEBTS, where he helped oversee the Hunt Scholars Program, a five-year degree program that allows students to receive both their bachelor’s and M.Div. in pastoral ministry which celebrated its first two graduates last spring. Pace will continue to oversee this program in his new capacity as dean of the college.

Pace was installed in the Johnny Hunt chair of biblical preaching in August of 2018. In April of 2019, SEBTS trustees elected Pace to the faculty to continue serving as associate professor of pastoral ministry and preaching.  

Pace is a two-time graduate of SEBTS, having received his Master of Divinity in 2002 and his Ph.D. in applied theology in 2007. He also received his Bachelor of Science in accounting from North Carolina State University in 1997. 

“I am humbled by the tremendous privilege and opportunity to serve as the next dean of The College at Southeastern,” said Pace, who has served in pastoral ministry since 2000 and academic administration since 2009. The Southeastern community has been part of our extended family for almost 20, and I could not be more excited to embrace this new role.”

Before coming to SEBTS, Pace taught for nine years at Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where he served as associate professor of applied ministry and the Hughes chair of Christian ministry. During his time at OBU, Pace also served as administrative chair for the Christian and cross-cultural ministry department. Pace was awarded the Promising Teacher Award for the 2013-2014 academic year as well as the Seven Who Care award, both exemplifying his excellence in teaching.

Pace also has extensive pastoral ministry experience, having served churches in Oklahoma, Florida and North Carolina. He was interim pastor at a number of churches in Oklahoma between 2011-2018, including at First Southern Baptist Church in Del City (twice); Sunnylane Southern Baptist Church in Del City; South Tulsa Baptist Church in Tulsa; Bethel Baptist Church in Norman; and First Baptist Church in Edmond.

Pace also served as teaching pastor and administrator of First Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, Florida from 2006-2009. He served Richland Creek Community Church as associate pastor from 2006-2009.

Among his teaching, pastoral and administrative experience, Pace is an also accomplished author. He authored “Preaching by the Book: Developing and Delivering Text-Driven Sermons” and co-authored numerous others, including “Pastoral Theology: Theological Foundations for Who a Pastor is and What a Pastor does” with Daniel Akin and “Student Ministry by the Book” with Ed Newton. He is slated to publish a commentary in Danny Akin’s “Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series” on Colossians and Philemon in 2021.

Pace and his wife, Dana, have four children: Gracelyn, Tyler, Tessa and Cassie.

“My prayer is that The College at Southeastern will continue to produce graduates who are firmly grounded in the truth, thoroughly trained in their field, and spiritually prepared to engage the world on mission for Christ,” said Pace.