The following announcement is from Dr. Russell Duke, President of Grace Communion Seminary (GCS).
It is with great satisfaction that I inform you that Dr. Gary Deddo will replace me as President of Grace Communion Seminary as of June 2015. Our GCS Board interviewed Dr. Deddo on January 16 and unanimously approved his appointment. Congratulations Gary!
Dr. Deddo has served as a faculty member with GCS for six years, so many of you have studied with him. Many others know him and his wife Cathy from their presentations on theology at our GCI conferences.
Dr. Deddo (pictured at right) brings a wealth of academic experience as professor and editor to the role of President. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, a Master of Arts in Social Science from Azusa Pacific University, and a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from King’s College, University of Aberdeen. He has taught in seminaries for over 20 years, serving Fuller Theological Seminary, Zarephath Bible Institute, Eastern Baptist Seminary, and Grace Communion Seminary. He has been widely published in the area of incarnational Trinitarian theology, and has assisted dozens of authors in his former role as Senior Editor at InterVarsity Press from 1999 to 2012. He was hired as Special Assistant to GCI President Dr. Joseph Tkach in 2012, and will continue to serve in that capacity as well.
We welcome Dr. Deddo’s leadership. Since we are undergoing reaffirmation of our accreditation this spring, we are timing the change to coincide with the accreditation decision by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission in June. This will enable Dr. Deddo to observe the accreditation process from an administrative perspective.
I have felt it important to pursue a transition at this time so that we can deepen the impact that GCS can have for the Church, both within our denomination and for leaders in other churches in the Body of Christ. As we participate in Jesus Christ’s ministry, Dr. Deddo will be able to lead the seminary to connect GCI’s work in theology and our interviews with Trinitarian theologians and pastors to better serve the greater Christian body.
Though I will be retiring as President, I plan to assist in the transition of administration and teach a few courses as my career winds down in retirement. Thank you for your support during this time of transition.
Congratulations to Gary Deddo on his new appointment. I, as well as the whole body of GCI, want to wish him the best of success in his new role. So many of us have benefited from his messages in past video presentations, as well as his topics of discussion at this past fall’s Thanksgiving Celebration services in Penticton, B.C. Christ is using him in a powerful way in the G.C.I. work and it is evident that He will continue to use him in yet greater ways to come through this new appointment.
Way to go! This is thrilling news. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
It is such a blessing to have in our GCI ranks an increasing number of outstanding theologians. More will come, I am sure.
Gary, may the Lord keep magnifying your service to His honor and glory.
In Christ,
Santiago Lange
Congratulations on the new assignment, all the best
Congrats Doc. Really blessed to have you in this role.
Congratulations Dr. Deddo on the new assignment: I will pray God’s wisdom in you through the Holy Spirit can continue blessing many more people in your new capacity to our Lord Jesus glory and praise.
Love in Christ,
Pedro Rufian
Welcome, Congratulations, love & prayers!
I offer my best wishes to you, Dr. Duke, as you transition into retirement. And I also extend my congratulations to you, Dr. Deddo, on your new position. I’m sure that future GCS students will be well blessed in having you there. May God bless you both in your new adventures in life!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Duke for his many years of service in various capacities, and in particular for his leadership during the formation and accreditation of GCS. We wish you all the very best in your retirement. Also, I would like to congratulate Dr. Deddo for his new position. I am sure his work will be blessed and will be a precious addition to the seminary in a new way. God bless you both.
Hi Gary,
Congratulations to you and Cathy!
Your influence is increasing, God inspired I am sure.
I hope you enjoy your added role and duties.
I also expect that you are great at multi-tasking 🙂
Bruce Edmunds/Vancouver, BC
Wonderful news Gary! GCI Perth, Western Australia send our love, blessings and congratulations.
Love to you and Cathy
Kay Saunders
Congratulations Gary! Living Hope Christian Fellowship, Virginia sends our best wishes and prayers. See you out our way at the end of February!
Congratulations to Dr Deddo! We are blessed to have you.
Thank you Dr Duke for your many, many, many years of service to WCG/GCI. Thank you for creating a smooth
transition. GCI continues to be blessed as a result of your
participation with Jesus in His ministry. We pray God’s blessings on you and your family as you “wind down”!
Very pleased with your appointment. You are a great benefit to GCI, and I pray you will have many years of service in your capacity of teacher to Christian ministers.
It is inspiring and refreshing to see our denomination grow — developing greater understanding of who God is, how he guides us, and his loving plan for saving humankind. We are blessed to have you as leader and teacher, Gary, bringing your unique insight and teaching to Grace Communion Seminary.
Thank you all for your words of congratulation, support and encouragement. I’m still in a little bit of shock as this all developed (on my side) in just the past two months! I regard the appointment as a great honor and privilege to be asked to serve GCI/GCS in this way. I’m grateful for how I’ve already been able to be a part of GCS, enjoying all the fruit of the faithful and competent work of the current GCS team lead by Dr. Duke. I look forward to seeing how the Holy Spirit leads and the opportunities that arise in connection with the Seminary. I do ask for your continuing prayers and look forward to serving with you all in the grace, love and fellowship of our Triune God.
May God keep and lead you, Mr. Duke. I remember being in the choir at the feast, you were so young and vibrant and such a good director as your wife was by your side. Welcome to the glorious challenge Mr. Deddo and we pray that God leads you in the direction he would have you go in the seminary.
Our best wishes to you Dr. Duke and our deep thanks for your many productive years of service to so many of us through the past decades of labors of love! We wish you the best for the future and offer our wishes that you will be able to continue giving your gifts in some limited manner even in your retirement. We love you Dr. Duke, and thank you deeply from our hearts. David and Linda Husmann
As the GCS baton is past to you Dr. Deddo, my wife and I send our wishes and prayers for God’s helps and blessings for you and your wife in the new responsibilities. We will now continue in prayer for you as we go forward. Love and best wishes from David and Linda Husmann.
Thank you Dr. Duke for all your years of dedicated services in educating and mentoring leaders. Congratulations Dr. Deddo. God has indeed blessed GCI with wonderful loving leaders and teachers. We are so thankful. Our prayers are with you both and your families during this transition.
Eric and Edna
Congratulations, Dr. Deddo! As we say in Texas – we are proud to have you! All the best from your friends in Big Sandy, Texas.
Congratulations to Dr Garry Deddo and Dr Cathy Deddo. We thank Dr Duke for all the service he has done.
We thank God for what He is doing in this community of believers.
Our prayers are with all from the small island of Nauru.