Alex Bryan has accepted the invitation to once again lead the Walla Walla University Church. Bryan will return to serve as the church’s senior pastor.
“Certainly, I am among those who will welcome Pastor Alex and his family back into this community,” says Dave Thomas, chairman of the church’s search committee and also dean of the School of Theology. “I happily recall the joyous and uplifting church ethos that was so strong when he was here and anticipate it will become very evident again upon his return.”
Bryan served as senior pastor of the University Church from 2009 to June 2013. During his tenure, he expanded ministry programs and led renewal projects to commemorate the church’s 50th anniversary. He also taught university classes and served as an advisor to the president for vision and strategy.
Bryan has been serving as president of Kettering College in Kettering, Ohio, since his departure from the University Church.
Bryan’s date of return to the University Church pulpit is yet to be determined.
"I am delighted that Dr. Alex Bryan has accepted the invitation to return to serve as the senior pastor of our Walla Walla University Church,” says Paul Hoover, Upper Columbia Conference president. “God has obviously been doing something special with and in Dr. Bryan clarifying his calling to pastoral ministry."
Bryan, and his wife, Nicole, have two children, Audrey and William. Nicole, a WWU alumna, has taught for WWU’s School of Social Work and Sociology. She has also served as a mentor in the Freshman Success Program.
Bryan graduated from Southern Adventist University (Collegedale, Tenn.) in 1993 with majors in history and religion. He then earned his Master of Divinity from Andrews University (Berrien Springs, Mich.) in 1996 and his doctoral degree in ministry from George Fox University (Newberg, Ore.) in 2009. He is also the author of The Green Cord Dream, which explores the purpose and possibility for Adventist Christianity in the 21st century.