In the continued saga of leadership changes at Bob Jones University (BJU) in Greenville, South Carolina, current President Josh Crockett has announced he may be changing roles if he is called to pastor Morningside Baptist Church in Greenville.
Josh Crocket addressing BJU in fall 2024 / Video screenshot
According to BJU’s Public Relations Director Courtney Montgomery, Crockett informed faculty and staff on April 7 that he is a candidate for senior pastor at Morningside, a position he held for nine years before taking the helm of BJU in May 2024.
The congregation will vote on the pastoral call on April 27.
Should Crockett be called as Morningside’s senior pastor, he will shift responsibilities at BJU to one of primarily preaching, leading chapel, and interacting with and shepherding students.
“Dr. Crockett remains dedicated to the mission and vision of BJU, and his ongoing leadership will continue to support the University’s commitment to academic excellence and spiritual growth,” the BJU statement reads.
“The BJU Board of Trustees is confident that with the planned transition and the appointment of a new CEO, the University will continue to thrive in its mission to serve students, faculty, and staff.”
Access to MinistryWatch content is free. However, we hope you will support our work with your prayers and financial gifts. To make a donation, click here.
Crockett was named the sixth BJU president in May 2024. Steve Pettit served as president of BJU from 2014 to 2023, resigning amid a “dysfunctional” and “irreparably broken” relationship between Pettit and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees John Lewis.
After Pettit’s departure, Alan Benson was named acting CEO of the university. In an interview with the school’s newspaper, Benson said he planned to apply for the position of president but was not chosen.
BJU has faced financial and enrollment challenges over the last several years. According to the National Center for Education Statistics profile of the college, enrollment was only 2,893 in the fall semester of 2023. In 2009, enrollment was 4,998.
In his address to alumni in the fall, Crockett reported significant staffing cuts of at least 10 percent. He also said BJU Press has been subsidizing the university financially. Over the past five years, it provided $100 million in gross revenue to the university, he said.
TO OUR READERS: Do you have a story idea, or do you want to give us feedback about this or any other story? Please email us: info@ministrywatch.com