The Great Commission Magazine of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Fall 2019

FALL 2019

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It’s more than a college.

It’s a calling.

The College at Southeastern equips students to give their lives for the cause of Christ in the Church, among the nations and in every aspect of society.

Come visit us or learn more at collegeatsoutheastern.com.

Wake Forest, NC /collegeSE

@DannyAkin

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT In 1994, the trustees of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary established The Southeastern Baptist Theological College to train young men and women for service to the Kingdom of God. In 2008, it was renamed as The College at Southeastern.

The College at Southeastern continues to grow as we develop a richer experience. Over the last six years, the enrollment at The College at Southeastern has more than doubled.

And the on-campus community has become more greatly enriched through the implementation of the House System, our under-

graduate resident life program, which has increased by 111 percent since it began three years ago.

Our undergraduate program is more than a college; it’s a calling. Our new dean, Dr. Scott Pace, has committed that we will continue to produce graduates who are firmly grounded in the truth, thoroughly trained in their field and spiritually prepared to engage the world on mission for Christ—and our school is well on its way. Across all of our undergraduate programs, we now have more than 1,200 students. This includes our Hunt Scholars, a unique group of students earning a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity degree in five years. In the last year we more than doubled our enrollment in this program and graduated our first students this year. It also includes our North Carolina Field Minister Initiative where we train men in the NC prison system for service to fellow inmates throughout our state. This program just welcomed its third cohort.

The future of Christian ministry is becoming more and more diverse. I’m encouraged by a growing movement of Christians with a variety of gifts, callings and careers who are called to be a part of God’s mission to make disciples of all nations. Whether our college students become lawyers, nurses, English teachers, missionaries, pastors or field ministers, God has a plan for them to be involved in his mission. And we want to be there to help them get ready.

On this quarter-century milestone, we are reflecting on God’s goodness to Southeastern, and we want to serve Him in training the next generation of students to honor King Jesus and be on His mission. We are equipping students to give their lives for the cause of Christ, in the church, among the nations and in every aspect of society. It is my joy to celebrate the 25th anniversary of our college, and I look toward its future with great anticipation.

Daniel L. Akin, President

Around Southeastern

Rebecca Hankins & Ryan Thomas

Preivous Page: Assistant Dean of Students for Women Missie Branch congratulates graduates of The College at Southeastern Top: Over the summer, Binkley Chapel had work completed to repair plaster for water damage and to update the interior with new colors that have brightened the space. Stealey Hall’s west entrance was expanded to add ADA-compliant access that ties into the historic architecture of the building. In addition glass doors were added to both sides that allow for incredible views of the campus as people approach either side.

Bottom: Visiting scholars Steve and Susan Booth of the Canadian Baptist Theological Seminary hosting an endof-week coffee break in the library

The Great Commission Magazine of

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Fall 2019 Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Wake Forest, NC

Contents Fall 2019

Read and share online! sebts.edu/magazine

What’s Happening at Southeastern 6 Southeastern at the Southern Baptist Convention

Daniel Akin President

8 Akin Exhorts Students to ‘Forsake All’ for Christ at Fall Convocation

Bruce Ashford Provost (sabbatical)

9 North Carolina Field Minister Program Celebrates Its Third Year

Keith Whitfield Acting Provost, Dean of Graduate Studies

10 Southeastern Offers Courses in Partnership with Church Answersand Revitalize Network 12 Southeastern Appoints New Faculty and Staff

Ryan Hutchinson Executive Vice President for Operations

13 Southeastern Remembers Alumna Gena Wilson

Art Rainer Vice President for Institutional Advancement

14 Southeastern Remembers M.O. Owens, Jr.

Financial and Alumni Development

15 Southeastern Remembers Eugene Smith

Jonathan Six, Director

16 Archives and the Church

George Harvey - General Counsel & Director of Planned Giving

18 Jamie Dew Encourages Students to Follow Selflessly After Christ During Fall Chapel Service

Drew Davis - Associate Director Chris Allen - Denom. Relations & Ministry Teams Coordinator

19 New and Upcoming Faculty Works

Michelle Ard - Events & Alumni Relations Coordinator Natan Carvalho - Data Management Coordinator Sharon Chung - Graphic Designer Jonathan Goforth - Development Officer Barbara Harvey - Administrative Assistant

Featured Stories 22

Jeff Hedgepeth - Grant Writer Luke Hinson - Administrative Assistant Becca Warren - Development Officer Billy Vernon - Administrative Assistant

Marketing and Communications

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Amy Whitfield, Director Griffin Gulledge - Associate Director Emily Flowers - Graphic Designer Rebecca Hankins - Photographer Kat Myers - Administrative Assistant

24 Meet Scott Pace, New Dean of The College at Southeastern

Lauren Pratt - News and Information Specialist

27 Studying in Community: A Note to My Fellow Students

Ryan Thomas - Lead Graphic Designer

29 Southeastern Celebrates First Two Graduates from the Hunt Scholars Program

Nathaniel Williams - Intersect Project Marketing Specialist

31 Education for Living

To inform us of address changes or if you would like to receive the magazine, please contact us at 919-761-2203 or e-mail alumni@sebts.edu.

32 College Students on Mission in Kentucky

Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20).

Southeastern is an institution of higher learning and a Cooperative Program ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention. Support comes through the gifts of the Cooperative Program and the individual friends of the seminary who provide assistance through wills, estates and trusts.

Great Commission Magazine of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (ISSN 2327-154X) is published

by Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary P.O. Box 1889 Wake Forest, NC 27588 www.sebts.edu

35 Generational Impact: Southeastern Parents and Donors Kenny and Debra Goetze

STORIES 38 Serving the Local Church Through Event Planning 40 Tourism Sparks Gospel Proclamation Among Unreached

At the Office 42 With Dr. Adrianne Miles

Financial and Alumni Development 48 A Letter from the Director | Jonathan Six, Director of Financial and Alumni Development

Visit us We would love for you to visit campus for a PREVIEWDAY or campus tour!

To arrange a visit, simply contact our Admissions office at 1-800-284-6317 or visit iamgoing.org.

Southeastern at the Southern Baptist Convention During the 2019 seminary presidential report, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) President Danny Akin celebrated the tremendous growth that has occurred in its enrollment and announced new partnerships, degree programs and staff changes within the seminary.

