The Board of Directors of Sunset International Bible Institute, at the beginning the school’s fifty-fifth year of operation, is hereby announcing that Truitt Adair, president of the Institute for the past twenty-three years, will be changing roles. At his request, he will be relinquishing the Institute’s ‘chief executive officer’ position at the beginning of the 2018 academic year, at which time he will begin serving in a new role as Chancellor.
“Truitt has been a visionary leader for Sunset, having led the Institute through an incredible period of growth over the past two decades,” stated Bob Crockett, chairman of the Board of Directors. “The timing of this leadership transition is his idea and it gives us opportunity to engage a steady and thoughtful search process over the next two years.”
“This is something that I have contemplated for a couple of years,” stated Adair. “I love Sunset, and I am not planning to go anywhere. At this time of stability and healthy ministry, I want to help the next president enjoy the same supportive mentoring which I received when founding president, Cline Paden, passed the baton of leadership to me in 1993.”
According to officials, Adair will continue in his role as President until the appointment of his replacement. At that time, he will assume duties as Chancellor, serving actively on the leadership team, mentoring the new president, and participating in other capacities as needed.
A ‘Transition Committee’ has been appointed by the Board of Directors, being chaired by Dr. Gary Walker. Others serving include Bob Crockett, Lowell Johnson, Monty Pettyjohn, Virgil Yocham, Brad Pruitt, Ben Myers, and Mark Samsill. Though not serving as an official member, Adair will serve as an advisor and consultant with the committee. The ‘Profile of the President’ and ‘Job Description’ are available. The ‘Transition Committee’ will facilitate the search process and welcomes written recommendations from friends of SIBI who can help us identify qualified potential candidates.
Sunset International Bible Institute (originally known as Sunset School of Preaching) is dedicated to educating and preparing preachers, missionaries, and Bible-centered church leaders for Churches of Christ throughout the world. It is estimated that one-in-four preachers and missionaries in Churches of Christ today received their training at Sunset. The Institute has equipped over 3,300 men for ministry and mission work from its main campus in Lubbock, Texas; developed Bachelors’ and Masters’ degree tracks; established 72 international branches to equip indigenous preachers on 5 continents; launched ‘Adventures in Missions’(AIM), a missions apprenticeship which has equipped over 2,000 young men and women for short-term mission work; initiated Senior AIM, training retirees for missions and service; created Satellite Schools in 137 congregations across the US, offering biblical training for their members via distance learning; and established the SIBI Foundation, a growing legacy endowment fund. Sunset International Bible Institute anticipates a total headcount this Fall of approximately 200 students enrolled in its residential program in Lubbock.
Watch Truitt’s announcement to the Sunset congregation on 8/14/2016
Transition Committee
Sunset International Bible Institute
3723 34th Street
Lubbock, TX 79410