My Move to Samford University 23


Six years ago, the Payne Gang moved from Louisville to Birmingham. The Lord had called me to serve as one of the pastors of The Church at Brook Hills. It was announced this past Sunday that His leadership has taken me in another direction.

After much prayer, fasting, and seeking the counsel of others (Prov 15:22), I recently signed a contract with Samford University to join the faculty as an associate professor of Christian Ministry in the School of the Arts. I am both humbled by and extremely excited about this opportunity. You may read the school’s announcement HERE.

Last year, the university announced that a new degree program was to be established under the executive direction of Dr. Scott Guffin and housed in the School of the Arts under the leadership of Dean Joseph Hopkins.  The plan also involved that the first hire be a professor to teach courses in missions and evangelism and begin in August 2018. I am deeply honored to be this person.

And yes, as a guitar picker and former guitar instructor, to be in the School of the Arts takes everything over-the-top!

The launch of this Christian Ministry program is a wonderful paradigm shift for the school. The atmosphere is ripe for such training. As I have spoken with administration, faculty, and students in different departments, I heard of a desire for practical ministry training and wise missiological thought applied both to the new Christian Ministry program and throughout the university’s other fields of study. In addition to serving students who major in Christian Ministries, I will be serving other majors at the university. This means helping students develop a Great Commission vision and lifestyle whether they are preparing for vocational ministry with a church or mission agency or a vocation in the marketplace across North America and throughout the world.

It has been an amazing six years of experiencing God’s grace through The Church at Brook Hills. This is an amazing church that seeks to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. I deeply love these brothers and sisters. They are my faith family. Though I will be transitioning from my role as an elder, my family and I will remain members of the church (Samford is located in Birmingham.). We plan to keep praying, giving, and going with them. And, Lord willing, if I am not preaching somewhere on Sundays, the Payne Gang will be together in our regular seats (down front, house left, second row). No, our names are not on the seats; we’re just creatures of habit.

Please pray for my family, The Church at Brook Hills, and the university during this transition.

On a related note, are you preparing for college? Or, pastors and parents, are you needing a school toward which you can shepherd your students? If so, let’s talk. I know of a university that was ranked #1 in Alabama by Forbes, Inc. and The Wall Street Journal (2018) and #3 in the South among regional universities by U.S. News and World Report.


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23 thoughts on “My Move to Samford University

  • René Frey

    Congratulations JD
    May the Lord grant you much joy, peace and fruit in His new appointment. I have read some of your books on Church planting.
    I am 70 years old and am planting «apostolically» in a borough in east-end Montreal. I was pastor 35 years in one Church then planted a daughter work with «transported saints» in one borough and am now doing it the one new disciple at-a-time, going door to door. We had a mtg on Pentecost Sunday with 17 people, 4 of which were new disciples, 5 were already Christian neighbours and the rest (8) were like-minded evangelists from different French baptist Churches around Montreal.
    I would appreciate consulting with you about this endeavour, if you had a bit of time either on Skype or similar platform.
    Joyously in Royal service with you,
    René

  • Seth Beebe

    Great news J.D.! Congratulations. How about we put together a program for students to do cross cultural missions trips and apprenticeships with Global Gates Canada?

  • Mark

    Congratulations JD. You are well suited to train the rising generation to embrace God’s heart for the world.

  • Steve Grissom

    Great news! I am excited for you and the family in this next step in the journey. I will join you in prayer as you continue to disciple and equip students to make disciples among the nations.

  • JD Post author

    Bonjour, René. Keep up the great work in Québec! May the Lord continue to use you in a powerful way. That is encouraging to hear of your Pentecost Sunday. Thank you for reading my books.

  • David Hereford

    Great news JD! Father is building up His Kingdom as His plan unfolds for Messiah’s return!
    Dr Gerry McDermott will be teaching on Israel again in the fall at their Lay Acadamy.
    Thank you for the update brother.

  • James Botts

    Congrats JD! As a fellow missiologist and musician, I could not be more excited for you. Don’t forget to check out the band Haken I told you about a while back!

    Shalom,
    Jim Botts

  • Melissa Chappell

    J.D., as a graduate of Samford that majored in Religion, I am greatly encouraged by not only this new department, but your role as a teacher and leader! Praise the Lord for all that He is doing at Samford and through you!!

  • JD Post author

    Melissa, I greatly appreciate your sharing. Thank you for your kind words and insight as a graduate from Samford.

  • Brad Dunlap

    JD,
    I’m thrilled to hear this news!! I graduated from Samford in ‘99 as a religion major & attended The Church at Brook Hills during my time there. I’ve been church planting since then (3 churches) & live in Memphis, TN where I’m pastoring the last plant. I love the direction this new ministry program is headed! I believe it will be very beneficial for ministry students in the future. Wish I could have been part of it! Grateful for your heart & trust in God’s word & the movement of the Holy Spirit to make this transition. Samford University will benefit greatly!! Blessings