The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has named Trevor Coleman as Assistant Professor of Church Music and Worship. Coleman brings over a decade of pastoral ministry and a robust background in vocal performance and music education to Southern’s Department of Biblical Worship.
“I am honored to step into this new role and to be a part of the rich legacy of Southern Seminary,” Coleman said. “I am passionate about raising up and training worship leaders, providing them with a wide breadth of experience in musical opportunities, a strong theology of worship, and an understanding of the multi-faceted role of worship leadership in the local church.”
Provost Paul Akin applauded Coleman’s heart for ministry and care for students.
“Trevor Coleman combines the heart of a pastor with a deep love for students,” Akin said. “He has a passion and vision for training the next generation of worship leaders to serve the church here and around the world.”
Coleman has directed the Doxology Vocal Ensemble at Southern since 2022 and has served as a voice instructor at Boyce College since 2020. He has also served as Worship Pastor at Hurstbourne Baptist Church in Louisville since 2020, where he has led the congregation in theologically rich and musically excellent corporate worship.
Coleman earned his Master of Church Music from Southern Seminary in 2019 and holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Youngstown State University. He is currently completing his PhD in Christian Worship at Southern, with an anticipated graduation date of 2027.
Coleman believes the stakes of worship ministry extend well beyond the platform.
“I believe that worship leadership goes beyond what happens on the platform,” Coleman said. Leaders must learn to navigate the complexities of worship ministry with wisdom and love, prioritizing the care of their people and their love for Christ while they lead.”
Jeremy Pierre, Dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism, and Ministry, welcomed the appointment with enthusiasm.
“Trevor Coleman is the piece that completes the set of a stellar music faculty,” Pierre said. “Trevor loves the church, loves students, and loves the craft of music leadership. That’s exactly on mission for Southern Seminary and Boyce College.”
President R. Albert Mohler Jr. also expressed his excitement for Coleman’s appointment.
“Trevor Coleman brings an unusual combination of character, experience, and passion to teaching,” Mohler said. “His deep experience in the local church, his deep investment in choral music, his understanding of Christian worship honed through many years of Christian ministry, all of this makes Trevor Coleman an outstanding professor in the classroom. We know this already because he’s been teaching and is excited by this now in this formal role. We look forward to many years of service together.”
The local church needs biblical worship to form deep disciples. Coleman stressed the necessity and privilege for investing in the next generation of worship leaders.
“There is a continued urgency for our churches and seminaries to invest even more in training people for worship ministry,” Coleman said. The local church worship gathering has a shaping effect on the hearts and lives of the people we lead.”