March 23, 2026
After 13 years of faithful leadership, Dr. Gene Wilkes will retire as Dean of B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary at East Texas Baptist University, passing the torch to Dr. David Ritsema, who will step into a key leadership role as the seminary continues to grow and serve future ministry leaders.
Dr. Wilkes has served as Dean and Professor of New Testament, guiding the seminary through a historic season of growth and transformation. Most notably, he was integral in the successful integration of B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary into ETBU, a process completed in June 2024 that strengthened theological education and expanded opportunities for students preparing for ministry.
“I have considered my time of service at B. H. Carroll both an undeserved blessing and indescribable privilege,” Wilkes said. “Working with those who founded Carroll and those who will now carry on the seminary’s mission has allowed me to experience lifelong friendships and the favor of God on our shared work. I am grateful to those who put their trust in me along the way. They saw things in me I did not see in myself. I know the Lord will continue to sustain and guide the next generation of leaders, and I am confident many will be impacted by the ministry of theological education through B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary at East Text Baptist University.”
Prior to his role at ETBU, Dr. Wilkes served as President of B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary from 2013 to 2024 and spent 26 years as Senior Pastor of Legacy Church in Plano, Texas, where he cultivated a model of servant leadership and mission-focused ministry. A respected scholar and author, he has written extensively on biblical leadership, including Jesus On Leadership: Timeless Wisdom on Servant Leadership. Dr. Wilkes has also taught and spoken nationally and internationally, impacting ministry leaders around the world.
As the seminary looks to the future, ETBU has appointed current B. H. Carroll Assistant Dean Dr. David Ritsema to serve as Seminary Dean, with plans for him to assume expanded leadership responsibilities following Dr. Wilkes’ retirement. Ritsema will officially begin his role on June 1.
“Dr. Gene Wilkes has provided extraordinary leadership to B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary,” President J. Blair Blackburn said. “His commitment to Christian servant leadership, theological excellence, and Kingdom impact has shaped countless ministry leaders. We are deeply grateful for his faithful service and lasting legacy. With a strong foundation built under Dr. Wilkes’ leadership and a vision for continued growth under Dr. Ritsema, the seminary is poised to expand its impact for generations to come.”
Dr. Ritsema brings more than 25 years of ministry experience to his new role. Before coming to B. H. Carroll at ETBU, he served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Waxahachie, Texas, where he has led for 13 years. Under his leadership, the church experienced significant growth in membership, expanded ministry initiatives, and completed major campus developments to support a growing congregation.
“Dr. Ritsema exemplifies the mission of B. H. Carroll to equip pastors as both scholars and servant leaders,” said Dr. Thomas Sanders, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “His experience in church leadership, theological education, and denominational service uniquely positions him to help lead the seminary into its next chapter.”
A graduate of ETBU and B. H. Carroll, Dr. Ritsema earned his Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry from ETBU, a Master of Divinity from George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in New Testament from B. H. Carroll. He has served as a resident fellow and professor in New Testament at the seminary since 2009, and has been a member of its Board of Governors since 2018.
“As I step into the role of dean, the transition is especially meaningful,” Dr. Ritsema said. “I am a graduate of both institutions, ETBU (‘00) and B. H. Carroll (‘11), and began my involvement with Carroll in its earliest years in 2004. Both Dr. Wilkes and his predecessor, Dr. Bruce Corley—who supervised my doctoral work—have invested deeply in my formation. Seeing these two institutions now joined together is deeply significant to me, and it is both a personal honor and a humbling responsibility to pick up that baton and continue the work they began. I believe in the mission of theological education as an essential part of the church’s calling to fulfill the Great Commission.”