Southern Evangelical Seminary Names Judge Philip Ginn as New President

In a transition that is being described by Southern Evangelical Seminary as “divinely led,” the SES Board of Trustees has named Judge Charles Philip Ginn the seminary’s newly appointed president. This news comes on the heels of Dr. Richard Land’s retirement announcement, made last month.

Judge Ginn, who has until recently served as the SES Chairman of the Board of Trustees, assumed his new role as SES president on April 1, 2021, with Dr. Land now serving as President Emeritus. The two will jointly lead the seminary through July 1, 2021 – the date when Dr. Land’s retirement officially takes effect.

Dr. Land scheduled his retirement announcement to ensure the SES Board of Trustees would have time to plan an orderly transition to new leadership with Judge Ginn. “Our plan all along was to provide a seamless transition in leadership for SES,” Dr. Land explained. “In the high calling of SES, I am grateful that there is no interruption. Judge Ginn and I will successfully work together until July 1.”

In response to being named president, Judge Ginn stated, “Dr. Land has been a true mentor to me. This transition plan will enable me to absorb more information in a much shorter period of time, rather than waiting for me to start this new role after his retirement.”

Through the years, Judge Ginn has remained active with Southern Evangelical Seminary not only because of his friendship and admiration for his mentor, Dr. Norm Geisler – who personally recruited Judge Ginn for the SES doctoral program – but also because of his strong belief in the mission of the seminary to evangelize the culture through apologetics. Interestingly, he is the first graduate of SES to assume the role of seminary president.

After a distinguished career as both a lawyer and a judge, Judge Ginn retired as the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for the 24^th Judicial District in North Carolina. Judge Ginn holds a B.A. from Appalachian State University, a J.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Doctor of Ministry from Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, NC. He has been married to his wife, Lynn for almost 42 years. Together they have four daughters, three sons-in-law and five grandchildren.

In recognition of the stellar eight years of Dr. Land’s leadership and service as president, SES will present the first annual Distinguished Service Award – in Dr. Land’s honor – at the seminary’s 2021 graduation this spring. In addition, SES will soon be creating a fund developed to provide tuition assistance to incoming Baptist-related students.

SES also announced that Dr. Land will continue his relationship with the seminary even after July 1: he will serve as an adjunct faculty member teaching special classes in the PPE program.

“In his eight-year tenure as SES president, Dr. Land created scaffolding that will enable those who come after him to reach for the stars,” continued Judge Ginn. “We are positioned to continue his legacy.”