By Karen Chambless

The Lee University School of Religion (SOR) honored Dr. William T. George as the department’s Distinguished Alumnus for this year. The award was presented during this year’s homecoming festivities by Dr. Terry Cross, dean of Lee’s SOR.

“Throughout his ministry, Bill George has consistently mentored young ministers and missionaries,” said Lee professor Dr. Thomas J. Doolittle. “He has dynamically impacted the lives of numerous pastors and ministry leaders who are serving the church in a variety of contexts.”

George currently serves as the editorial assistant to the General Overseer for the Church of God (COG). Previously, he has held pastoral/staff positions in Alabama, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and the Bahamas, as well as various leadership positions within the COG. A Lee graduate, George has also served as an associate professor in the School of Religion, earning the Excellence in Teaching award.

“I do not know any other minister in the Church of God who has directly influenced so many ministers through relationship building and personal interactions,” continued Doolittle. “I am deeply grateful to Bill George for the energy and encouragement that he has extended to me and countless others throughout his ministry as a professor, pastor, missionary, mentor, and friend.”

He earned his doctorate in ministry and a master’s degree in missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary as well as a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. George has been awarded the Wall Street Journal Fellowship and was named an Alumnus of the Year by Lee University’s Upsilon Xi in 1985.

George has published nine books over the last four decades.

George is on the board of directors for People for Care and Learning, Cleveland Rotary Foundation, Serving Orphans Worldwide, New Hope Pregnancy Care Center, T.L. Lowery Global Foundation, Rotary Club of Cleveland, Compleo, United Way, and Youth Counseling Services.

Furthermore, he is also on the COG General Board of Education, the North Cleveland COG Church and Pastor’s Council, and the Firewall Steering Committee for the COG World Missions.

George and his wife Nelda have two sons, Michael and David.

 
PHOTO: Dr. Terry Cross, left, presents Dr. William George with the School of Religion’s 2014 Distinguished Alumnus award (photo taken by Hannah Morgan).