Life Pacific University is pleased to announce that Dr. Bill Oliverio has been appointed as Graduate Scholar Advisor, bringing with him a wealth of academic expertise, ministry leadership, and a deep commitment to Pentecostal scholarship.
Dr. Oliverio joins LPU with a distinguished background as an Associate Professor of Public Theology at Northwest University, where he taught graduate-level courses in faith integration across multiple disciplines. He earned his Ph.D. in Theology from Marquette University in 2009, an M.A. from Bethel Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from North Central University.
A widely respected theological scholar, Dr. Oliverio has published extensively on Pentecostal hermeneutics, interpretation theory, and the relationship of Christian faith to the modern world. His works include Theological Hermeneutics in the Classical Pentecostal Tradition (Brill, 2012/2014), Pentecostal Hermeneutics in the Late Modern World (Pickwick, 2022), and co-edited volumes such as The Pneumatological Imagination: A Theological Concern in Honor of Amos Yong (Brill, forthcoming in 2025), The Spirit Throughout the Canon: Pentecostal Pneumatology (Brill, 2022) and Constructive Pneumatological Hermeneutics in Pentecostal Christianity (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016). He also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Pneuma: The Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies. He has been a keynote speaker at The European Pentecostal Theological Association (2025), Trinity Bible College and Graduate School’s World Engagement Week (2024), Continental Theological Seminary (Belgium) Theology Colloquium (2024), and is slated for the Global Pentecostal Voices forum in Singapore in July 2026.
Beyond academia, Dr. Oliverio has served in pastoral ministry and academic leadership, including as Associate Academic Dean at The School of Urban Missions in California, Pastor of Immanuel Church (Assemblies of God) in Milwaukee, and Lecturer in Theology at Marquette University. He is an Assemblies of God minister and an active member of both the Society for Pentecostal Studies (a member of its executive committee) and the American Academy of Religion.
“What a gift Dr. Bill Oliverio is to LPU and to Christian higher education,” said President Angie Richey, PhD. “It is truly a blessing to have his voice, mentoring spirit, and steadfast commitment to the church shaping our students and strengthening our mission to equip Spirit-empowered leaders for transformative service in the church, the workplace, and the world.”
“We are grateful and honored to have Dr. Oliverio as part of the team. Professor, pastor, scholar, and high caliper Pentecostal leader. He is a friend of the university and during this season we are blessed to have him with us. We continue to pursue our vision to become a ‘Premier Pentecostal institution…’ and it is by having leaders such Bill that we are one step further.” Dr. Daniel Ruarte, Provost.
In his new role at Life Pacific University, Dr. Oliverio will guide graduate students in their academic journeys, provide scholarly mentorship, and strengthen the university’s commitment to academic excellence and spiritual formation in its graduate programs.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Oliverio to Life Pacific University,” said Sara Huson, VP of Enrollment Management and Marketing. “His scholarly contributions, pastoral heart, and deep commitment to Pentecostal theology will inspire and equip our graduate students as they pursue their calling in ministry, leadership, and scholarship.”
Dr. Steven Felix-Jager shared, “Dr. Oliverio has been an important voice in Pentecostal scholarship. Aside from his many years of service as a professor and pastor, he serves as editor-in-chief at Pneuma and has served in many leadership capacities for the Society for Pentecostal Studies. He has been a personal mentor to me, and I’m so excited he’ll be working with us at LPU!”
Dr. Oliverio resides in Sacramento with his wife and two sons. He enjoys sports, especially soccer, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
