My Move to Samford University

Six years ago, the Payne Gang moved from Louisville to Birmingham. The Lord had called me to serve as one of the pastors of The Church at Brook Hills. It was announced this past Sunday that His leadership has taken me in another direction.After much prayer, fasting, and seeking the counsel of others (Prov 15:22), I recently signed a contract with Samford University to join the faculty as an associate professor of Christian Ministry in the School of the Arts. I am both humbled by and extremely excited about this opportunity. You may read the school's announcement HERE.Last year, the university announced that a new degree program was to be established under the executive direction of Dr. Scott Guffin and housed in the School of the Arts under the leadership of Dean Joseph Hopkins.  The plan also involved that the first hire be a professor to teach courses in missions and evangelism and begin in August 2018. I am deeply honored to be this person.And yes, as a guitar picker and former guitar instructor, to be in the School of the Arts takes everything over-the-top!The launch of this Christian Ministry program is a wonderful paradigm shift for the school. The atmosphere is ripe for such training. As I have spoken with administration, faculty, and students in different departments, I heard of a desire for practical ministry training and wise missiological thought applied both to the new Christian Ministry program and throughout the university's other fields of study. In addition to serving students who major in Christian Ministries, I will be serving other majors at the university. This means helping students develop a Great Commission vision and lifestyle whether they are preparing for vocational ministry with a church or mission agency or a vocation in the marketplace across North America and throughout the world.It has been an amazing six years of experiencing God's grace through The Church at Brook Hills. This is an amazing church that seeks to glorify God by making disciples of all nations. I deeply love these brothers and sisters. They are my faith family. Though I will be transitioning from my role as an elder, my family and I will remain members of the church (Samford is located in Birmingham.). We plan to keep praying, giving, and going with them. And, Lord willing, if I am not preaching somewhere on Sundays, the Payne Gang will be together in our regular seats (down front, house left, second row). No, our names are not on the seats; we're just creatures of habit.Please pray for my family, The Church at Brook Hills, and the university during this transition.On a related note, are you preparing for college? Or, pastors and parents, are you needing a school toward which you can shepherd your students? If so, let's talk. I know of a university that was ranked #1 in Alabama by Forbes, Inc. and The Wall Street Journal (2018) and #3 in the South among regional universities by U.S. News and World Report.