The Rev. Mark Forrester has assumed the role of Vanderbilt University chaplain and director of the Office of Religious Life.

Forrester has been a United Methodist chaplain affiliated with the university’s Office of Religious Life since 1994. Previously, he was a United Methodist campus minister and director of The Wesley Foundation at Austin Peay State University. He also served as an ordained deacon/elder under full-time appointment to the local church in Nashville, serving five local churches as minister and associate minister for eight years.

During his 18 years at Vanderbilt, Forrester’s work has included counseling students about personal issues and helping them explore questions of faith. He has provided pastoral support in times of crisis as well as officiated worship and public prayer services and created and coordinated educational and community service opportunities for students.

Forrester also has been responsible for the administration of The Wesley Foundation at Vanderbilt.