“If you ever walk on the campus of Southeastern Seminary you will immediately catch the DNA of our institution, which is the Great Commission,” said Akin.

Southeastern Seminary and The College at Southeastern have seen significant growth with a current non-duplicating headcount of 4,700 students.

Akin also celebrated the recently announced partnership between Church Answers and the Revitalize Network to offer an M.A. in church revitalization.

Akin reported that Scott Pace was appointed to succeed Jamie Dew as dean of The College at Southeastern.

Pace previously served as director of If you ever walk on the campus of the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Southeastern Seminary you will Leadership as well as assistant professor of preaching at SEBTS. immediately catch the DNA of our As a part of The College at Southinstitution, which is the eastern, Akin celebrated the Hunt Great Commission.

Scholars Program’s growth, which has doubled since its inception and saw its first two graduates in May 2019. The program is designed to provide both a and Game Plan for Life, the program Great Commission effectiveness Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divin- is fully funded to date. among Southeastern’s students, facity in pastoral ministry in as little as The Kingdom Diversity Initiative at ulty and staff. five years.

Southeastern, likewise, continues to Akin also highlighted the continua- grow. Since its inception, the nontion and growth of the North Carolina white student population has in- A time of worship and ref lection Field Minister Program, which allows creased by 50 percent and the female marked Southeastern’s 2019 Alumni long-term inmates in the North Caro- student population has increased by and Friends Luncheon. The luncheon lina prison system to receive a Bach- 40 percent. featured compelling Great Commiselor Arts in pastoral ministry through With so much growth occurring sion stories from four students and The College at Southeastern. In its within the institution, Akin an- alumni. third year, enrollment has risen to 80 nounced Southeastern’s launch of the Kambiz Saghaey, a current Doctor students with a 91 percent retention For the Mission campaign, a four- of Education student at SEBTS, was rate. In partnership with the North year campaign that addresses four the first to share his story of radical Carolina Department of Public Safety strategic initiatives that strengthen conversion and persecution while liv-

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

J.D. Greear addresses the Alumni and Friends Luncheon

ing in the Middle East. After experiencing persecution for his faith, Saghaey has an appreciation for the freedom he has to worship Christ in the United States and a desire to see Persian peoples trained to take the gospel to those who haven’t heard. He is doing this through his role as director of the Persian Leadership Development office at SEBTS, providing the world’s only fully accredited, theologically driven bachelor’s degree program delivered in Farsi.

The second Great Commission story came from Daniel Ritchie, an evangelist from Charlotte, North Carolina and a graduate from The College at Southeastern. Born at the brink of death and without both arms, the doctor encouraged his parents to go ahead and let him die at the hospital. While that “cast a big shadow” on his life, he explained that at age 15 he began to learn what the Bible said about his worth. He was called to preach at age 16.

Betsy Gomez, a student pursuing

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

her Master of Arts in Ministry to Women, also shared her story of how Jesus radically transformed her identity. Though she grew up in the church, it was not until later that a friend clearly communicated with her how the gospel shapes one’s identity. Before this, Gomez recalled that success was her idol. However, now she sees how the gospel is beautifully displayed both in the home and the workplace.

Gomez now works with Revive Our Hearts, a ministry led by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, where she equips women to thrive in their identity in Christ through teaching in Latin America and managing the media team and blog for Hispanic women.

Lastly, Jeff Struecker recounted how his time serving on the task force in Mogadishu, Somalia radically transformed his view of gospel urgency. During his time of service, he saw a friend and fellow soldier shot and killed while riding in the backseat of Streucker’s Humvee. The gravity of his friend’s eternity and the urgency

of the Great Commission loomed large in Struecker’s mind as a result of that experience. Struecker served for more than 22 years in the military and received his Ph.D. from SEBTS in 2015.

He now serves as lead pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Columbus, Georgia and an assistant professor of Christian leadership at SEBTS, teaching graduate and doctoral intensives.

This year’s fifth annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast, hosted by SEBTS, focused on how women in many stages of life have learned what it means to lead in their contexts by developing themselves and those under them for the glory of God. Missie Branch, director of graduate life and assistant dean of students to women at SEBTS, moderated the panel discussion. Panelists included Lesley Hildreth, women’s discipleship director at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Elizabeth Graham, director of events

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for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and owner of Yellow Brick Events in Nashville, Tennessee; Becky Gardner, chairwoman of the Board of Trustees for SEBTS and superintendent of Peoria Christian School in East Peoria, Illinois; and Betsy Gomez, writer and speaker for Revive Our Hearts ministries.

Graham explained that women are called to steward their giftings well in order for the church to be its healthiest.

“The beauty of diversity in giftings and using the giftings that the Lord has given you for the glory of God is very important for the health of the body,” said Graham.

For Gomez, leadership simply comes out of the overflow of a close walk with Christ.

“Leadership is the outcome of Christian maturity,” said Gomez, who explained that if a woman is faithfully looking to the greatest leader, Jesus Christ, they will be intentionally leading others whether it’s in the home or in the office.

Hildreth explained that many things are vying for the attention of women, which is why they must be careful to guard their time and

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steward it well.

“Leaders make tons of decisions and because of that, we need to make sure that the wisdom that we are receiving to make these decisions comes from the Lord and comes from the truth of his word,” said Hildreth.

Panelists spoke on the importance of motivation behind leadership development, guarding against pursuit of a calling at the expense of intimacy with the Lord and letting him lead in that pursuit.

Gardner explained that as a pastor’s daughter and wife, she has frequently dealt with the compulsion to say yes to many things. However, she said, women need to let God’s word inform these decisions rather than the perceived expectation felt by others.

“We can have those expectations that we perceive or that we place on ourselves that can lead us instead of allowing God,” said Gardner.

Panelists took time to share with attendees how they each specifically help to develop other women leaders in their workplace.

Visit flickr.com/southeastern for more photos.

Akin Exhorts Students to ‘Forsake All’ for Christ at Fall Convocation Students, faculty and staff filled Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary’s (SEBTS) Binkley Chapel to celebrate the beginning of a new semester at the 2019 fall convocation service.

