KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) — More than 300 graduates of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) and Spurgeon College received their degrees on Dec. 6 during the school’s 76th commencement exercises.
In addition to awarding diplomas, President Jason Allen presented several special recognitions and delivered the commencement address, celebrating the incarnation of Christ for salvation.
Opening the ceremony with a word of welcome and a reading of Matthew 1:18-25, Allen said, “To gather here in December for a Christmas commencement is always an added joy as we celebrate the coming of our Lord and His first advent.”
He went on to say, “Many in the room today are going to the mission field and to serve churches. Others are going to the marketplace to engage in business, teaching or other work and to do so with an intention to be especially serviceable for the kingdom of Christ. That is a good and noble calling.”
Allen’s address focused on Matthew 1:21, which announces the saving mission of the incarnate Son of God.
“I choose this verse because it encapsulates the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said. “It represents why all these men and women have chosen to study here and are graduating today.”
The address highlighted three key facets of the incarnation, beginning with the significance of Christ’s virgin birth. “It is essential to the saving work of God,” Allen said.
Noting that human sin nature makes it impossible for people to atone for their own sins, he continued, “Only the Son of God, born of a virgin, free from that sin nature, can live a sinless life and thus die a death for sinners throughout this room and around the world.”
Allen then pointed out the importance of the name Jesus for identifying Christ’s assignment from His Father to be the Savior of the world. Explaining the name’s meaning, “‘Yahweh is salvation,’” he said, “This is the most beautiful, the most perfect and the most appropriate name that could be given to this baby.”
Finally, Allen drew attention to the effect of Jesus’ saving work: salvation of His own people from their sins.
“His people are all those throughout all the ages who have repented of their sins and placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “They are those people throughout all the ages whom the Father set His love on, whom the Spirit has convicted and called, and whom the Son has died for.”
Allen concluded with an invitation for guests in the room who do not know Christ to embrace Him as Savior. “That’s the greatest Christmas gift you can give a family member,” he said. “That’s the greatest Christmas gift you can give yourself.”
Following the commencement address, 347 degrees/certificates were awarded to undergraduate, master’s and doctoral-level graduates of Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College.
In a special presentation, the degree of doctor of ministry in leadership was awarded posthumously to Julian Pizarro. Pizarro served as pastor of Spanish ministries at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos, California. He passed away in October, having completed his degree requirements.
Presenting the degree to Pizarro’s wife, Jessica Pizarro, Allen said, “This institution is proud of Julian, his service more broadly in ministry and the degree he completed here. Thus, it is not just my duty, but it is my real honor to present this degree to you on behalf of this institution, in honor of Julian.”
In addition to diplomas, awards were presented to seven graduates. Tiara Pérez received the Spurgeon College Ministry Award, and Bethany Risher received the Spurgeon College Marketplace Award. From Midwestern Seminary, Scott Johns received the Biblical Studies Award, Terry Wall received the Theological Studies Award, and Noah Johnson received the Applied Theology Award.
In addition, David Hamlet received the Spurgeon College For the Kingdom Award, and Daniel Faulkner received the Midwestern Seminary For the Church Award. These two awards are presented to the members of each graduating class who achieved the highest grade point average of their respective degree levels.
Finally, Allen honored J. Alan Branch, professor of Christian ethics, for his 23 years of service to Midwestern Seminary. Earlier this fall, Branch was called to serve as lead pastor of First Baptist Church at the Villages in The Villages, Florida.
To conclude the ceremony, Allen delivered a charge to graduates from the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. The prayer of benediction was led by Chad McDonald, senior pastor of Lenexa Baptist Church in Lenexa, Kansas.
To watch the graduation ceremony, click here.
