Truett Announces New Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology and Ministry
WACO, Texas (March 31, 2025) – Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary announced today that Steve Bezner, PhD, has been appointed to serve as associate professor of pastoral theology and ministry beginning in the fall of 2025.
Drawing on three decades of ministerial experience, as well as a background in teaching and mentoring, Bezner will equip Truett Seminary students to minister with a kingdom focus and will train them to share the gospel faithfully, to engage their communities effectively, to cast vision for their congregations, and to navigate the daily rhythms and pressures of pastoral life.
Regarding Bezner’s appointment to the faculty, Todd D. Still, PhD, dean of Truett Seminary, remarked, “After having faithfully prepared and fruitfully served in a variety of places in Texas Baptist life, Dr. Steve Bezner, a consummate and widely-known scholar-pastor, is well-placed and well-prepared to join our faculty to teach and mentor our students in pastoral theology and ministry. In so doing, Dr. Bezner joins a rich legacy of skilled ministry practitioners who have served on Truett’s faculty, including Drs. Levi Price and Robert Creech, and more recently Dr. Larry Parsley. Our community and constituencies will be immeasurably enriched by the presence and contributions of Steve Bezner, who is highly and rightly esteemed among both peers and churches in Baptist life and beyond.”
Bezner holds a BA and MA from Hardin-Simmons University and a PhD from Baylor University. He has served in various ministerial roles, including as a youth pastor, teaching pastor, church planter, and lead pastor. He currently serves as the senior pastor of Houston Northwest Church. Additionally, Bezner is actively engaged serving as a ministry consultant, training church planters with Glocalnet and the Houston Church Planting Network, supporting international pastors with World Hope Ministries, and fostering multi-faith relationships through the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network. Bezner also serves on the Christian Life Commission, is an executive board member for Texas Baptists, and has taught as an adjunct instructor at Truett Seminary since 2019. His first book, Your Jesus Is Too American, was published in October.
“I love training pastors, and I love Truett Seminary,” said Bezner. “For those reasons alone, joining the Truett faculty is an absolute joy. I am excited to move the kingdom forward by preparing church leaders for ministry in the 21st century. The needs are high for energetic leadership and fresh vision in the church. I believe Truett is poised to cultivate precisely that sort of leadership and vision. I am thrilled about the days ahead.”
Regarding this appointment, Mike Stroope, PhD, professor of Christian missions, holder of the M.C. Shook Chair of Missions, and co-chair of the faculty search committee tasked to lead the search for this appointment, said “We are thrilled Dr. Steve Bezner will be joining the Truett faculty. Our students will certainly benefit from his years of solid pastoral leadership and ministry. In addition, Dr. Bezner will contribute through his research and writing to the work of the Church and the advancement of God’s kingdom. We enthusiastically welcome Dr. Bezner to Baylor and Truett Seminary.”
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
ABOUT GEORGE W. TRUETT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
George W. Truett Theological Seminary is an orthodox, evangelical, multi-denominational school in the historic Baptist tradition embedded into Baylor, a Christian R1 University. Truett’s mission is to equip God-called people for gospel ministry in and alongside Christ’s Church by the power of the Holy Spirit. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the Baptist World Alliance, Truett Seminary provides theological education leading to the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, Master of Arts in Contextual Witness and Innovation, Master of Arts in Theology, Ecology and Food Justice, Master of Arts in Theology and Sports Studies (online), Master of Theological Studies, Doctor of Ministry, and PhD in Preaching. In addition to a number of distinctive programs, institutes, and centers, Truett Seminary also offers joint degrees through Baylor University school/college partnerships in social work, business, law, music, and education. Besides its flagship Baugh-Reynolds Campus in Waco, the Seminary also has locations in Houston and San Antonio. Visit the Truett Seminary website to learn more.