The Board of Incorporate Members of Dallas Theological Seminary has named current vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Mark M. Yarbrough, as the sixth president in the institution’s 95-year history.

Dr. Yarbrough, who will assume the presidency on July 1, 2020, will succeed Dr. Mark L. Bailey who announced his retirement this past year and will have served 19 years as president and 35 years at the seminary. Dr. Bailey will finish his tenure as president on June 30, 2020 and will continue with the seminary in the role of chancellor.

In response to this new call to ministry, Mark Yarbrough commented on how “God’s faithfulness to this institution has abounded through the tireless service of men and women since its inception.” As a result, “It has been an honor to be a part of this community, and I am humbled by the invitation to serve in this new role.”

One year ago, the Board of Incorporate Members established an eight-person presidential search committee tasked with finding the ideal candidate to lead DTS through its centennial celebration and beyond. As part of this process DTS selected one of the nation’s leading executive recruiting firms, The Dingman Company, to help manage an extensive national and global presidential search. Robert Murchison, chairman of the Board of Incorporate Members, announced that, “While the presidential search committee did a thorough and outstanding job identifying potential candidates and narrowing it down to a few finalists, the board has unanimously and enthusiastically selected Mark M. Yarbrough to lead DTS into the future.” Murchison continued, “The board is thrilled that Mark Yarbrough will be the next president of Dallas Theological Seminary. Once again, the Lord has displayed His faithfulness through the provision of outstanding leadership to advance the mission of the seminary to equip godly servant-leaders for the proclamation of His Word and the building up of the body of Christ worldwide.” 

According to David Stevens, board member and chair of the presidential search committee, “God has prepared Mark to be a uniquely qualified leader. The combination of his passion for the Lord, proven organizational leadership, scholarly excellence, and informed cultural engagement will serve him well as the president of DTS. The board is excited to serve with him and see what the Lord will continue do through DTS.”

Dr. Yarbrough has a long history with DTS, first as a student, having earned both his ThM (1996) and PhD (2008) degrees in Bible Exposition at the seminary; and later as a member of the faculty and administration. For the past seven years, he has served as the vice president for academic affairs and academic dean at DTS. Prior to that he was the vice president for communications. In addition to his role as a senior administrator with the seminary, Dr. Yarbrough continues to teach hundreds of students per year as a professor in the Bible Exposition department, where he has been on faculty since 2003. Before coming to DTS in 2001, he served as a vice president and professor of Bible at Dallas Christian College, his undergraduate alma mater.

During his tenure at DTS, Dr. Yarbrough oversaw the creation and execution of the seminary’s online education program, which has become a standard in the market of Christian higher education. He has been instrumental in academic innovation and coordinating partnerships with like-minded ministries and churches like North Point Ministries and Passion City Church in the greater Atlanta area, Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth, and Fellowship Bible Church in Northwest Arkansas. These partnerships, along with the creation of new degrees and other educational opportunities, have resulted in record enrollment for nearly every semester since 2012. Yet, far more than simply gaining additional students, Dr. Yarbrough is motivated by offering solid biblical-theological training and practical skills necessary to succeed in ministry to as many as possible.   

“I have watched God develop the character and competence of a leader in Mark Yarbrough, and I know of no one better qualified to steward the sacred trust of leadership at DTS” said current DTS president Mark Bailey, “I am thrilled to pass the baton to him this coming year.”

Dr. Yarbrough’s twin passions for the local church and theological education have worked in tandem for over twenty-five years.  At Centerpoint Church in Mesquite, TX, he serves as an elder and pastoral team member. He has also coauthored and recorded multiple songs/albums and enjoys leading worship. In regard to theological education, he loves the classroom and interacting with students preparing for various ministry endeavors. Dr. Yarbrough has written numerous scholarly and ministry-focused works, including Paul’s Utilization of Preformed Traditions and How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor. In addition to his ministry roles, Dr. Yarbrough is active in the community as well. He currently serves on the board for six different organizations, and is a sought-after conference speaker. Dr. Yarbrough is married to Jennifer and together they have four children. You can learn more about him at markyarbrough.org.

