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MC Welcomes New BSU Leader


MC's new BSU Director Ben Maddox with his wife, Karen, and son, Brock
Mississippi College's Baptist Student Union will welcome Georgia native Ben Maddox as its new leader July 1.

Maddox, 34, is completing his duties as campus minister for the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, a post he's held since August 2005. At the same time, he's also worked as a campus minister at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. He served as associate pastor to students at Lakeside Baptist Church in Milledgeville, Ga. for more than a year before taking his current assignment in Little Rock.

"Ben has a heart and desire to reach and disciple college students through the BSU," said Eric Pratt, vice president for Christian Development at MC.

Maddox and his wife Karen, who is a teacher, plan to live in Clinton. Married since June 1998, they are the parents of one six-year-old son, Brock. A native of Warner Robins, Ga., Maddox received his bachelor's degree in economics from Valdosta State University in 1997. He obtained a master's of divinity with a specialization in collegiate ministries from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2004.

Maddox is excited about the opportunity to join the staff at Baptist-affiliated Mississippi College. With nearly 4,900 students, MC is the nation's second oldest Baptist college.

"As a college minister, it is my desire to be a leader, called by God, to develop college students in impacting their campus and beyond with the Gospel of Jesus Christ by authentically sharing their faith; by assisting other students in spiritual formation; and by being on a mission for the cause of Christ," Maddox said.

His other work experience also includes service as a campus minister intern at the Baptist Student Union of Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville from Aug. 2003 until May 2004. He served for a year as president of the Baptist Student Union at Valdosta State when he was an undergraduate more than a decade ago.

Maddox succeeds Kelly Wheat, who left as BSU director earlier this spring to take a position in Colorado. Heidi Cheatham, the BSU associate director, is filling in as interim leader until Maddox arrives in early July.