MOBILE, Ala. – Dr. Kevin Blackwell, the newly named executive director of missions for the Mobile Baptist Association, also joins the University of Mobile as special assistant to the president for institutional relations and assistant professor of disciple making in the School of Christian Studies.
UM President Charles Smith welcomed Blackwell to the Mobile area, noting that his partnership with the University of Mobile reinforces UM’s longstanding commitment to equipping the next generation of ministry leaders.
“We are thrilled to see Dr. Blackwell joining the Mobile Baptist Association in our Great Commission work of making disciples of Jesus Christ. All of us here at the University of Mobile share in this high calling and look forward to partnering with Dr. Blackwell not only as our associational leader, but also in his new roles here at the university. He has served our friends at Samford University so well, and I have no doubt he will make a similar impact through the University of Mobile.”
University of Mobile Executive Director of the Center for Christian Calling, Dr. Doug Wilson, added, “We are truly blessed to have Dr. Kevin Blackwell join the School of Christian Studies faculty. With his ministry institute experience, he is uniquely qualified to equip UM students in practical ministry. As the new DOM for the Mobile Baptist Association, his connection with local congregations will be beneficial for students to gain valuable experience with ministry teams and ministry internships.”
‘Thrilled to Join the Faculty’
Blackwell said, “It is a great honor to have the opportunity to serve the 110 churches of the Mobile Baptist Association to make disciples for Christ in Mobile County. The local church is the greatest hope for gospel propagation in our world, and Christ-centered schools like the University of Mobile are working to support its work.
“I am thrilled to join the faculty of UM’s School of Christian Studies to equip students to prepare to serve in ministry and missions for the glory of God. I am grateful to my friend Dr. Charles Smith for the invitation to join his team as Special Assistant to the President as we strive to nurture meaningful connections with Alabama Baptists and other Southern Baptists across the nation.
“The Mobile Baptist Association was integral to the university’s founding in 1961, so it makes sense that UM and the MBA should work cooperatively for the work of Christ. For over six decades, the University of Mobile has provided quality higher education for a higher purpose, and it is truly one of the greatest honors of my life to contribute to the future of UM. Go Rams!”
Mobile Baptist Association Leader
Blackwell was elected executive director of missions for the Mobile Baptist Association on March 6.
Dr. Mack Morris, chair of the Association’s search committee, said Blackwell’s election followed a year-long nationwide search as they sought “someone who would be a leader among leaders.”
“In the Alabama Baptist State Convention there are several names who have instant name recognition. When we talked to people who knew Dr. Kevin Blackwell, we heard these descriptions: “Visionary, level-headed, bridge-builder, impactful, difference maker, creative, contagious, Kingdom strategist, powerful preacher, pastor’s heart, strong business traits, family man, authentic, humble, wise, rooted in the Bible, integrity, disciple maker…connected between generations.
Pastor, Author, Disciple Maker
Blackwell has served in church ministry for 31 years and was senior pastor of Valley Creek Baptist Church in Hueytown, Alabama, prior to joining Samford University in 2014, where he served as assistant to the president for church relations and executive director of the Ministry Training Institute.
He was president of the Alabama Baptist Convention Pastor’s Conference and received the Troy L. Morrison Award for pastoral excellence through the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. Blackwell is the author of “Repairing the Missional Breach: Why the Church Isn’t Making Disciples and What We Can Do About It,” co-author of “Cultivate Disciplemaking: Growing Disciples Who Make Disciples” and a member of the evangelical Missiological Society.
Blackwell holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Theology, both from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; a Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity, both from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; and a Bachelor of General Studies from Samford University.
He and his wife, Lorrie, have four children: Maggie LeeAnn, Andie Grace, Averie Hope and Brodie James.
Read more in The Alabama Baptist at thealabamabaptist.org
About the University of Mobile
The University of Mobile is a Christ-centered university with a vision of “Higher Education for a Higher Purpose,” founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The University of Mobile was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
For information about the University of Mobile, areas of study, admissions and more, visit umobile.edu/um-info, connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the University of Mobile unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.