Director and Assistant Directors

Bruce Roberts
Director of Admissions
Admissions Team Member since 2005

I grew up right here in Kentucky about 45 miles west of Louisville. I went to Berea College to study Elementary Education thinking I would be a third grade teacher. Late in college, faithful friends in the dorm introduced me to the gospel of Jesus Christ. After becoming a Christian, my perspective on the direction of my life changed and God slowly began to cultivate in me a heart for the ministry. Before coming to Southern Seminary, I worked in the social work field, served with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as an Area Representative, and as a college minister with local churches.

I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Biblical Counseling. I desire to serve in pastoral leadership within the local church when I complete my studies at Southern Seminary. I also serve at Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church where I teach and serve with our Young Adult Ministry. I’m thankful for the opportunity to both study and serve at Southern Seminary.

 

Admissions Counselors

Clift Ward
Admissions Counselor
Admissions Team Member since 2008

Email: cward@sbts.edu
Serving last names A–G

I have been a member of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary community since 2005. Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, I graduated from The University of Tennessee in December 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication and Business Administration. In July 2005, I married my beautiful bride Beth. After a week-long honeymoon, we found ourselves decorating the interior of Springdale Apartments, right here on Southern’s campus! Our daughter, Charin Elizabeth, was born in April 2008. Lord-willing, I will graduate with a Master of Divinity degree in May 2009. I look forward to seeing how God might use our family in the kingdom of Christ. I would love to speak with you about training and joining the efforts of the kingdom here at Southern Seminary.

Ed Stucky
Lead Admissions Counselor
Admissions Team Member since 1999

Email: estucky@sbts.edu
Serving last names H–O

I grew up in Florida and at an early age realized God was calling me into vocational ministry. I had not pictured my life going in this direction. I ran as far as I could and moved my family to Boston where I found success-according to the world’s standards. I also learned very quickly how miserable life can be living in disobedience to the One who created me for His purpose and His Glory. Eventually, however, God always gets His man.

I came to Boyce College when I was 34 years old and earned a B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies. I completed an MDiv in Applied Apologetics in the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. I have served as an associate pastor for 7 years, and since June 2006 as senior pastor of New Salem Baptist Church in southwest Louisville. I am currently working on a DMin at Southern.

I know God could have prepared me for ministry in a number of ways, but I could not imagine what my life would be like without my time at Southern Seminary.

James Fields
Admissions Counselor
Admissions Team Member since 2007

Email: jfields@sbts.edu
Serving last names P–Z

I currently serve as an Admissions Counselor and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellow. The MLK fellowship provides me the unique opportunity to give particular attention to African-American applicants to The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I also currently serve as the Youth Minister at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville.

I graduated from Central Michigan University (CMU) with a Bachelor of Science in 2004 (Health Administration) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in 2005. While at CMU I also served as a campus minister of “Living Sacrifices for Christ: Christian Challenge” until May 2006.

My best friend, Katherine M. Fields, and I were wed on August 5, 2006 and immediately moved to Louisville on August 8, 2006 to start our lives together in Louisville. On March 1, 2008 we were blessed with our first child, Naomi Clara Fields. Lord willing, I plan to graduate with a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Studies by Spring 2010. After completing my Master’s degree, I would like to pursue a PhD in either Biblical Spirituality at Southern or Higher Education.

Oren Martin
Admissions Counselor
Admissions Team Member since 2007

I graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity in December 2007 and am currently working on a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology and New Testament. In my lifetime the Lord has graciously blessed me with opportunities to race cars, work as a mechanic, serve as a local church college minister working with Texas A&M Aggies, and work for The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. I have been happily married to a wonderful gospel-cherishing woman for eight years and I have an incredibly handsome 2-month old son. Upon the completion of my degree I hope to serve the church through teaching, pastoral ministry, and pastoral training. My wife and I are also thankful members of Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, KY, where I serve as a deacon.

Toby Jennings
Admissions Counselor
Admissions Team Member since 2005

In addition to having a great time crafting ways to make it possible for you to join us in partaking of the riches we have found here at Southern Seminary, I am also a student. Formerly an Engineer for a major auto-maker in Detroit, Michigan, I resigned and moved to Louisville in 2004 to complete a Master of Divinity degree. Upon completing that program in December 2007, I enrolled in the PhD program to study Biblical and Systematic Theology.

Having been a part of Southern’s family for over four years now, I can still affirm my awe at what our amazing God is doing in and through The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in our generation. Like one who has found a pearl of great price, I would love to have you come be a part of our family as God soundly equips you, too, for frontline, strategic, valiant, spiritual warfare!

Admissions Assistants

Amy E. Lathers
Recruiting Secretary
Admissions Team Member since August 2008

I became part of the “Southern Seminary Family” in the Fall of 2008 when my husband, Jason, and I moved from Lafayette, Indiana. After graduating from Purdue University, God called us to serve His Kingdom and our nation through the Army Chaplaincy. It is a privilege for us to receive theological training as Jason pursues a Master of Divinity and I learn alongside other women in Seminary Wives Institute. I look forward to the day when we will minister to soldiers and their families, comforting, teaching and equipping them with the living and active Word!

Allison Whitworth
Admissions Secretary for Masters Programs
Admissions Team Member since 2007

I was born and raised here in Louisville. I am currently a student at Boyce College, where I hope to graduate in the next couple years with a Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Church Ministry. I am very thankful for the opportunity to study and work at Boyce College and Southern Seminary; I enjoy serving our students and their families. I hope that you will keep us in mind as you discern God’s will for your life.

Elizabeth Cranford
Admissions Secretary for Boyce College and Doctoral Programs
Admissions Team Member since 2008

My husband, Jason, and I are from Anderson, South Carolina, where we met at Anderson University while studying Christian Ministries. After graduating in May of 2007, I worked at Anderson University in the Office of the University Registrar. In March of 2008, Jason and I were engaged and decided to move to Louisville to begin classes at Southern after our wedding in June of 2008.

We are so excited that God led us here! Shortly after moving to Louisville, God blessed me with the opportunity to work in the Admissions Office. Also, my husband serves as the Family Pastor at Oak Park Baptist Church in Jeffersonville, IN. Recently, I completed my first semester of classes, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Jason will begin classes Spring 2009.

As a full-time employee and student, I can attest to the blessing that Southern Seminary has been to both my husband and myself.