On April 15, 2009, there was great excitement on Moody’s Chicago campus as the Board of Trustees announced Moody’s next president in chapel. Jerry Jenkins, Board of Trustees chairman, explained that after an extensive nine-month presidential search the Board unanimously and enthusiastically appointed Dr. Paul Nyquist as the next president of the Moody Bible Institute.Nyquist, 55, brings to Moody 19 years of successful ministry experience as a senior pastor of two vibrant churches in Iowa and Nebraska, and eight years of organizational leadership as the president and CEO of Avant Ministries, an international missions agency based in Kansas City.
“Dr. Paul Nyquist’s skill set and character uniquely match our search committee’s profile,” said Jenkins. “He’s a proven leader, team builder and visionary who also happens to be a theologian. We look forward to many years of inspired leadership.”
Nyquist's journey into full-time ministry began while a college student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and led him to Dallas Theological Seminary, where he received a ThM and a PhD in Systematic Theology.
“Being appointed as Moody’s ninth president is both a high honor and a solemn responsibility,” said Nyquist. “To pick up the presidential mantle from the gifted men who have preceded me is the greatest honor I have ever received. I am profoundly humbled to be selected.”
He and his wife, Cheryl, have been married for more than 27 years and have four grown children. They have a special appreciation for Moody’s educational ministry, as three of their children chose Moody Bible Institute as the place to receive their undergraduate education.
Nyquist will officially begin his tenure as Moody Bible Institute’s ninth president on June 1, 2009.
To learn more about Moody’s new president, please visit the Presidential Announcement Web page.
