James J. Kragenbring

Biography

James J. Kragenbring serves as the Senior Vice President for Institutional Administration at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College, where he provides executive leadership for the institution’s administrative, financial, and operational functions. His portfolio encompasses Financial Services, Investment Management, Information Technology, Human Resources, Campus Operations, Campus Security, and Auxiliary Services. In addition, he directs the planning and execution of the institution’s major projects.

Dr. Kragenbring also serves as Assistant Professor of Business and Christian Studies and as the Faculty Coordinator for the Business Leadership major at Spurgeon College. As a professor, he regularly teaches courses in business, economics, and finance. As the faculty coordinator, he oversees the rapidly growing Business Leadership program at Spurgeon College.

Dr. Kragenbring joined Midwestern Seminary in August 2017 following a distinguished 20-year career in investment management. During this period, he successfully managed investment portfolios for a diverse clientele, including prominent endowments, foundations, and pension plans. Immediately prior to joining Midwestern, he was the President and Chief Investment Officer of Aquifer Capital, a boutique investment management firm and hedge fund sponsor, which he founded in March 2008. From its founding in 2008 through 2017, Aquifer Capital served as an investment adviser to charitable endowments and as the originating sponsor and sole investment adviser to the Aquifer Funds.

Dr. Kragenbring earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration (summa cum laude) from Washington University in Saint Louis, as well as three advanced degrees from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary: the Doctor of Ministry, the Master of Theology, and the Master of Theological Studies. His doctoral dissertation, titled “A Trinitarian Pedagogy for Biblical Integration in Business Leadership,” developed a unique theory of biblical integration and a pedagogical method for teaching undergraduate students to apply Scripture to the study and practice of business. Dr. Kragenbring is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Charterholder and an active member of the CFA Institute, the CFA Society of Phoenix, the Christian Business Faculty Association, and Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society.

Beyond his responsibilities at Midwestern, Dr. Kragenbring serves on the Board of Trustees of Bethlehem College and Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Board of Directors of Washed in the Word in St. Augustine, Florida. Dr. Kragenbring and his wife, Raechel, have been happily married since 2019. When not busy with professional or charitable endeavors, he enjoys leisurely time with his wife, studying philosophy and theology, traveling, cycling, collecting art, and watching Saint Louis Cardinals baseball.