Rev. Dr. Mark R. Teasdale Named Next President of United Theological Seminary
DAYTON, Ohio, March 19, 2026
The Board of Trustees of United Theological Seminary has elected Rev. Dr. Mark R. Teasdale as the new president of the seminary, effective July 1, 2026. He succeeds Dr. Kent Millard, who is preparing to retire after 10 years of faithful and fruitful leadership.
Dr. Teasdale currently serves as the E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, where he is also Director of the Master of Divinity degree program. During his tenure at Garrett, he has been widely engaged in developing and facilitating the seminary’s academic programs, including oversight of a significant enrollment increase in the seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program.
“Academic leadership is more challenging now than it ever has been due to the shifting demographic and political landscape,” said Dr. Tom Lasley, chair of the presidential search committee. “Dr. Teasdale offers the type of visionary clarity that will allow United to bravely and effectively move into the future. His spiritual depth coupled with his entrepreneurial gifts will be keys to United’s ability to prepare pastors and church leaders for their future roles and responsibilities.”
“I am grateful and honored to steward the mission of United Theological Seminary to send out students who will bring renewal and transformation in the name of Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit to the church and the world,” said Dr. Teasdale. “United is in a strong position to carry out this work. It has long recognized that theological education first requires forming a student’s character in holiness as well as sharpening the intellect and professional skills for ministry. It is this commitment, grounded in the common historic faith all Christians share, that has made United one of the largest and most racially and denominationally diverse theological schools in the United States. I am excited to continue and expand on these partnerships. Especially in a world that has become so polarized, United is a uniting seminary for all who desire to be part of a community where they will feel the presence of God as they are equipped in their calling to share the blessings of Jesus Christ with others.”
In addition to being named president, Dr. Teasdale will serve on United’s faculty as Professor of Missional Leadership. A sought-after leader, he recently served as a consultant for the Foundation of Evangelism, and he is currently an evangelism consultant for The Methodist Church of Lower Myanmar and an evangelism teacher for the Methodist Theological Institute in Myanmar. He is author of multiple publications on evangelism and ministry, including a forthcoming book, Socially Awkward Evangelism: Overcoming Fears in Sharing the Gospel (IVP, May 2026).
Dr. Teasdale holds a PhD from Southern Methodist University, a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree from The American University. He is ordained in the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church, first as a deacon, and now as an elder in full connection.
He is married to his wife, Ana, and they have two children, Katarina and Luke.
“Dr. Mark Teasdale possesses the vision, experience and energy to build upon United’s mission, core values and many successful academic programs. He is by calling, formation, academic background and personal practice an evangelist of Jesus’ Good News committed to church renewal and calling forth the next generations of faithful and fruitful spiritual leaders. He is clear-eyed about the struggles of theological education in our contemporary cultural environment. But, he is also clear about the innovations that may be necessary to guarantee the viable future of theological institutions like United. His deep ecumenical and Wesleyan spirit will enable him to continue and even enhance United’s rich diversity and denominational relationships. I look forward to this next season of United’s essential contribution to theological education under Dr. Teasdale’s leadership.”
– Bishop Bruce Ough, retired bishop of The United Methodist Church
“I am both delighted and excited by the selection of Dr. Mark Teasdale as the new President of United Theological Seminary. Dr. Teasdale lives out of a deep disciplined commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and a passion for the renewal of the Church universal. He yokes an ardent adherence to the historic Christian faith with a courageous and prescient vision for the future of the Christian witness in the 21st century. I believe the Holy Spirit has guided his selection into leadership at United ‘for such a time as this.’”
– Bishop Mike Lowry, bishop emeritus of the Global Methodist Church
“Dr. Teasdale’s deep-seated commitment to theological education in service to the Church, as well as his administrative experience and personal qualities, will serve him well as President at United. Alongside the rest of the faculty and staff, I’m excited about working with Dr. Teasdale in fulfilling the mission of this Holy Spirit–led seminary in its next season of preparing faithful leaders for God’s purposes!”
– Wendy Deichmann, Interim Academic Dean and President Emerita
“Dr. Teasdale brings a wealth of experience from the church and the academy that will speak into the mission of United ‘to prepare faithful and fruitful Christian leaders to make disciples of Jesus Christ.’ As an alumna of United (MDiv ’12, DMin ’15) and first African American female Vice President, I am hopeful for the future of United and happy to collaborate with President-elect Teasdale to maintain United’s diverse and ecumenical community.”
– Bridget Weatherspoon, Vice President for Enrollment
About United
United Theological Seminary, located in Dayton, Ohio, is the second largest of the thirteen United Methodist theological schools in the United States. Since 1871, it has prepared men and women to become faithful and fruitful Christian leaders who make disciples of Jesus Christ. Now in its 155th academic year, United serves more than 600 students, representing over 20 nations and more than 50 denominations.