Dr. Jeff Iorg
President/CEO Elect
SBC Executive Committee
Dr. Jeff Iorg was elected the eighth President and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee on March 21, 2024.
Iorg’s career is exemplified in his accomplishments as president of Gateway Seminary, where, from 2004-24, his visionary leadership transformed the institution and expanded its reach and impact domestically and globally.
Most notably, Iorg managed the seminary’s relocation to Southern California, and launched Gateway’s online campus, and rebranded the seminary while growing the endowment from $16 million to $60 million and without incurring debt.
Before his tenure at Gateway Seminary, Iorg held various roles that shaped his career as well as the communities he served.
As the executive director of the Northwest Baptist Convention, Iorg coordinated the cooperative work of more than four hundred churches and increased annual Cooperative Program giving by 30 percent.
Iorg’s ministry began in the local church. First, he served as a children’s minister in Texas before answering the call as pastor of Green Valley Baptist Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. After growing Green Valley’s attendance, initiating a relocation, and ensuring financial stability of the church, Iorg went on to plant Pathway Church in Gresham, Oregon. He led as pastor for several years there, then continued as a lay leader for the next 10 years, while serving the Northwest Baptist Convention.
Iorg’s educational journey reflects his commitment to theological excellence and practical ministry skills. A magna cum laude graduate from Hardin-Simmons University with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and a minor in Psychology, Iorg continued his education at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary earning a Master of Divinity. His Doctor of Ministry degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, with a project focused on developing effective listening skills for evangelism, underscores his dedication to effective ministry and leadership.
Iorg is the author of eight books focusing on biblical leadership, character development, leading through change, evangelism, and church health.
He and his wife, Ann, have three children and five grandchildren.
SELECTED EXPERIENCES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
President, Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention; Ontario, California (2004–Present)
• Led Golden Gate Seminary to relocate its primary campus to Southern California, build a new regional campus in the Bay Area, and change its name to Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention
• Operated the seminary without debt during entire tenure, increased endowment from $16 million to $60 million, and successfully managed the $150 million relocation project
• Started new initiatives like the online campus, a Korean program, a Chinese program, a counseling program, and a women’s ministry program
• Supervised 140 employees, a $12 million annual budget, and annual enrollment of 2,000 students
• Enhanced Gateway’s global impact through formal partnerships with seminaries in Mexico, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Nigeria, and the Ivory Coast
• Continued Golden Gate/Gateway’s legacy as a multi-cultural institution (+60% of students are non-Anglo); current enrollment of 1,000 students in 15 languages through the Advance Program
Executive Director, Northwest Baptist Convention; Vancouver, Washington (1995–2004)
• Coordinated work of 425 churches worshipping in 19 languages; supervised staff of 40 and $5 million annual budget
• Completed construction of Northwest Baptist Center and staff relocation
• Formulated and implemented new strategic ministry processes
• Maintained regional focus and unity amid national denominational reorganization
• Set income records every year from 1996–2004 and increased annual Cooperative Program income from $2 to $3 million
Founding Pastor, Pathway Church; Gresham, Oregon (1989–1995)
• Started the church as Greater Gresham Baptist Church with four families
• Created a new paradigm for “culture current” Baptist churches in the Northwest
• Remained a member through 2004 and chaired the task force that built their current campus
Pastor, Green Valley Baptist Church; St. Joseph, Missouri (1982–1989)
• Attendance grew from 125 to 325
• Retired past indebtedness and purchased 10 acres of property
• Saved almost $200,000 for facilities at the new location
• Added two full-time staff pastors
Minister to Children, Elmcrest Baptist Church; Abilene, Texas (1979–1981)
Cooperation is about working together to accomplish a shared mission—recognizing we really can do more together than we can by working independently.
Dr. Jeff Iorg
OTHER MINISTRY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Teaches multiple courses in leadership and preaching at masters and doctoral level
• Extensive national speaking ministry at leadership, evangelism, and mission conferences
• Board member, International Association of Baptist Colleges and Universities (2015–Present)
• Board member, Association of Theological Schools (2014–Present)
• Baseball Chapel Leader, San Francisco Giants (2005–2015)
• Secretary/Treasurer of the Association of State Executive Directors (2000–2003)
• President’s Leadership Advisory Council, Golden Gate Seminary (1998–2000)
PUBLISHED MATERIALS
Published more than 50 articles in various magazines and journals. Published multiple lessons,
training materials, and curricula.
Author of eight books:
• Is God Calling Me?
• The Character of Leadership
• The Painful Side of Leadership
• The Case for Antioch
• Unscripted
• Seasons of a Leader’s Life
• Leading Major Change in Your Ministry
• Shadow Christians
General editor for the book Ministry in the New Marriage Culture
People working together voluntarily is the genius of the Cooperative Program . . . . We have this intense desire to work together because we want to. That’s why it’s hard to divide us. Our unity is not built on organizational charts, legal contracts, or other binding agreements. Our cooperation results from being cooperative, nothing more.
Dr. Jeff Iorg
Jeff & Ann Iorg
About Dr. Jeff Iorg
• Born October 9, 1958
• Converted in 1972
• Called to ministry in 1976
• Licensed for ministry in 1977
• Ordained on December 30, 1981
• Married the former Ann Jeanenne Cope on July 26, 1980
• Father of three adult children (Casey Iorg, Melody Taylor, Caleb Iorg) and five grandchildren
Education
Bachelor of Arts, 1980
Hardin-Simmons University
Abilene, Texas
Master of Divinity, 1984
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Kansas City, Missouri
Doctor of Ministry, 1990
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Fort Worth, Texas