August 18, 2025
East Texas Baptist University President Dr. J. Blair Blackburn appointed Dr. David Ritsema as the new assistant dean for B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary. Ritsema, currently serving as senior pastor at First Baptist Church Waxahachie, Texas will officially begin his role at ETBU on September 1.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Ritsema to serve at B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary at ETBU,” President Blackburn said. “Dr. Ritsema’s experiences as a senior pastor, scholar, and convention leader among Texas Baptists will provide a model of ministry, scholarship, and servant leadership in preparing Carroll graduates to serve in their callings. Dr. Ritsema’s partnership with Dean Dr. Gene Wilkes strengthens our Kingdom impact in the lives of theological and ministry leaders for generations to come.”
Dr. Ritsema is a graduate of both ETBU and B. H. Carroll. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from ETBU in 2000, a Master of Divinity in Theology from George W. Truett Theological Seminary in 2002 and earned his Ph.D. in New Testament from B. H. Carroll in 2011.
“I have had the opportunity to observe Dr. Ritsema's leadership in both of his congregations,” Dr. Thomas Sanders, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs said. “The evidence is clear that he has a growth mindset focused on evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development. He has led his churches through transformative experiences that has developed believers and grown the congregations.”
Ritsema brings 25 years of experience to his role as assistant dean at B. H. Carroll. He has served at First Baptist Church in Waxahachie for the past 13 years. Since 2009, Ritsema has been a resident fellow and professor in New Testament at B. H. Carroll and has sat on the Board of Governors at the Seminary since 2018. He has also served as adjunct faculty member at George W. Truett Theological Seminary since 2020 and at Dallas Baptist University’s Graduate School of Ministry since 2016.
“Dr. Ritsema, who was among our first PhD graduates, exemplifies one of the goals of B. H. Carroll; that is, to equip and restore the value of ‘pastor as scholar’ in local church ministry,” Dr. Gene Wilkes, Dean of B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary said. “Dr. Ritsema has taught for us and served on our board while leading well at his church. He brings both scholarly expertise and practical ministry experience to his service with us. He will add to the quality of faculty and staff of the seminary.”
During his time at FBC Waxahachie, Ritsema led initiatives that significantly transformed the church, enhancing both its financial stability and community outreach. While still located in downtown, he led the church through a series of financial campaigns aimed at eliminating debt, enhancing facilities, and establishing a venue for a new contemporary worship service. Ritsema spearheaded the "He Is Greater Than" campaign, collaborating with churches across the county and region, which engaged over 11,000 participants in an annual Christmas sermon series promoting church cooperation. Under his leadership, the church added an average of 50 to 200 new members each year, totaling over 1,000 new members. The contemporary worship service grew to an average attendance of nearly 300 people each weekend, contributing to overall worship attendance increasing from 300 to over 700. He led the church in the "Moving Forward By Faith" campaign, which involved purchasing over 17 acres of land along US 287 and constructing a new campus property valued at $17.4 million and totaling 62,000 square feet. During his tenure, the staff expanded from just one full-time ministerial staff member to over 26, while the annual fiscal budget tripled from $1 million to between $3 and $4 million in annual receipts. Additionally, he launched a digital ministry that provided online services.
From 2007 to 2012, Ritsema guided Woodlawn Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, He led the church through several campus expansions, beginning with a $1 million project to modernize the children's facilities. This was followed by a $4.73 million campaign called "Imagine," which created a new master plan and included the construction of a new worship center, atrium, and significant upgrades to existing facilities. During this period, the church welcomed hundreds of new members, and the annual fiscal budget reached record levels. Contributions to the Baptist General Convention of Texas also hit new highs, making the church the fourth-largest contributor to the BGCT within the Austin Baptist Association.
B. H. Carroll integrated into East Texas Baptist University in June 2024. Through his leadership as B. H. Carroll Assistant Dean, Ritsema will play an integral role in growth of the seminary at ETBU.
"With nearly fifteen percent of the University’s undergraduate and graduate students pursuing ministry majors and degrees, Dr. Ritsema has a solid foundation on which to build increased enrollment in these key leadership programs for churches across the BGCT, as well as at the national and state levels," Sanders said.
B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary at ETBU offers graduate and doctoral programs designed to equip students for Kingdom service. These programs provide a solid foundation in Christian scriptures, theology, ministry, and heritage. Specialization opportunities further prepare graduates for impactful careers in ministry, academic scholarship, and Christian service within the church and community.