Preaching from Psalm 142, SEBTS President Danny Akin highlighted three ways in which the passage is reflected in the life of missionary Ann Hasseltine Judson.

“Following Jesus is not a game; following Jesus is a call to forsake all,” said Akin.

First, Akin noted that God hears the cries of every believer. He explained how this was exemplified in Judson’s conversion at age 16 along with her call to the mission field a age 21. Through these key moments in her life, Judson diligently poured out her heart to the Lord, which Akin noted is an example for every believer to follow.

“We have a God who anywhere, anytime and under any circumstances hears our prayers,” said Akin.

Second, Akin explained that

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

Psalm 142 shows that God knows what his children are going through.

Akin gave multiple examples of how the Judsons endured hardships that the Lord foreknew and used in their lives, including the deaths of children and close friends.

Lastly, Akin noted that God will deliver his children because he is their refuge, which is found in verses 5-7.

“Ann Judson would experience the truth of verse seven, but not in the way that perhaps we expected or hoped,” said Akin. “Yes, there would not be a ‘gathering of the righteous’ around her on earth, but I suspect there was a glorious gathering of the righteous around her in heaven.”

Along with Akin’s address, various faculty members were recognized.

Allan Moseley and Greg Welty both received this year’s Faculty Excellence in Teaching Awards. Moseley serves as senior professor of Old Testament and Hebrew and Welty serves as professor of philosophy.

Scott Pace and Walter Strickland signed Southeastern’s Abstract of Principles. Pace serves as dean of The College at Southeastern and associate professor of pastoral ministry and preaching. He was installed in the Johnny Hunt chair of biblical preaching in August 2018 and was elected to the faculty in April 2019.

Strickland serves as associate professor of systematic and contextual theology and associate vice president for diversity. Strickland was elected to the faculty in April 2019 along with Pace.

North Carolina Field Minister Program Celebrates Its Third Year The College at Southeastern (The College) celebrated its third year of the North Carolina Field Minister Program (NCFMP) on Aug. 21, welcoming a total of 70 students to a new school year at the Nash Correctional Institution in Nash County, North Carolina.

“Today we are not just meeting, but we are meeting in a very ceremonial way, to ring in the beginning of an academic school year and to celebrate the third year of this very important and very unique program,” said Seth Bible, director of prison programs for SEBTS and professor of assistant professor of ethics and History of Ideas for The College.

During this year’s convocation service, SEBTS President Danny Akin preached on Romans 12:1-2, challenging students to be set apart for Christ and transformed into his image.

“Consecration made possible by transformation will always result in satisfaction, knowing the will of God,” said Akin, encouraging students to remember this as they seek to prepare for ministry.

The NCFMP started in August of 2017 with partnerships between the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Game Plan for Life and The College at Southeastern.

To be admitted to the program, an inmate must have at least 12 years remaining on his sentence, have a high school diploma equivalent or higher education and must be in good standing with the prison. During a six-month process leading up to the beginning of fall classes, inmates in the Nash Correctional Institution have the opportunity to apply, provide references, meet for a face-to-face interview and complete a college preparedness exam. After this process has been completed, up to 30 men are chosen for admission.

The goal is that a maximum of 30 students will be admitted each semester until capacity is reached with 120 students.

The end goal of the NCFMP is not only to give men hope and purpose while serving out their sentences but also for them to use what they learn in the classroom to impact the culture within the greater prison system of North Carolina.

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in pastoral ministry, graduates will be grouped into teams and assigned to various prisons in the state, where they can hold a range of positions. These can include providing counseling, mentoring new inmates, suicide watch and performing funerals.

“You men are here today because you are indeed right where God wants you to be in his good, in his pleasing and in his perfect will,” said Akin.

Following Jesus is not a game; following Jesus is a call to forsake all.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

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Southeastern Offers Courses in Partnership with Church Answers and Revitalize Network Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) is partnering with Church Answers and the Revitalize Network to offer two courses in conjunction with the Revitalize Convention in February of 2020. These courses come as part of a larger focus at SEBTS to train students for church revitalization through its M.A., M.Div. and certificate programs.

“Seventy percent of North American churches are plateaued or declining.

This fact alerts us to the crucial and strategic need for church revitalization,” said Keith Whitfield, acting provost, vice president for academic administration, dean of graduate studies and associate professor of theology at SEBTS. The M.A. in church revitalization is a 37-hour vocational degree designed to equip students to move established churches from flatlining to flourishing. Students desiring to enroll in this

program must hold a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) and currently serve on staff at a local church or denominational entity.

The M.Div. is an 82-hour degree, which requires students to complete both the M.Div. core and four specialized courses regarding church revitalization. These courses include Church Revitalization, Knowing Your Church and Community Practicum, The Leader and Church Revitalization and Organizational Change and Conflict Resolution. Students who enroll in the certificate program will complete the 12 hours of specialized courses.

“The reality is turning around a church is not easy,” said Whitfield. “It is not for the faint of heart. Change is possible. Southeastern’s partnership with Church Answers and Revitalize Network provides students with the ministry skills and network to lead churches in recovering gospel effectiveness.”

Knowing Your Church and Community Practicum and Leadership for Church Revitalization will be the two courses offered in conjunction with the Revitalize Convention. Professors teaching these courses include Thom

The Revitalize Network is a non-profit organization that has the goal of seeing 200,000 churches replanted and revitalized through partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources, the North American Mission Board and Brentwood Baptist Church. The organization seeks not only to provide resources to pastors called to revitalize and replant, but also equips churches by helping them connect with one another. For more information, visit revitalizenetwork.org.

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Rainer, founder and CEO of Church Answers, executive director of the Revitalize Network and former president of LifeWay Christian Resources; Sam Rainer, president of the Revitalize Network and Church Answers, cofounder and co-owner of Rainer Publishing and pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church in Bradenton, Florida; Brad Waggoner, executive vice president and chief operating officer of LifeWay Christian Resources; John Ewart, associate vice president for Global Theological Initiatives and professor of missions and pastoral leadership at SEBTS; and Chuck Lawless, vice president for spiritual formation and ministry centers, dean of doctoral studies and professor of evangelism and missions at SEBTS. “With so many of our churches needing revitalization, the demand for well-trained pastors and leaders is greater than ever before,” said Thom Rainer. “Church Answers and Revitalize Network is excited to partner with Southeastern Seminary to provide formal training for the next generation of church revitalizers.”

