Nick Kennicott Appointed to President!

The board of directors voted unanimously at the August 2024 annual board meeting to appoint Nick Kennicott as the president of Reformed Baptist Seminary. Jeff Smith, the RBS chairman of the board of directors, said, “We are delighted in the appointment of Nick Kennicott as the new president of Reformed Baptist Seminary. It is the unanimous opinion of the board that Nick is highly qualified and well-suited to assume this important role of helping to lead the seminary into the future. He shares what has been the vision of RBS since its inception, that of providing theological and ministerial training that is church-based, historically reformed, confessionally robust, academically rigorous, gospel-centered, missions-minded, and pastorally flavored. His own ministry and experience provide an excellent example of the pastor-theologian model the seminary aspires to encourage and equip.”

Mr. Kennicott has been a pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Coconut Creek, Florida, since 2022 and previously served as a pastor at Redeemer Baptist Church in Rincon, Georgia (2007-2022). He is the founder and president of the Institute of Pastoral and Theological Training in Egbe, Nigeria, a seminary for underserved, indigent pastors and ministerial aspirants. Mr. Kennicott is a resident professor of classical studies for RBS and also serves as adjunct faculty for several online courses. He holds a bachelor of science in biblical studies from the Baptist College of Florida and a Master of Arts in Classical Christian Studies from Knox Theological Seminary. He is a great books PhD candidate at Faulkner University (ABD). Mr. Kennicott is a co-founder and the president of Marrow Ministries. He is a co-author of In Praise of Old Guys: Pastoral Mentorship, Humility, and the Dangers of Youth (Wrath & Grace, 2018) and the editor of Keach’s Baptist Catechism in Modern English (Marrow Ministries, 2024). He also has numerous publications with the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, Ligonier Magazine, Bible Study Magazine, and Logos. His commentary, Expository Outlines & Observations on Galatians, will be published in late 2025 (Mentor, Christian Focus).

Kennicott said, “Reformed Baptist Seminary has always emphasized the confluence of classical theological education, practical ministerial training, and the pursuit of the good, true, and beautiful. I am committed to doing my part to advance this mission.” He continues, “It has been a high honor to serve RBS as a professor and now as its president. We long to see Christ’s churches full and will continue to expand our reach to the ends of the earth. I praise God for the students of RBS from numerous backgrounds: pastors, missionaries, ministerial aspirants, and faithful church members. We will continue to build partnerships internationally and pray that the Lord continues to bless our efforts in the United States. I have the utmost respect for the RBS board of directors, Dr. Robert Gonzales, our seminary staff, and our world-class team of professors, and I look forward to working with each of them more closely.”

Nick Kennicott lives with his wife and three children in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Jeff Smith remains chairman of the board of directors, and Robert Elliot is vice chairman. Dr. Robert Gonzales is now the provost of Reformed Baptist Seminary and will continue to serve as the academic dean. Vadim Chepurny is the dean of students and director of admissions. RBS is also happy to announce Judi Linger as the new Chief Financial Officer and bookkeeper.