Tony Celelli

Co-Pastor

Office: 512-863-6576

Tony Celelli became President of the Stark College and Seminary (SCS), formerly South Texas School of Christian Studies, in November 2005 and will celebrate 19 years in November. His personal motto, “faithful with the small things, then faithful with much” is a reflection of his tenure at SCS. Much progress has been made during Dr. Celelli’s presidency. For example, SCS previously offered programs through partnerships with Howard Payne University and then Hardin-Simmons University for its degrees, but as of February of 2018 SCS attained national accreditation. A process that normally takes ten years was achieved and completed in only five. 

Fast forward to the summer of 2024 and SCS students now enjoy accredited programs for the Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor and Master degrees. Minority and mature students (most over the age of 45) are equipped with the tools necessary to be leaders in their churches and community. Additionally, SCS expanded into more educationally underserved areas by purchasing a second campus in McAllen, Texas as well as opening four other teaching sites in South Texas. In 2020, SCS experienced its highest enrollment to date thereby allowing twice as many students and leaders the opportunity to be educated. Dr. Celelli’s strategic guidance has not only increased enrollment, but strengthened the college’s financial position. SCS’s financial assets have increased by 67% with an additional five million dollars added to the endowment all the while remaining a debt free institution.

Dr. Celelli is a sought after speaker for conferences, retreats, seminars, and workshops in the areas of leadership, ethics, applied justice, and philosophy. He regularly preaches across South Texas, serves in interim pastorates, and consults with churches and businesses on matters of doctrine, staffing, ethics, and leadership. Some of the organizations he has served include but are not limited to the Corpus Christi Police Department, CHRISTUS-Spohn Health System, HighGround Advisors, Military Chaplaincy Training, and the Hispanic Education Initiative.

Tony graduated from Hardin-Simmons University with a double major in Applied Theology and Psychology, Logsdon Seminary with a Master of Divinity, and Dallas Baptist University with a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies/Applied Ethics. Tony has served as trustee and member of various organizations and committees including Christian Education Activities Corporation, Baptist General Convention of Texas, Christus Spohn Hospital System Ethics Committee, South Texas Ethics Partners at Driscoll Children’s Hospital and Christus Spohn Hospital, the Hispanic Education Initiative of Texas Baptists, and is a member of the Corpus Christi Mustangs, a charitable organization whose members volunteer their time and resources to help other charities raise money.

Tony has been married to Deanne Smith Celelli for 33 years and they have two sons: Ren and his
wife Jessica, and daughter Airibelle, live in Bryan, and Castleton and his wife Natalie, live in the Grapevine. Tony and Deanne enjoy boating and traveling with their family.