Church Answers is an organization that provides consulting for church leaders through digital platforms, including monthly coaching emails, online discussions with other pastors and online resources from Thom Rainer’s blog and podcast. Various levels of resources and consultation are available. For more information about Church Answers, visit churchanswers.com.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

IMPACT THE NATIONS.

GIVE. sebts.edu/give P.O. Box 1889 Wake Forest, NC 27588-1889 919.761.2203

MARCH 19 & SEPTEMBER 10, 2020 3:30 pm 3:45 pm 5:20 pm 6:00 pm

Welcome & Story of Southeastern Campus Tour Faculty Q&A Dinner with President Danny Akin

MEET SOUTHEASTERN gives prospective donors the opportunity to get an up-close look at what our school is all about. By coming to campus, they will learn more about how the Lord is working through our students to reach the nations with the gospel and what it looks like to partner together to accomplish this goal. This event includes an overview of the history of Southeastern, a campus tour, a faculty panel and dinner with President Danny Akin.

For future dates and more information, email Becca Warren at bwarren@sebts.edu or call 919.761.2354.

Southeastern Appoints New Faculty and Staff Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) is pleased to announce that Ross Inman, Ronjour Locke and Chris Thompson were appointed to faculty and staff positions over the summer.

Ross Inman joined Southeastern’s faculty as associate professor of philosophy in July.

“I am thrilled that God in his providence has brought such an outstanding young scholar to Southeastern Seminary and The College at Southeastern,” said Danny Akin, president of SEBTS. “Ross Inman joins one of the finest philosophy and apologetics departments anywhere. He and his family are a welcome addition to our seminary family.”

Inman previously served at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) as associate professor of philosophy, chair of the philosophy department and philosophy and ethics division coordinator for the SWBTS School of Theology. Before teaching at SWBTS, Inman held Templeton Research Fellowships at both the University of Notre Dame (2013-2014) and Saint Louis University (2014-2015).

Ronjour Locke was appointed in June as director of the Center for Ross Inman

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Preaching and Pastoral Leadership, support in August. following Scott Pace’s transition to “Chris is a gifted, talented and windean of The College at Southeastern. some person who has the Southeastern “I first met Ronjour Locke when he Great Commission DNA,” said Akin. was a pastor, and I quickly learned of “He is a wonderful addition to our team.” his passion for the local church,” said For the past five years, Thompson Chuck Lawless, Southeastern’s vice served as associate publisher at B&H president for spiritual formation and Academic Publishing in Nashville, Tenministry centers, dean of doctoral nessee. In this role, Thompson led his studies and professor of evangelism team in print and digital acquisitions, and missions. “He wants to walk be- marketing strategy, content editing side pastors in their work, and he’s and design. He also worked in conjunccommitted to helping SEBTS equip tion with Wordsearch Bible software, the next generation of shepherds. I providing consultation in regard to couldn’t be more excited about the fu- digital textbooks, learning platforms and educational partnerships. ture of the center.”

Prior to his time at B&H Academic Locke previously served as associate director of the Pastors’ Center and is Publishing, Thompson served as assocurrently an instructor of preaching ciate director of distance learning at and urban ministry at SEBTS, two SEBTS for five years and, prior to that, roles he has been in since he began as assistant registrar. During Thompteaching at SEBTS in January of 2018. son’s time as associate director of disBefore coming to SEBTS, Locke served tance learning, he helped to create a as pastor of First Baptist Church in more extensive, robust online learning Brooklyn (FBC), a neighborhood with- experience for distance learning stuin Baltimore, Maryland from 2012- dents by working with faculty to ex2018. During his time as pastor at FBC, tend their campus courses to online Locke led his church to adopt an elder- and hybrid formats. In addition, he led polity, form a stronger foundation oversaw the creation of three free onfor church membership and serve the line courses (Massive Open Online Brooklyn community by partnering Courses, MOOC’s) and the creation of with organizations to fight sex traffick- conference courses in conjunction with Together for the Gospel, 9Marks and ing in the area.

Chris Thompson began serving as the Go Conference. the school’s associate vice president of distance learning and academic Ronjour Locke

Chris Thompson

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

Southeastern Remembers Alumna Gena Wilson Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) mourn the passing of alumna Gena Wilson, who passed away May 13 in her Bedford, South Carolina home at age 51 after a long battle with cancer.

Wilson received her Bachelor of Science in business administration from Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina. Following college, Wilson pursued her Master of Arts in biblical counseling and graduated in 2011 from SEBTS. Wilson also served faithfully with the International Mission Board

(IMB) for 23 years in Glasgow, Scotland, where she worked with youth.

“I first met Gena while leading a SEBTS mission trip in 2014,” said Stephen Eccher, assistant professor of church history and Reformation studies at SEBTS. “The thing that stood out the most to me about her was her deep and abiding love for the people of Scotland.” Eccher recounted Wilson’s willingness to love and serve the marginalized of the city.

Wilson was known for saying, “The best is yet to come,” Eccher recalled, noting that her joy and wit added to the lifegiving influence she had on the Scottish people. In 2011, Wilson was diagnosed with stage four cancer while in the United States. Nonetheless, even through battling two bouts of cancer and intensive chemotherapy, Wilson continued to serve in Scotland.

“I can’t help but to think of how Gena’s final days in the darkness of Scotland stood in stark contrast to the brilliance and light of the Son, into whose presence she is now enjoying,” he said. “Gena’s ‘best is yet to come’

has now been fully realized in the presence of her savior.”

IMB President Paul Chitwood gave tribute to Wilson’s legacy on Twitter on May 14. He wrote, “Yesterday, Southern Baptists lost one of our faithful missionaries. Gena Wilson shared Christ with European peoples for over 2 decades. We celebrate her life and her welcome Home.”

Wilson was born to Betty Barton and Glenn Wilson in Livingston, Tennessee on November 3, 1967, but spent her childhood in Beaufort.

Wilson is survived by her parents; her sister, Glenda Londono; her brother, Greg Wilson; her nieces, Jessica McClamb, Brianna Londono and Carley Wilson; her nephews, Kyle Wilson, Luke Londono and Christian Londono; her great nieces and nephew Presley, Riley and Renley McClamb; and other aunts, uncles and cousins.

