Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Danny Akin.
Akin celebrates Great Commission stories in SEBTS report
By Chad Burchett/SEBTS
NEW ORLEANS (BP) — During his report at the SBC annual meeting, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary President Danny Akin celebrated the school’s efforts into expanding Great Commission impact.
Akin reported that Southeastern commissioned 41 students and families this spring to serve internationally as missionaries, joining the 94 current Southeastern students already serving with the International Mission Board. These 41 units were accompanied by 18 students and families who were also commissioned to serve in church planting and revitalization ministries through the North American Mission Board.
These 18 units join thousands of Southeastern alumni already serving across North America, who are nurturing Great Commission churches to have a heart for the nations.
“Southeastern Seminary continues to send in large numbers men and women to the hard places, and we could not do that without your assistance,” Akin told messengers during his report. “Most of those students are on some level of scholarship – many of them are fully being scholarshiped.”
Thanks to several generous donors, many residential MDiv students at Southeastern can receive full tuition scholarships as they study on campus.
Akin also noted two uniquely encouraging examples of Southeastern’s programs that receive full scholarship funding to train students in hard-to-reach places.
Southeastern recently celebrated its third graduation in its North Carolina Field Minister Program, commissioning 14 incarcerated men to be ambassadors of the Gospel by biblically counseling and mentoring the incarcerated population of North Carolina. These 14 graduates join Southeastern’s 35 already-deployed field ministers to now serve 11 different facilities across North Carolina.
Those efforts are shown specifically at the Foothills Correctional Institution in Morganton, whose population includes many juveniles.
“The Biblical Recorder reported that on April 27, 21 of these teenagers and young men had put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and had been baptized into our Lord’s name,” recounted Akin. “Southeastern has four field ministers who are there, ministering among that prison population. That is just a token of what is now happening across the North Carolina prison system.”
Akin spoke of his recent experience in Istanbul, Turkey, where he attended the historic commencement ceremony for Southeastern’s first graduating class of 23 students in its Persian Leadership Development (PLD) program.
Offering the world’s first fully-accredited biblical and theological bachelor’s and master’s degree completely in Farsi, Southeastern’s PLD program now includes more than 3,500 Farsi-speaking students from around the world.
Akin noted that Southeastern’s PLD program beautifully embodies its Great Commission mission by training Persian Christians to make disciples in the hardest-to-reach places in the world, including Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
The PLD program is an important part of Southeastern’s Global Theological Initiatives (GTI) — a strategic effort to equip strategically positioned leaders of the global church to make disciples and strengthen local churches around the world.
After two years of raising more than $5 million in charitable giving, Southeastern raised in excess of $6 million for the first time in its history.
This year, Southeastern not only welcomed its largest college and seminary preview day groups in the history of the institution, but also expects one of its largest ever incoming college and seminary classes.
Theological education ‘matters now more than ever,’ Dew tells messengers
By Marilyn Stewart/NOBTS
NEW ORLEANS (BP) — Jamie Dew, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College president, greeted messengers by expressing how glad he was Southern Baptists had come to New Orleans and how “delightful” it had been to host them.
Noting the uniqueness of the city, Dew said New Orleans has “everything,” from diversity in religious beliefs, brokenness and opportunity, and wealth and poverty.
“We have said from day one that we believe that if you can do ministry in our city, you can do ministry anywhere,” Dew said, “because this city brings everything to bear on your formation and on your ministry.”
Dew thanked Southern Baptists for entrusting him, his family and his team with the responsibility of preparing students for ministry and for their continued support through Cooperative Program giving. Serving alongside hardworking Southern Baptist churches that are humble and faithful to Christ gives him “hope and pride,” Dew said, adding that NOBTS and Leavell College are committed to preparing students to support SBC churches well.
Pointing to culture’s chaotic condition, Dew said there are wrong ideas at every turn.
“Theological education matters now more than ever before … correcting those lies, those mistruths with the truth of God’s Word is absolutely essential,” Dew said.
Training up a new generation that are theologically sound and willing to “go into the darkness” is crucial Dew said. Dew expressed his gratitude for the six “wonderful” Southern Baptist seminaries that are committed to that work.
