Truett-McConnell College, a Southern Baptist school in Cleveland, Ga., named a former Muslim as its president Friday.

Emir Caner, a professor of history at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and dean at an associated school, the College at Southwestern, will take over Aug. 18.

"[God] spoke to me and said this is the place to be," Caner said by phone.

Truett-McConnell has about 400 students. Southern Baptists are among the more conservative Christians.

Caner said he hopes to grow the school to 2,000 or more students in five to 10 years.

The Rev. John Yarbrough, a college trustee, said Caner was chosen from 11 candidates.

Caner's academic and management experience and his knowledge of other cultures will help Truett-McConnell turn out students loyal to their beliefs and engaged in their own culture, he said.

Caner, whose father is Turkish, grew up as a devout Muslim. He converted to Christianity in 1982. He and his brother, Ergun Caner, who also converted and is a theology professor at Liberty University in Virginia, have become well-known in conservative religious circles as defenders of Christianity and for their willingness to debate about Christianity's primacy over Islam.

Emir Caner has made many TV appearances and has written six books, including "Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs," that have sold more than 200,000 copies.