Photo courtesy of IMB staff

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Southeastern Remembers M.O. Owens, Jr. Milum Oswell “M.O.” Owens, Jr., longtime donor and friend of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS), passed away in his Gastonia home on Monday, May 20. He was 105.

“M.O. Owens was a hero to Southern and North Carolina Baptists,” said SEBTS President Danny Akin. “He also was a personal hero to me. He was both a consistent role model as a pastor/ theologian and a constant encouragement to me in my 15 years at Southeastern Seminary.”

Owens, who was born in New Holland, South Carolina in 1913, exemplified godly Christian leadership through his service to Southern Baptists both locally and nationally.

Owens participated as a Southeastern Society member, giving faithfully to the school for a number of years. On April 26, 2012, SEBTS honored Owens’ legacy by installing the M.O. Owens, Jr. Chair of New Testament Studies. David Alan Black, senior professor of New Testament and Greek was the first to be installed in this chair. During that particular chapel service, Owens, who was 99 at the time, delivered a sermon on 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5.

Don Warren, longtime SEBTS donor and former trustee, told the Biblical Recorder of the legacy Owens left.

“When I think of M.O. Owens, I think of a man who lives his Christian life by not compromising before God and man. People see that in him and recognize that he is a follower of Jesus Christ,” said Warren.

Owens is well-remembered throughout Southern Baptist life, serving in capacities within the Gaston County Association, the North Carolina Baptist State Convention (BSC) and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the BSC, serving both on the BSC General Board and as presi-

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dent of the BSC Pastors’ Conference.

Graduating from Furman University in 1933 and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) in 1939, Owens went on to pastor churches in Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina.

He pastored First Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina after completing his degree at SBTS and also pastored churches in Palmetto, Florida; Marion, North Carolina; and Lenoir, North Carolina. After leaving Lenoir, Owens went on to pastor East Baptist Church in Gastonia, North Carolina. In 1964, Owens became pastor of Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia, North Carolina, where he served until retiring in 1980. He later returned as pastor emeritus until 2015. While serving as pastor of Parkwood the first time, Owens co-founded the Gaston County Crisis Pregnancy Center. Owens went on to serve in interim pastor roles at 15 churches after his 1980 retirement and also wrote a book on prayer titled, “God, Can You Hear Me?” In the 1980s, Owens founded Gaston Christian School (GCS), a non-denominational Christian school in Gastonia.

The school now has approximately 1,000 students enrolled and recently honored Owens in November 2018 with the dedication of the newly constructed,

$4 million, 26,000-square-foot Dr. M.O. Owens, Jr. Worship and Fine Arts Center. A bronze statue was also erected in his honor, which was also unveiled at the building’s dedication.

Owens will also be remembered for his significant influence on Southern Baptist life through his establishment of the Baptist Faith and Message Fellowship in 1964 along with Home Mission Board employee Bill Powell. Owens also had the opportunity to witness the initiation of the Cooperative Program at age 11 during the 1925 SBC annual meeting along with his father Milum Oswell Owens, Sr. “Between M.O. and his father, you have right at 150 years of faithful gospel preaching,” said Akin. “What a legacy he has given us. My prayer is the graduates of our school will follow in his footsteps.”

Owens is survived by his three daughters, Celia Alexander, Linda Russ and Mary Landcaster; his foster daughter, Deborah Ko; eight grandchildren; two foster grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three foster great-grandchildren; five step-children; and many step-grandchildren.

Owens was preceded in death by his three wives, Ruby Bridges Owens, Ola Carothers Owens and Margaret Williford Brown Owens.

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Southeastern Remembers Eugene Smith Eugene Smith, Sr., affectionately known around Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) as “Mr. Eugene,” passed away August 11, 2019 at the age of 92. Smith was a beloved SEBTS facilities employee for nearly 40 years and was known for his humble and hardworking work ethic.

“Mr. Eugene” as we called him was one of God’s great gifts to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary,” said SEBTS President Danny Akin.

“He personified what it means to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Never did he greet me without a wonderful smile, a gracious handshake and a word of encouragement.”

Smith was born on September 26, 1926 in Rolesville, North Carolina to Gertha Smith and Rosa Massenburg.

He was a member at New Bethel Baptist Church as a child, but later became a member of Olive Branch Baptist Church with his wife, Joan Crenshaw Smith. He and his wife were married for 57 years before she passed away in 2007.

Smith worked for the facilities team full-time from 1980-1993. Upon retirement, Smith continued to work part-time for SEBTS cleaning out the recycling around campus and running the Binkley chair lift when needed until 2017. Smith was a gentle and joyful soul who was known for doing his job without a complaint.

“Mr. Eugene taught me much.

Though a man of few words, he was a man of great influence,” said Travis Williams, who serves as Southeastern’s director of facilities management and who worked with Smith for nearly 20 years. “Mr. Eugene was one of the hardest working and most humble men I have had the opportunity to share life with. I have never heard him complain or utter a nega-

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

tive word. I miss him dearly but have no doubt about his eternity with Jesus Christ because his faith in Jesus beamed from every fiber of his being. I consider myself privileged to call Mr. Eugene my friend and brother in Christ.”

“I didn’t work directly with Mr. Eugene, but I did interact with him in shop through the years. I can say that he always had a joy about him and his love for the Lord was evident,” said Doug Nalley, director of housing at SEBTS. “He would often say to me, ‘How you doin’ Rev.? Do you have a word?’ He always appreciated hearing and learning something about his Lord.”

For the first decade of Smith’s role at SEBTS, he maintained Stealey Hall and Appleby Hall as a custodian, and in the later years of his job, he primarily handled recycling. Smith was a well-known and beloved figure on campus who had a servant spirit and a heart of gold.

Ricky Evans, Smith’s longtime facilities coworker, recounted Smith’s camaraderie with the facilities crew.

Evans noted “that something Mr. Eugene would always say is that he loved working with all the young guys in facilities because they kept him feeling young.”

“He always referred to me as ‘Mr. President’ or ‘My President.’ Honestly, I never thought of our relationship that way. Mr. Eugene was my brother and my friend. It was God’s kindness to bring him into my life,” said Akin, who met with Mr. Eugene for an interview to discuss the intersection of faith and work in 2015.

