Missional Leadership for the Next Generation
Dr. David Anderson (’86,’22) was named the sixth president of Maranatha Baptist University in May of 2023 by the Board of Trustees. The Andersons are not strangers to the campus of Maranatha. Anderson’s father moved his family to Watertown to receive his theological training prior to going into the pastorate where he served for 42 years. Most recently, David and Abi (Potter) served in Roscoe, Illinois at Heritage Baptist Church. All their adult children graduated from Maranatha. Announcing the appointment, Dr. Doug Jackson, the chairman of the Board of Trustees, said:
With unity, confidence, and great enthusiasm, the Maranatha Baptist University board of trustees voted unanimously to call Dr. David Anderson to serve as MBU’s new president. As president, we believe he will successfully carry out our mission, minister effectively to our students and staff, and serve as the public face of our university—the chief student recruiter and promoter of Maranatha.
Introducing himself to the team, Dr. Anderson encouraged the faculty and staff saying; “I have been a cheerleader for Maranatha from Illinois. Now I will be your cheerleader on campus!” The energy that filled the room that day was electric. Following that morning’s meeting, as I was talking with Dr. Anderson, I couldn’t help but sense his excitement for getting to know the Maranatha family more, and I knew that the Maranatha family needed to know who he is as well. Later that month, I invited CEO Dr. Matt Davis, Chancellor Dr. Marty Marriott, and President Anderson to join me in the den for a conversation intended to answer a few questions regarding the days ahead. I think the best way to get to know Anderson and how he will approach the presidency is in his own words.
Small steps. It’s interesting, that whenever God is directing your steps, it happens in a different way in every one of those decision-making times. When I got the call from the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (Pastor Doug Jackson), it threw our lives into a tizzy. We were not looking for it. God had put us in a wonderful spot in pastoral ministry. We were thinking that this church may be where we minister for the rest of our lives—and that was not a sad thought! That was a happy thought. God was prospering that community in a unique way. Then there was lots of prayer. I first came to Maranatha Baptist Bible College as a kid when my dad (Pastor Rod Anderson) came to seminary in 1971. Even as a kid I thought, “Wow, this a cool place!” Now as an adult, I realize that Maranatha is in every way, a part of who I am in ministry, in life, and in philosophy.
There was a point as we considered returning to Maranatha where Abi and I said, “Lord, you know our hearts and what is going on, we are yours, we’ll do what you want. You direct our steps, and we’ll follow.” The Lord brought assurances from His Word and from other faithful men. Additionally, when the Board unanimously voted (to appoint me as president), we sensed the Lord’s hand of leading. Those men know me. We’ve worked together. But probably the most significant assurance was when our church family was told, they said, “We knew this day would come.” I don’t diminish the Lord’s leading in their hearts. Even though we had forged close relationships with these dear people, they willingly supported our call to Maranatha.
The Scripture that comes to mind is “Follow me as I follow Christ.” When a pastor is following Christ, others ought to follow. However, I don’t want (ministry students) to be little David Andersons. I want them to be like Christ. And if I can help them along the way, then I’m accomplishing my God-given ministry. There is a tenderness that comes with being a pastor. You look through a lens of love and concern for the flock’s spiritual well-being. In pastoral ministry, you catch people at all stages of their spiritual walk—and it’s delightful! You watch the babies, and you feed them baby food. You have the rebel teen who is walking away from the Lord, and you do everything you can to pull them back. And that’s going to happen here (at Maranatha). We have a segment of 3-5 years with students, and you’ve got to pour, pour, pour into them.
I hope, someday, there will be a Maranatha reunion in heaven. Many godly saints have followed their Lord all their life. All unique stories of God’s race. With God’s help, Maranatha will continue to play a part in raising up faithful servants of the Lord.
I would really like to have a year to understand and solidify those thoughts, but, I am standing on the shoulders of other faithful men who have laid out Maranatha’s mission and the processes necessary to accomplish that mission. What a joy! Hopefully, I can bring a fresh perspective from my years of pastoral ministry to help our students.
I want our school to prosper in turning out godly young people. I want our preachers to know how to handle God’s Word and be passionate about winning souls for Christ and discipling them, in whatever context God puts them. We want every one of our students to remain faithful to the Lord and the local church. There are more than just ministry majors on campus, and I would love for all of them to be active in local, Baptist, fundamental churches that are full of life and ministry. Ministry takes a variety of forms and I want them to understand how we interact and work in the community God places us. Our time seems to be short, let’s get at it! Let’s keep developing leaders for the local church and the world, ‘to the praise of His glory.’
As I listened to Anderson communicate his desires for the Maranatha family, I was reminded of what Dr. Matt Davis has said before, “to be a ministry leader is to be an eyewitness to God’s goodness.” We are blessed to have Dr. Anderson join the campus community of leaders on a mission to train other leaders.