Ivan Parke: A Man at the Heart of MC
Named the 2025 Distinguished Professor of the Year, Parke has captured hearts across campus with his wisdom, compassion, and touching story.
Nearing the end of his twenty-seventh year as a professor, Ivan Parke has almost become synonymous with Mississippi College.
Originally from Mumbai, India — then known as Bombay — he and his family immigrated to the United States when he was a young child, eventually settling in the south at the end of his eighth-grade year.
“Growing up a doctor’s son, I wanted to be like my dad,” Parke said. “But in ninth grade, in Florida, God revealed a different plan. I preached my first sermon at age fourteen. The rest, for me, is history.”
Surrendered to the call of ministry, Parke attended Baylor University before attending New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. There, he earned his PhD in Old Testament and Hebrew. He anticipated a life as a pastor, open to the possibility of teaching at a university if God opened the doors. To his surprise, however, he found himself teaching full time and preaching on the side. Today, he is a professor and the assistant to the chair in the department of Christian Studies at MC.
“I don’t think there’s any secret that he’s got to be the most popular professor of our department,” said Evan Lenow, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Christian Studies. “Maybe one of the most popular professors across the entire campus. And just watching how he shows care and concern for students and how they, in turn, respond, they just love him and appreciate him so much. It’s fun to watch.”
Parke has captivated students’ hearts with his constant care and presence. He is considered a mentor by many students, and he invests in students’ lives, building relationships that run deeper than teacher and student.
“He and his wife both have really ministered to me and kind of adopted me into their family, which is just a huge blessing,” Maddie Ann Story, a junior at MC, said. “I think his presence is so unwavering. Whenever you see Dr. Parke there, you know that it’s fine.”
Parke acknowledges MC as an abundant blessing in his life. He loves teaching the Bible and is thankful that he has a job that pays him to do what he would gladly do for free. His wife also taught on campus in the Department of Math and Computer Science, and both of his children graduated from MC. He loves both his students and colleagues and considers himself lucky to know them.
“I teach the best students on campus,” Parke said. “I teach the best material on campus. Not because of who I am but because it’s God’s Word.”
His willingness to serve others and passion for scripture does not go unnoticed. Both students and colleagues have been blessed by his wisdom and guidance.
“I remember when I was getting ready to graduate and go to seminary,” Lenow said. “He wanted to make sure that I knew he was proud of what I was doing and was encouraging me to go on and pursue my graduate education.”
Over his time at MC, he has been nominated twice as the Distinguished Professor from the School of Christian Studies and the Arts. The 2014 Tribesman was dedicated to him, and he also received the 2018 SGA Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award. He is also a sponsor for Shawreth Men’s Service Club and has authored two books: Reclaiming the Real Jesus and When Life Meets the Soul.
“I think he brings such a passion for what he does,” Storey said. “As an education major, I can kind of see him as a friend, obviously, but I can also respect him even more as a teacher because he cares so much about what he is teaching. He brings passion in his own special way because he’s not the loudest, he’s not the most extravagant, but I think because of that, when he says something, it holds a lot more weight.”
Recently, Parke was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gherig’s Disease. Despite the trials he has faced with his health, he remains an inspiration to his students and colleagues as he continues to fervently teach the Bible.
“Do what you can when you can as God leads,” Parke said. “We have no idea the next moment. Live this moment to the fullest, no regrets, not for yourself, but according to his perfect plan.”
In light of his diagnosis, he has come to view each day as a gift, aiming to live each moment intentionally.
“Jesus himself said tomorrow has enough trouble for its own,” Parke said. “So I thank God for each day, living moment by moment, which is how we all should live. I’ve lived a good life, and I’ve been blessed. God owes me nothing.”
His prayer is that God would be glorified through his life even as he experiences his trials. His hope is that others are inspired and comforted by his story, and he has already seen God answering these prayers.
Prior to his illness, Parke spent time outside the classroom on walks or working in the yard, also enjoying music and playing the piano.
He loves sports, especially college football, and his favorite team is the Ohio State Buckeyes. His favorite book is What’s So Amazing About Grace by Phillip Yancey, but he also enjoys Edgar Allen Poe and Earnest Hemingway. His favorite movies include Silence of the Lambs, Gettysburg, Alien, and Predator.
He has visited the Holy Land four times but would love to go again.
“[It’s] my favorite place to be if I’m not on my couch,” Parke said.
On March 27, 2025, Parke presented the MC Mortar Board Honor’s Society Lecture at 6 p.m. in Swor Auditorium in Nelson Hall. The lecture was highly attended. It was Parke’s second time to present the Last Lecture, his first time being in 2017.
A month later, on the morning of April 24, 2025, Parke was awarded both the SGA Award for outstanding faculty members and named the 2025 Distinguished Professor of the Year.
Parke sees it all as an opportunity glorify God. He strives to live by the words of John 3:30: “He must increase; I must decrease.”
“I need to get out of the way, and let God do what only God can," Parke said. “It's not about me, my will, my preference, my wants — no. My prayer has been, ‘God, use me. Glorify yourself through me. And now, I’ll, God, display your works on me, your canvas.’”
 | A guest post by
|