Smith is survived by Eugene, Jr., Isabelle Smith, five grandchildren: Marlon, Marcus, Orlando, Kirsten and Charmian; and eight great grandchildren: Isaiah, Shontae, Janelle, David, Jason, Abigail, Judah and Joshua.

For the Intersect article and interview, visit http://iamgoi.ng/1ob

FALL 2019 / 15

Archives and the Church

Jonathan Lawler, Archivist and Digital Collections Manager

2 Samuel 1:18). The CSB notes in What are archives?

“Archive” is a word we see each and Ezra 6:1 that King Darius ordered a every day. Our email accounts in- search of the “archives” to discover clude a folder entitled “Archive,” and the decree allowing construction of our Facebook pages “archive” old in- the Temple.

The Bible speaks to the value of formation, reminding us through the “Memories” feature of past events, these preserved records. The end of photographs, etc. Such use of the Deuteronomy notes, “When Moses word reinforces the notion that we set had finished writing down on a aside things we no longer need in an scroll every single word of this law, “archive.” So what exactly are archives he commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the Lord’s covenant, and what use are they?

Archival repositories preserve ‘Take this book of the law and place unique material, including personal it beside the ark of the covenant of paper collections that may contain the Lord your God so that it may recorrespondence, photographs, drafts main there as a witness against you of written works, etc. Archives also [emphasis added]’” (Deuteronomy collect records relating to institu- 31:24-26, CSB). While not Godtions, so the Archives and Special breathed as the Book of the Law, unCollections at Southeastern collects inspired archival material can also records relating to the operations of act as a witness to the Lord’s characthe seminary. Special Collections ter, the truth of Scripture and the consisting of rare books are often perseverance of the saints. Through the Spirit’s work, archival material held by archives as well.

Modern archival practice contin- can lead to reform like that seen ues a long tradition of document during the reign of Josiah in 2 Kings preservation. The Old Testament in- 22. Moses’ actions preserved the cludes various references to the Book of the Law, which was likely preservation and use of both in- discovered by the high priest Hilkispired texts (Deuteronomy 31:24-26, ah in Josiah’s era, leading to a God2 Kings 22:8) and uninspired writ- honoring reformation. Archives preings (Numbers 21:14, Joshua 10:13, serve material to serve as a witness

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to future generations, including future generations of believers seeking to fulfill the Great Commission.

Why are archives important for the Church?

For archives to serve as witness requires use. Thus, archives not only preserve material, but they also make it accessible to users.

How many seminary students desire to emulate Charles Spurgeon in the pulpit? Spurgeon’s skill in preaching God’s word is highly regarded in the evangelical world. All the Spurgeon sermons enjoyed by believers today are published from originals stored in archives. But not only material by internationally recognized names like Spurgeon serve to encourage the Church today. Sermons and other writings by lesser-known saints who have gone before can edify the Church today as well. Southeastern’s archives hold the writings of well-known evangelicals like Francis Schaeffer and John Warwick Montgomery, but also lesser known, though inf luential, believers like pastor M. O. Owens, Jr.. This material can edify those seeking various types of min-

3.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

Highlighted Collecting Areas of the Archives and Special Collections at Southeastern: istry from apologetics to pastoral ministry to missions.

You might ask, what do archives have to say to the GO seminary? Well, those who went before us challenge the church that is going today. For example, M. O. Owens, Jr., for whom a Chair in New Testament Studies at Southeastern was installed in 2012, preached a sermon in 1958 entitled, “Go … Make Disciples.” Sermons like this edify the church today and instruct those seeking the responsibility of preaching God’s word. In this sermon Owens wrote, “Most of us have professed to be disciples. But let me ask you? How important is the Kingdom of God to you? Really? The word [go] was spoken to you and me.

What are you actually doing about it?”

This was convicting in 1958; this is convicting in 2019. Archives do not contain “dead” documents; they hold life-giving words that edify, encourage and equip the saints to GO! Conclusion Archives build up the Church by preserving and making accessible the witness of the saints of old. The lyrics of a hymn written by Keith and Kristyn Getty, who wrote Southeast-

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WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

Institutional Records – Office of the President records

ern’s own hymn, come to mind. In “O Church Arise” the Gettys wrote: So Spirit, come, put strength in every stride; Give grace for every hurdle.

That we may run with faith to win the prize Of a servant good and faithful.

As saints of old, still line the way, Retelling triumphs of His grace, We hear their calls, and hunger for the day When with Christ we stand in Glory.

Archives retell the triumphs of God’s grace in the lives of believers who came before us. Armed with such stories and examples we emulate their faithfulness and learn from their mistakes as we “run with faith to win the prize.”

The powerful testimonies of the saints of old and their preserved stories of “triumphs of His grace” propel others to “Go … make disciples” and bring glory to our God.

Apologetics – Francis A. Schaeffer papers Missions – Missionary Herald (1823-1949) Pastoral Ministry & Conservative Resurgence – M.O. Owens, Jr. papers Rare Books – Codex Wakeforestanus Latinus

Examples below: 1. Notes on Matthew 28:18-20 from Francis Schaeffer’s personal Bible 2. M.O. Owens, Jr. sermon, titled “Go...Make Disciples”, 1958 3. The first graduating class of The College at Southeastern, 1998 4. Inauguration of Lewis Drummond as the fourth president of Southeastern, October 11, 1988 5. The illuminated manuscript, Codex Wakeforestanus Latinus, produced circa the thirteenth century, containing passages from Thessalonians to Revelation 6. Southeastern Fellowship of Black Students meeting, March 3, 1978

For more info, visit archives.sebts.edu

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Jamie Dew Encourages Students to Follow Selflessly After Christ During Fall Chapel Service On September 5, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) students, faculty and staff welcomed Jamie Dew to chapel to preach from Mark 10 on what it means to be a faithful disciple of Christ. In his first visit back to campus since his election as president of New Orleans Bapt ist Theolog ic a l Seminar y (NOBTS) in June, Dew expressed his gratitude for his time serving at SEBTS. “It’s a privilege to be a servant of Christ. It was a privilege to do that here; it is a privilege to do that at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College,” said Dew. Before his election as New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary president in June, Dew previously served as dean of The College at Southeastern (The College), vice president for undergraduate studies and distance learning and professor of history of ideas and philosophy.

