The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is pleased to announce the appointment of two distinguished scholars to its faculty. Oren Martin has been named Associate Professor of Christian Theology, and Juan Carlos Martinez will serve as Associate Professor of Leadership and Discipleship. Both professors bring a wealth of experience in theological education and ministry and will continue to serve in their current roles while joining the SBTS faculty.
Martin returns to SBTS, where he earned his PhD in Systematic Theology and served for many years as Associate Professor of Christian Theology and Director of the Seminary Track. Currently, he serves as Pastor of Equipping at Providence Church in Frisco, Texas. He is the author of Bound for the Promised Land (IVP) and co-author of 40 Questions About Biblical Theology (Kregel), and he has edited and contributed to numerous theological works. Martin is a respected scholar and teacher with a passion for Christ-centered theology and pastoral training.
Paul Akin, Provost at Southern Seminary, celebrates Martin’s faithfulness to scholarship and pastoral ministry.
“The addition of a systematic theologian like Oren Martin, who faithfully serves the local church, strengthens our faculty by integrating academic excellence with pastoral engagement,” Akin said. “Martin will help us ensure that our theological instruction remains both doctrinally sound and rooted in the life of the Church.”
Juan Carlos Martinez brings deep experience in theological education and cross-cultural leadership development. He currently serves as Deputy Superintendent of School Operations at Irving Independent School District. He holds a PhD in Organizational Leadership from Southern Seminary and is recognized for his dedication to mentoring leaders and equipping the church with cultural and theological depth. A native Spanish speaker, Martinez’s bilingual and bicultural expertise helps strengthen SBTS’s commitment to serving the global church.
Akin is excited for the experience Martinez brings in equipping the next generation of Christian leaders.
“Juan Carlos Martinez is a proven leader with years of experience in the educational space,” Akin said. “His addition to the faculty brings seasoned leadership that will be vital for the training of the next generation of Christian leaders in the church and in the marketplace.”
President R. Albert Mohler, Jr., affirmed the significance of these appointments:
“These are fine scholars, fully confessional and armed with years of fruitful experience in ministry. I look forward to great things from both of these scholars and leaders in the classroom and beyond. Oren Martin is a wonderfully skilled teacher and a seasoned and convictional scholar who has long been a part of the Southern Seminary and Boyce College community. Juan Carlos Martinez brings unmatched experience in teaching and teacher education. These are great additions to our faculty.”
With the additions of Martin and Martinez, Southern Seminary continues to strengthen its commitment to biblically grounded, pastorally focused theological education. Their deep ministry experience, academic excellence, and dedication to the local church embody the mission of SBTS to train faithful gospel servants for the church and the world. The seminary community welcomes both their scholarly insight and real-world pastoral wisdom.