Dustin Benge has been appointed as the new vice president of Communications at Southern Seminary, President Albert Mohler announced Monday.

Benge, a two-time graduate of SBTS and a former staff member at the seminary, will begin in his role on December 6. He was also appointed to the faculty as associate professor of biblical spirituality and historical theology.

“I have known Dustin Benge for years,” Mohler said. “He combines so many gifts and strengths, and he is exactly who we need to lead our communications program and to teach in our biblical spirituality program.”

“Dustin’s deep convictions, giftedness in communications, energy in the classroom, come together in a wonderful way. He is a true scholar-administrator, and we eagerly look forward to having Dustin and Molli back on the campus.”

Presently, Benge and his wife, Molli, live in Bridgend, Wales in the United Kingdom, where he serves as provost and professor at Union School of Theology, a position he has held since 2020. Benge received his MDiv from SBTS in 2011 and a PhD in biblical spirituality from Southern in 2018. From 2018 to 2020, he was creative director at the seminary. He has served for many years as a lecturer and senior fellow for the Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies.

“Benge will be a valuable addition to the faculty,” Provost Matthew Hall said.

“Dr. Dustin Benge is a familiar and trusted leader on this campus and far beyond,” Hall said. “But he is also known as a faithful theologian, a gifted scholar, and a proven churchman. I am delighted by his appointment to the faculty.”

A Kentucky native, Benge said coming back to SBTS is “a return home.”

“I am deeply grateful for Dr. Mohler’s kind invitation to return to Southern Seminary,” Benge said.

“Having completed my theological training at Southern, I continually draw from the investment made within my life and ministry by the faculty, staff, and administration. I’m humbled to now serve alongside the same godly men and women in training the next generation of gospel soldiers. My wife, Molli, and I greatly anticipate returning home to give and be given in the work of our Lord."

In addition to his scholarly work, Benge has extensive experience as a pastor, editor, and writer. From 2012 to 2015, he was associate pastor and interim preaching pastor at Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. Prior to that, he served as senior pastor for First Baptist Church of Jackson, Kentucky and was research assistant to Steven J. Lawson. He remains editor of OnePassion’s Expositor Magazine.

Benge has written and edited numerous books, including two forthcoming works from Crossway: The Loveliest Place: The Beauty and Glory of the Church and Why Should We Love the Church? Both are scheduled for publication in 2022. He has also contributed numerous articles to publications ranging from Ligonier’s Tabletalk magazine and The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, among others.

Jonathan Austin, senior vice president for institutional administration, said Benge’s appointment represents a major win for SBTS.

“Southern Seminary is blessed to have Dustin assume this two-fold role,” Austin said. “To bring his knowledge, experience, and leadership to the Communications team, and to bring his education, scholarly work, and pastoral heart to the classroom is a rare win, and I look forward to working with Dustin in this important work.”