Dew gave three characteristics that exemplify a follower of Christ.

First, Dew explained that discipleship is about submission, not personal gain. After Jesus had just explained he would have to die, the disciples were concerned about their own status, he said. Likewise, Dew noted that Christians can get so caught up in their own personal gain that they miss the reality that following Jesus requires submission to his will, not theirs.

“As God is at work in his kingdom, often all we can think about is our own name, our own status and Jesus says, ‘No,’” said Dew. Second, Dew noted that discipleship is about death and sacrifice, not comfort and ease. Dew referenced Philippians 3:7-11 in which Paul

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talks about losing all for the sake of gaining Christ.

“You want to follow Jesus? It is about denying yourself,” said Dew. Third, Dew emphasized that discipleship is about servanthood, not lordship. He explained that Jesus f lips the natural ideology of the world and tells his disciples that those who become great in his kingdom are first servants. Jesus sees beauty in humility, he noted.

“God takes the humble and he lifts them up, and God takes the proud and he brings them down,” said Dew, who explained that humility is exemplified in Christ as seen in Philippians 2.

During the service, SEBTS President Danny Akin prayed over Dew, The College’s newest dean, Scott Pace, and the future of The College as it celebrates 25 years.

“Lord, we are simply your servants.

We go where you tell us to go, and we do what you tell us to do, rejoicing in the privilege that is ours to serve the King of Kings and Lord of Lords,” Akin prayed.

Later that afternoon, the Southeastern family had the opportunity to visit with Dew and his family at a reception in the Ledford Student Center.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

N E W

A N D

U P C O M I N G

F A C U LT Y

W O R K S

Exegetical Gems from Biblical Greek A Refreshing Guide to Grammar and Interpretation

Exegetical Gems from Biblical Hebrew A Refreshing Guide to Grammar and Interpretation

Benjamin L. Merkle

H. H. Hardy II

Jim Shaddix and Daniel L. Akin

Baker Academic, 2019

Baker Academic, 2019

B&H Publishing, 2018

Decisional Preaching Jim Shaddix Rainer Publishing, 2019

Praying at the Crossroads Learning from the Prayers of Old Testament Leaders Ken Coley (Editor)

Christ-Centered Exposition Exalting Jesus in 2 Peter and Jude

Biblical Foundations for Baptist Churches A Contemporary Ecclesiology (2nd ed.)

John S. Hammett Kregel Academic, 2019

LifeWay Press, 2019

Christ-Centered Exposition Exalting Jesus in Esther

Christ-Centered Exposition Exalting Jesus in Jeremiah, Lamentations

Ross D. Innman

David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida (Editors)

David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, and Tony Merida (Editors)

Routledge, 2017

B&H Publishing, 2019

B&H Publishing, 2019

The Gospel of Our King Bible, Worldview, and the Mission of Every Christian

Trinitarian Theology Theological Models and Doctrinal Application

Islam and North America Loving Our Muslim Neighbors

Bruce Riley Ashford and Heath A. Thomas

Keith S. Whitfield (Editor)

Micah Fries and Keith Whitfield

Substance and the Fundamentality of the Familiar A Neo-Aristolian Mereology

Baker Academic, 2019

B&H Academic, 2018

B&H Academic, 2018

For more information, or to purchase these or other SEBTS faculty works, visit sebts.edu/books WHAT’S HAPPENING AT SOUTHEASTERN

FALL 2019 / 19

Thank you

to our sponsors for a record-breaking 13 th annual

Join us for the 14th annual Southeastern Classic Fall 2020 sebts.edu/classic

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To become a sponsor, contact Drew Davis, Associate Director of Financial and Alumni Development at ddavis@sebts.edu or 919.761.2351

Southeastern received $7.6 million last year because of Southern Baptist churches like yours committed to the spread of the gospel to all nations, tribes and tongues.

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FALL 2019 AVAILABLE NOW

est. 1994

We are thrilled to be celebrating the 25th anniversary of The College at Southeastern.

This is a tremendous milestone in the life of our school, and we are thankful for the ways the Lord continues to expand our reach for his glory. Since 1994, we have seen thousands of students trained and sent out to give their lives for the cause of Christ in the church, among the nations and in every aspect of society.

Meet Scott Pace, New Dean of The College at Southeastern and his wife, Dana; daughters, Gracelyn, Tessa and Cassie; and son, Tyler

Entrusted.

As we consider the next 25 years, It’s a word that has been on Scott my prayer is that The College at Pace’s mind ever since he took on his Southeastern will continue to role as the new dean of The College at expand our educational horizon Southeastern (The College). Looking back, God has been using this word as through rigorous academic a theme throughout his life, working training, thoughtful cultural in roles he never originally envisioned engagement and strategic for himself.

“We’ve been entrusted with the gosministry preparation. pel and we’ve been entrusted with our gifts, and I want to be faithful in both,” said Pace.

Coming to Southeastern Baptist becoming a professor at OBU and, Theological Seminary (SEBTS) from eventually, The College at SoutheastOklahoma Baptist University (OBU) ern’s dean.

Pace assumed his roles as professor in 2018 was a homecoming for Pace, who grew up in Wilmington and at- and dean the same way – through a tended both North Carolina State Uni- pastoral lens and an attitude of stewversity for his undergraduate and ardship. Once he saw how he could wed those attitudes to his teaching and SEBTS for his M.Div. and Ph.D. Pace graduated from NC State with pastoral ministry, he knew God was an accounting degree followed by a wanting to use teaching in the classcareer in accounting and business room to further serve the local church.

“You’ve got a chance to go influence management. However, in 1999 the Lord began to call Pace to the minis- those who are going to multiply in the try. Just two months before marrying churches,” said Pace, who was inhis wife, Dana, he enrolled at SEBTS. stalled in the Johnny Hunt chair of In the process, Pace served on staff at biblical preaching in the fall of 2018.

Richland Creek Community Church in “And that’s where, in my mind, the Wake Forest. Pace received his M.Div. light bulb went off.”

