CONTACT
Senior Pastor
1367 Chain Bridge Road
McLean, Virginia 22101
Work: (703) 356-8088
EDUCATION
Baylor University Waco, Texas
Ph.D. in Biblical Studies, Emphasis: Old Testament 2006
Dissertation Title: The Narrative Effect of Book IV of the Hebrew Psalter
Advisor: W. H. Bellinger, Jr.
William Carey College Hattiesburg, Mississippi
B.A. in Religion, Minor: Mathematics 1994
Received J. E. Byrd Award, Outstanding Graduate in Religion
PROJECTS
Preaching During Covid-tide: Sermons of Hope to Empty Pews (self-published through Amazon’s KDP Publishing, 2022). Collected sermons from March 2020-December 2020 January 2022
YouTube channel containing content for Old Testament Classes
• Content for Old Testament classes was moved outside the classroom
• Currently averaging 3500 views a month (in over 100 countries)
• https://www.youtube.com/user/barkokba Fall 2013-Fall 2018
Website with Active Learning Activities to Teach Old Testament Introduction
• Collected active learning class activities for the flipped classroom
• https://rwallace.net/ Fall 2014-2018
“Tiered, Skills-Based Assessment” Perspectives in Religious Studies Vol. 46 No. 2 Winter 2019
“A 84—89. Zsoltárok narratív hatása” Studia Biblica Athanasiana 20 Spring 2019
Contributor, Baylor Annotated Study Bible, Baylor University Press Spring 2019
“The Psalms as a Place to Begin for Old Testament Introduction” in a Festschrift honoring William H. Bellinger. Perspectives in Religious Studies Vol. 44 No. 2 Summer 2017
Contributor, The Africa Study Bible, Oasis International Ltd April 2017
“Beauty in the Unexpected,” Guest Writer for Beauty in the Common, “The Common Year Project” http://2016.thecommonyear.com/narratives/2016-10-17 October 2016
“Gerald Wilson and the Characterization of David in Book 5 of the Psalter” in The Shape and Shaping of the Book of Psalms: The Current State of Scholarship, ed. Nancy L. Declaisse-Walford. Society of Biblical Literature Press, 2014. September 2014
“The Narrative Effect of Psalms 84-89,” Journal of Hebrew Scriptures 11/10 (2011). May 2011
Book of Psalms report in “News from the 2010 SBL” for Henoch 33/1 (2011): 26-27 Spring 2011
Movie Review of “Little Town of Bethlehem” for Associated Baptist Press, Dec 16, 2010 December 2010
“Elijah: Trusting God,” Formations Commentary article in Baptists Today, Vol. 28, No. 8 August 2010
The Narrative Effect of Book IV of the Hebrew Psalter. Studies in Biblical Literature 112. Edited by Hemchand Gossai. New York: Peter Lang Publishing, 2007. Oct 2007
PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS
National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion National Meeting Nashville, Tennessee
Invited Panel discussion, “Creative Teaching” May 2017
Presentation, “Grading Like a Video Game: Skills-Based Assessment”
Midwest Society of Biblical Literature South Bend, Indiana
Section chair, “Hebrew Bible: The Writings” February 2017
Society of Biblical Literature National Meeting San Antonio, Texas
Presentation, “The Virtues of Skills-Based Assessment” November 2016
Midwest Society of Biblical Literature Bourbonnais, Illinois
Section chair, “Hebrew Bible: The Writings” February 2016
Higher Learning Commission Chicago, Illinois
Co-Presenter: “Making Big Classes Small: Active Learning, Accountability, and Assessment” March 2015
Midwest Society of Biblical Literature Bourbonnais, Illinois
Section chair, “Hebrew Bible: The Writings” February 2015
Book Review Panel, “Beyond the Obvious: Doorways to Understanding the New Testament”, by D. Dale Walker
Keynote at Graduate Student Lunch, “The Virtues of Active Learning and Skills-based Assessment”
Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area: Pedagogy Symposium Elmhurst, Illinois
Co-Presenter: “Making Big Classes Small: Active Learning, Accountability, and Assessment” November 2014
Invited Workshop on Teaching, Baylor University Waco, Texas
Presentation, “Engaging Faith” Lunch October 2014
Presentation, “Seminar in Teaching Excellence”
Workshop on Teaching, Hosted by Berry College Rome, Georgia
Presentation: “Active Learning and Assessment Tools for the Contemporary Classroom” June 2014
Midwest Society of Biblical Literature Bourbonnais, Illinois
Paper: “Flipping Old Testament, or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Active Learning” February 2014
Midwest Society of Biblical Literature Bourbonnais, Illinois
Section chair, “Psalms & Wisdom Literature” February 2013-2014
Awarded Homer and Margaret Surbeck Summer Research Stipend Judson University
Summer 2013
Society of Biblical Literature, National Meeting San Francisco, California
Invited Paper: “Rivals or Coregents?: Kingships of YHWH and David in Book V of the Psalter” November 2011
Midwest Society of Biblical Literature Bourbonnais, Illinois
Panel Discussion: “Navigating the Job Market” February 2011
National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion, National Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia
Paper: “Whistling Past the Graveyard: The Narrative Effect of Psalms 84–89” May 2010
National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion, Regional Meeting, Dallas, Texas
Paper: “Electronic Parables: Teaching the Hebrew Bible through Song & Cinema” March 2010
Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion Atlanta, Georgia
Presiding: Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament II March 2010
Young Scholars in the Baptist Academy Georgetown, Kentucky
Paper: “Baptist Voices for Religious Tolerance in an Age of Globalization” July 2008
Society of Biblical Literature, National Meeting San Diego, California
Paper: “Back to the Beginning: Yahweh as King, Moses as Mediator and Psalms 104-106” November 2007
Journal for Interdisciplinary Studies and the University of San Francisco Symposium San Francisco, California
“Globalization & Its Discontents: Modernization, Culture & Religion” August 2007
Panel Chair: “Media and Cross-Cultural Communication”
Paper: “Can I Like Buddha and Still Love Jesus?: Growing Perspectives in a Shrinking World.”
