Incoming Moody President Hopes to Give Historic Christian School a ‘Restart’

CHICAGO (RNS) — Mark Jobe, the new president of Moody Bible Institute, is no stranger to helping old religious institutions find new life.

For decades, he’s helped restart struggling congregations as pastor of New Life Community Church in Chicago.

Now he hopes to do the same at Moody.

Last week, Jobe, 54, was announced as Moody’s 10th president. He plans to start in January.

Jobe’s arrival comes at a critical time for the school.

Last January, Moody’s top leaders all stepped down the same day. Moody President J. Paul Nyquist and Chief Operating Officer Steve Mogck both resigned. Provost Junias Venugopal retired.

Their departures came as tensions between faculty and staff swirled. Concerns about theology, the school’s finances and its embrace of diversity lit up the internet.

Moody’s board of directors said there was no wrongdoing, but it cited “widespread concerns over the direction” of the historic Christian school in announcing the departure of the former top leaders.

It was “time for a new season of leadership” at Moody Bible Institute, according to Randy Fairfax, chair of Moody’s board of trustees.

Fairfax called Jobe’s appointment an answer to prayer.

“His clarity of vision, humble nature, passion, and strong track record of ministry growth will bring a palpable energy to the Moody family,” Fairfax…