As Director, Jemar will be responsible for discipling students in the program as well as recruiting and networking. As Special Assistant to the Chancellor, he will work with the Chancellor to increase African American engagement and enrollment at RTS and cultivate biblical diversity and inclusion. He begins his new position on July 1.

Reformed Theological Seminary has announced the appointment of Jemar Tisby (BA Notre Dame ‘02, RTS Jackson MDiv ’15, JSU MA cand, SBTS PhD cand) as the first Director of the African American Leadership Initiative (AALI) at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) Jackson, Miss., and Special Assistant to the Chancellor.

As Director, Jemar will be responsible for discipling students in the program as well as recruiting and networking. As Special Assistant to the Chancellor, he will work with the Chancellor to increase African American engagement and enrollment at RTS and cultivate biblical diversity and inclusion. He begins his new position on July 1.

RTS Chancellor Ligon Duncan says, “I am thrilled that Jemar Tisby has accepted this key role here at RTS. He is a man I trust. I count him as a dear friend. Jemar is an educator (a former school teacher and principal) and a churchman (having served under the extraordinary Mike Campbell at Redeemer Church here in Jackson). His commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture, the Reformed faith and the gospel ground all his efforts towards our honoring the image of God in all people.”

In recent days, African American leaders have spoken of “the Four Rs” that God has raised up in Jackson to further the recent Reformed African American resurgence: Redeemer Church PCA (a dynamic multiethnic congregation mentoring numerous interns), Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at Jackson State University (the first RUF campus ministry at a HBC/U, led by RTS grad Elbert McGowan), RTS and AALI, and Reformed African American Network (RAAN), co-founded by Jemar Tisby and Phillip Holmes.

While at RTS, Jemar co-founded AALI, which recruits and trains students for ministry in African-American, multi-ethnic, and urban contexts.

“AALI has made huge strides since its inception in 2011,” says Brian Gault, Director of Admissions at RTS Jackson and co-founder of AALI. “The first AALI Cohort this past year made an enormous impact in the lives of participants.  Bringing the co-founder on board as the Director of AALI positions us to take the next step ahead, and Jemar’s unique gifts, strong networks, and mature voice are just what we need.  I couldn’t imagine a better fit.” Guy Richardson, President of RTS Jackson, adds, “Jemar exemplifies both a heart for leading men and women to the truths of God’s Word as well as a godly passion to build cross-cultural and racially diverse church ministries.”

Jemar is also President and co-founder of RAAN, which seeks to promote a two-way exchange between the rich theological heritage of African Americans and the Reformed tradition. Working with Wy Plummer, the African American Coordinator for the PCA and an AALI mentor, Jemar has helped to develop the African American presence in the PCA, including putting on the African American Leadership Development and Recruitment weekend for the past three years. Jemar was recently named to Faithstreet.com’s 15 Black Christian Leaders You Should Know and has contributed various articles for The Gospel Coalition.

Jemar is married to wife Janee’ and they have one son, Jack. They are active members of Redeemer Church, PCA in Jackson.

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