LaMar Vest

Dr. R. Lamar Vest is one of today's most highly acclaimed ambassadors for Christianity. He has served a long and distinguished career leading some of the most prominent and productive ministries in evangelical faith. Many of the positions he has held would be considered peaks in a given ministry career, but for Vest each served as preparation for the next step in a remarkable ministry. Called to preach at fifteen, he took his first pastorate at age 20 South Carolina. He led two churches before...See more

Dr. R. Lamar Vest is one of today's most highly acclaimed ambassadors for Christianity. He has served a long and distinguished career leading some of the most prominent and productive ministries in evangelical faith. Many of the positions he has held would be considered peaks in a given ministry career, but for Vest each served as preparation for the next step in a remarkable ministry. Called to preach at fifteen, he took his first pastorate at age 20 South Carolina. He led two churches before becoming a state evangelist for the Church of God. In 1968, he began a sixteen-year period of leading state and denomination-wide youth programs. Within that period of time, he served as the Director of the International Youth and Christian Education Department for the Church of God. In 1984, Vest was appointed as President of Lee College (now Lee University), the Church of God's flagship college. After just two years at Lee, Vest was elected by his ministerial peers in the Church of God to the Executive Committee. He then advanced in 1990 to the top leadership post of General Overseer, where he would serve until his tenure limit in 1994. He advanced again to General Overseer in 2000 and served until 2004. Dr. Vest has been on the Executive Committee for United Bible Societies Global Board and served on the founding board of the Center for Spiritual Renewal. He was also Chairman of National Association of Evangelicals, one of the most influential cross-denominational, evangelical organizations. Presently, he holds the position of President Emeritus of American Bible Society after having served as President for five years and a board member for seventeen years. Dr. Vest is presently working with the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, TN as Adjunct Professor and as Director of the Center for Spiritual Leadership and Renewal. In addition, he continues to work as an Associate Pastor with the Times Square Church in New York City where he is pioneering a leadership development program involving several hundred pastors along with thousands of others worldwide. Dr. Vest is a sought after international speaker in conferences and church conventions and has authored five books, numerous articles for print, and electronic media. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Lee University, a Master's degree from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary and a DLitt. from Lee University. See less