KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Midwestern Seminary President Jason Allen names Kody Gibson Vice President of Communications and Brand Strategy for Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College.
With more than twelve years of experience in Christian higher education, Gibson will lead the seminary’s communications office, including strategic efforts in marketing, branding, design, written and visual content, news and information, and social media.
In his role, Gibson will be responsible for maintaining and extending the For the Church and For the Kingdom visions for the seminary and college.
“I’m delighted to announce Kody Gibson is joining the Midwestern Seminary team as Vice President of Communications and Brand Strategy,” said Midwestern Seminary President Jason Allen. “He’s a man with many gifts, and, better still, a sterling reputation. Kody loves the local church and is committed to serving it, which makes him a great fit at Midwestern Seminary.”
Most recently, Gibson served as the Director of Enrollment and Communications at Phoenix Seminary.
During his time at Phoenix Seminary, Gibson led several enrollment and marketing initiatives to help see a 75% new student enrollment growth at the seminary from the fall of 2020 to the fall of 2022. He also led the content strategy for all Phoenix Seminary’s digital efforts and launched various marketing campaigns related to online learning, the doctor of ministry program, and more.
Prior to his role at Phoenix Seminary, Gibson served in a variety of roles at Southern Seminary, including Vice President of Communications and Director of Admissions.
At Southern Seminary, Gibson helped pioneer the “Trusted for Truth” campaign, along with his leadership in marketing and brand strategies. He also led the seminary to experience enrollment growth at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels during his time in admissions.
“I’ve known and worked alongside Kody Gibson for nearly fifteen years,” said Midwestern Seminary Senior Vice President of Institutional Relations Charles Smith. “He is a profoundly gifted leader who loves the Lord and understands what we are trying to do in Kansas City. It is an honor to work with him.”
In anticipation of serving at Midwestern Seminary, Gibson said, “Over the years I’ve learned that For the Church is more than a marketing slogan; it’s a mission that permeates everything Midwestern Seminary stands for as an institution.”
“The Midwestern Seminary Communications Team has done what I believe to be some of the best work in content, storytelling, and design in theological education, so the opportunity to lead this remarkable team brings great excitement. I’m thrilled that I get to play a role in stewarding the Midwestern Seminary brand.”
Gibson also spoke to the personal aspect of Midwestern Seminary’s mission, stating the importance of the local church for his own growth in Christ.
“When I think of my life as a Christian, I can’t separate my growth in Christ-likeness from the life of the healthy local churches from which I’ve been a member,” he said.
“The local church is where the glory of the invisible God is on display in the midst of the world’s brokenness, suffering, and sin. The local church has been a harbor for my family through life’s trials and I consider it a kindness of the Lord that I get to serve the church in my role at Midwestern Seminary.”
Gibson received his M.Div. from Southern Seminary and his B.A. from Ouachita Baptist University. He and his wife, Juli, are from Edmond, Oklahoma, and have four children—Liv, Campbell, Joe Ryan, and Greer.
Gibson will replace Dave Wright as the new Vice President. Wright, who served faithfully in the role for eight years, led to establish the For the Church and For the Kingdom brands through his design expertise, website construction, advertising strategies, and overall brand management. Wright will continue to serve the local church as Discipleship Pastor at Northbrook Baptist Church in Cullman, Alabama.
