LANCASTER, Pa. (June 4, 2026) — The Board of Trustees of Lancaster Bible College (LBC) announced on June 3, 2026, a planned leadership transition that affirms the College’s 93-year mission, builds on recent momentum, and continues LBC’s Kingdom impact in the years ahead.

After leading Lancaster Bible College since 2020, Dr. Tommy Kiedis has announced that he will conclude his presidency June 30, 2027. The College anticipates Dr. Kiedis will serve as Chancellor starting July 2027, engaging in ambassadorial responsibilities, utilizing his gifts to advance the work of Lancaster Bible College in support of the College’s next president.

The Board of Trustees has appointed Jael K.D.L.V. Chambers, current Executive Vice President, to serve as the College’s next President, effective July 1, 2027. This announcement is being made more than a year in advance to provide a thoughtful, intentional, and smooth leadership transition for the college community.

An Intentional Transition

This Board of Trustees’ decision reflects the ongoing emphasis on succession planning at all levels of the institution, and a deliberate and prayerful months-long process by the Executive Committee of the Board, responsible for succession planning.

Under Dr. Kiedis’ leadership, Lancaster Bible College has experienced significant progress driven by LBC’s mission and vision, furthering the promise to “prepare students to flourish in college and life, inside and outside the classroom, from the conviction that Christ is real and the Bible is true.” Progress includes the successful execution of a comprehensive three-year strategic plan, widely expanded access to online programs, enrollment growth, a refreshed brand, greater fiscal stability, a completed capital campaign, and enhanced institutional alignment and accountability.

The self-study evaluation team report from LBC’s Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) visit in March 2026 affirmed this progress while encouraging continued implementation and strengthening of institutional assessment practices.

Recognizing this season of “strengthening the foundation” for LBC, the Executive Committee of the Board determined that continuity of leadership, comprehensive institutional and industry knowledge, and the ability to sustain and accelerate current momentum were essential criteria for the next president.

Why an Internal Appointment

The Board leadership carefully considered the appropriate process for presidential succession. It was determined that this moment in LBC’s history called for a presidential selection process focused on identifying a qualified candidate already committed to and steeped in the College’s mission, direction, and strategy. The Executive Committee of the Board functioned as a presidential search committee in this respect, first defining the current institutional context and then identifying the most important competencies LBC needs in its next president.

The Board believes that the most important leadership need for LBC is missional stewardship; that is, a clear, mission-aligned strategy, disciplined execution, healthy organizational culture, and sustained momentum going into the next strategic plan.

The Executive Committee of the Board evaluated a short list of potential presidential candidates and gave particular attention to demonstrated leadership capacity, institutional integration, strategic execution, and spiritual maturity. They recommended Jael K.D.L.V. Chambers to the Board of Trustees.

Why Jael Chambers

Jael K.D.L.V. Chambers [see bio] has served as Executive Vice President during a pivotal season in LBC’s history. In this role, he has acted as a primary leader in designing and executing the College’s strategic plan, strengthening organizational alignment, implementing institution-wide Key Performance Indicators, enhancing professional development, and reinforcing a culture of clarity, accountability, and mission-centered decision-making.

At the center of Chambers’ leadership is a deep commitment to students and a desire to ensure that Jesus Christ remains central to the Lancaster Bible College experience. His leadership has consistently emphasized spiritual formation, belonging, student flourishing, and mission alignment across both on-campus and online student populations. Through the development of an emerging Spiritual Formation Framework and the implementation of one of the College’s most comprehensive Student Experience Surveys, he helped create institution-wide visibility into how students are flourishing academically, spiritually, relationally, and personally both inside and outside the classroom. This work strengthened cross-department collaboration, informed retention and engagement strategies, and reinforced LBC’s commitment to educating and developing students who are prepared to serve Christ faithfully in the Church and society.

Chambers has demonstrated the ability to lead across all areas of the College, translating vision into execution while maintaining a focused commitment to “educating Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving Him in the Church and society.” He has also served as a trusted advisor to the President and a key integrator of institutional strategy and culture.

Importantly, Mr. Chambers was identified by Dr. Kiedis as his recommended successor, citing his proven leadership, humble boldness, student focus, fundraising acumen, and continual learning.

The Board is confident that Chambers is well-equipped to lead Lancaster Bible College as its seventh president to build upon the strong foundation established by President Kiedis and his predecessor, Dr. Peter W. Teague.

A Year of Intentional Transition

By announcing this decision well in advance, the Board has created a full year of intentional transition. During this time, Dr. Kiedis and Mr. Chambers will work closely to ensure continuity of leadership, clarity of direction, and a smooth transfer of responsibilities.

The Lord has given the LBC community – Board of Trustees, Corporation, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and donors – the opportunity to participate in this transition journey and take the next step into the future of Lancaster Bible College.

Looking Ahead

For 93 years, Lancaster Bible College has educated Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving Him in the Church and society. The Board of Trustees believes this transition positions LBC to continue strengthening that mission in the years ahead.

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Founded in 1933, Lancaster Bible College provides an accredited university-level education for multiple careers with a focus on the Bible and a biblical worldview, Christ and Christian character. LBC’s mission is to educate Christian students to think and live a biblical worldview and to proclaim Christ by serving Him in the Church and society. In 2025, LBC introduced its new tagline, “Experience Different,” which highlights the college’s four key differentiators – biblical integration, authentic community, relational education and exceptional location.

Accredited through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation, LBC is also approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Association of Christian Schools International. Specialized accreditations are also in the areas of: Social Work (Council on Social Work Education), Music, Worship & Performing Arts (National Association of Schools of Music) and Sport Management (Commission on Sport Management Accreditation).

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