About

Dr. Wayne Slusser

Dr. Slusser was born and reared in Northeast Ohio. He received a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Oklahoma (1991). While working in Ohio, he met his wife, Melissa, and they were married in 1993. It was in 1996 that God ordered Wayne’s steps to attend Seminary, and he surrendered to full-time ministry.

He graduated with his M.Div. in 2001 and was asked to be on faculty at Baptist Bible College & Theological Seminary, Springfield, MO for 14 years (2001-2015). He also received his PhD in New Testament & Greek (2012) and was the co-pastor (2001-2015) of a team church plant, Sonrise Baptist Church (Ozark, MO).

God moved Wayne and his family to Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit University to teach, coach soccer, and assume the role of Seminary Dean (2015-2024). Since September of 2024, Dr. Slusser has been pastoring Bible Baptist Church (Buffalo, MO) with solid teaching from God’s Word, a heart for the growth of the church, and a desire for the church’s walk to be worthy of the gospel.

Dr. Slusser and his wife, Melissa, have two sons.

Wayne Slusser

Ministry

  • Pastor, Bible Baptist Church, Buffalo, MO, 2024-present
  • Seminary Dean, Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit, PA, 2018-2024
  • Courses taught at the MDiv level include Greek, NT textual criticism, and English Bible. At the PhD level: intertextuality (= use of OT in NT), NT biblical theology, advanced Greek grammar, and NT textual criticism
  • Professor of NT and Greek, Baptist Bible Seminary, Clarks Summit, PA, 2015-present
  • Assistant Professor of NT and Greek, Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary, Springfield, MO, 2001-2015
  • 14 years pastoral ministry/church planter Sonrise Baptist Church, Ozark, MO, 2001-2015
  • Instructor, College Math, Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO, 1998-2001
  • High School teacher in Bible and Math, Christian Schools of Springfield, Springfield, MO, 1998-2001

Education

  • Ph.D. (NT), Baptist Bible Seminary (PA), 2012 Dissertation: “A Discourse Analysis of the Passion Predictions in the Gospel of Mark”
  • M.Div., Baptist Bible Graduate School (MO), 2001
  • M.A.B.S., Baptist Bible Graduate School (MO), 2000
  • B.S.E.D., University of Oklahoma, 1991

Books & Publications

Scripture's Story

Scripture’s Story: A Unifying Hope

At the heart of God’s story is the hope that all things lost to man will one day be made new.

The Bible presents a single narrative that begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. Although the sixty-six books that make up the Bible are undoubtedly diverse, they all testify in unique ways to the working out of God’s redemptive plan. Scripture’s Story proposes that every book of the Bible testifies of the coming day when God’s promised Offspring will destroy evil, restore creation, and dwell with his people forever. It is this unifying hope that forms the basis of the faith of all believers throughout the ages.

Purchase
Death and Discipleship - Slusser

Death and Discipleship

The Gospel accounts are narratives communicated through an episodic structure that emphasize Jesus Christ as the central character and an intended purpose; to awaken and subsequently strengthen the faith of the reader. Specifically, the Gospel of Mark communicates the identity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God (1:1), and the responsibility of being a committed follower. The analysis of the central section (8:22-10:52) of Mark’s story examines the discourse function of language that captures the significance for the reader. It serves to further define Jesus’ role as the suffering and self-sacrificing Messiah, while also explicating Jesus’ expectations to follow him.

Purchase
  • Wave Study Bible (iPhone app) – Expert Advisory Board Member and NT Commentary “nugget” Authoring Team (contributor to Greek NT commentary of this Bible app for study & reading), 2015-present.
  • “(Re)Defining the Gospels: Mark as a Test Case, Part Two.” The Journal of Ministry & Theology, vol. 23:2 (fall 2019): 124-153.
  • “The Pastor’s Preoccupation: To lead? Or to follow?” The Baptist Bulletin, may/june 2019: 15-18.
  • “Jesus Stills the Storm (Mark 4:35-41).” The Journal of Ministry & Theology, vol. 22:2 (fall 2018): 18-45.
  • “Imprisoned for the Glory of God: Considering Ryrie’s Third Aspect of the Sine Qua Non of Dispensationalism in Paul’s Prison Letters.” The Journal of Ministry & Theology, vol. 22:1 (spring 2018): 146-68.
  • “(Re)Defining the Gospels: Mark as a Test Case, Part One.” The Journal of Ministry & Theology, vol. 21:2 (fall 2017): 42-76.
  • “Jonah’s Rescue: What Are the Implications for Today? (Jonah 1:17-2:10).” The Journal of Ministry & Theology, vol. 21:1 (spring 2017): 86-122.
  • “The Implications for Pastoral Ministry Based on Paul’s Prayer in 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13.” The Journal of Ministry & Theology, vol. 20:1 (spring 2016): 123-51.
  • “The Bible God Intended?” Baptist Bible Tribune, 57:11 (July/Aug): 8-11.
  • “The Role of Women in Ministry.” Baptist Preacher’s Journal, 16:2 (Winter 2006): 20-26.
  • “The Structural Analysis of Philemon.” (TREN) 2001.
My Family

My Family

Family photo (2021)
My wife, Missy, 2 sons, Jack & Nick.