Dew explained that the NOBTS mission statement is a commitment to prepare servants “to walk with Christ, proclaim His truth, and fulfill His mission,” a task that is accomplished by instilling into students’ “DNA” the principles of servanthood, devotion, proclamation, and mission.
As followers of Jesus, believers must follow Christ’s example and become a servant to others, Dew said. Dew pledged that the seminary takes the job of implanting these principles into students’ lives “very seriously.”
“My dear friends, I want you to know that we get up every single day and give ourselves to doing the work you put us there to do,” Dew said. “It’s a tremendous honor and a privilege. You’ve given me the best job in the whole world.”
Dew responded to two questions from the floor.
Rodney King, a messenger from Laurel Creek Baptist Church, Rock Island, Tennessee, expressed gratitude that slavery had been abolished and then asked, “Would we allow a special class of people to be exempt from the law that abolished slavery. If we won’t do that, why do we allow a special group of people to murder their unborn children with impunity?”
Dew responded that he did not know the specific group of people the question referred to, but said, “I would simply say with you, we share to the core of our being a commitment to end abortion as soon as possible. We are deeply committed to a pro-life agenda and everything we can [do] to eradicate that.” Dew added that students and members of the faculty and administration serve and volunteer in pro-life organizations in the city.
Simeon Salve, Franklin Baptist Church, Franklin, Arkansas, asked, “How does one apply to NOBTS?”
“Nobts.edu or come talk to me today, my friend, and we will get you hooked up very quickly,” Dew responded.
Dockery harkens to the past, highlights present markers of ‘God’s blessings’
By Ashley Allen/SWBTS
NEW ORLEANS – With a pledge to continue the best of its Baptist and evangelical heritage, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President David S. Dockery harkened to the Fort Worth institution’s “foundational convictions regarding Scripture and the Gospel” in his June 14 report to Southern Baptist Convention messengers in New Orleans.
Dockery said the institution has carried forward the convictions of its founder, B.H. Carroll, for 115 years “with an unapologetic commitment to the truthfulness, authority, and sufficiency of Scripture with conviction regarding the faith once for all delivered to the saints and our shared Baptist distinctives” adding this “wonderful Southwestern heritage has emphasized careful biblical interpretation, thoughtful historical understanding, faithful theological formation, and practical ministry preparation.”
As his first report to the SBC as Southwestern’s president, Dockery was introduced to messengers by Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, who preceded him in the reports given by all six SBC seminary presidents. Mohler called Dockery an “evangelical scholar” and a “man of great character.” Mohler’s introduction was met with resounding applause from messengers.
Dockery said with O.S. Hawkins, chancellor and senior professor of pastoral ministry and evangelism, and Matt Queen, interim provost, professor of evangelism, and L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism (“Chair of Fire”), serving in their roles, messengers “could be assured” that Southwestern Seminary “will continue to prioritize the importance of Gospel proclamation, engaging evangelism, and international call to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to the nations.”
While noting “there is much to celebrate about Southwestern’s rich heritage,” Dockery said he was “delighted” to share about “God’s blessings on us” over the last eight and a half months.
Asking messengers to join the Southwestern community in prayer, Dockery shared that the institution has “celebrated a renewed commitment to prayer across the campus’’ as evidenced through regular campus-wide prayer gatherings that “remind us as an institution of our dependence, our total dependence, on God for carrying out our shared mission.”
Dockery highlighted the “Advance Southwestern: 2030” plan that was recently approved by the board of trustees, which he explained “clarifies the institution’s identity as a Great Commandment and Great Commission institution dedicated to a distinctive mission, six core values, by providing guidelines, priorities, and goals for every area of the institution in the days to come.”
Dockery also noted the 3,600 students in the last year who have been recipients of “outstanding teaching of the faculty of Southwestern Seminary” while also being “encouraged” by the 700 graduates during the 2022-2023 academic year who have been “well prepared for the next stage of their life and ministry calling.” Additionally, he noted an “increased total enrollment headcount,” adding, “we are hopeful for the days to come.”
Citing the “qualitative and quantitative” growth in the Mandarin Chinese, Hispanic and Korean programs at the seminary, and a program in Portuguese to begin this coming year, Dockery said, “With students enrolling from 60 different countries, Southwestern Seminary is truly an institution with a global reach far beyond anything that B.H. Carroll could have ever imagined.”
Dockery added that “much work” had taken place in “restructuring” the 2022-2023 annual budget “reducing both operational and personnel aspects of the budget in measurable ways.” He added the institution’s leadership will “continue to focus on budget and organizational restructuring as we enter the year to come as we recommit ourselves to institutional stewardship with a high priority given to this each and every day.”
Allen touches on theological, missional, operational responsibilities
By Brett Fredenberg/MBTS
NEW ORLEANS, (BP) – During the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, Midwestern Seminary President Jason Allen delivered the seminary report, highlighting the profound stewardship and blessing from the Lord in Kansas City.
Allen began by sharing his appreciation for Southern Baptists. Growing up in a Southern Baptist home, he expressed the longevity of his love for the denomination.
“I love Southern Baptists. I love getting to serve you,” he said. “Southern Baptists love the Scriptures, the Gospel, the Great Commission, and one another. I want to remind you today that we are accomplishing great things together for the cause of Christ.”
Having served as president of Midwestern Seminary for more than a decade, Allen shared with messengers the breadth of stewardship for a Southern Baptist theological institution, specifically in the areas of theological, missional and operational responsibility.
First, he spoke to the theological stewardship of Midwestern Seminary, saying, “The Baptist Faith and Message 2000 for us is an ongoing and active source of theological accountability. We advocate for it, cherish and defend it. We did so yesterday, we did so today and we will do so tomorrow as well.”
He also shared additional statements of faith that faculty and instructional staff are required to affirm; namely, the Danvers Statement on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy and the Nashville Statement on Human Sexuality.
“We affirm each of these because our culture has lost its mind,” he said. “In a time of confusion, we aim to be clear. As a theological institution, our first responsibility is theological.”
Second, Allen spoke to the missional stewardship of the seminary.
Midwestern Seminary exists for the Church, he reminded messengers. “Our primary calling is to train pastors, ministers and missionaries for Southern Baptist churches and the nations.”
Moreover, Allen announced that Midwestern Seminary has experienced an 11th consecutive year of enrollment growth.
“Ten years ago, we had around 1,100 students,” he said. “This year, we’ll finish with more than 5,100 students.”
Yet Allen reminded messengers that the work of theological education is far more than numbers. He said, “When we think of our work, we don’t just think of the numbers. We think of the young men and women being trained on our campus to serve your churches and to reach the nations for the cause of Christ.”
He shared of a new initiative to continue to maximize Midwestern Seminary’s impact on the nations through training missionaries for the Great Commission.
Midwestern Seminary’s “Missions Moonshot,” he explained, seeks to partner with the International Mission Board and produce 100 students that are going to the nations each year. With students in all 50 states and 64 countries, he expressed the seminary’s desire to continue to increase its reach for the sake of the lost.
Allen also shared about Midwestern Seminary’s For the Church Institute, an online training program for lay church members. More than 10,000 students in local churches are engaging in lay training through the FTC Institute as the seminary seeks to help strengthen church curriculum and discipleship work in those congregations.
Mohler urges continued faithfulness, honored for 30 years
By Jacob Percy/SBTS
NEW ORLEANS (BP) – During the president’s report for Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at the 2023 SBC Annual Meeting, President R. Albert Mohler, Jr. received heartfelt appreciation for his 30 years of dedicated service. Josh Powell, the current chairman of the Southern Seminary Trustee Board, expressed deep gratitude and announced that in December 2023, President Mohler will become the longest-serving president in the history of the seminary and the longest-serving leader of any SBC entity.
Speaking on behalf of the board, Powell said, “We want to express our gratitude for 30 years of unwavering leadership, commitment to biblical truth, and unwavering adherence to our confessional standards.” The crowd responded with a standing ovation.
Mohler began his report by extending his gratitude to the Southern Baptist community for the privilege of serving at Southern for three decades. He highlighted how the Lord has done more at Southern Seminary than he could ever have imagined as the seminary continues to have unprecedented enrollment and a secure financial future.
Drawing inspiration from 2 Timothy 2:15, Mohler urged the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention to remain steadfast in their commitment to faithfully handle the Word of truth. He emphasized the significance of nurturing the next generation of pastors, missionaries and Gospel ministers within their congregations. With passion, he declared, “Let us not forget that within your church right now, there may be a young boy whom God will call to preach. I pray that he, like myself, will be nurtured by faithful Southern Baptists to love the Word of God, embrace the Gospel, and encounter the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Mohler’s report encapsulated his deep appreciation for the Southern Baptist Convention and encouraged pastors and congregants alike to remain faithful in handling the Word of God as they seek to invest in the next generation of leaders.
Iorg highlights record giving to send students on mission
By Tyler Sanders/Gateway
NEW ORLEANS (BP) – During his address at the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, Gateway Seminary President Jeff Iorg reported a record graduating class and more than $3 million in special gifts in the 2022-23 academic year.
Between winter 2022 and spring 2023 commencement ceremonies, Gateway celebrated 348 graduates, the largest number in any year of the seminary’s history.
Gateway received a number of special donations since November 2022, including a $2 million gift that established the Go Grant Endowment fund. The Go Grant is reserved specifically to send eligible Gateway students on short-term mission trips.
“One of my dreams has been to provide hundreds of Gateway students a hands-on, international missions experience,” Iorg said.
“Now, with this endowment, we will be sending hundreds of students in the future.”
To qualify, a student only needs to have completed 20 credit hours in a core program at Gateway. The Go Grant will cover the cost of Gateway-sponsored mission trips, including travel, lodging, food and tuition for students who may earn class credit as part of the experience.
Iorg shared with messengers the value of providing students opportunities to go on mission trips.
“First, some students will be called to a lifetime of missionary service through these trips,” he said.
“Second, all students who serve internationally will have their worldview expanded and better understand the global Church.”
“Third, students who go on a mission trip – even if they later remain in the U.S. – will become more passionate advocates for missions because they have first-hand experience with the needs of the world.”
“Finally,” he said, “sending students and faculty on these trips helps keep our school centered on its mission of expanding God’s kingdom around the world.”
Additionally, Iorg said the Seminary received two unique, in-kind gifts.
Gateway professor Mike Kuykendall and his brother Terry donated a significant collection of historic Bibles.
“Dr. Michael Kuykendall retires this summer after 30 years as a professor of New Testament at Gateway,” Iorg said.
“He and his brother, Terry, have been gathering historic Bibles for many years and Gateway is grateful for the trust they have shown in donating their collection to us.”
Included in the 1,400 volumes are a first edition 1611 King James Version, a number of Bibles from the 1500s and an extensive assemblage of early American Bibles.
The seminary also received a Torah Scroll from Ken and Barbara Larson. It is 150 years old but is no longer kosher and therefore no longer usable in a synagogue. This is the third scroll in Gateway’s library collection.
“We use these [scrolls] to help students understand the transmission of the Old Testament throughout history and gain an immersive experience reading God’s Word in a unique format,” Iorg said.
Another important gift received by the seminary came from the estate of Leo and Joanna Rollins.
“The Rollins were rank-and-file Baptists who wisely managed their money,” he said.
The Baptist Foundation of California managed the Rollins estate. After the initial recipient of the proceeds of their estate passed away, Gateway received the balance of nearly $600,000.
“They are a good example for the rest of us. We all have the opportunity to leave a financial legacy,” Iorg said.
The seminary also received more than $300,000 in gifts to a variety of established scholarships.
Iorg reported more than $164 million in Cooperative Program funds have been given to the school since 1950, the year the SBC adopted Gateway Seminary.
“These gifts have provided the bedrock support that sustains our enrollment of more than 2,000 students every year,” Iorg said.
“Looking back is encouraging, but looking forward is our ever-present challenge. Thank you for your steadfast partnership as we celebrate God’s provision.”
