CHICAGO (April 15, 2009)—Dr. Paul Nyquist was named president of Moody Bible Institute and introduced to staff and students in a chapel service on the Chicago campus. On June 1, 2009, he will officially become the ninth president of this institution, founded in 1886 by preeminent 19th century evangelist D.L. Moody. 

“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.” 

After an extensive nine-month presidential search, the Board of Trustees selected Nyquist, 55, as president of the Institute. He comes to Moody with more than 25 years of successful ministry experience: 18 years as a senior pastor in two vibrant churches in Iowa and Nebraska, and most recently eight years as the president and CEO of Avant Ministries.

His journey into full-time ministry began while a college student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which led him to Dallas Theological Seminary where he received a ThM and a PhD in Systematic Theology.  He and his wife, Cheryl, have four grown children, and currently reside in Kansas City.

“Dr. Nyquist’s skill set and character uniquely match our search committee’s profile,” said Jerry Jenkins, Moody Board of Trustees 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.”

The Moody Bible Institute exists to equip and motivate people to advance the cause of Christ through ministries that educate, edify and evangelize. Moody is best known for its education branch, which includes a fully-accredited undergraduate and graduate school, with a wide variety of distance learning options. Other primary ministries include Moody Publishers and Moody Radio.

To learn more about Moody’s new president, please visit the Presidential Announcement Web page.