Well-known collegiate ministry leader Bill Choate dies
By Baptist and Reflector staff
NASHVILLE – William “Bill” Choate, a longtime leader of Baptist Collegiate Ministry in Tennessee whose influence shaped generations of college students, died Dec. 19 at age 67.
Choate served Tennessee Baptists through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board for 42 years. His ministry included roles as associate campus minister at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1984–89); campus minister at Vanderbilt University (1989–99); and director of collegiate ministries for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board (1999–2025).
“Bill never wavered from a vision that Baptist Collegiate Ministry is built on the foundation of evangelism, discipleship, missions, leadership development and local church engagement,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. “It is impossible to comprehend the impact he’s had on the lives of thousands of young people throughout his faithful ministry. His was a life well lived and certainly an example to us all.”
Choate was born Feb. 26, 1958, in Inglewood, Calif. His father was a minister, and Choate’s childhood included time in Texas, Missouri and across Tennessee. He graduated from Christian Brothers University in Memphis and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a doctorate from Drew University.
Under Choate’s leadership, Tennessee Baptist Collegiate Ministry expanded significantly, with collegiate ministry specialists and staff serving more than two dozen state universities, private colleges and universities, and community colleges. In 2024 alone, more than 21,000 students connected with BCM through intentional ministry initiatives. Of those, 3,300 were actively involved in weekday activities, many focused on discipleship. More than 550 students participated in leadership development, 165 expressed a call to vocational ministry, 640 engaged in short-term missions, and 120 came to faith in Christ and were baptized in local churches.
In June, Choate passed leadership of the state BCM director role to Stacy Murphree, one of his protégés and longtime collegiate ministry specialist at Austin Peay State University.
“I am so grateful for Bill’s gospel-centered, steady leadership style that has impacted so many lives,” Murphree said. “For our Tennessee BCM team, we never doubted that he had our backs, and he trusted us to do the work God called us to. When I think of Bill’s ministry legacy, I think of Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians that ‘we are Christ’s ambassadors.’ Bill was an ambassador for Christ, for Tennessee Baptists and for Baptist Collegiate Ministry.”
Choate was an integral part of the national Baptist Collegiate State Directors Association and most recently served as the organization’s president. He also led the TBMB’s Issachar Team during the COVID-19 season; served nearly three years as TBMB Harvest Field 3 leader; chaired a committee on the TBMB Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Task Force; and served for many years as staff liaison to the TBMB Collegiate Ministries Committee and liaison to the Tennessee Baptist Convention Historical and Resolutions committees.
Beyond his professional service, Choate was deeply involved at Brentwood Baptist Church, where he and his wife, Jennifer, were longtime members. Many described him as “a rock of his community and family.”
Choate was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Dorothy Choate. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer; children and grandchildren Hannah Choate (Austin Carr), Molly Gaines (Ryan), Ben Wishart (Hannah), Meg Wishart, Alice Carr, Luke Carr and Thomas Gaines; sisters Leslee O’Kelly, Kelley Aur (Didier) and Carole Blankenship (Jeff); and several nieces and nephews.
Choate is remembered as a steady leader whose life reflected a deep commitment to Christ, the local church and the next generation of believers.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, at Brentwood Baptist Church, followed by a private ceremony in Baskin Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tennessee Baptist Collegiate Ministries through the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board giving page. A link to Choate’s full obituary is available at the link provided here.
Medders joins MBTS, Spurgeon Library
By Jonathan Lumley/MBTS
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Midwestern Seminary is proud to announce Jeff Medders as general editor and fellow for the Spurgeon Library and visiting professor of Christian Studies. In his new role, Medders will join the instructional faculty beginning January 1, 2026, and collaborate closely with Geoff Chang, curator of the Spurgeon Library.
“I am grateful that Jeff Medders will be joining our stellar faculty at Midwestern Seminary,” said President Jason Allen. “Jeff is both a churchman and a Spurgeon scholar, which makes him a great fit here. We are excited about what he can offer our students in the disciplines of biblical spirituality and Spurgeon studies.”
Expressing his excitement for the role, Medders said, “I’ve loved Midwestern Seminary for a long time—the vision, the faculty, the culture—so I count this moment as a wonderful honor and privilege to be a part of what God is doing in Kansas City and beyond.”
Reflecting on the two roles he will serve in, Medders said, “Since Spurgeon’s life and ministry were ‘for the Church,’ these two roles feed into each other in a wonderful way.”
Medders’ love for Spurgeon goes as far back as when he was a freshman in high school. Amid a difficult season of doubt in his faith, a faithful pastor used an analogy from Spurgeon that brought strength back to his faith. “Since then, Spurgeon has been a constant companion in my studies, spiritual formation, and sermon preparation,” Medders said.
Stating what has continually drawn him to Spurgeon, Medders added, “While I love Spurgeon’s wordsmithing, that’s not the best part of studying him. Studying Spurgeon is a delight because, as the prince of preachers, he always points us to the King of kings. His Christ-centeredness is why I find Spurgeon so compelling.”
The Spurgeon Library’s overall vision is to draw from the vast wealth of resources from Charles Spurgeon’s sermons, books, writings, and ministry and make them available to the church once again. Medders will be a valuable aid in striving for this vision.
Chang stated that Medders’ work in preaching Christ from the Old Testament, along with his pastoral and scholarly experience, will strengthen the Spurgeon Library’s ability to serve the Church with theological depth and clarity.
“In the 19th century, Spurgeon’s official publisher, Passmore & Alabaster, served as his conduit for reaching the world with the truth of Christ. Here in the 21st century, we aspire to do the same,” said Chang.
Speaking about his partnership with Chang, Medders said, “In addition to being a wonderful brother in Christ, a great historian and theologian, Dr. Chang is a premier Spurgeon scholar. I’m thrilled to work with Dr. Chang on ways we can continue to make known the life and ministry of Charles Spurgeon.”
Medders’ efforts on Spurgeon.org and the online presence of the Spurgeon Library will provide more publications, articles, discipleship curriculum, and other resources for the Church.
In addition to his work with the Spurgeon Library, Medders noted what a joy it is to serve as visiting professor of Christian Studies, looking forward to teaching on subjects like biblical spirituality and church planting.
“For me, Christian studies is not limited to the fields of study; it also includes the way we study—worshipfully, reverently, spiritually, joyfully. At the end of the class and semester, I hope students say from the heart, soul, and mind: ‘Jesus is amazing,’” Medders said. “I want us to enjoy God and his gospel to such a degree that we can’t help but tell others, believers and unbelievers, in sermons and on the street, how sweet it is to know and be known by the triune God.”
“I’m looking forward to opening God’s word with students, discussing the awesomeness of Jesus, and teaching how to engage in ministry, theological education, and biblical spirituality for the Church,” Medders concluded.
Reflecting on what makes Dr. Medders a good fit for Midwestern Seminary, Provost Jason Duesing said, “Jeff Medders has a wonderful combination of academic interests, writing productivity, and ministry experience that align well with our faculty and the mission and vision of Midwestern Seminary.”
“His knowledge of the life and ministry of C. H. Spurgeon, as well as his serving on the frontlines of creating resources for local church leaders, allows him to complement our work in the Spurgeon Library with a clear ‘for the Church’ focus,” Duesing continued.
To learn more about Dr. Medders and his ministry, click here.
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