Sena, Hadaway to retire; Achucarro named director of Spanish Studies

By Brett Fredenberg, MBTS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) recently marked a season of transition and celebration, recognizing decades of faithful service from two beloved faculty members while welcoming a new leader to carry forward the mission of theological education for the Spanish-speaking world.

President Jason Allen announced the appointment of Arnaldo Achucarro as assistant dean and director of Spanish Studies, succeeding Bobby Sena, who retires after a distinguished career of faithful ministry. Also recognized was Robin Hadaway, who concluded more than 20 years of service at Midwestern Seminary, where he has shaped countless students for global missions.

“These transitions are a reminder of the Lord’s ongoing kindness to Midwestern Seminary,” Allen said. “In Drs. Sena and Hadaway, we have been privileged to serve alongside men whose lives have been wholly devoted to the Great Commission. And in Dr. Achucarro, we see a leader uniquely equipped to build upon their legacy and lead Midwestern Seminary’s Spanish Studies programs into a new season of growth.”

Sena retires as director of Spanish Studies and professor of ministry, concluding a ministry career spanning nearly six decades. He has served the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) as a pastor, missionary, church planter, evangelism consultant and denominational leader across Texas, Georgia and the broader Hispanic world.

“Dr. Sena’s passion for the gospel, love for the Hispanic church, and commitment to theological education have left an indelible mark,” said Allen. “Though his work at Midwestern often took place off campus, his presence at faculty gatherings was always a highlight. His zeal for the Word and the church radiates in every conversation.”

Hadaway, senior professor of missions, also retires this spring after more than 20 years at Midwestern. A veteran missionary with the International Mission Board, Hadaway spent 18 years planting churches and training leaders across North Africa, Tanzania, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay. He served as regional leader for eastern South America, overseeing 350 missionaries.

Prior to his missionary service, Hadaway was a U.S. Air Force officer and a pastor in California and Arizona.

“Robin Hadaway is a man of mission — through and through,” Allen said. “He served as Midwestern’s interim president during a pivotal season, and in every role he’s held — professor, administrator, missionary, friend — he’s carried himself with conviction, humility, and grace. Your life has been one long ‘yes’ to the Great Commission. We love you and are deeply grateful for your ministry.”

Achucarro, who will succeed Sena, now serves as assistant dean and director of Spanish Studies and assistant professor of Christian studies. Since joining Midwestern Seminary, Achucarro has played an instrumental role in the growth and development of Spanish Studies in theological education.

“I love working in an environment where I get to interact with students and colleagues, dive deep into theology, and see our students grow academically as they prepare to serve the local church,” Achucarro said. “Midwestern Seminary is equipping leaders for the church — and that includes the global Spanish-speaking church.”

Under his leadership, the Spanish Studies program will aim to expand certificate, master’s, and doctoral offerings with new emphases. The team is also planning to launch Midwestern’s first academic theology journal in Spanish, partner more intentionally with seminaries in Latin America and Spain, and grow student recruitment through the For the Church on the Road conference series.

“Our vision is bold,” Achucarro said. “We want to become the leading seminary for Spanish-speaking students around the world — offering rigorous academics, pastoral mentorship, and a deep love for Christ’s church.”

For more information about Midwestern Seminary’s Spanish Studies program, visit mbts.edu/spanish.

Fusion program at commissions 13 teams for overseas service

By Michaela Classen, MBTS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Thirteen teams of students from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) and Spurgeon College will spend summer 2025 following the Great Commission in Africa, Asia and Europe.

At a special chapel service April 23, the campus community commissioned these students, marking their successful completion of rigorous spiritual, physical and practical training through the institution’s Fusion programs.

“The Fusion Commissioning Service is one of the most encouraging events in the academic year at Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College,” said President Jason Allen. “To see young men and women commissioned for international missions to hard places after completing an intensive 9-month training program is incredibly moving. These students are committed to taking the gospel to the nations, and I am so proud of them.”

Launched in 2005, the Fusion program at Spurgeon College exists to equip believers for a lifetime of Kingdom service by training students to make disciples of all nations through a one-year immersive program. In 2022, the Fusion Masters cohort was established at Midwestern Seminary to equip graduate students with further theological and practical preparation for career missionary service.

At the end of each academic year, Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College sends several Fusion teams overseas and celebrates the completion of their training through the commissioning ceremony.

Welcoming guests to Wednesday’s ceremony, Midwestern Seminary Provost Jason Duesing said, “This is one of the highlights of our academic year. It’s so great to see so many family, friends, church members, and others come here to support the sending off of these young men and women to the ends of the earth for the summer part of their Fusion program.”

Following Duesing’s welcome, Erik Odegard, assistant professor of intercultural studies and director of Fusion, explained the purpose of the ceremony.

“We want to take an opportunity to acknowledge that God has set these students apart for these few months to be witnesses to His glory among the nations,” he said, adding, “They are called, as a transcendent cause over their lives, to make disciples of all nations no matter where the Lord might place them, no matter what job they might hold. This is their call for the rest of their lives, until they see Jesus appear and we meet Him face to face.”

Read the full story here.