Spurgeon’s College welcomes Pastor Rick Warren as its first honorary Chancellor 

Spurgeon’s College has jointly announced with the Revd Dr Rick Warren his installation as its first honorary Chancellor

Dr Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in California and author of the best-selling The Purpose-Driven Church and The Purpose-Driven Life. He delivered the invocation at the inauguration of Barack Obama in 2009. 

His new appointment as Chancellor reflects his own deep and personal connection to the College, for his great, great grandfather studied at Spurgeon’s and was even commissioned to Christian service by Mr Spurgeon himself.

The Chancellor acts as the ceremonial figurehead of the College, with formal responsibilities. 

As Chancellor, Dr Warren will play 'a key role in supporting the vision of the College to train men and women for Christian mission, ministry and leadership in the contemporary world,' a press release announcing the appointment stated. 

'The ultimate aim of the College and Pastor Warren is to make Jesus known. In this way, their missions are aligned and seek to respond to the most recent census data showing that less than five per cent of the UK population identify as practising Christians, yet 33 per cent said they wanted to know more about Jesus.'

As part of this mission, the College will be welcoming more students at Spurgeon's through its online learning community, which can be accessed from anywhere in the world and for which Dr Warren will be providing guest lectures, as well as calling on the global Christian community to invest in the College’s vision and cause.

Dr Warren’s installation as the first Chancellor of Spurgeon’s College builds on the significant progress the College has made in recent years, culminating in its securing of Full Degree Awarding Powers in 2022. The award is not subject specific, and so permits the College to create new degrees in other disciplines in the future based on student demand and the College’s core mission.

Through its plans to redevelop the campus and expand its teaching facilities, Spurgeon's is aiming to become the first homegrown university in Croydon, strengthening its educational offer for the local community, nation and the world.

Dr Warren said, 'I am delighted to have officially joined Spurgeon’s College as its first Chancellor at this important time in its development and mission.

'The College has played a guiding role in my family’s history and I am grateful to God and the College for this opportunity to give back to this community.

'Spurgeon’s College has had a long and significant ministry.

'But when we let the Holy Spirit lead us, our best days are always ahead of us. I have always believed that, and I believe it more today than ever before.

'I am excited and thankful to be beginning this work with the College.' 

Speaking on the appointment, Spurgeon’s College’s Vice Chancellor and Principal, the Revd Prof Philip McCormack said, 'In the United Kingdom, the office of Chancellor in a university or higher educational institution is held by a distinguished individual.

'In the context of Spurgeon’s College, it is also an invitation to be the Chancellor of a group of disciples, serving Almighty God and seeking to further the Great Commission in the UK context and beyond, following the example of our founder Mr Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

'As Vice Chancellor and on behalf of the Governing Body, staff, students, College alumni and the many friends, supporters and stakeholders of the Institution, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Chancellor Rick Warren as part of the Spurgeon’s College family.

'It is my sincere hope and prayer that Dr Warren may long continue to occupy the office of Chancellor and that Spurgeon’s may flourish and prosper under his guidance and direction to the glory of Almighty God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.'

Under Dr Warren's leadership, Saddleback Church in California grew to more than 30,000 weekly attendees across nineteen locations, including four international campuses, and an online campus hosting listeners from around the world. The Purpose-Driven Church and The Purpose-Driven Life have sold more than 84 million copies worldwide, and The Purpose-Driven Life has now been published in over 200 languages across more than 160 countries.

Dr Warren has a Bachelor of Arts degree from California Baptist College, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.

Spurgeon’s College’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Revd Helen Stokley, said, 'We are thrilled to be welcoming Pastor Rick Warren as the College’s first Chancellor. Through his global reach, Pastor Rick reaches millions of people each day with a message of hope.

'In his long and distinguished ministry, both in the US and around the world, Pastor Warren has spoken of his link with the great Baptist preacher Charles Spurgeon. Pastor Warren’s great, great grandfather studied at Spurgeon’s and was commissioned to Christian service and sent to America to plant churches by Mr Spurgeon himself.

'Pastor Warren is the fourth generation of faithful gospel servants that can trace their ministerial lineage back to both Mr Spurgeon and his College.

'His incredible work and experience to-date will be vital as the College continues to pursue its ambition of becoming the first home-grown university in Croydon, expanding civic engagement there, and supporting faith organisations across the UK.' 


Photo | The Revd Dr Rick Warren alongside the Revd Helen Stokley and the Revd Prof Philip McCormack 

The video of Pastor Warren’s installation can be viewed here.