Dr. Paul Nyquist to become Moody's Ninth President

On April 15, 2009, after an extensive nine-month presidential search, the Moody Board of Trustees announced Dr. Paul Nyquist has been unanimously appointed as the next president of the Moody Bible Institute.

Nyquist, 55, brings to Moody 18 years of successful ministry experience as a senior pastor of two vibrant churches in Iowa and Nebraska, and eight years of organizational leadership as the president and CEO of Avant Ministries, an international mission agency based in Kansas City.

"Dr. Paul Nyquist's skill set and character uniquely match our search committee's profile," said Jerry Jenkins, Moody Board chairman. "He's a proven leader, team builder and visionary who also happens to be a theologian. We look forward to many years of inspired leadership."

His journey into full-time ministry began while a college student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and led him to Dallas Theological Seminary where he received a ThM and a PhD in Systematic Theology.

"Being appointed as Moody's ninth president is both a high honor and a solemn responsibility," said Nyquist. "To pick up the presidential mantle from the gifted men who have preceded me is the greatest honor I have ever received. I am profoundly humbled to be selected."

He and his wife, Cheryl, have been married for more than 27 years and have four grown children. They have a special appreciation for Moody's educational ministry, as three of their children chose Moody Bible Institute as the place to receive their undergraduate education.