Moody Bible Institute Names Provost
Dr. Dwight Perry has been appointed to serve as Moody Bible Institute’s next provost.
“Dr. Perry has the heart of a pastor, the experience of a seasoned leader, and the capability of a skilled educator,” said Dr. Mark Jobe, president of Moody Bible Institute. “He has a long history with Moody, a deep understanding of Chicago, and is highly recommended. We are blessed to have him join Moody. I believe he will be a great addition to our community and the strong leadership team we have in place.”
As Moody’s chief academic officer, Dr. Perry will provide leadership, as well as administrative and academic oversight for the undergraduate school, Moody Aviation, and Moody Theological Seminary.
Dr. Perry is a familiar name and face to Moody. He served as a professor of Pastoral Studies in the undergraduate school from 1994 to 2004. Prior to that, he was Moody’s midwest regional coordinator from 1986 to 1989. In that role he oversaw continuing education classes and evening classes at seven regional campuses including the main campus for the Moody Evening School. As a practitioner scholar, Dr. Perry has served extensively in the local church, denominational, and academic leadership for the past 40 years.
He comes to Moody from nearby North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, where he has served as the dean of faculty since 2017. He is also a professor of homiletics and leadership.
“The reason why I am honored and thrilled to come back to the Institute to serve as provost is because of my clear call to contribute to the training and developing of the next generation of leaders for both the global and local church,” said Dr. Perry. “This was the vision of D.L. Moody and continues to be the vision of the Moody Bible Institute.”
A sought-after Bible teacher, Dr. Perry has spoken across the country in the areas of homiletics, organizational and systems development, and diversity. He also served for 12 years as a regional president and executive minister with Converge Great Lakes. As the leader of a church association that specializes in church planting and leadership training, Dr. Perry revitalized a movement that had plateaued and was in decline.
Dr. Perry has published extensively in the area of practical theology, including homiletics (preaching) for ministry leaders to assist them in preparing Bible-centered messages and lessons. In addition, he has published and contributed to resources focused on racial and cultural diversity, as well as urban ministry, such as Moody Publishers’ A Heart for the City.
In addition to his years of experience in academics and institutional leadership, Dr. Perry has been a senior pastor and an associate pastor at three Chicagoland churches. He was the first African American to join the national staff of the Baptist General Conference, working in the area of U.S. ministries and home missions. He oversaw fundraising, African American and urban church planting, as well as department budget and finance.
“Dr. Perry’s life work and ministry are deeply inspiring to many,” added Dr. Jobe, “and will serve as a great model for students who are preparing to serve the Lord where He calls them.”
A native of Chicago, Dr. Perry grew up in the inner city of Chicago and went on to be the first African American to earn a PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill. He is also a graduate of the University of Illinois in Urbana, and has four degrees in education.
He and his wife, Dr. Cynthia Perry, are parents of four adult children and have five grandchildren. She is a tenured professor in the School of Education at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin, whose first love is teaching women about the love of Jesus. She is referred to as “one of the best women speakers he has ever heard” by Pastor James Ford of Christ Bible Church and host of Moody Radio’s Treasured Truth.
“As someone who has had a 40-year love affair with the Institute, I am deeply humbled and honored by the trust of Dr. Jobe and the Board of Trustees,” added Dr. Perry. “I am excited about Dr. Jobe’s 2030 vision to double Moody’s impact and cannot wait to see what God has in store for the ‘school that D.L. Moody founded.’”
Dr. Perry’s tenure as provost for the 134-year-old Moody Bible Institute will begin on Dec. 30, 2019.
For more information about Moody Bible Institute, please visit www.moody.edu.