Campbell University Divinity School

08/31/2026

Called. Equipped. Empowered.
Did you know? CWIM exists to empower, equip, and uplift women to boldly step into leadership within church and faith communities!

08/31/2026

Our chapel preacher this week is Rev. Rebecca Mathis.

Click here to join the livestream: bit.ly/CUDSChapelFall26

Rev. Rebecca Mathis serves as the executive director of the Center for Calling and Ministry, a new center within the Divinity School.

A native of North Carolina, Rebecca previously served as director of strategic initiatives for the Divinity School and brings extensive experience in nonprofit executive leadership roles. Before joining Campbell Divinity’s staff in April 2024, she served as the Director of Advancement for Lake Junaluska, a Christian conference and retreat center in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Western Carolina University and attended seminary at The University of the South’s School of Theology. She graduated in 2012 with a Master of Arts in Theology, concentrating in ethics, and was ordained to ministry by the First Baptist Church of Chattanooga, TN.

With a passion for organizational leadership and development, Rebecca has served on several regional and national boards, including Baptist Women in Ministry Board of Directors, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty Board of Directors, and Western North Carolina Nonprofit Pathways Advisory Committee. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for Amani Sasa, a faith-based nonprofit that supports vulnerable refugee men, women, and children in Kampala, Uganda.

Rebecca is married to Dr. Jeff Mathis, a proud alum of Campbell Divinity, and they reside in Wake Forest, NC with their two teenage children, Zeb and Ellen.

08/30/2026

Last night we welcomed our largest incoming class since COVID-19 by bringing back a tradition lost to the pandemic: New Student Fellowship! Over barbecue and bingo we celebrated and connected with many of our 43 new students, including five in our growing Discover Divinity program. Welcome, new students!

08/28/2026

Have you seen the latest Campbell University magazine issue? Check out page 18 for a story on the new Center for Calling & Ministry, then find page 62 for a touching tribute to the late Dr. Mike Cogdill, our founding dean.

The Summer 2026 edition of Campbell Magazine, the flagship publication of Campbell University.

08/28/2026

We kicked off our 30th year with a series of celebrations centered on the community that fuels our mission to offer Christ-centered, Bible-based, and ministry-focused graduate theological education. From Dr. Hogan's 15th anniversary as associate dean to new student orientation to the Campbell University street fair to "Welcome Home" first day of class community lunches, the first week of the semester is in the books! Stay tuned to learn how you can be a part of the story of our 30th anniversary.

08/25/2026

What a joy to hear from Lou Ann Gilliam! She reflected on her experience with All State Youth Choir during their visit to Campbell University, where music and ministry came together in a powerful celebration of calling. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina All-State Youth Choir of North Carolina Campbell University

08/24/2026

Our first chapel preacher of the new semester is Dr. Barry Jones.

Click here to join the livestream: bit.ly/CUDSChapelFall26

Dr. Barry Jones is dean of the Campbell University Divinity School and the Lewis E. and Martha Barnes Tyner Chair of Bible. A native of North Carolina and a graduate of Campbell University, he joined the Divinity School faculty in 2000. He previously taught at Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, NC, and before that, he was the pastor of Park View Baptist Church in Durham, NC. He teaches courses in Biblical Hebrew and in the prophetic and poetic literature of the Old Testament, as well as individual courses on the books of Exodus, Jeremiah, and Psalms. .

He served as the president of the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion in 2021-2022. He is an active member of the Society of Biblical Literature. He has served multiple terms on the steering committee of the Book of the Twelve Minor Prophets program unit for the SBL Annual Meeting.

An ordained minister, he has served as an interim pastor, preacher, and Bible study leader in numerous churches across NC. He is a member of the Healthy Transitions Group of the Center for Healthy Churches. He and his wife Beth (CU ’85,’88) live in Raleigh and have two adult children.

08/23/2026

Students, welcome home to CUDS for the Fall 2026 semester! As we prepare, we offer these words from the upcoming Prayers for the Journey, a gift from the Class of 2026:

"Blessed are those who embark on a journey knowing that the way is not certain, but is made by walking. Those who are brave enough to step forward even when they are afraid. Those who rest when they are tired. Those who seek God with their whole heart. May you know that it is in the seeking that you are found.

So, hello to a new journey.

May you greet this moment in your life with hope and expectation for what is to come. May we become a pilgrim people. People willing to walk the mile and bear the load. Amen."

08/22/2026

Join us for the 2026 Reavis Lectures as the Empowering Families team from Campbell University’s Parenting and Caregiving Initiative shares their research, learnings, and resources related to ministry with children and families. Topics include worship, hospitality, and spiritual practices.

✅ Click here to register: bit.ly/ReavisLectures2026

The presenters include Rev. Dr. Sarah Boberg, Assistant Professor Christian Education and Director of Empowering Families for Spiritual Formation at Campbell University Divinity School; Azizi Culpepper, former Administrative Assistant for Empowering Families and current Philanthropy Officer for the Campbell University Divinity School Center for Calling and Ministry, and Taylor Long, former Graduate Research Assistant for Empowering Families and current Pastoral Resident at First Baptist Church in Greenville, South Carolina.

📆 One Family: Worshiping Together (9/28 at 6:00)
On Monday night, join the Empowering Families Team for an engaging night including dinner, 30-minute family friendly worship (featuring families from the Empowering Families initiative), and a worship planning workshop.

All students, ministry leaders, and volunteers are invited to participate as we explore ways to intentionally plan for children and families in worship. Church ministers and leaders are encouraged to attend together to make the most of the worship workshop portion of the evening.

📆 One Story: Hospitality as a Spiritual Practice (9/29 at 11:00)
On Tuesday morning, you are invited to gather for a lecture focusing on the importance of church hospitality for children and families. The focus will be on preparation, people, and place.

📆 One Step at a Time: Spiritual Practices to Engage Faith Formation for All Ages (9/20 at 3:00)
On Tuesday afternoon, you are invited to learn and engage in spiritual practices as the team focuses on the importance of preparation, flexibility, and creativity in ministry with all ages.

08/21/2026

Congratulations to 2022 MA in Faith and Leadership Formation graduate Christie Stafford on her new role as career services coordination at Campbell University!

“Stepping into the role of director of career services will allow me to continue to fulfill my calling while also being the bridge to help Campbell students take the next step towards theirs,” she said, echoing her email sign-off.

Stafford said she believes the new role will allow her to use all the experiences she has had as Campbell employee, alumna and educator, and she looks forward to helping fulfill Campbell’s mission to prepare students for purposeful lives and meaningful service.

Christie Stafford, a two-time Campbell University graduate and most recently a senior admissions counselor for new students, was named career… More on this post