Geoffrey Dennis, a former executive with evangelical publisher Crossway, has been named vice president for development at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, school officials announced Jan. 6.
“Southern Seminary is very pleased to have Geoff Dennis joining our development team in this crucial new capacity,” said president R. Albert Mohler Jr. “The appointment of a vice president for development to work alongside Craig Parker, our vice president for institutional advancement, represents a great step forward for Southern Seminary in our effort to serve the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention and to meet Southern Seminary’s needs in one of the most God-blessed moments of our history. Geoff brings great skills and deep commitments to this new task and I am very glad to welcome him as a crucial member of the Southern Seminary leadership team.”
Dennis, who began his new duties Jan. 1, worked for the last 23 years in various capacities at Crossway, a leading evangelical publisher based in Wheaton, Ill. He served most recently as executive vice president, chief operating officer and associate publisher with oversight of advancement, sales and marketing, digital and information technology, operations, human resources, fulfillment, finance and literature ministries. During his tenure on Crossway’s Publishing Committee, Dennis was involved in the strategic development, market positioning, production and distribution of the English Standard Version Bible, first published in 2001, and the award-winning ESV Study Bible, published in 2008.
“I could not be more pleased that God is sending Geoff Dennis to be part of the Southern Seminary leadership team,” said Parker. “Geoff is a proven leader who possesses professional skills and experience that are second-to-none. Geoff’s accomplishments are significant, but you do not have to be around him long to recognize that he is also a man of great spiritual maturity, warmth and relational gifting. He is going to be an exceptional ambassador for Southern.”
Parker, who leads the seminary’s development program, said Dennis will be an important asset to the development team as the school is experiencing a “wonderful season of growth.”
“The addition of Geoff to our team will make it possible to seize new opportunities for capital gifts — especially for renovation and expansion of the James P. Boyce Centennial Library — planned giving that will be instrumental for growth of the endowment, and other major gifts that will enable us to contain the cost of tuition that must be borne by our students,” Parker said.
Dennis said, “I have a deep passion for effective Christian ministry that serves the body of Christ, a commitment to the application of sound business practice in the ministry environment and desire for the effective use of digital technologies to extend ministry reach and impact. I have great appreciation for the mission and ministry of Southern Seminary and its remarkable history of serving God’s people since 1859. It will be an honor to serve the Lord — as well as students, faculty and staff — through the exceptional ministry of Southern Seminary for many years to come.”
Dennis earned a bachelor of science degree in business management from National Lewis University in Chicago and a master of arts degree in theological studies from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill.
He and his wife of more than 20 years, Allison, are parents to four children. Dennis has served in various church capacities, including as elder, worship leader and small group leader.