Monday, March 7, 2022

Dr. Bob Lay

“Dr. Bob” was a professor in the Dept of Biblical Studies, Christian Ministries, and Philosophy from 1995 to 2010. During his tenure here at Taylor University he led students on the high ropes course, trained as a barista at the original Jumping Bean Coffee bar, collected, preserved, and published historical materials related to TU founders William Taylor and Monroe Vayhinger, and led students on annual urban immersion trips to Denver and Los Angeles. In addition to Christian educational ministries classes, he taught Inductive Study of the Bible, a course which attracted students from a variety of majors. He sometimes opened class with the words “follow me,” inviting students on walks to discuss their discipleship and readiness for ministry.

Dr. Bob’s wife, Chris, worked for University Relations. Their daughter, Rebekah, graduated from TU in 2007 with a B.A. in Christian Ministry. In 2010, after fifteen years in Upland, the Lays joined the staff of World Impact, an urban mission organization, and relocated to Los Angeles, where they served from 2010 to 2021. There, Chris served as Administrative Assistant to the Principal of the Los Angeles Christian School, and Dr. Bob as Dean of the Urban Ministry Institute of Los Angeles, training men and women for Christian ministry, many of whom he met in the Los Angeles County jail and various rescue missions.  

This past year the Lays returned from the west coast to settle in Zionville, N.C. where their daughter Rebekah now lives with her husband Jorge, and their two sons, Isaac (age 9) and Benaiah (7).  Dr. Bob has an earned doctorate in Practical Theology from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA, an M.A. in Old Testament Studies from Gordon Conwell Seminary in South Hamilton Massachusetts, and a Masters of Education degree from UNC-Charlotte. He is the author of several books, including Readings in Historical Theology (Kregel, 2009), Lessons of Infinite Advantage: William Taylor’s California Experiences (Scarecrow Press, 2010), The Ancient Witnesses: A Journey to Discover Our Sacred Roots (TUMI Press, 2019), and Books Jesus Read: Learning from the Apocrypha (Sammy Morris Publications, 2022).