Having served as a local church pastor, Rod has a passion to use his experiences to help navigate the challenges of next generation ministry leaders. He believes that theology matters. In addition to leading the Theological Education Initiative, he teaches preaching as an adjunct professor at A.W. Tozer Theological Seminary and Bethel Theological Seminary. His wife, Julie, and he were friends and dated in high school before they married in 1984. Their two daughters (Miriam and Hannah), son-in-law, and grandson all live nearby in Columbia. His passion for the local church and transformational communication is only eclipsed by his seasonal insanity during Missouri basketball games.

Education

Dallas Theological Seminary – Master of Theology, 1987                     

Talbot School of Theology/Biola University – Doctor of Ministry, 2003

Doctoral Project: “Learner-sensitive Preaching: Enhancing the Clarity and Relevance of Sermons for an Emerging Generation