ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø

ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø has named LETU Professor of Christian Ministry Dr. Pat Mays as the university's campus pastor, effective July 1, following a national search.

Mays earned his doctorate from the Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism at Asbury Theological Seminary. He served as an academic missionary to the Czech Republic before joining LETU in 2003 to launch the university's Christian Ministry program. He has excelled in the classroom, in scholarship and in service to the LETU community in his 15 years at LETU. He serves the body of Christ at Wesley McCabe United Methodist Church in Longview and routinely contributes to the life of our city through organizations such as Theatre Longview and Court Appointed Special Advocates.

"I look forward to the opportunity to make a positive impact on the spiritual formation of our entire student body as campus pastor, for our current students and for those in years to come," Mays said.

As campus pastor, Mays will be responsible for guiding chaplain interns, planning university chapels, working with the LeTourneau Student Ministries, coordinating spring break and other outreach programs, working with life groups and coordinating other activities that promote spiritual growth among the university's students.

"After an exhaustive search, our search committee of faculty, staff and students was led to consider his many qualifications, and he has discerned God's calling to this important role," said LETU President Dr. Dale A. Lunsford. "Pat's experience as a pastor, his appreciation for the movement of Christ across cultures and his exemplary commitment to the mission of LETU, he is well prepared to lead our many spiritual formation programs."

LETU Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dr. Kristy Morgan has chaired the search committee since summer of 2016, during which time the search committee met many highly qualified candidates from across the country, but finding a great fit proved to be challenging.

"The campus pastor needs to be able to work well across the university community, the Longview community, and the global community," she said. "Dr. Mays has an educational, professional, and personal background that will allow him to do that well. He is well qualified-well beyond what our stated expectations for this position. What sets him apart for this position is that he knows LETU. He has been here for 15 years. He loves this place. He has a natural ability to connect with students. He understands faculty concerns and has voluntarily stepped into roles that have allowed him to serve the university in ways that are not required of faculty members."

ÿÈÕ´óÈü¹ÙÍø is the premier Christian polytechnic university in the nation where educators engage students to nurture Christian virtue, develop competency and ingenuity in their professional fields, integrate faith and work, and serve the local and global community. LETU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs across a range of disciplines and delivery models at LETU's residential campus in Longview, Texas, and in hybrid and fully online options at centers in the Dallas and Houston areas. For additional information, visit www.letu.edu.