Columbus pastor Struecker named to position at Southeastern Seminary

Jeff Struecker, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus and Army Ranger who was part of the "Black Hawk Down" operation in Somalia, speaks at the 2016 GBC annual meeting. SCOTT BARKLEY/Index

WAKE FOREST, NC — Jeff Struecker, lead pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus, has been appointed an assistant professor of Christian leadership at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, beginning in January 2018.

Struecker, who will continue his pastorate at Calvary, is set to teach classes including graduate and doctoral intensives, according to a seminary press release. He received his Ph.D. from Southeastern in 2015. 

The former Army Ranger surrendered to the Lord and committed to becoming a chaplain following a time of military service in Somalia chronicled in the book and movie Black Hawk Down. Struecker's 22 years of military service include ten years as a private and platoon sergeant in the 75th Ranger Regiment. He would go on to serve ten years as a chaplain. Struecker was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in June 2017.

Most recently, he's been pastor of Calvary since April 2014. 

Leadership and teamwork

Leadership and teamwork, Strucker testified, hold a high place of importance through his teaching. 

“I believe Jesus’ church deserves the best leaders in the world, not just marginal leaders, so I hope I can make an investment,” he said.

The Calvary pastor echoed those sentiments at the Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting in 2016.

“There has to be a common vision, a common objective, and a common enemy to fight," he told those gathered at Calvary Baptist Temple in Savannah.

“Students sitting under his teaching will greatly benefit from the insights and wisdom of this godly man and national hero,” said Southeastern President Danny Akin. “What a blessing from God it is to add Jeff to our team at Southeastern.”

Struecker received numerous awards and commendations during his time as a Ranger. Those include: the David L. Grange Best Ranger Competition in 1996; U.S. Army ROTC, Noncommissioned Officer of the year in 1998; Ranger Tab; Combat Infantryman’s Badge; Pathfinder Badge; Master Parachutists Wings; and Military Freefall Master Parachutist Wings. In addition to his service in Somalia, Struecker also participated in Operation Desert Storm and over a dozen tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.