CISF Names Larry Smith as President

April  2010

Dear Friend of CISF,

I am pleased to announce that board member Larry Smith will serve as CISF President for the next year.  He assumes this role with the enthusiastic endorsement of our entire board.  Chuck Orrestad has stepped down as President, but remains a board member.  Evan Hunter has been promoted to Vice President, and Gwyn Hoyt continues as West Coast Development Officer.

Larry Smith formerly served as board Chair and the leader for CISF strategic planning. Over the years he has guided us to focus more directly on the developing world institutions we serve, including sponsoring doctoral students to study at emerging schools of theology in Africa, China and Latin America. Larry took a sabbatical from his business in 2006 to pursue his long-term interest in theology and art history. He has since earned a masters degree in church history from Oxford University, and is now teaching about sacred art and theology in Italy while he continues research on topics related to the biblical book of Job. From this range of experience Larry has first‑hand knowledge of CISF, the organizations and leaders we support, and the teaching and research roles that these scholars perform.

Larry assumes this role as president with enthusiasm.  He is leading our efforts to find new ways to encourage and enable theological leadership in the developing world and to make investments in CISF attractive to more people. The CISF staff and board are genuinely energized by new ideas for focus and growth.

Evan Hunter's role as Vice President is a natural result of his involvement in all aspects of CISF leadership for the last 6 years.  He has been enormously important to both scholars and supporters. As a complement to his CISF service, Evan is conducting research into emerging programs for advanced theological education in the developing world. This research, which is part of his doctoral program at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, will add a great deal to our understanding of the issues and opportunities facing these emerging programs.

Gwyn Hoyt remains as West Coast Development Officer, and will continue to provide energetic leadership and guidance for our West Coast development efforts.

We are grateful for these three leaders who will guide our efforts to serve the church by encouraging and enabling theological leadership where well-educated Christian leaders are most needed. Please join me in praying for Larry, Evan, and Gwyn.

Sincerely,

Tite Tienou

Chairman of the Board, CISF

Dean, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School