Moody Bible Institute has announced that Dr Mark Jobe will be taking the helm as its 10th president. 

Dr Jobe is the founding pastor of New Life Community Church in Chicago and an alum of Moody Bible Institute, having completed his Master's there. 

New Life Community Church started out with a small congregation of 18 people when it first started meeting on the southwest side of Chicago in 1986.  Today, it has more than 5,000 members and holds services across 27 locations. 

In addition to pastoring a flourishing church, Dr Jobe founded New Life Centers in 2005, which runs programs addressing issues like gang violence, teen pregnancy and unemployment in Chicago's underserved communities. 

He is also the author of 'Unstuck: Out of Your Cave into Your Call', and host of the daily radio program 'Straight Talk' on Moody Radio Chicago 90.1 FM.

He will be the 10th president since the institute's founding in 1886 by Dwight L Moody when he takes up his new role on January 2, 2019. 

His appointment was confirmed by Greg Thornton, interim president of Moody Bible Institute, and Randy Fairfax, chair of the Board of Trustees, after a six month search. 

Fairfax said Dr Jobe's appointment was the answer to prayers.

'His clarity of vision, humble nature, passion, and strong track record of ministry growth will bring a palpable energy to the Moody family,' he said.

'Coupled with his commitment to the Scriptures, personal integrity and prayerful approach, he will foster unity, trust and drive us forward in our mission to equip people in the truth of God's Word to impact the world for Christ.'

Dr Jobe said he was 'deeply humbled' to be taking on the role of president at the historic institute.  He said he would lead Moody with 'an unwavering commitment to the Word of God and with a compassionate heart to impact our world with the love of God'.

'Moody has had a powerful spiritual impact on Chicago as well countless people throughout the world for over a century. It continues to have a strong passion to train men and women of character who are biblically-grounded, gospel-centered, full of faith and ready to be agents of change in this world,' he said.