Divinity School holds service to welcome new dean, faculty, students

With deep humility and profound gratitude, Dr. Barry Jones accepted the calling to become the next dean of the Campbell University Divinity School.

Jones, the Divinity School's third dean, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, expressed sincere thanks and appreciation for those who helped and supported him along the way.

It's a large group. His wife, Beth, and his family, pastors, professors and students, among many more.

Jones, during an installation and commissioning service in Butler Chapel, recognized and offered thanks to founding dean the Rev. Dr. Michael G. Cogdill, who offered the installation prayer, and the second dean, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, who joined the school as a faculty member in 1997 and continues to serve as a professor of New Testament and Greek.

Jones also recognized Dr. Jerry M. Wallace, who attended Tuesday's service. Wallace is a longtime pastor, former Campbell president and founder of the university medical school that bears his name.

Three new faculty members were installed Tuesday as part of the service, and the school welcomed 37 new students among its four graduate degree programs - Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Faith and Leadership Formation and Doctor of Ministry.

The new students receive a pin, in the shape of a Celtic cross.

"When you wear this pin," Jones told the students, "let it remind you of the urgency of Jesus's call to follow (Him), and the role that you have in living out the kingdom of Heaven here on Earth."

Joining the Divinity faculty are Drs. Mary Dance Berry, assistant professor of Old Testament and Hebrew; Jillian Marcantonio, assistant professor of Christian History; and Andrew Roby, associate professor and Duncan Chair of Church Music.

Jones pointed to the support and donations of the many churches, ministers and ministry partners for helping to maintain the school's strong foundation as part of a great university.

"We have a compelling mission and, with God's help, we have a bright and hopeful future," Jones said.

Campbell President Dr. William M. Downs greeted the congregation, and Dr. Michael L. Adams, vice president of academic affairs and provost, led the Litany of Installation for Jones, who is dean and Lewis E. and Martha Barnes Tyner Chair of the Bible.

"Today is an important day for this school," Downs said, "but it is also a profoundly important day for our entire institution. Because, without the Divinity School mission, Campbell simply would not be Campbell."

Jones, a native North Carolinian and Campbell graduate, came to the Divinity School in 2000. He earned a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and Semitic Studies from Duke University and has taught at Mars Hill University. Jones has taught courses in Biblical Hebrew and the prophetic and poetic literature of the Old Testament, as well as courses in congregational ministry in the master's degree and Doctor of Ministry degree programs, his bio says.

An author, Jones's most recent book is "Gaining a Heart of Wisdom: A Model for Theological Interpretation of Scripture" (Smyth & Helwys Publishing, 2019). An ordained minister, he has served as an interim pastor, preacher and Bible-study leader in numerous churches across the state. A member of the Healthy Transitions Group of the Center for Healthy Churches, Jones and Beth, a Campbell alumna, live in Raleigh and have two adult children.

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