Dr. Jim Martin, a Waco, Texas, minister, was selected to become the vice president of Harding School of Theology in Memphis, Tenn.

The announcement was made today by Dr. Bruce D. McLarty, Harding’s president. Martin will assume his new position Jan. 1, 2014. He will succeed Dr. Evertt W. Huffard, who will remain as dean.

Martin is currently the pulpit minister at the Crestview Church of Christ in Waco, Texas, a position he has held since 1993. He has also served congregations in Kansas City, Mo., and Florence, Ala.

In making the announcement of the appointment, McLarty said, “Jim Martin brings a solid background in business, ministry and education to the unique task of leading Harding School of Theology. He has close ties with churches and preachers all across the country. I can’t imagine a better fit for this position. I am thrilled that he has decided to join the administrative team at Harding University.”

At Harding School of Theology, Martin will lead an administrative team including the dean, the director of advancement and the director of admissions. He will also oversee the business office and facilities of the campus.

As vice president for the Memphis campus, Martin will be a member of the president’s cabinet.

Martin holds baccalaureate degrees from University of North Texas and International Bible College. He received two master’s degrees from Abilene Christian University. He received the D.Min. degree from Harding School of Theology in 1988. In 2011 and 2013 he was an adjunct professor at HST.

He currently serves on the board of directors of the Christian Scholarship Foundation, as a mentoring partner for Hope Network Ministries, and as one of six “community leaders” managing Michael Hyatt’s leadership blog, the second-most read leadership blog in the nation.

Harding is the largest private university in Arkansas and attracts more National Merit Scholars than any other private university in the state. Harding also maintains campuses in Australia, Chile, England, France, Greece and Zambia.