A dedicated follower of Christ and a leader with a passion for shaping the leaders of tomorrow, Dr. Williford came to Trinity International University with a proven track record of success in the local church and in Christian higher education.
Before being called to Trinity, Dr. Williford served as president of Denver Seminary for eight years. Under his guidance, the educational mission was strengthened and expanded, seminary enrollment grew significantly, financial stability greatly improved, and the school relocated to a new, larger campus without debt.
Dr. Williford has twenty years of experience in various pastoral roles, including serving as senior associate pastor at such churches as The Chapel in Akron, Ohio, and Woodman Valley Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For six years, Dr. Williford served as assistant professor at Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee.
An accomplished world traveler, Dr. Williford has visited thirty-five countries throughout Asia, Africa, Western Europe and Central America, building collaborative partnerships with national leaders, developing faculty/student exchanges, leading short-term teams, researching major outreach projects, and leading humanitarian work.
Dr. Williford holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible from Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio. He received a Master of Arts in Christian Education with honors from Denver Seminary in Denver, Colorado. At Trinity International University he earned the Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Studies, with an emphasis in leadership and organizational science. Dr. Williford is an ordained pastor with the Evangelical Free Church of America.
Dr. Williford has written several books, including some that he co-authored with his wife, Carolyn, a gifted author and speaker. He and Carolyn have been married for more than thirty-five years, and have two sons, Jay Williford and the late Rob Williford, two daughters in-law, and four grandchildren.