Former SWBTS Professor Matt Queen Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges, Faces 5 Years in Prison
Former professor and interim provost at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS), Matthew Queen, has pled guilty to one charge of making false statements to the FBI, less than one month before his trial was to begin.
Earlier this year, the Department of Justice indicted Queen on charges of obstructing justice, with FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith explaining:
“Queen…allegedly failed to inform the FBI of a conspiracy to destroy evidence related to the ongoing investigation of sexual misconduct and instead produced falsified notes to investigators.”
Queen has been a prominent figure in Southern Baptist circles, particularly known for his role at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Queen held the prestigious L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism, also known as the “Chair of Fire,” at SWBTS.
His tenure at the seminary began in 2010, following his service in pastoral ministry in North Carolina. Queen was highly regarded for his dedication to evangelism, often participating in and leading efforts to share the gospel within the community and beyond.
While at SWBTS, Queen was a regular commentator on evangelism within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). He emphasized the importance of obedience in evangelism, encouraging Christians to actively overcome their fears and engage in gospel conversations.
In February 2024, Queen announced his return to pastoral ministry in his home state of North Carolina. He was called to serve as the pastor of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro, but was put on leave following the indictment.
Sentencing for Queen is set for Feb. 26, 2025. According to federal sentencing guidelines, he faces five years in prison, but given his status as a first-time offender, he likely faces 1 to 3 years.
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