The Master’s University President Resigns

Sam Horn has resigned as president of The Master’s University and The Master’s Seminary after just a year in the position, the institution’s board of directors announced in a post on its website.

The post did not give a reason for Horn’s departure but said the past year “has been one of the most challenging years in higher education and we are grateful for our entire leadership team during this unprecedented time.”

The board had unanimously elected Horn, an alumnus of the university’s undergraduate and graduate schools and seminary, as its ninth president in February 2020.

The board said in the statement that it would appoint an interim president “In the coming days” and begin a search for a permanent replacement.

“Pray for us as we seek what is best for the future of both TMU and TMS,” it said.

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During his tenure, Horn led the university back to good standing with the accrediting organization the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), which had placed The Master’s University on probation in 2018. He also guided the reopening of the school after a Covid-driven campus closure. 

Horn succeeded as president John MacArthur, who served from 1985 to 2019, after a brief interim stint by John Stead. MacArthur transitioned to the role of chancellor at the end of June 2019, and Stead currently serves as a senior vice president. 

Horn held previous executive academic positions at Northland International University, Central Baptist Theological Seminary and Bob Jones University, where he earned a PhD in New Testament interpretation.

The statement went on to outline the embodiment of what the university expects from a president, including Biblical conviction, educational clarity, compelling leadership and trusted ambassadorship 

Organizations associated with John MacArthur have been embroiled in controversy over the past year, in part because of their handling of COVID-19 restrictions and conflicts with local health authorities.