LCU hires new theology professor
Dr. Joe Waller has joined the faculty of Louisiana Christian University as an assistant professor of theology in the School of Christian Studies.
Waller, a native of the Greater New Orleans area, earned his Ph.D. from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 2024.
He is no stranger to Central Louisiana, however. Before attending Northwestern State University in Natchitoches for his undergraduate studies in English literature, he spent time on the campus of Louisiana College during high school.
“I have fond memories of visiting LC for State Bible Drill, state hymn festivals and the Louisiana All-State Youth Choir rehearsals, so I was excited for the opportunity to teach here,” Waller said. “My wife and I knew Dr. Mark Johnson and his wife Heather from our time at NOBTS, and we were excited for the chance to join them in the work God is doing at LCU.”
Waller said he is settling in at LCU well, even though he didn’t always know his calling would be to Christian higher education.
“I’m loving my first semester!” he said. “The faculty and staff have been so kind and have consistently helped me out as I’m learning the rhythms of LCU. The students have been a joy to get to know and serve as well, and I’ve been encouraged by their engagement in class. I still have a lot to learn, and I’ve been busy building lectures and organizing class content. But I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve here at LCU.”
Dr. Justin Langford, dean of the School of Christian Studies, said he is grateful the Lord called him to LCU.
“His experience in academics and in church ministry will be valuable assets to his instructional and relational approaches within our department and with our students.”
Waller has served in college and youth ministry settings, played in worship bands, and had preached occasionally, so he knew when he began his studies at NOBTS that the Lord was calling him into the ministry in some way.
“I thought a future in ministry might be in one of those realms,” he said. “When I started seminary, I thought church planting was where I was headed. Over the course of my first couple of years in seminary, however, the Lord changed my direction and began to stir up in me a desire to teach and to help others to know him through writing.”
He got the opportunity to teach courses as an adjunct at Leavell College at NOBTS during his studies and grew to love it, Waller said.
“I began to realize how formative my college years were and how much I wish I would have known about the Lord and about following Him during those years,” he said. “I want to serve students in that season of life, helping them to walk with the Lord as they navigate all that their time in college can bring.”
Waller’s primary research interest is the fear of the Lord. He will be presenting a paper at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in November on the way Jesus’ fear of the Lord informs our own.
“I’m also interested in Christian ethics, particularly for the way it helps us connect our faith and practice,” he said. “I enjoy exploring the implications of our theology on questions our culture is asking, and I find such conversations help students connect class discussions to everyday life.”
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Media Release | Sept. 2, 2026 | Pineville, Louisiana
Contact: Dr. Elizabeth B. Clarke, Director of University Communications | Elizabeth.clarke@lcuniversity.edu