Southeastern Commission for the Study of Religion Nashville, Tennessee
Paper: “Davidic Voice, Mosaic Remembrance: The Narrative Effect of Psalms 101-103” March 2007
Southwest Regional Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature Dallas, Texas
Paper: “The Place and Function of Psalm 91: The Narrative of Biblical Poetry” March 2004
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
John Leland Center for Theological Studies Arlington, Virginia
Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies Spring 2020-present
Taught “Introduction to the Old Testament” and “Interpreting the Bible for Preaching and Teaching”
Judson University Elgin, Illinois
Professor of Biblical Studies August 2010-August 2018
Taught Old Testament courses in the religion curriculum
Outside Reader, Dissertation Committee, Ed. D. in Literacy 2015-2018
International Programs Coordinator 2014-2015
Audit International Study programs, Mission Projects, and International Student programs
Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lawndale Community Church Lombard, IL
Adjunct Professor of Religion Fall 2011
Shorter College Rome, Georgia
Assistant Professor of Religion 2005-2010
Taught biblical studies courses in the religion curriculum
Taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the program for non-traditional students as needed
Director of International Programs 2007-2010
Maintained and developed exchange agreements with international institutions
Worked with the academic deans, departments and faculty to direct international undergraduate study program
Oversaw $400,000 financial aid budget and $25,000 real money budget for the Office of International Programs
Increased traditional student participation in study abroad from 12.2% in 2006-2007 to 20.8% in 2008-2009
Assistant Vice-President for Programs & Services 2009-2010
Accreditation Audit in anticipation of SACS visit
Improved departmental and administrative assessment tools by contributing to form of Taskstream website
Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary Rome, Georgia
D.Min. Program Field Mentor 2006-2008
Berry College Rome, Georgia
Adjunct Professor of Religion 2005
Shorter College Rome, Georgia
Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies 2004-2005
George W. Truett Theological Seminary Waco, Texas
Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies 2004
Baylor University Waco, Texas
Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies 2002-2004
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Belton, Texas
Adjunct Professor of Biblical Studies 1998-2004
William Carey College Israel
Participant in Tel Rehov Excavations 1998
Participant in Tel Beth Shean Excavations 1993
MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
Institute for Justice Formation Advisory Group, Member December 2020-present
Institute for Justice Formation & Washington Theological Consortium Online Seminar
“Critical Race Theory: Friend, Foe, or Opportunity?”, Respondent October 30–November 13, 2021
“Reading in Church & Other Distractions” Podcast
Podcast based on the Revised Common Lectionary with Dr. Michael McKeever December 2016-December 2019
Semilla Costa Rica Santa Ana, Costa Rica
Various workshops October 2020-present
“Alfabetización Biblica,” “Leyendo los Salmos”
Semilla Compañerismo Cristiano Santa Ana, California
Various workshops May 2016-present
“Preguntas Difíciles,” “Sabiduría,” “Alfabetización Biblica,” “Creación,” “Hablando Proféticamente en un Tiempo de Retos,” “Leyendo los Salmos,” “Como Leer La Biblia,” “Daniel”
Semilla en Tijuana Tijuana, Mexico
Invited Sermons 2016-2018
First Baptist Church of Marseilles Marseilles, Illinois
Extended Supply October 2017-June 2018
Poplar Creek Community Church Bartlett, Illinois
Interim Pastor May 2016-Jan 2017
Willow Creek Community Church South Barrington, Illinois
Midweek Workshop, “What’s the Word: Reading the Bible Better” March 2016
American Baptist Men’s Retreat Springfield, Illinois
Keynote Speaker, “Sabbath & Shalom” September 2015
Methodist Men’s Retreat Plano, Illinois
Keynote Speaker, “Praying the Psalms” February 2015
Keynote Speaker, “Men in a Hurry” February 2014
S.O.A.R. Judson University Leadership Summit for High School Students Elgin, Illinois
Keynote Speaker June 2014
North Central Region of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Annual Meeting Elgin, Illinois
Keynote Speaker, “Issues Facing the 21st Century Church” April 2013
First Baptist Church of Park Ridge Park Ridge, Illinois
Interim Pastor 2011-2012
Northwest Georgia Area
Pulpit Supply 2007-2010
First Baptist Church of Tucker Tucker, Georgia
Interim Pastor 2006-2007
Liberty Cumberland Presbyterian Church Calhoun, Georgia
Interim Pastor 2005-2006
The Leroy Baptist/Methodist Church, Leroy, Texas
Interim Pastor 2003-2004
First Baptist Church of Golinda, Golinda, Texas
Pastor 1999-2002
Ordained at First Baptist Church of Waco, Texas July 1997
