My Vision and Purpose as the President of Bexley Seabury Seminary

By the Very Rev. Dr. Mark C. Lee, PhD

After 25 years of service in uniform as a military chaplain (21 years of them on active duty with the Army), I excitedly accept the call as the next Dean and President of Bexley Seabury Seminary. This next chapter of ministry is not only exciting, but it’s also quite meaningful and timely, especially now.

I spent the last two decades working with American soldiers from very diverse backgrounds, cultures, genders, religions, orientations, socio-economic statuses, ethnicities, and locations – north, south, west, east, and Midwest – of the United States and the world. Many of these soldiers come from traumatic childhoods, broken families, and difficult life circumstances. They, like all people, want to be cared for, loved, to love, and to be appreciated for who they are and what they contribute to the world. Yet, they have spent most of their lives not experiencing the very things that we all desire. Moreover, they hardly hear of the radical love of Jesus Christ. 

The most profound and meaningful ministry I have experienced has been being with these soldiers and sharing the love of Jesus simply by being present with them, treating them as precious children of God, and loving on them as their chaplain – in combat and in peacetime. 

The world is difficult these days, especially in this country, when those who purport to be Christians are espousing a “Christianity” that is antithetical to the gospel message I know and believe. I believe that most of us feel the same way – that the world needs a counter narrative of Christianity, one the Episcopal Church, as well as other traditions, espouses. 

Bexley Seabury exists to train, equip, and raise up leaders – lay and ordained – for the Church, who will be the voice, hands, and feet of Jesus, offering that different narrative of Christianity. My passion for Bexley Seabury students is to be the representatives of Christ’s love wherever they are called to minister – in parishes, schools, healthcare, military, or elsewhere.

Bexley Seabury will be the seminary where Christians are equipped to be go into the world to represent the awesome, unconditional, and limitless love of Jesus to those who need to hear, feel, and experience that very love. Hence, every educational program or partnerships we support, embark on, and carry out at Bexley Seabury will focus on this mission.

I am more passionate and excited now more than ever before to carry out this mission with everyone – alumni, friends, students, board of directors, staff, and faculty – of Bexley Seabury. The task ahead is honestly daunting, and none of us can do it alone. However, I know that together, and with God’s help, we can accomplish seemingly impossible things for Christendom. Firstly, we need your prayers, incessant prayers. Secondly, we need your support, financially and otherwise, as we embark on this journey together. 

For anyone seeking pastoral theological education, ordination or feeling called to another type of ministry, we are here to offer the support you need to achieve your divinity goals.

Contact us to learn more and get additional information.