Goff, Williams join MC’s Christian Studies faculty

Matthew Lance Williams, left, and Benjamin S. Goff have joined the MC Department of Christian Studies faculty.

The Mississippi College Department of Christian Studies has added two faculty members to its full-time faculty ranks.

Benjamin S. Goff, former student services coordinator at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, has joined MC as an instructor in Christian Studies and assistant director of the Institute of Christian Leadership, while Matthew Lance Williams, a former International Mission Board field representative, has joined his alma mater as an assistant professor of Christian Studies.

Evan Lenow, MC associate professor and chair of Christian Studies, said Goff will have a dual role in the department. While his primary responsibility will be overseeing Chapel at MC, Goff will also serve as a campus minister for students and the MC community. He will teach Old and New Testament introduction courses.

“I am excited to have Ben Goff on our team to reach students for Christ through both chapel and the classroom,” Lenow said. “He has a pastor’s heart and wants to see students grow in their faith.”

The Madison resident earned his B.S. at Mississippi State University and his Master of Theological Studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, while serving as a youth minister and media technician at Meadville Baptist Church and Wesson Baptist Church.

Goff was promoted to lead pastor of Meadville Baptist Church before he joined Reformed Theological Seminary. He is pursuing his Master of Theology and his Doctor of Philosophy from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. He has contributed research to the forthcoming book, “The CSB Connecting Scripture New Testament: A Study Bible of Biblical Allusions and Quotations.”

Lenow said Williams is the first full-time missions professor at MC in several years. He will teach missions and Old and New Testament introduction classes and will update the department’s missions curriculum.

“Dr. Williams’ extensive history of nearly 30 years on the mission field allows him to bring both academic and real-life experience into the classroom to train the next generation of missionaries to take the Gospel to the farthest reaches of the world,” Lenow said.

A resident of Madison, Williams earned his B.A. at Mississippi College and his Master of Divinity at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He began his career as a minister of youth at First Baptist Church of Kentwood, Louisiana, and served as pastor at East Fork Baptist Church in Amite County before spending 28 years as a social worker and field representative with the IMB, establishing house church networks among unreached people in Southeast Asia. During his service abroad, Williams obtained his Master of Theology and his Doctor of Philosophy from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.