[1]COCHRANE, Alberta, Canada (BP)–Rob Blackaby has assumed the presidency of the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, succeeding Richard Blackaby, who led the seminary 13 years.
Rob Blackaby had been pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Calgary, Canada, since 1995 and also has led in launching Southwinds Church in Calgary in 2005. He was president of the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists from 2003-06 and a member of its National Leadership Board from 1999-2003. He also has been an adjunct professor of ethics and church history at the seminary since 1998.
Richard Blackaby (cousin of Rob Blackaby) left the seminary in 2006 to become president of Blackaby Ministries International, an Atlanta-based ministry founded by his father and “Experiencing God” author Henry Blackaby.
Gerry Taillon, CCSB national ministry leader, said Rob Blackaby brings “fresh pastoral experience to a leadership role whose main purpose is to prepare the next generation of leaders for our churches.”
“He has skillfully led our convention as president for three years and evidenced his commitment to our vision and mission in the CCSB. He is well-prepared to build on the excellent foundation laid by our previous president,” Taillon said.
Mike McElroy, chairman of the trustee search committee, said, “I have known and worked with Rob for many years and I have a great respect for him as a Christian and as a leader. He has demonstrated all the qualities we were looking for in a seminary president.”
[2]McElroy added, “Rob clearly understands the things we face as Canadian churches and is able to relate and connect with us. He is a person who listens. As a convention, we can be confident that Rob will hear our concerns and passions. He has a clear vision for how the seminary can assist the convention in accomplishing Kingdom work.”
After being nominated by the search committee, Blackaby was elected to the seminary presidency by the Canadian convention’s National Leadership Board and began his duties April 11.
Steve Booth, the seminary’s academic dean who served as interim president, said Blackaby possesses “all of the qualifications we are looking for in a president. He is a man of impeccable character, with the highest measure of integrity, and he has a deep and genuine walk with God. He is known and respected across our convention.
“Another strength that Rob exhibits is his natural ability to work with people. His team-building leadership style is a perfect fit for the culture of the seminary faculty and staff,” Booth said. “I am confident he is the man for the job; there are exciting days ahead for our school as we seek to fulfill our mission of training men and women for ministry across Canada and around the world.”
Blackaby earned a Ph.D. in ethics from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1998 and a master of divinity degree there in 1992. He also is a 1989 graduate of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
Blackaby and his wife Jo Susan have three children, Rachel, 8, John, 5, and David, 3.
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Compiled by Art Toalston, with reporting by Elaine Phillips for The Baptist Horizon, newsjournal of the Canadian Convention of Southern Baptists.