FORT WORTH, Texas - After nine years, Kenneth S. Hemphill announced he is stepping down as president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary April 8 to become a national strategist for the Southern Baptist Convention's "Empowering Kingdom Growth" movement.
His new job will be a joint venture with the SBC Executive Committee and LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn., to begin this summer, the Baptist Press reported. He announced his retirement during chapel in the middle of the board of trustees' semiannual meeting at the campus.
Hemphill, 54, told the news service he takes the new position with the "same sense of call and assurance" that led him to Texas "to lead Southwestern during challenging but exciting days of transition."
"These have been nine exciting and profitable years, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity the Lord has given me through the call of the trustees of this institution to serve as the president of the greatest seminary in the world," Hemphill said. "I believe Southwestern's future is bright and that her greatest days lie before her."
In his role as special liaison with the EKG Task Force, the news service reported, Hemphill will help coordinate, implement and promote EKG emphases. He will also help introduce Kingdom resources available from LifeWay to SBC churches, in conferences and in conventions.
