Good evening, friends. John Wesley Taylor was chosen today as the new President of Andrews University.
What We Know
After considering over 100 names, there were two men in the final running for President of Andrews University. They were Christon Arthur and John Wesley Taylor (great name).
The board met today in “executive session” to choose between them. Executive session means that no one but actual board members could be there. Invitees were invited to leave. Andrews University representatives, including the President’s cabinet and the Academic Dean’s Council are invitees to the Board and thus were not present for this vote as the Board went into executive session. This is the proper way to conduct matters of high significance.
The vote for AU president was by secret ballot. This forestalls attempts to influence the voter(s) by intimidation, coercion, and potential retaliation.
We believe John Wesley Taylor is a good choice, hopefully heralding revival and reformation for Andrews University. He received part of his education at Weimar. He was a better choice than the other name being considered. Way better!
Taylor will be confirmed as president by the board of trustees on June 1, 2023.
To the Andrews University board, you have our commendation. There are individuals on this board that would—in my opinion—be ideologically opposed to biblical revival and reformation at Andrews. Praise God that they were outvoted.
To Ted Wilson, if what we hear about your influence in this matter is true, you have our commendation. We give credit where credit is due.
Above all, we praise the Lord above for His mercy and faithfulness to us.
We have sinned, we have done wrong. Our sins and the iniquities of our people have made us an object of scorn to those around us. We have adopted critical theories rather than be critical of sin; we have sought social justice instead of Your justice; we have pandered to gay pride instead of resolving our own pride; we have bowed to political correctness instead of biblical correctness; we have worshiped diversity instead of seeking biblical consistency. We have sinned. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your remnant people. Give ear, O God, and hear; open our eyes to the desolation of this Movement that bears your Message.
We do not make this request because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. Please forgive us, and send revival and reformation to our hearts and institutions.
Our task is not over, indeed it is just beginning.
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“I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land” (Daniel 9:4-6).