FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)–Daryl Eldridge, dean of the educational ministries school at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, stepped down from his position July 25 to pursue the development of an international university based in Springfield, Mo.
Eldridge will serve as president of Rockbridge University, an interdenominational school that will provide ministerial education exclusively via the Internet to non-traditional students. The development of the university began several years ago. The university received nonprofit status last year.
Eldridge said the program was not a traditional model of theological education, but instead focused on ministerial education within the “five purposes of the church,” or worship, evangelism, missions, ministry and maturing believers. He described the chance to participate in the endeavor as “the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Eldridge said that he had been fortunate to work with his colleagues at Southwestern Seminary for 19 years in what he called “the finest Christian education school in the world.” Eldridge became dean of the educational ministries school at the Fort Worth, Texas, campus in 1996. Under his leadership the school developed the doctor of educational ministries degree and other practical ministry degrees.
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