PTS Announces Partnership, Creates Center for Pastoral Excellence
Cleveland, TN—The Pentecostal Theological Seminary has announced the formation of a partnership with the Church of God International Executive Committee to develop the “Center for Pastoral Excellence.” The Center began operations September 1, 2014, under the direction of Bill Isaacs.
The Center’s purpose and goals have been developed to incorporate strategies and coordinate efforts that will train and equip pastors in the United States and Canada. Specifically, the Center’s objectives are:
• To develop relationships and resources that support and encourage pastors.
• To support existing, effective, ongoing ministries and agencies already in this field.
• To coach and mentor pastors with an emphasis for new horizon leaders God is calling by utilizing ForwardLeadership.org.
• To resource and support state administrative bishops in the US and Canada to assist with their vision for peer resourcing and accountability to include Pastoral Covenant Groups and catalyst training experiences.
As director of the newly established Center, Bill Isaacs brings a wealth of experience having served in multiple capacities of ministry. Isaacs served as evangelist and pastor in North Carolina as well as Youth and Christian Education Director for Eastern North Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee and North Georgia. In 2002, Isaacs was appointed to Louisiana as Administrative Bishop where he served until 2008 when he was appointed to Northern Ohio. In 2010, Northern and Southern Ohio were reunited and he was appointed Administrative Bishop. His leadership has been recognized in the denomination with three terms of service on the International Executive Council, eight years on the International Youth and Christian Education Board, and two years as President of the National Youth Leaders Association. With his sons, he is chief officer of ForwardLeadership.org, a resource and media ministry to leaders that includes a weekly leadership blog, coaching and mentoring for next horizon leaders. He has been speaker at numerous conferences, events, retreats, camp meetings and local churches.
Of the partnership, Dr. R. Lamar Vest, President of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary said, “The Seminary is excited to form this partnership with Bill Isaacs and the International Executive Committee to focus on pastoral ministry and the multiplicity of challenges facing today’s pastor.”
“The International Executive Committee places the highest of priorities on Pastoral Covenant Groups and we understand that it is a boots on the ground initiative offering immediate peer support and enrichment,” said J. David Stephens, Assistant General Overseer and Executive Committee Liaison to the Seminary. “The Pentecostal Theological Seminary has provided excellent leadership since the inception of these groups, and we are anticipating a marked new interest among pastors through the new Center for Pastoral Excellence as well as the insightful leadership of President Lamar Vest and Director Bill Isaacs.”
The Center for Pastor Excellence will be just one of the centers within the Pentecostal Theological Seminary providing specialized support, training, and research that address specific needs within the church. Other centers include the Centre for Pentecostal Theology, Center for Latino Studies, an the Center for Global Education and Mission.
“My wife Shelly and I covet your prayers as we embark on this new chapter of our life and ministry together,” said Isaacs. “We pray God will grant us the grace to help others achieve their God-called mission.”
To learn more about the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, please visit www.ptseminary.edu.
