Iorg, Lee named 2022 Southwestern Seminary distinguished alumni
Jeff P. Iorg and retired Rear Admiral Phillip “Endel” Lee Jr., have been named the 2022 Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary distinguished alumni, President Adam W. Greenway announced today.
“It is my great pleasure to announce the naming of Jeff Iorg and Endel Lee as distinguished alumni for this year,” said Greenway. “Iorg and Lee are exemplars of the tens of thousands of Southwestern Seminary alumni faithfully serving across our nation and around the world. Both have distinguished themselves by serving in key posts with deep Gospel influence on the lives of untold numbers of men and women. They are leaders of leaders, and I look forward to honoring them in Anaheim during the Southern Baptist Convention.”
Iorg and Lee will be formally recognized at Southwestern Seminary’s Alumni and Friends Luncheon on June 15 as part of the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Anaheim. Tickets to the luncheon may be purchased here.
Jeff Iorg
Iorg, a 1990 Doctor of Ministry graduate, has served as the president of Gateway Seminary in Ontario, California, since 2004. Prior to assuming his leadership role at the Southern Baptist Convention’s westernmost entity, Iorg served as the executive director-treasurer of the Northwest Baptist Convention (1995-2004) and was the founding pastor of Greater Gresham Baptist Church in Gresham, Oregon. In 1990, he began teaching at the Pacific Northwest campus of what was then known as Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary.
Born in Forsyth, Georgia, but raised in Abilene, Texas, Iorg earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hardin-Simmons University (1980) and a Master of Divinity degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (1984). The author of a number of books, including The Character of Leadership, The Painful Side of Leadership, Seasons of a Leader’s Life, and Shadow Christians, Iorg teaches courses in leadership, preaching, and church ministry at Gateway Seminary.
Upon final messenger approval at the 2016 Southern Baptist Convention, Iorg led the relocation and renaming of Gateway Seminary from Mill Valley, California, to its current location to near Los Angeles. While in Mill Valley, Iorg served as the chaplain to the San Francisco Giants for 10 years.
Iorg is married Ann, with whom he has three adult children and five grandchildren.
Phillip “Endel” Lee Jr.
Lee served as the deputy chief of chaplains for reserve matters in the United States Navy until his retirement in September 2020. A native of Tanner Williams, Alabama, Lee earned Master of Divinity (1990), Master of Arts in Religious Education (1998), and Doctor of Philosophy (2000) degrees from Southwestern Seminary.
Lee joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1982 and served with the 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, the 14th Marines Artillery unit, and had two tours of duty with the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion – one as an executive officer with the A Company and the second as a commanding officer with the C Company.
After serving 11 years in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in both enlisted and officer capacities, Lee was commissioned as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1993. His Navy Reserve tour of duties include deputy chaplain of the Marine Corps for Reserve Matters at the Pentagon, officer in charge of the U.S. Coast Guard Religious Support Unity 106, deputy chaplain of the U.S. Coast Guard for Reserve Matters, and as the 4th Marine Division chaplain, which is the nation’s largest Marine division.
Following the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, Lee was deployed to New York City and served in Iraq. When he returned to the U.S. in 2005, Lee worked for a year and a half with the U.S. Coast Guard following Hurricane Katrina. He also served as a professor of preaching and pastoral work at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary during his time of military service.
He is married to Kathy, and they have two sons.
