Louisville—A Kentucky Baptist with broad ministerial experience will be the new campus missionary at the University of Louisville.

The Kentucky Baptist Convention’s administrative committee has unanimously voted to hire Paul Sanchez, senior pastor at Willow Baptist Church in Brooksville. He began his new duties Nov. 1.

“Paul has a heart that longs for the advance of the gospel in salvation of sinners through faith in Christ and for the building up of Christ’s church in righteousness and truth,” said Gregory Wills, dean of Southern Seminary’s School of Theology. “He longs to see believers strengthened in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus.”

Sanchez is a Garrett Fellow at the Louisville seminary, a role in which he assists Wills in grading papers, even lecturing in the professor’s absence. Sanchez, who has served as pastor of Victory Baptist Church in Estherwood, La., and as youth pastor at First Baptist Church of Port Allen, La., is working on a doctorate in church history.

He received a master of theology degree in church history from Southern and a master of arts in theology from New Orleans Seminary. His undergraduate degree is from Evangel University in Springfield, Mo.

“Paul has modeled devotion to the Lord and discipline in his pursuits,” said his former pastor, James Law, of First Baptist Church of Gonzales, La.. “He has excelled academically and spiritually. He possesses a keen intellect and a contagious personality.”

In his new role, Sanchez will be part of a collegiate ministry team within the KBC’s evangelism and church planting team.

“Paul’s education, teaching and ministry experience as a pastor will serve him well in this position,” said Brian Combs, the KBC’s collegiate evangelism strategist. (KBC)