• RelD, Claremont School of Theology, California

• BA, Chapman College, California

Professional Experience: Dr. Payne is currently Final Project Director for BGU and an independent grant writer for non-profit organizations. He worked on the leadership team that founded the Northwest Graduate School in 1990 (now BGU), serving as dean from 1992 to 2001 and then president until 2003. Payne was the Adult Education Pastor at Overlake Christian Church in Washington, from 1986-1992, and previously served in other pastoral and school administration positions for several churches and schools in Oregon and California.