The John Newport Foundation Leadership Team

Don C. Berry, PhD, is a founding member of the Newport Foundation and a former student of John Newport for his MDiv and PhD degrees from SWBTS. He presently serves as Chairman. He also is President and a principal founder of the Institute of Religion and Health, Augusta, GA, and Charleston, SC, a resource and research center for the health and healing of persons from the unique perspective of the biblical faith. Dr. Berry is a native of Charleston, SC, a graduate of Baylor University (BA) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv and ThD/PhD) with additional graduate studies at Columbia Presbyterian Seminary and St. Marys University. He is former chair of the department of religion and philosophy and Dean of the Chapel at Palm Beach Atlantic College in West Palm Beach, Florida, and adjunct professor at Northeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Northboro, MA, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Extension in Atlanta. Dr. Berry served as vice-president and president of the SBC Pastors’ Conference (1968-70) has as senior pastor of churches in Texas, South Carolina, Alabama and Virginia, currently assisting churches as interim and intentional interim pastor. He is presently authoring a book, Journey to the Heart, and compiling a book of essays, honoring the life and works of Dr. Newport.

Don C. Berry
808 Greene Street
Suite 120
Augusta, GA 30901
doncberry@mindspring.com

Dr. Harmon is Professor of New Testament at the Anglican School of Theology in Dallas, Texas. He formerly worked with the Baptist Sunday School Board in curriculum development and with the Baptist Home Mission Board in the field of ecumenism. He is the author of several articles in theology and ecumenism and has written one book entitled Baptists and Other Denominations. For five years he led Southern Baptist participation on the National Council of Churches’ Faith and Order Commission. Currently, he is working on the Faculty Development Committee of the Anglican School in the area of academic freedom.

Dr. David K. Naugle is chair and professor of philosophy at Dallas Baptist University where he has worked for twenty-four years in both administrative and academic capacities. He has two doctorates. He earned a Th.D. in systematic theology and a Ph.D. in humanities with concentrations in philosophy and English literature. He is a distinguished university professor. He has written three books and three screenplays.

He is also the director of the Paideia College Society (formerly the Pew College Society), an academic organization now internally funded by DBU and supported by generous donors. Overall, the PCS seeks to deepen the undergraduate students’ educational experience through a vision of Christian humanism and classical liberal education in this context.

Dr. Bob Patterson, a native of North Carolina, presently serves as Distinguished Professor of Religion at Baylor University. He received a B.A. from Baylor, an M.A. in Philosophy from Baylor, an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY. Patterson has pastored churches in Kentucky and Florida. Serving as Professor in the Department of Religion at Baylor University since 1961, Patterson has authored a number of books including The Stirring Giant, which was recognized by Christianity Today Magazine as one of the “Choice Evangelical Books” of 1971. He has served as editor and contributor for a number of books and series. Patterson’s world-wide travels have taken him to Oxford, England for Post-Graduate studies, and he has served as study leader for a number of tours in the Middle East. Dr. Patterson is a frequent conference speaker and is presently editing an eight volume series on Christian doctrine.

Dr. Gene Wilkes is the President and Professor of New Testament and Leadership of B. H. Carroll Theological Institute, Arlington, TX. Dr. Wilkes embraces the Institute’s mission to “men and women called to serve Christ in the diverse and global ministries of his church.” He has authored eleven books, including Jesus On Leadership: Timeless Wisdom on Servant Leadership and A New Way of Living: Practicing the Beatitudes every day. Dr. Wilkes received his Ph.D. in New Testament Studies and his M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Greek.

Dr. Wilkes served as Senior Pastor of Legacy Church, Plano, TX, for twenty-six years prior to coming to Carroll Institute as Vice President of Development. During his local church ministry, Legacy Church transitioned to become “a mission outpost where every member is a missionary in his or her mission field.” Two unique ministries of the church were its English Language Program, which has over 150 students weekly studying five levels of English, and the Legacy Cyclists, which meets Sunday afternoons for group rides and cycling events. Both ministries produced baptisms and members to Legacy and sister churches in the community.

Legacy Church was a Teaching Church in the B. H. Carroll Nexus, and Dr. Wilkes was a Resident Fellow for Carroll that seeks to return theological education back to the local church and restore the value of Pastor/Teacher in the local church. Dr. Wilkes has also taught Biblical Servant Leadership as an adjunct professor in the Gary Cook School of Leadership at Dallas Baptist University at both the Masters and Ph.D. levels. Along with his teaching ministry, Dr. Wilkes speaks nationally and internationally on the topic of servant leadership and as a Bible teacher. Some of the international sites include Cuba, China, Vietnam, Albania, Greece, Russia, Canada, and Honduras. Dr. Wilkes lives in Plano, TX, with his wife, Kim, and they have two married daughters and two grandchildren. Dr. Wilkes’ hobbies include trail running, hiking, mountaineering, cycling, and golf. He summited 14,410-ft. Mt. Rainier, WA, on his 60th birthday in 2013.

You can reach Dr. Wilkes at gwilkes@bhcarroll.edu or 817.274.4284.

