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Faculty/Staff Directory

Ray Van NesteRay Van Neste

Dean, School of Theology & Missions

Professor of Biblical Studies

Vice President, University Ministries

Biography

Ray Van Neste has served at Union University since 2001, and also served as a visiting lecturer 1997-98. He has published books and scholarly essays on topics such as biblical studies, pastoral ministry, and church history. An ordained minister, Ray preaches and teaches regularly in local churches and has served in pastoral or other staff roles in Baptist congregations in Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Scotland.

Ray serves on the Board of Reference for Eagle Projects International, a missions organization.

Ray and his wife, Tammie, met while they were students at Union and married just as they finished classes. They have six children- four of whom have attended Union, one who is at Union now, and one still at home- and three grandsons. While pastoring in Wisconsin Ray and the rest of the family got caught up in Packer-mania and have been Green Bay fans ever since. The Van Nestes are members of First Baptist Church of Jackson, TN.

Education

  • Ph.D, University of Aberdeen (2002)
  • M.A., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1996)
  • B.A., Union University (1992)

Recent Books

United in Jesus, United in Joy: Sermons on Philippians cover

United in Jesus, United in Joy: Sermons on Philippians


Union University Press ()
| Find in Union's Library
Union Contributors: Ray Van Neste (Editor & Chapter 7: The Secret of Contentment (Philippians 4:10-20)); Justin Wainscott (Editor & Chapter 8: The Bookends of the Letter (Philippians 4:21-23)); Kenneth R. Lewis (Chapter 4: Unusually Useful for Christ (Philippians 2:19-30)).

The oversight of souls: Essays on pastoral ministry cover

The oversight of souls: Essays on pastoral ministry


Heritage Seminary Press ()
| | Find in Union's Library

More Books by Ray Van Neste

Recent Scholarship

  • ARTICLE - "‘Our Most Fatal Tendency’: The Problem of Our Gleeful Historical Ignorance" Feb 2025
  • ARTICLE - "Christmas: God at Work in the Dark" Dec 2024
  • ARTICLE - "Thank You for Tomorrow" Aug 2024
  • ARTICLE - "Dear Graduates, Work Hard" May 2024
More Scholarship By Ray Van Neste

Recent Video

Chapel: Ray Van Neste - Aug 29, 2025

Speaker: Ray Van Neste, Vice President for University Ministries & Dean, School of Theology and Missions, Union University
Vimeo | details

Word Series Chapel: Ray Van Neste - Apr 11, 2025

Speaker: Ray Van Neste, Vice President, University Ministries; Dean, School of Theology & Missions; Professor of Biblical Studies, Union University - Sermon from 1 Samuel 17 (David vs. Goliath)
Vimeo | details
More Video by Ray Van Neste

Recent Photos

8/30/23 - Ray Van Neste, dean of the School of Theology & Missions and interim vice president for university ministries, delivers a sermon in a chapel service. - Lauren Steed 8/30/23 | 30956 | XL
Ray Van Neste, dean of the School of Theology & Missions and interim vice president for university ministries, delivers a sermon in a chapel service. - Lauren Steed
3/17/23 - Dean Ray Van Neste introduces Theology & Missions major Arden Pearce during the annual Ryan Center Bible Conference. - Lauren Steed 3/17/23 | 30828 | XL
Dean Ray Van Neste introduces Theology & Missions major Arden Pearce during the annual Ryan Center Bible Conference. - Lauren Steed
3/15/23 - Ray Van Neste, dean for the School of Theology and Missions, speaks in a Word Series chapel from Mark 1:1-13. - Abigail Aspinwall 3/15/23 | 30742 | XL
Ray Van Neste, dean for the School of Theology and Missions, speaks in a Word Series chapel from Mark 1:1-13. - Abigail Aspinwall
2/25/22 - Ray Van Neste, dean for the Union School of Theology and Missions, spoke from 1 John 1:1-4 during Union's Word Series chapel. - Suzanne Rhodes 2/25/22 | 30402 | XL
Ray Van Neste, dean for the Union School of Theology and Missions, spoke from 1 John 1:1-4 during Union's Word Series chapel. - Suzanne Rhodes
2/3/21 - Ray Van Neste, dean of the School of Theology and Missions, speaks in chapel. - Joey Echeverria 2/3/21 | 29892 | XL
Ray Van Neste, dean of the School of Theology and Missions, speaks in chapel. - Joey Echeverria
9/15/20 - Ray Van Neste, dean of the school of theology and missions, introduces Eric Smith for his lecture in Harvey Auditorium. - Kristi McMurry Woody 9/15/20 | 29563 | XL
Ray Van Neste, dean of the school of theology and missions, introduces Eric Smith for his lecture in Harvey Auditorium. - Kristi McMurry Woody
9/8/20 - Ray Van Neste, dean of the school of theology and missions, speaks during the West TN Pastors and Wives Appreciation Banquet. - Kristi McMurry Woody 9/8/20 | 29555 | XL
Ray Van Neste, dean of the school of theology and missions, speaks during the West TN Pastors and Wives Appreciation Banquet. - Kristi McMurry Woody
9/8/20 - Ray Van Neste, dean of the school of theology and missions, speaks during the West TN Pastors and Wives Appreciation Banquet. - Kristi McMurry Woody 9/8/20 | 29554 | XL
Ray Van Neste, dean of the school of theology and missions, speaks during the West TN Pastors and Wives Appreciation Banquet. - Kristi McMurry Woody

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