As mentioned, Dr. Yarbrough will begin his role as president on July 1, 2020. The presidential inauguration and celebration are scheduled for April 10^th, 2021, with more information forthcoming. 

About DTS: Dallas Theological Seminary is a non-denominational evangelical seminary founded in 1924. Located just outside of downtown Dallas, DTS is home to almost 2500 graduate students and offers over 14 different graduate degrees and programs. DTS is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as well as by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools.

Dr. Mark M. Yarbrough serves as DTS’s sixth president and Professor of Bible Exposition. He assumed the Seminary’s presidency after 19 years of service at DTS. His past DTS roles include Vice President of Communications and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Dr. Yarbrough received his undergraduate degree from Dallas Christian College, where he was named Valedictorian and received the Delta Epsilon Chi Award. He received his ThM from DTS in 1996 and his PhD in 2008. At DTS he was named Who’s Who and was an SCEC scholarship recipient.

Dr. Yarbrough’s twin passions for the local church and theological education have worked in tandem for over thirty years. At Centerpoint Church in Mesquite, TX, he serves on the Executive Committee of the elder board. He has also coauthored and recorded multiple songs/albums and enjoys leading worship. In regard to theological education, he loves the classroom and interacting with students preparing for various ministry endeavors. Dr. Yarbrough also enjoys writing; he has been published in various magazines and has written Paul’s Utilization of Preformed Traditions and How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor.

Dr. Yarbrough is married to his high school sweetheart, Jennifer. The Yarbroughs enjoy meeting fellow Christ-followers and have many opportunities to do so, as Mark frequently presents at conferences such as Horn Creek, Mount Hermon, Word of Life, and the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove. They are the parents of four adult children and have one son-in-law. They enjoy following the Cowboys, Mavericks, and Rangers and keeping things full, fun, and festive while serving the Lord.

​Educational Background

2008   Dallas Theological Seminary, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Bible Exposition
1996   Dallas Theological Seminary, Master of Theology (ThM), Bible Exposition (Academic Ministries)
1993   Dallas Christian College, Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bible and Christian Education

Professional Background

9/2001–Present   Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS)
7/2012–Present   Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean, Associate Professor of Bible Exposition (DTS)
1/2011–6/2012   Vice President for Communications, Assistant Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Assistant Professor of Bible Exposition (DTS)
7/2008–12/2010   Vice President for Communications, Associate Academic Dean, Assistant Professor of Bible Exposition (DTS)
7/2003–6/2008   Executive Director of Communications (and Academic Initiatives); Adjunct Professor in Bible Exposition (DTS)
9/2001–6/2003   Research Assistant to the President (and Chancellor); Teaching Assistant, Bible Exposition department (DTS)
6/1996–9/2001   Dallas Christian College (DCC)
6/1998–9/2001   Vice President for Enrollment Services,
Professor of Biblical Studies (DCC)
6/1996–6/1998   Director of Admissions, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies (DCC)

Pastoral Experience

1998–Present   Centerpoint Church (formerly Eastfield Bible Chapel), Mesquite, TX
1988–1998   Piedmont Church, Dallas, TX; 1993–1998   Preaching Pastor; 1988–1993   Youth Pastor

Music Ministry

1989–1993   Four for One (Quartet singing group); Album recorded: Never Alone
1986–1989   The Revelators (Trio singing group); Albums: He’s My Lord; Voices in Harmony; The Word Became Flesh;
The Music of Christmas

Academic Awards

Faculty Teaching Excellence Award (Dallas Theological Seminary)
S.C.E.C. Scholarship recipient (Dallas Theological Seminary; PhD and ThM)
Who’s Who Award (Dallas Christian College) and Dallas Theological Seminary)
Valedictorian [summa cum laude]; Delta Epsilon Chi (Dallas Christian College)

Professional Memberships/Participant

2010–Present   Evangelical Seminary Dean’s Council
2003–Present   National Religious Broadcasters
2002–Present   ACCESS (The Association of Christian Distance Education)
1996–Present   Evangelical Theological Society