Dr. Williams has been in private practice as a psychotherapist-marriage and family therapist for thirty years. Prior to that, he held pastorates in Cleburne, TX, Weatherford, TX, and Dallas, TX. He received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Ouachita Baptist University and his M.Div. and Ph.D. degrees from Southwestern Seminary. While a student, he was Dr. John Newport’s assistant for four years. He is on the T.B. Maston foundation Board and served on the Dallas Motion Picture Classification Board. He is a member Care counselor for missionaries of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

Dr. Russell Dilday is Distinguished Professor of Homiletics and Hermeneutics at George W. Truett Theological Seminary and is Special Assistant to the President of Baylor University. A native Texan, Dr. Dilday earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he served as its President from 1978 to 1994. Dr. Dilday has received honorary degrees from Baylor University (L.L.D), Mercer University (D.D.), William Jewell College (L.H.D.) and Dallas Baptist University (D. Hum.). Dilday is highly respected for his denominational leadership and has been recognized by Texas Monthly magazine as one of the “Texas Twenty” – persons across the state who “have proved to be pivotal forces in their respective fields – and, by extension, in Texas.” He was also named by The Baptist Standard as one of the “ten most influential Texas Baptists in the twentieth century.” Dr. Dilday is in demand as a speaker and conference leader. Dr. Dilday’s writings include You Can Overcome Discouragement, The Doctrine of Biblical Authority, Personal Computer: A New Tool for Ministers, and Communicator’s Commentary: I & II Kings, which was a Gold Medallion Award finalist for the “Best Commentary,” 1988.

Phyllis Nichols is the Executive Director of the Missions, Ministry and Media Foundation. Before her retirement from the television industry, Phyllis was the Chief Operating Officer of KALEIDOSCOPE Network, Inc, a national cable network. Phyllis, a native of Georgia, received her Master of Music degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is noted as a concert artist performing for television, conventions, conferences and local churches. As composer, she has written four children’s musicals in collaboration with her mentor, the late theologian, Dr. William Hendricks. Phyllis serves on the Board of Regents of the Baptist University of the Americas and on the H.E. Butt Foundation Resource Development Council. Phyllis is on the Executive Committee of the John P. Newport Foundation and serves as the Conference Coordinator for its annual National Leadership Conference.

Dr. Jim Denison serves as Senior Pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, TX and as Distinguished Adjunct Professor at Dallas Baptist University. A Texas native, Dr. Denison earned a bachelor’s degree from Houston Baptist University and Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he also became a faculty member. As pastor, professor and writer, Dr. Denison is a popular speaker and conference leader and serves on a number of boards and Advisory Boards. He has been a curriculum writer for Sunday School literature and Youth Discipleship Training materials and is the author of several books including Seven Crucial Questions About the Bible, The Apostolic Church, and Life on the Brick Pile.

Minette Drumwright Pratt has had extensive experience in denominational life. After the death of her late husband, Dr. Huber L. Drumwright, Jr. in 1981, she joined the staff of the (then) Foreign Mission Board. In her work as Director of the Office of International Prayer Strategy, she led in the development and implementation of prayer strategies designed to involve Southern Baptists and overseas Baptists in worldwide prayer ministries. In June 1984, she received the Mrs. J.M. Dawson Award, given by the Southern Baptist Convention Conference of Ministers’ Wives to the minister’s wife who has made outstanding contributions to the denomination. She has authored The Life that Prays: Reflection son Prayer as Strategy and When Your Faith Feels Shallow (to be published in 2004) and numerous articles in denominational periodicals. In July 2003, Minette married Dr. William Pratt, retired psychologist. Among her current involvements, Mrs. Pratt is serving on the Baylor Board of Regents and the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas.

Dr. Milton Ferguson is President Emeritus of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he served as President from 1973 to 1995. A native of Oklahoma, Dr. Ferguson completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Oklahoma Baptist University, and earned the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served on the faculty at Southwestern from 1956 to 1973 as a teaching colleague with Dr. John Newport in the philosophy of religion department. Dr. Ferguson received honorary degrees from Campbell University (L.H.D.) and William Jewell College (D.D.) and also completed a post-doctoral faculty fellowship at Yale University. During his years as a seminary professor and president Dr. Ferguson was active in the ministry of the local churches, in denomination and higher education leadership roles, and in civic affairs and community life responsibilities. Since retirement from Midwestern in 1995 his role as a theological education consultant and seminary and college lecturer has taken him to Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan, Korea and China.

Dr. Nichols is Chairman of the Board of the Missions, Ministry and Media Foundation, which provides leadership support to Christian ministries, associations, and missionary organizations. He retired from the television industry in 2000 and continues to serve as a speaker, lecturer, media consultant and author. Formerly, Dr. Nichols was the Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and founder of the nation’s largest cable television channel on health, wellness and disability, Kaleidoscope Television Network. He was a founder and Senior Vice President of ACTS (American Christian Television System), the nation’s first 24-hour-per-day television network with programming from America’s mainline Christian and Jewish faith groups. He holds a PhD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he taught Christian Philosophy, Communications, Evangelism, and The Hebrew-Christian Worldview vs. Other World Religions. He has pastored four churches in Texas and Georgia.

