Dr. Bill Payne is a natural evangelist, a seasoned pastor, and a gifted professor. Since he believes that teaching is a spiritual gift, he invites the Holy Spirit to come into his classes at Ashland Theological Seminary. During many class sessions, he has clearly sensed the Lord’s substantial presence. At times, a class devotion has turned into a spontaneous outpouring of the Spirit, shaking things up in ways that only God can.
Dr. Payne is not only a professor; his 29.5 years of service with the Navy and Marine Corps have provided him with ministry opportunities in 27 countries. Before retiring, he served as Deputy Force Chaplain in Iraq and the Military Sealift Command Chaplain in San Diego. Additionally, he pastored a Cuban refugee camp in Panama, served as the community manager for all Reserve Force chaplains, worked as a hospital chaplain, commanded a unit of 17 chaplains and enlisted specialists, and deployed from Okinawa during Desert Storm. He has a military subspecialty code in religion and culture and is a Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer (FMFQO).
Dr. Payne graduated from Asbury Theological Seminary (Ph.D. Intercultural Studies), Emory University (MDiv), and Florida Southern College (BA Religion). He is ordained in the United Methodist Church and is a full member of the Florida Conference. He has served the local church as a student pastor, associate pastor, pastor, senior pastor, and interim pastor. During his last pastorate, he planted a large Hispanic ministry that included satellite outposts throughout Tampa Bay.
In addition to expertise in evangelism, world missions, and chaplaincy, Dr. Payne has published widely on early American Methodism, Latin American Pentecostalism, folk religion, and spiritual warfare. He especially enjoys preaching, consulting with churches, and doing inner healing. He developed and directs the chaplaincy study degrees at ATS.
Publications
- “Chaplains Tackle Religious Persecution” The Journal of Pastoral Theology, pending publication. Satan Exposed: A Biblical Theology of Spiritual Warfare. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2019.
- Submitted five chaplaincy case studies to the Chaplain Innovation Lab at Boston Theological Seminary to be included in resource section for teaching chaplaincy students (August 2019).
- Adventures in Spiritual Warfare: Defeating Satan and Living a Victorious Life. Eugene, OR: Resource Publications, 2018.
- “Folk Religion and the Pentecostal Surge in Latin America” The Asbury Theological Journal 71 (June 2016): 145-174.
- “Latino Pentecostalism and the Rebirth of Christianity in Latin America” Wesleyan Theological Journal 51 (Spring 2016): 168-187.
- “Discerning John Wesley’s Missional Ecclesiology” Wesleyan Theological Journal 49 (Fall 2014): 24- 47.
- American Methodism: Past and Future Growth. Lexington, KY: Emeth Press, 2013.
- “Discerning an Integral Latino Pentecostal Theology of Liberation” Ashland Theological Journal 45 (Fall 2013): 87-106.
- “Challenge and Opportunity: Preparing Students to Minister in a Multi-faith Society” Christian Hospitality and Pastoral Practices in a Multifaith Society (Pittsburg, PA: Association of Theological Schools, 2012): 21-27.
- “Teaching Seminary Students to Do Personal Evangelism” Journal of the Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education 21 (2006): 35-53.
- “The Apostolic Nature of Early American Methodism” Journal of the Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education 20 (2004): 46-61.
- General Editor, Journal of the Academy of Evangelism in Theological Education (2005 – 2008).
- “The Social Movement Dynamics of Modern American Evangelicalism” Ashland Theological Journal 35 (2004):37-54.
- “Without a Parallel: Reasons for the Expansion of Early American Methodism: 1767 through 1812.” Ph.D. dissertation, Asbury Theological Seminary, UMI: 2001.
- “Religious Community in a Cuban Refugee Camp: Bringing Order Out of Chaos,” Missiology 25 (April 1997):141-154.
- Textual Schematizer and Assistant Editor, Topical Chain Study Bible, (Thomas Nelson, 1983-1984).
