Faculty News

ADC announces new Director for the Acadia Centre for Baptist and Anabaptist Studies (ACBAS)

Acadia Divinity College is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Melody Maxwell, Associate Professor of Church History, as the new Director of the Acadia Centre for Baptist and Anabaptist Studies (ACBAS), effective May 2, 2019.

Dr. Melody Maxwell

ACBAS was established in April 1991 by Acadia Divinity College, in partnership with the Vaughan Memorial Library of Acadia University, to encourage and facilitate studies in the fields of Baptist and Anabaptist history and thought. The Centre hosts lectures for students, faculty, and members of the local community, including the George Rawlyk Memorial Lecture scheduled for March 31, 2020.

Dr. Maxwell brings a wealth of expertise to this role. Prior to joining Acadia in August 2018, she was the Assistant Professor of Christian Studies at Howard Payne University (2013-2018), the Director of the Great Commission Center at East Texas

Baptist University (2012-2013), and an Adjunct Professor at Samford University (2011-2012). Her passion for Baptist history extends beyond the classroom to her involvement in the wider Baptist family, having served as President of the Fellowship of Baptist Historians and on the boards of the North American Baptist Fellowship, and Texas Baptist Women in Ministry. Currently, she is a member of the Heritage and Identity Commission and the Mission Commission with the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), and Treasurer of the Baptist History and Heritage Society.

Having earned a PhD in Baptist and Anabaptist Studies from the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague, Dr. Maxwell is actively engaged in research and producing scholarly publications. Her specific interests are in the areas of Baptist history, religion and gender, global Baptists, world Christianity, Baptist missions, and women in ministry.

Dr. Maxwell is the fourth Director of the Centre, following the service of Dr. Jarold Zeman (1991-1996), Dr. Miriam Ross (1996-2006), and Dr. William Brackney (2009-2018).

Please join the President and Board of Trustees in welcoming Dr. Maxwell to this new role.

Dr. Robert S. Wilson conferred Professor Emeritus

At the 58th Annual Commissioning Service on May 10, 2019, Acadia Divinity College conferred the distinction of Professor Emeritus onto Dr. Robert S. Wilson, in recognition of his exemplary service and dedication to Acadia. This honorary award was recommended to the Board of Trustees by President Harry Gardner and the Faculty of the College.

Dr. Robert (Bob) Wilson

Beginning in 1991, Dr. Wilson has served as Professor of Church History and occupied many other roles at the College including Director of the Master of Arts (Theology) Program, Director of Continuing Education, Academic Dean, and in 2007, Interim President. Dr. Wilson retired in 2018 as the Thomas James Armstrong Memorial Senior Professor of Church History. Prior to joining the faculty of Acadia Divinity College, Dr. Wilson was the Dean of Arts and Professor of History at Crandall University (1971-1991).

In addition to his academic and teaching career, Dr. Wilson has served as President of Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada (1998-1999), on the Atlantic Baptist Historical Committee, chair of the Board of Publication, and on the denominational council. He participated in the life of local churches as deacon and Sunday school teacher and served as interim pastor in ten churches. For over fifty years, he preached and lectured on a variety of historical, devotional, and practical ministry topics. In 1999, Dr. Wilson received the Leadership Award from Atlantic Baptist University (now Crandall University), and in 2006 he was honoured by his alma mater, United Baptist Bible Training School (now Crandall University), with the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Rev. Dr. Stephen McMullin promoted to Full Professor

On May 2, 2019, Acadia Divinity College Board of Trustees and President Harry Gardner announced the promotion of Rev. Dr. Stephen McMullin to the rank of Full Professor effective July 1, 2019.

Dr. Stephen McMullin

Following nearly three decades of local church ministry, Dr. McMullin joined Acadia Divinity College in September 2010 as the Director of ADC New Brunswick and Lecturer in Evangelism and Mission. In 2012, he was appointed Associate Professor. Since July 1, 2014, he has occupied the Sheldon and Marjorie Fountain Chair of Evangelism and Mission, and in 2016 was granted tenure and began serving as Academic Dean.

Throughout his academic career, Dr. McMullin has written articles for scholarly and popular journals alike and has presented numerous papers at academic conferences. His research has focused on evangelism, church renewal, faith and technology.

Dr. McMullin has made significant contributions in the area of the church’s response to domestic violence. In partnership with researchers at the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research at the University of New Brunswick, Dr. McMullin seeks to develop effective ways for churches and religious leaders to work with resources in their communities to provide compassionate and practical help for victims of domestic violence. With other researchers, including Dr. Nancy Nason-Clark (the 2019 recipient of the Acadia Doctor of Divinity honoris causa), Dr. McMullin has helped build The RAVE Project, an invaluable resource for those who have experienced domestic violence.

Dr. McMullin has a heart for the local church. In addition to serving churches between 1980 and 2007, he has been a member of the Council of the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada and a speaker at numerous conferences. He continues to be involved in outreach ministry at RiverCross Church in Saint John, NB. His experience and understanding are assets to Acadia students and the wider Christian community.