BGU Faculty
We believe strong Christian leaders are the most qualified instructors to teach others to lead. Therefore, our faculty members have proven track records in leading successful churches and Christian organizations, as well as excellent academic credentials.
The following full-time faculty members have been assigned administrative duties, are salaried, teach a full load (minimum of two courses or course equivalent of eight hours), and have been appointed by the Academic Affairs Committee as faculty.
Brad Smith
Leadership/BGU President- BA, Texas A&M University
- STM, Dallas Theological Seminary
- DMin, Bakke Graduate University, Seattle, WA
Professional Experience: Brad Smith is currently serving as the President of BGU and as a consultant and facilitator to several new non-profits. He served as a legislative assistant to US Senator John Tower and was co-founded the Center for Christian Leadership at Dallas Seminary in 1986, where he spent seven years developing spiritual formation and leadership programs. President Smith also served as the first pastor of Kessler Community Church in Dallas, Texas, founded in 1992, which continues to thrive." He joined the Leadership Network in 1993 and became President and CEO.
Raymond J. Bakke
Professor of Urban/Global Leadership; Chancellor- Diploma, Moody Bible Institute
- BA, Seattle Pacific College, Seattle, WA
- MDiv, Trinity International University
- STM, DMin, McCormick Theological Seminar
Professional Experience: Raymond J. Bakke founded International Urban Associates (IUA) in 1989. IUA animated a network of more than 100 urban-based church and mission leaders in many of the largest cities of the world. Currently Dr. Bakke is Chancellor, distinguished professor of global urban ministry and Chairman of the Board of Regents at Bakke Graduate University of Ministry. Ray is the author of a number of books, including A Theology as Big as the City and the just released, Street Signs, co-authored with Jon Sharpe. Doctoral students and Senior Associates actively involved in ministry all over the world are the beneficiaries of Ray Bakke's mentoring and teaching.
Grace Preedy Barnes
Professor of Leadership Studies; Academic Dean- BA, Wheaton College, IL
- MA, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA
- MDiv, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA
- PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA
Professional Experience: Grace Barnes is the Academic Dean for BGU, prior to which she worked for over 25 years at Azusa Pacific University as the overall administrator and developer of the Operation Impact Program, which was the delivery system for the global version of the MA in Organization Leadership. She initiated the creation of the Leadership Minor, the Forum for International and Intercultural Program (FIIP), the Cuurent Issues in Leadership Seminar Series (CILSS), the Development Program (W.I.L.D.), the OI Advisory Board, and the Leadership Advisory Council for the on-campus program.
Lowell Bakke
Professor of Pastoral Studies; Director of Student Development- Diploma, Moody Bible School, Chicago, Illinois
- BA, Gordon College, Hamilton, Massachutsetts
- MA, Denver Seminary, Denver, Colorado
- DMin, Bakke Graduate University, Seattle, WA
Professional Experience: Lowell Bakke has most recently served as Senior Pastor for Bethany Baptist Church in Puyallup, Washington. He currently coaches and advises area pastors. Dr. Bakke has had the opportunity to integrate the work of both of his older brothers in his 20 years of pastoring. There are few people who have given as much thought into the topic of the intersection of the God-ordained role of the Church with the God-ordained role of business.
Gwendolyn J. Dewey
Director of Dissertations/Women in Global Leadership- BS, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- MEd, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- EdD, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Masters classes, Fuller Theological Seminary, Seattle, WA
- DMin, Eastern Theological Seminary, Wynnewood, PA
Professional Experience: Gwendolyn Dewey, past President of BGU, was the Senior Associate for Academic Affairs at International Urban Associates, administering the Trans Pacific Alliance DMin in Transformational Leadership for Ministry in the Global City. Currently, in addition to her role as BGU Professor, Dr. Dewey serves on the BGU Board of Regents and independently as “Global Professor-at-large” --teaching, networking, recruiting students and fundraising with ministries and seminaries around the world. Her previous experience includes serving as Director of Community Ministry for her local church, public school educator and administrator, professor of courses for school administrators and principals and educational consulting.