Richmond, VA – Virginia Union University today announced the new Dean of the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University (STVU), Dr. John Guns.
Guns is a graduate and former adjunct professor of the STVU. Additionally, he held the position of Dean in a similar role at the School of Theology for Knoxville College in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“It’s my great pleasure to welcome Dr. John Guns to the academic leadership team at Virginia Union and to introduce him back to the Panther communiversity as Dean of the world-renowned Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology,” said Dr. Terrell Strayhorn, VUU Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Dr. Guns stood out in our national search and joins the University at an exciting time as we chart our path to academic excellence, student success, and ‘Best- in- Class.’”
Currently, Guns is the Senior Pastor of the St. Paul Church of Jacksonville, in Jacksonville, Florida. In that role, Guns has made it his priority to help the youth and those in less fortunate situations overcome their struggles. One of his earliest groundbreaking outreach foundations is entitled Operation Save Our Sons. A national movement to work with young African-American men designed to equip them with the tools and education to navigate through life dealing with issues such as the workforce, avoiding teen parenthood, and handling law & authority. He works on several boards and community-based organizations. Guns is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc.
The St. Paul Church of Jacksonville serves as a "hub of social ministry," feeding over 5,000 families each year, clothing the less fortunate, and partnering with dozens of schools, prisons, and other agencies to meet local, state, and global needs.
Dr. Guns graduated Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Norfolk State University, a Master of Divinity from STVU, and a Doctorate of Ministry (DMIN) from STVU. His research seeks to create a discipleship model for parents and measure parents' impact on their children through intentional nurturing of the Christian faith.