Southeastern Seminary Welcomes Will Brooks as Professor of Missiology

“Dr. Brooks is uniquely qualified to lead in this strategic role that requires practical, administrative, and academic expertise,” commented Provost Scott Pace. “His years of field experience serving in Southeast Asia, his teaching and leadership roles in theological education, and the global relationships that he has established through years of faithful service will propel us forward in our efforts to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission! He embodies the best of who we are, and I’m grateful that the Lord has brought him to be a part of the Southeastern family.”

Brooks has been teaching in theological education since 2012. Most recently, he has served for the past eight years as a theological education strategist in Southeast Asia and for the past four years as provost at Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary, training leaders of local churches as well as future seminary professors.

“I’m excited about working at Southeastern because, given the institution’s Great Commission focus, I see being here as an extension of the work,” Brooks said. “I’m especially excited about leading GTI because the strategic value of investing in institutional-level theological education around the world is sometimes one of the most overlooked and neglected aspects of the missionary task. I’m excited to be in a place where we’re at the cutting edge of developing initiatives that aim to equip and strengthen our partner institutions worldwide.”

I’m excited to be in a place where we’re at the cutting edge of developing initiatives that aim to equip and strengthen our partner institutions worldwide.

Brooks graduated in 2011 with his Doctor of Philosophy in Christian missions from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also earned his Master of Divinity.

For Brooks, his love for teaching blossomed during his own time in seminary where his “desire grew to help others have similar ministry-shaping experiences as they prepare for the ministries God has called them to. In recent years my love for teaching has grown as I’ve seen countless students shaped and prepared for ministry through engaging in complex discussions and wrestling with key issues in the classroom,” he said. “I love seeing those ‘lightbulb moments’ when students grasp a new topic or make a connection for the first time.’”

Brooks’s love for teaching and theological education goes hand in hand with his heart for the nations and the local church. He recalls the first time, while on a mission trip overseas, that God placed a burden on his heart for those far from him and without the truth of the gospel.

“God used that experience to break my heart for the lostness around the world,” Brooks said. “More recently, my love for the nations has grown as I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside amazing partners from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Seeing them live out the gospel in their contexts and laboring together with them for the advance of the gospel has only increased my love for the nations.”

In his laboring alongside church leaders, Brooks has also served as an elder of New Covenant City Church in Southeast Asia, a church plant he and his family helped establish.

Brooks’s wife, Winnie, is currently completing her Doctor of Education at Southeastern, studying critical thinking in the context of Southeast Asian theological education. They are the parents of three children: Hudson, Henry, and Charlotte.

In his free time, Brooks enjoys participating in ultramarathons and long-distance running, having completed 25 Spartan obstacle races to date. He is also the author and co-editor of several books, including “Interpreting Scripture across Cultures: An Introduction to Cross-Cultural Hermeneutics” and “World Mission: Theology, Strategy, and Current Issues.”

“Will Brooks’s heart beats for the fulfillment of the Great Commission which is also the heartbeat of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary,” said President Danny Akin. “We are delighted he is joining our seminary family.”

Southeastern is excited to welcome the Brooks family to the Southeastern community and to campus. To learn more about the faculty at Southeastern, visit sebts.edu/faculty.