Professional Objective:
To cooperate in the task of raising up competant spiritual leadership for the
coming generation through life-oriented teaching and preaching of theology
and Scripture.
Education
  • Ph.D., 2002     Dallas Theological Seminary; Dallas, TX.
  • Majored in Theological Studies
  • Dissertation: “Simon Episcopius’ Doctrine of Original Sin.”

  • Th.M., 1988     Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas TX.
  • New Testament and Systematic Theology.
  • Thesis: “Apostasy and Perseverance in the Pastoral Epistles.”
  • Graduated Summa cum Laude

  • M.A., 1987       University of Nebraska; Lincoln, NE.
  • Political Science, with an emphasis in political theory.
  • Thesis: “Three Natural Right Criticisms of Max Weber’s
    Fact/Value Dichotomy.”
  • Graduated with honors (PSA).

  • B.S., 1980        Grace University; Omaha, NE.
  • Biblical Studies and Missions
  • Graduated Cum Laude.
Academic Experience:
  • 2002-Present     Seminário Teológico Batista do Rio Grande do Sul;
    Porto Alegre, RS (Brazil).
  • Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology
  • Mentor for students in the church planting major.

  • 1997-98   Instituto de Treinamento Técnico e Teológico, Boa Vista,
    RR (Brazil).
  •  Chairman of founding committee.
  •  Academic Dean, responsible for development of a
               three-year curriculum for preparation of lay leaders.
  •  Responsible for recruitment and supervision of faculty.
  •  Professor: Systematic Theology; Bible Exposition.

  • 1996        Seminário Teológico Batista Equatorial; Belém, PA (Brazil).
  •  Professor: Systematic Theology.

  • 1987-88        Dallas Theological Seminary; Dallas, TX.
  • Instructor: Lay Institute.

  • 1985-92        Dallas Theological Seminary; Dallas, TX.
  • Teaching Assistant: New Testament (1986-1992).
  • Grader: New Testament; Bible Exposition; Systematic Theology
    (1985-1989).
Courses Taught
Systematic Theology 1, 2                    Introduction to the New Testament 1, 2
Old Testament Theology                     Elements of Greek 1, 2             
Advanced Research Methods              Bible Exposition, OT
Eschatology                                         Bible Exposition, NT
Principles of Church Growth                Exposition of Romans
Methods of Bible Study                        Exposition of Titus
                         Exposition of 1 Corinthians
Other Academic Activities
  • Guest Lecturer/Speaker:
  • Seminário Teológico Batista de Florianopolis, SC (Brazil).
  • Seminário Teológico Batista de Ijuí; Ijuí, RS (Brazil).

  • Publications::
  • Editor, Books Received; Journal of the Grace Evangelical
    Society (1989-92).

  • The Arminian Confession of 1621. Translated with an
    Introduction by Mark A. Ellis. Princeton Theological Monograph
    Series. Eugene OR: Pickwick Publications, 2005.

  • Simon Episcopius' Doctrine of Original Sin. New York: Peter
    Lang, 2005.

  • “Contexualização e Sincretismo: O Que Faz A Diferença”
    (Contextualization and Syncretism: What’s The Difference?); O
    Jornal do Seminário, 8 (June 2003): 3.

  • Review: This Present Darkness; Piercing the Darkness,by
    Frank Peretti. http://www.faithalone.
    org/journal/bookreviews/peretti.htm

  • Review: The New Nature, by Renald Showers. http://www.
    faithalone.org/journal/bookreviews/showers.htm

  • Review: You Are Chosen: The Priesthood of All Believers, by
    Herschel Hobbs. http://www.faithalone.
    org/journal/bookreviews/hobbs.htm

  • Review: Thy Kingdom Come, by J. Dwight Pentecost. http://www.
    faithalone.org/journal/bookreviews/Pentecost.htm

  • Review Calvin and English Calvinism to 1649, by R. T.Kendall.
    http://www.faithalone.org/journal/bookreviews/kendall4.htm

  • Papers Presented:
  • “Changes in First and Second Generation Arminian Theology
    and Method.” Evangelical Theological Society, November 17,
    2004.
Professional Societies
  • Member, American Academy of Religion, 1988-present.
  • Member, Evangelical Philosophical Society, 2002- present.
  • Member, Evangelical Theological Society, 1988- present.
  • Member, Grace Evangelical Theological Society, 1988-1994, 2002-
    present.
  • Member, Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, 1988- present.
  • Member, Society of Biblical Literature, 1988- present.
Awards and Honors:
  • J. Howard Goddard Scholarship for Doctoral Studies. Dallas
    Theological Seminary, 1988.
  • Loraine S. Chafer Award in Systematic Theology. Dallas Theological
    Seminary, 1988.
  • W. H. Griffith Thomas Award for Academic Excellence. Dallas
    Theological Seminary, 1988.
  • Recipient, Lamb Foundation Scholarship, 1986-1988.
  • Recipient, Sandy Ford Foundation Scholarship, 1985-86.
  • Finalist, Clarence Thomas Award for Excellence in Expository
    Preaching; Grace University, 1980.
  • Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1988.
  • Who's Who in the World, 1998.
Pastoral Experience
  • 1994-Present International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist
    Convention.
  • Theological educator and church planter.

  • 2002 Igreja Batista Orla Leste; Boa Vista, RR (Brazil).
  • Founding pastor.
  • A church plant directed toward upper-class businessmen,
    professionals and government officials. After 5 months, during
    which IBOL grew to 120 participants, it was turned over to
    Brazilian leadership.

  • 2001 Congregação Batista Cauamé; Boa Vista, RR (Brazil).
  • Mentor, church planting team.
  • A church plant directed toward the working lower-class in the
    neighborhood Cauamé. In 3 months, CBC grew to 40
    participants, at which time it was turned over to Brazilian
    leadership.

  • 1998 Igreja Batista da Graça; Boa Vista, RR (Brazil).
  • Founding pastor.
  • A church plant directed toward middle-class residents in the
    neighborhood Pricumã. In 8 months, IBG grew to 130
    members, at which time it was turned over to Brazilian
    leadership. It is now the largest evangelical church in its state.

  • 1988-94 Shiloh Baptist Church; Wylie, TX.
  • Senior Pastor.
  • In 1992 and 1993, Shiloh received recognition for leading Colin
    County Association in baptisms.
  • Shiloh grew from 30 to approximately 230 active members,
    primarily through conversion of young, professional, non-
    Baptist couples with children.

  • 1984-88 First Baptist Church; Heath, TX.
  • Director of Discipleship (1984-86) and Pastoral Assistant
    (1986-88).
  • Introduced and directed an AWANA children’s program.
  • Introduced and lead a discipleship program, “Equipping the
    Saints.”.
  • Assisted in various pastoral roles, under the leadership of
    Pastor David Burcham.

  • 1982-84 Humboldt Berean Church; Humboldt, NE.
  • Pastor.
Personal Information
  • DOB: September 14, 1958, Olathe, KS.
  • Married to Diane Marie (Hofer) Ellis, June 7, 1980.
  • Children: Nicholas (23), Brenton (23), engineer, Quest Aviation; Ian
    (22), senior at Union University; Andrew (15); Victoria (14).
  • Ordained, First Baptist Church of Heath; Heath, TX (SBC), October 4,
    1987.
  • Ordained, Fellowship of Berean Churches, 1984.


Curriculum Vitae