07/31/2026
To God Be The Glory
NEW ACADEMIC DEAN AND VP SELECTED
HTI is pleased to announce the selection of a new academic dean and vice president. Rev. Daylan Woodall is a lifelong Alabamian whose ministry and scholarship have been shaped by a love for history, community, and faith. A native of Calcis, a small community in Shelby County, Alabama, he accepted his call to preach the Gospel at the age of fourteen and has devoted his life to that calling ever since. For the last decade Rev. Woodall has served as Senior Pastor at Historic First Missionary Baptist Decatur.
Believing that effective ministry requires both spiritual conviction and careful preparation, Rev. Woodall earned a Bachelor of Arts from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama where he studied religion and communication. He later completed both the Master of Arts in Christian Education and the Master of Divinity at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is scheduled to complete the Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Christian Education Leadership at Regent University in the Fall of 2026 and will begin the dissertation phase of the Ph.D. in Education program at Regent University in the Fall of 2027.
Throughout his ministry, Rev. Woodall has demonstrated a passion for equipping believers through both the local church and higher education. His experience as a pastor and professor reflects a conviction that theological study and faithful ministry belong together. His teaching emphasizes biblical literacy, Christian formation, historical awareness, and the practical application of Scripture to the life of the Church.
As dean, Rev. Woodall will provide academic leadership for Huntsville Theological Institute, working to strengthen its educational programs, support faculty and students, and expand opportunities for theological training that prepares believers for effective Christian service. His vision includes cultivating an institution marked by academic excellence, biblical faithfulness, and a commitment to serving churches and communities throughout North Alabama and beyond.
"I am deeply honored by the opportunity to serve as Dean and VP of Huntsville Theological Institute," said Rev. Woodall. "Theological education plays a vital role in strengthening the Church by preparing faithful, knowledgeable, and spiritually mature believers. I look forward to working alongside our faculty, students, and supporting churches as we continue to build an institution that equips believers to serve Christ with wisdom, conviction, and excellence."