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Thiel College names new campus pastor

July 27, 2011

Thiel College, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) college in Greenville, Pennsylvania, recently announced that the Rev. H. William Bixby, previously director for youth and young adult ministries with the ELCA churchwide staff, has been appointed campus pastor. He will assume the position August 1.
As campus pastor, Bixby will oversee campus worship and campus ministry groups, provide pastoral care to those within the college community and facilitate their spiritual formation, support the college’s efforts to attract and enroll Lutheran students, nurture relationships with congregations in Greenville and the surrounding areas, and serve as a spokesperson for the Lutheran identity of the college. The position also offers opportunities for teaching, including support for the college’s new major in Theology and Youth Ministry.
While serving as the ELCA director for youth and young adults, Bixby played a major role in youth leader development. He also served as a grant project director and theological educator at two ELCA seminaries where he led intensive theological and vocational exploration efforts with teens. Bixby has also served as pastor in three ELCA congregations, all located in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod where he was ordained in 1986.
“Bill Bixby’s strengths in theologies and practices for youth ministry and his creative worship design and leadership are a perfect fit for Thiel College,” says Mike McKinney, dean of students at Thiel. “His relationship-building skills will also help strengthen the presence and effectiveness of the Campus Ministry Office both on campus and in the community.”
Bixby holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Colgate University and an M.Div. from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He is married and has three adult daughters.

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