Board Service

2017–Present   Alliance for the Peace of Jerusalem, Active Board Member
2015–Present   Dallas Christian School, Active Board Member
2014–Present   Hendricks Center Advisory Board, Participating Member
2014–2016   Evangelical Seminary Dean’s Council, President (15/16), VP (14/15)
2010–Present   Evangelical Seminary Dean’s Council, Member
2004–Present   Sri Lanka Outreach (formerly Lanka Bible College Foundation)
1998–Present   Centerpoint Church, Elder

International Experience (a sampling)

Israel – Academic Tour Leader, Dallas Christian College, Dallas Theological Seminary
Jordan – Academic Tour Leader, Dallas Christian College, Dallas Theological Seminary
Great Britain – Academic Tour Leader, Dallas Christian College
Sri Lanka – Visiting Professor, Lanka Bible College and Seminary
Beijing, China – Educational Consultant, Visiting Professor, Yanjing Theological Seminary
Taiwan – Educational Consultant, Lecturer, Chung Jung Christina University
Hong Kong – Professor, Dallas Theological Seminary course
New Zealand – Professor, Dallas Theological Seminary course
Australia – Professor and Lecturer, Adelaide College of the Bible
Philippines – Educational consultant
Northern Ireland – Professor, Dallas Theological Seminary course
Malaysia – Lecturer, Methodist Theological School
Guatemala, Lecturer and Consultation, Seminario Theológico Centroamericano
Fiji – Professor, Campus Crusade for Christ
Thailand – Lecturer at Global Proclamation Congress
Turkey & Greece – Tour Lecturer, Dallas Theological Seminary
Germany, Switzerland – Tour Lecturer, Dallas Theological Seminary
Egypt – Governmental and Theological Consultation

Books, Articles, and Papers (a sampling)

Israel the Church and the Middle East: A Biblical Response to the Current Conflict, Kregel (2018); Chapter contributor
How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor: A Practical and Entertaining Guide to the World’s Most Famous Book, FaithWords [Hachette Publishing] (2015)
The Books of the Book (New Testament), Self -Published (2012)
The Books of the Book (Old Testament), Self -Published (2011)
Paul’s Utilization of Preformed Traditions in 1 Timothy, T&T Clark (2009)
“Technically Speaking,” DTS Connection (2006)
“When God Doesn’t Heal,” Christianity Today (2004)
“Psychological Implications for Substitutionary Atonement” (2003)
“Misunderstanding the Misunderstandings in the Gospel of John” (2002)
“Isaiah 61:1-2 and the Jubilee Theme in Luke 4:17-21” (2001)

Conference Participation (a sampling)

Conference speaker, The Cove (BGEA); Ashville, NC
Conference speaker, Word of Life; Schroon Lake, NY; Hudson FL
Conference speaker, Camp of the Woods; Speculator, NY
Conference speaker, Maranatha Bible Conference; Muskegon MI
Conference speaker, Mount Hermon; Felton, CA
Conference speaker, Pine Cove; Tyler, TX
Conference speaker, Horn Creek Conference Grounds; Westcliffe, CO
Conference speaker, Lake Forest Ranch, Macon MS
Conference presenter, ACCESS: Christian Distance Education Association
Conference presenter, American Association of Christian Counselors
Conference presenter, Evangelical Theological Society
Conference presenter, Israel, The Church, and the Middle East (CPM and DTS)
Conference presenter, Israel’s 70^th Celebration, Chosen People’s Ministries

Conference Sermon/Teaching Series (a sampling)

Acts of the Apostles, Acts for You
Characteristics of a Committed Christ Follower
Diggin’ Deeper: Practical Principles for the Study of Scripture
Why do We Do What We Do (Church Ecclesiology)
The Story of Scripture: Understanding the Bible from Genesis to Revelation
Jonah: The Prodigal Prophet with a Hollowed Heart
Reveling in Grace: The Gospel of Freedom (Galatians)
Ruth: Loyal Love, a Foreigner’s Faith, and a Great Big God
What Does Jesus Think? Having the Mind of Christ (Philippians)
Esther: The Story of God’s Covenant Faithfulness