Bart Patton Joins Perkins as Director of Youth, Young Adult Ministry Education

DALLAS (SMU) – Bart Patton, who has nearly 20 years of experience in ministry, has joined Perkins School of Theology as its Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry Education.

In his new role, Patton will provide oversight and strategic planning for Perkins’ programs for high school youth and their families, young adults and practitioners who work with these constituencies. He will be the point person for connecting Perkins and SMU to church and community organizations that work with youth and their families and young adults. Additionally, Patton will direct the Perkins School of Youth Ministry and Faith Calls, the school’s summer theological program for youth.

“My best friends, heroes and mentors are – and have always been – youth ministers,” Patton said. “They are boldly shaping the future of our church. Through partnership, I believe our programs can be valuable in helping to grow vibrant faith in young people and our congregations. 

Prior to joining Perkins, Patton was Minister to Youth and Families at Argyle United Methodist Church. He also served at churches in Arkansas and New York as well as serving in the Arkansas Conference, where he was a member of the Conference Council on Youth Ministries, the Youth Ministry Resource Team and as a leader for the Veritas Youth Event.

Patton is no stranger to Perkins, however, having previously served as a co-instructor for the Foundations Class at Perkins School of Youth Ministry (PSYM) as well as a member of the PSYM Design Team.

“I would like to be able to expand the way that local churches can utilize Perkins as an ongoing youth ministry resource,” Patton said. “I believe that our programs have incredible potential in helping to define what youth ministry in Wesleyan contexts can look like in the 21st century.”

Patton is a 2001 graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Languages. He will report to Dr. Priscilla Pope-Levison, Associate Dean for External Program at Perkins. 

Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of The United Methodist Church. Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Arts in Ministry, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Pastoral Music as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at SMU’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences