WAKE FOREST, N.C. — On April 14 and 15, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) and Judson College welcomed the Southeastern Society (SES) and board of trustees to campus for their biannual meeting. During the two-day event, trustees and SES members received encouraging updates on institutional life, heard stories of God’s faithfulness within the Southeastern community, and joined in the celebrations of this year’s Commissioning Chapel.

During the first plenary session and presidential address on Monday morning, President Danny Akin highlighted a continued increase in overall enrollment and engagement for both the seminary and Judson College.

This growth includes the work of theological education overseas, where, this May, more than 30 Farsi-speaking students will graduate with either a theological bachelor’s or master’s degree from Southeastern — both offered completely in Farsi.

Akin also highlighted the unwavering missional emphasis of the institution, thanking SES members for their faithful support of the Great Commission and Southeastern’s work to equip laborers for the harvest.

Akin shared that 216 Southeastern students currently serve on the mission field through the International Mission Board (IMB), and because of the SES, almost all of them have received scholarships. Furthermore, for children of IMB missionaries, Akin shared, “We have given in the last seven years more than five million in IMB scholarships.”

Akin shared about the recent passing of Jim Shaddix, senior professor of preaching at Southeastern, who went home to be with the Lord after a year of battling severe brain cancer. Southeastern has deeply felt the loss of Shaddix and grieved with his family, knowing also that he has found healing and fullness of joy in the presence of his Savior.

Following Akin’s remarks in the morning, SES members heard encouraging reports of God’s faithfulness to Southeastern as the student population continues to grow, resulting in a 20% increase in enrollment for Judson College in the past year and with comparable if not higher numbers in sight for the coming fall.

In the seminary, enrolled credit hours have increased since 2023, and most encouragingly, the Master of Divinity (MDiv) program, Southeastern’s flagship degree, has continued to grow over the past three years.

Plenary session two

During the second plenary session, trustees voted on and unanimously approved a number of curriculum updates and revisions, including changes to both the MDiv and Master of Arts cores.

Trustees also approved updates and revisions to undergraduate curriculum, including new minors in Christian counseling and worship ministry, a major in Christian ministry and a BA-MDiv in worship ministry.

The Bachelor of Arts in Christian ministry will prepare students to lead and serve in a variety of ministry contexts, and the Bachelor of Arts to MDiv in worship ministry will allow students to study biblical and theological foundations of Christian worship and build skills in music and leadership for worship ministry in the local church.

In addition, trustees approved several updates and revisions to advanced curriculums. These changes included the addition of a new Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in chaplaincy, which will equip chaplains for their unique work of ministry and leadership.

Trustees also approved a new DMin post-doctoral certificate which will afford current doctoral graduates the opportunity to continue their studies and further hone their ministry skills. Additionally, trustees approved a new Master of Theological Studies (MTS) to DMin track for international students in cross-cultural settings who are participating in an approved Global Theological Initiatives cohort.

In addition to curriculum changes, trustees unanimously voted to approve two faculty promotions: John Burkett to associate professor of rhetoric and composition and Walter Strickland to associate professor of systematic and contextual theology. Both men have served exceptionally as members of the faculty, representing the academic rigor and missional spirit of Southeastern in their teaching and mentoring of students.

During their session, trustees not only heard reports from staff and faculty but also got to hear from students about their spiritual formation on campus. Trustees celebrated the spiritual vibrancy of Judson and Southeastern students who demonstrate a strong commitment to evangelism in the surrounding community and discipleship on campus and in their local churches.

Trustees also unanimously approved the installment of the following four endowment funds:

• David Flynn DeForest Student Aid Fund, established to provide financial aid to students at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level
• Warren Landscaping and Maintenance Fund, put in place to address landscaping needs on Southeastern property
• Thomas G. Brown Student Aid Fund, established to provide financial aid to both college and seminary students
• Mary Ellen Morgan Medical Emergency Fund, installed to provide aid to college and seminary students who experience medical emergencies during their time in school

Finally, trustees nominated officers for the 2025-2026 year: Carlos Goodrich was reelected as chairman; Andy Taylor was reelected as vice chairman; David White was reelected as treasurer; and Tim Dale was elected as secretary.

Trustees also acknowledged and honored two of their members who are rotating off the board this year after faithfully serving the institution: Rusty Small and Ann White. During chapel on Tuesday, both trustee members were celebrated and awarded a Great Commission globe in honor of their service.

Southeastern family banquet

On Monday evening, SES members and the Southeastern community gathered for fellowship and celebration of the 30-year anniversary of the SES. In God’s goodness, SES members’ investment in and support of Southeastern’s mission have paid dividends over the past three decades through the lives of countless students and their families.

Caleb Iverson, an alumnus and current doctoral student at Southeastern, shared his own testimony and reflected on the many moments that have shaped him during his time at Southeastern — all made possible through the generosity of society members.

“I stand here as a representative of our students, thousands of students now,” Iverson said, “that have gone through Southeastern, have been trained, have been equipped — and I just want to say thank you on their behalf. Because it’s through your generosity, it’s through your support, that God has provided a space for these many moments to happen. And it’s through these accumulations of moments that students have been trained to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.”

Akin followed Iverson’s testimony with a celebratory reflection on the past 30 years and the many areas of growth that Southeastern has witnessed because of the support of the society. These included the establishment of eight new endowed chairs, the creation of four academic centers, and the founding of Global Theological Initiatives to further theological education around the world. Furthermore, in all of this, SES has made possible the continued financial support of thousands of students, including hundreds of IMB missionaries.

“You will not know, until you’re in heaven, the impact that you made for the cause of Christ around the world,” Akin told society members. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you will hear from the heavenly Father, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You did what you could do, and then I took it and did far more than you could have ever hoped or imagined.’”

Following Akin’s remarks, Chuck Lawless, senior professor of evangelism and missions, gave the keynote address in which he reflected on the role of partnership in his own life and amongst believers as a primary means for the advancement of the gospel.

“Here’s what I want you to know,” Lawless told attendees. “We get to do this work because of partners like you.

“Our graduates get to do what they do and our students of future generations will get to do what they do,” Lawless said, “because you and others who come after you support our work through this institution and through your local churches. And I — and we, as a faculty — we get to do this. And faculties of the future, who follow after us, will get to do this because of folks like you: partners.”

SES faculty talks

The following morning after breakfast, SES members had the opportunity to hear from Southeastern faculty members Allan Moseley and Ben Holloway about God’s work in their lives and how he brought them to Southeastern.

Moseley, senior professor of Old Testament in Hebrew, shared about his call to ministry in the local church and eventually to the work of theological education. He shared about his passion for teaching and the joy of equipping students.

He gave an example of a conversation he had with one of his Hebrew classes a few years ago: “I wish you guys could see yourselves the way I see you,” he told them. “Because I’ve seen so many students come through and then graduate and go on to do great things for God. I know that’s what’s going to happen to this crew in front of me.”

SES members then heard from Holloway, assistant professor of philosophy at Judson, who shared how God stirred in his heart a passion for the gospel and eventually brought him to Southeastern where his love for philosophy and passion for the local church could exist side by side. He also shared about the importance of philosophy and apologetics and how they act as a vital support to the work of theology and the church.

Drew Davis, director of financial and alumni development, expressed gratitude at the incredible impact this group has made on the school, stating, “It started with 22 faithful men and women on March 13, 1995, who set out to raise $25 million for the long-term sustainability of Southeastern. By God’s grace and kindness has grown to 674 Great Commission-minded supporters who have given in excess of $66 million. Because of your giving, generations of graduates are going to their neighbors and the nations with the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Following the faculty talks, SES members joined the Southeastern community for this spring’s commissioning chapel.

Commissioning Chapel

At Southeastern, commissioning chapel is an annual celebratory occasion in which the Southeastern community prays for students and their families who are going to the mission field. These students are sent and commissioned by their local churches, many of whom had members in attendance during chapel.

Akin gave the commissioning chapel address this year, preaching a message titled, “Lord, I am Going; Please Open the Door” from Colossians 4:2-6. Akin concluded his message with a prayer to consider and bring before God.

“Lord, help me say the right words at the right time in the right way to the right person and always for the right reason. Give me not only gospel words but gospel sensitivity as I go.”

This spring, more than 40 students and their families were lifted up in prayer as they prepare to go out on the mission field either with the North American Mission Board or with the IMB.