I am the chairman of the Department of Theological Studies at Welch College. I joined the faculty in 2003 and teach classes in church history, theology, philosophy, and New Testament. I hold a B. A. in Bible and Pastoral Training from Welch College (1993), an M.Div. from Covenant Theological Seminary (1997, Historical Theology Emphasis), and the Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Saint Louis University (2002, Early and Medieval).

I have research interests in the development of Christian doctrine, especially in the areas of Trinitarian thought, Christology, and anthropology. I have published works on Gregory the Great (Eschatology and Pain in St. Gregory the Great, London: Paternoster, 2007) and Free Will Baptists and the Priesthood of All Believers (Nashville, TN: Free Will Baptist Historical Commission, 2010).

I joined the Commission for Theological Integrity in 2013 and I am delighted to serve my denomination through it. It unites two of the great loves of my life: theology and education. Free Will Baptists have a strong heritage of both and my desire is to continue to see Free Will Baptists flourish in the depth of their theological reflection and in the breadth of ministerial education (whether formal or informal). I am convinced that growth in these areas will lead to stronger, mission-focused churches committed to knowing Christ and making Him known.

I have served as an Assistant Pastor, Worship Minister, and Interim Pastor for a number of Free Will Baptist churches in Tennessee, Illinois, and Missouri. I am presently a member of Cross Timbers Free Will Baptist Church (Nashville, TN) where I teach Sunday School, serve on the Christian Education Committee, and occasionally lead worship. I currently reside in Spring Hill, Tennessee with my wife Leslie Hampton Hester and four sons: Spencer, Seth, Justin, and Jackson. When I am not teaching, reading, or researching, I enjoy running with my wife, playing disc golf, and coaching Little League baseball.