Dr. David C. George, a native of Louisiana, is pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Nashville, TN where he has served since 1976. Dr. George received his B.A. from Howard Payne University and his Th.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary doing further study at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. He has taught at Belmont University, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Nashville Center and served as Pastor in Residence at the George W Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, TX. He has written the Layman’s Bible Book Commentary: 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians for Broadman Press, Revelation: Three Viewpoints, and has contributed a number of articles to theological journals and periodicals.

Dr. W. Randall Lolley, a native of Alabama, earned a bachelor’s degree from Samford University in Birmingham, a Th.M. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Th.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Lolley served as President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary from 1974 to 1988. He has received honorary degrees from Wake Forest University, Samford University, the University of Richmond, Campbell University, and Mercer University. Lolley is highly respected for his denominational leadership, his leadership in theological education and has received many honors and awards for his distinguished service. He has published over 150 articles, sermons, and curriculum materials for Baptist and other publications. As a popular speaker, Lolley has spoken in 41 states and 18 foreign countries. Dr. Lolley has pastored the First Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina and is most recently retired as Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. Making his home now in retirement in Raleigh, NC, Dr. Lolley continues to travel and enjoys reading and writing.

Dr. Gerald Mann is minister, author, entrepreneur, and TV and radio personality. Dr. Mann, a native Texan, holds Masters and Doctorate degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Mann pastors the Riverbend Church in Austin, TX, a 9000-member church, which he founded with 60 members. Dr. Mann’s “common sense religion” has been translated into eleven books, his weekly “Real Life . . . with Dr. Gerald Mann” television programs, his “Real Life Radio” call-in show, and a new “Real Life Q&A” newspaper column. His message reaches a potential audience of more that 200 million homes in the US and additional viewers in 30 countries. He has been quoted by the NBC Nightly News, Paul Harvey, US News & World Report and The Wall Street Journal, with feature articles on him appearing in TV Guide, USA Today, Newsweek, Texas Monthly, and Advertising Age.

Dr. Frank Newport is Editor in chief of The Gallup Poll in Princeton, New Jersey. Before joining Gallup, Newport was a partner in the Houston polling and marketing research firm Tarrance, Hill, Newport and Ryan, was a talk show host at KTRH Radio in Houston and taught sociology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. He has BA from Baylor University, and a MA and Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Michigan. He is co-author with Stuart Rothenberg of The Evangelical Voter, and his forthcoming book Polling Matters, will be published by Warner Books in July 2004. Newport lives near Princeton, New Jersey. Frank is the son of the late Dr. John P. Newport.

John Paul Newport, Jr. is a free-lance writer living in Nyack, New York. A graduate of Harvard he was formerly a reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and an associate editor at Fortune magazine. He writes frequently about golf and is the author of two books. Mr. Newport is the son of the late Dr. John P. Newport.

Russell Newport is the president of Newport Associates, Inc. A native of Missouri, Newport is a graduate of William Jewell College and Harvard University. He was also honored with a Doctorate of Arts from Southwest Baptist University. Although a businessman, Newport is greatly noted for his musical artistry. As a soloist and recording artist, Newport has performed world-wide in crusades, conventions, and conferences. His list of television appearances includes the Ed Sullivan Show, and appearances on ABC & NBC religious programs. Russell Newport is the brother of the late Dr. John P. Newport.

Martha Newport Shimkus is the Math Department Head at the Brearley School in New York City. The department, which spans grades four through twelve, teaches girls of adventurous and engaging intellect. She taught mathematics for over twenty years in Houston before moving to New York City. Martha Newport Shimkus is the daughter of the late Dr. John P. Newport.

Weston Ware, PhD., has an extensive background in public and denominational experience. Dr. Ware served for 18 years as the Director for Citizenship and Public Policy for the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission where he lobbied public policy and moral issues in Austin. Prior to that from 1966-1982, Ware served in various positions as a federal government administrator in San Juan, Puerto Rico, New York City and Dallas, and as the Peace Corps Deputy and Director in Panama. Having retired in 2002, Dr. Ware is still active doing special assignments for the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission; serving as Chairperson of the Dallas Independent School District Religious Community Task Force; serving on the board of the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling; and Chairperson of the T.B. Maston Foundation. Ware is a native Texan holding degrees from Baylor University and a Ph.D., Doctor of Philosophy from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Robert B. Stewart (Ph.D. Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Professor of Philosophy and Theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he is Greer-Heard Professor of Faith and Culture. He is author of the The Quest of the Hermeneutical Jesus: The Impact of Hermeneutics on the Jesus Research of John Dominic Crossan and N.T. Wright (2008), and editor of The Resurrection of Jesus: John Dominic Crossan and N. T. Wright in Dialogue (Fortress, 2006); Intelligent Design: William A. Dembski and Michael Ruse in Dialogue (Fortress, 2007); The Future of Atheism: Alister McGrath and Daniel Dennett in Dialogue (Fortress, 2008); and The Reliability of the New Testament: Bart D. Ehrman and Daniel B. Wallace in Dialogue (Fortress, 2011). A contributor to the Cambridge Dictionary of Christianity, he has published articles or book reviews in numerous journals.