Joel Wingo (Ph.D)
Dr. Wingo is Redemption Seminary’s academic dean. He oversees academic operations, working with faculty members and associate deans to help students grow in wisdom through an enriching, personalized learning experience. He loves Redemption’s mission of “helping students grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18) and is excited to be part of a wonderful team that is committed to carrying it out. Dr. Wingo also mentors students in the subjects of leadership, spiritual formation, and discipleship. He loves working with adult learners of all backgrounds, ages, and stages as they broaden and deepen their understanding, while also helping them integrate their learning into the real world of their current life and ministry context in meaningful ways.
Joel grew up in Mexico where his parents worked in Bible translation, literacy teaching, and church planting for indigenous people groups. For 20 years, he has served as a teacher, administrator, and accreditation liaison in biblical and theological higher education, primarily within the Calvary Chapel family of churches. Before coming to Redemption, he was president of Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, California. Dr. Wingo has also served as a children’s ministry pastor, an assistant pastor, and—with his wife Ashley—as a volunteer leader of a church-based foster care and adoption ministry.
After completing masters’ level work at Faith International University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Joel completed his PhD in Educational Studies at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University). Following coursework on Christian formation, teaching, leadership, and educational research, his dissertation explored servant leadership and social media use by academic leaders in Christian higher education.