The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has appointed noted women’s ministry leader Jaye Martin as interim director of women’s ministry programs.
Martin, who serves as women’s evangelism strategist for the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (NAMB), is a sought-after speaker and creator of the HeartCall women’s evangelism program. She will continue at NAMB in addition to her duties at Southern Seminary.
“Jaye is one of the top evangelical women’s leaders in the nation,” said Brad Waggoner, dean of Southern’s School of Leadership and Church Ministry. “She is just phenomenally gifted. She’s a talented speaker, communicator and visionary for women’s ministry around the country. So we’re just thrilled to get her quality leadership here.”
Martin will provide strategic leadership for the academic track and the church-based aspect of Southern’s women’s ministry program, Waggoner said.
The seminary offers both a master of arts in Christian education and a master of divinity with emphases in women’s ministry. Southern’s church-based women’s ministry program includes the Women’s Ministry Institute (WMI), which trains women to conduct evangelism and discipleship in local congregations. WMI awarded certificates to its first seven graduates this spring.
“It is my honor to come alongside great scholars and under dynamic leaders to focus on developing student women to be effective, cutting-edge leaders in the postmodern world,” Martin said.
“In the tradition of Southern, we will focus on conservative biblical foundations with strong and practical educational and leadership applications. It is our desire for student women to complement the pastor and staff they serve with as well as to be experts in their fields of study,” said Martin, who is currently a doctoral student at Southern.
Southern Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. noted the importance of women’s ministry to the seminary’s overall mission and purpose.
“We are thankful that so many gifted and committed women—women who share our convictions and vision—have come to Southern Seminary,” Mohler said. “They bring their gifts, wisdom, scholarship and calling to the Southern Seminary family. We are richer for their presence, and our churches will be richer for their service.”
Martin will seek to teach women how to apply theology to ministry situations in local churches, she said.
“Far too many women know biblical truth but have no idea how that plays out in a staff position or in ministering to women, teens and girls who are caught in the embrace of the abnormal culture we live in,” Martin said. “We will build on the high academic standards and the biblical response to the culture that Southern and Dr. Mohler are known for.”