His calling came through personal in 2002 and eventually went on to pursue his Ph.D. at SEBTS, noting and public affirmation, two areas he that he “wanted to be the best encourages students to look for when they are trying to discern their calling. equipped pastor I could be.”

Through serving at Providence BapBetween 2006-2007, Pace experienced two major milestones. The first tist Church in Raleigh during his came in the form of a call for him and years as a student, members had afhis family to serve at First Baptist firmed Pace’s pastoral calling by placDaytona in Daytona Beach, Florida in ing him in teaching positions for the 2006. The second came in December church’s men’s ministry and young 2007 when Pace received his Ph.D. adult classes. As Pace encourages stuJust three years after moving to Day- dents in discerning their specific mintona Beach, the Lord opened a couple istry calling, he challenges them to of doors that Pace never anticipated – know the surety of that calling

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through these two avenues.

The ability to equip students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission on a much larger scale was something he learned early on when being called to teaching and administration. His pastoral heart for students is what fuels his teaching in the classroom. In his decade of teaching, he has continued to fill the pulpit through interim pastorates and itinerant preaching.

As the dean, Pace wants to build upon The College’s strong foundation and is working to see it flourish in the years to come. As a professor, he is using his pastoral experience and minister’s heart to develop future pastors for ministry. He will continue to do this at Southeastern through his oversight of the Hunt Scholars Program, which allows for those coming into college to receive their Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity in pastoral ministry in as little as five years.

“Dr. Pace is someone who has always Dr. Pace addressing new college students at his first new student orientation as Dean

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been there for me and showed me the power of discipleship through his constant encouragement,” said Andrew Halliburton, a current SEBTS Th.M. student who studied under Pace during his undergraduate at OBU and M.Div. at SEBTS. “He modeled how to defend what I believe and how to love people in a God-honoring way. His practical wisdom and guidance through my time as a college and seminary student has been invaluable in shaping my Christian walk.”

In his first year at SEBTS, Pace has overseen the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership while simultaneously teaching in his role as associate professor of pastoral ministry and preaching. While he has enjoyed serving in these roles, he is looking forward to being able to more intentionally invest in the lives of college students.

“Scott Pace is the perfect choice to continue the exciting growth of our college,” said SEBTS President Dan-

ny Akin. “He is an outstanding preacher and teacher, and he has already demonstrated his superb administrative skills in leading our Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership.”

Pace is excited about being an integral part of the spiritual formation of college students on campus. He experienced a spiritual transformation himself in college. Because of that, he wants students to have that same experience of spiritual and theological development at an early age.

“In the last 25 years we have seen the college grow through an expanded vision for students whom we can train and a variety of avenues in which we can mobilize them,” said Pace. “As we consider the next 25 years, my prayer is that The College at Southeastern will continue to expand our educational horizon through rigorous academic training, thoughtful cultural engagement and strategic ministry preparation.”

Zip lining at the faculty workshop fun day

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Studying in Community A Note to my Fellow Students

The idea of calling often gets tossed around in seminary. As we study, we’re looking forward to the specifics of what that calling might entail.

Maybe you’re here studying because you want to be a pastor, a counselor or a missionary. Maybe you’re here to figure out how to be a theologicallyinformed lawyer, teacher or business person. Whatever has brought you here, as college students it’s important to not just look at what you’re calling is but how to pursue it as a faithful follower of Christ. This is especially true when it comes to education. Studying in community is a topic that I believe is not as appreciated as it ought to be and one that has had a huge influence on my time at Southeastern.

Understanding this topic is necessary because it is evident to me that many students come to Southeast-

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ern to receive a degree but not an education. Because these students do not understand that their time here in the college is actually part of their callings, they fail to really equip themselves for their future ministries even as they live within their academic community, whose stated goal is to equip students to give their lives for the cause of Christ. Students who don’t seek to be equipped won’t be equipped. Just because you go to Southeastern does not mean you have been equipped by default. Let me ask you: Would a track team that is going to run a race be so naïve as to think that they could win or even compete by not taking their training seriously? It seems unlikely. Why then, would we expect to be able to minister the gospel effectively without actually taking our training for our

ministries seriously? It is obvious that we cannot.

By studying in community, I specifically mean the coming together of the student body to encourage and equip each other to pursue academic excellence and seek to glorify Christ through in our specific callings. This being said, there are some practical ways to study in community. Applying these simple steps have shaped my academic experience for the better and have fueled my love for Christ and his calling on my life.

First, I have benefitted from getting together with fellow students for a few minutes after a completed class or a reading assignment to compare notes. This is a really effective way to look out for each other and make sure that no one in class is missing information or being left behind. As brothers and sisters in

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Christ, we can build one another up by helping each other better understand the course material whether it be theology, British literature or ethics. Through practicing this, I have been reminded that brotherly love includes the encouragement we can give one another in the classroom.

Second, I’ve tried turning study guides into Google Docs and sharing them with my classmates. This allows each student included on the document to take responsibility for contributing to some area of the study guide. This cuts into lots of time that would be spent looking for answers to the guide and gives students more time to actually study for the upcoming exam or to complete other assignments. In a similar way, sharing good sources for papers w ith classmates using Google Docs has also been helpful.

Third, I’ve studied in groups, which has been a helpful practice.

Now, let me preface this by saying this is not for everyone, even though I think everyone should at least try this. I find this to be very helpful because, when I do study with others, I am often reminded that I am not alone as I take on the challenge of completing my schoolwork. Trust me, it is very easy to become overwhelmed and feel all alone as I tackle assignments here in in the college.

So, I take comfort in the presence of fellow strugglers.

Fourth and finally, I have prayed with others students over our studies. We pray that God would use that History of Ideas reading, that philosophy exam or that hermeneutics paper to stir our affections for him and make us into better followers of Christ. Praying this way is part of recognizing how important our studies here are for our ministry and how they tie into the context to which we have been called. How sweet would it be to see students gathered together in the hallway of Appleby, pleading to the Lord to-

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gether before their class begins.

Will he not be faithful to bless our time together?

Now, of course, studying in comunity does not mean that we take exams and quizzes together or that we plagiarize each others’ papers.

Studying in community means that we do whatever we can to equip and encourage our classmates to become more excellent students. We take ownership of our work while cooperating with each other as we study.

We must be intentional to create a culture at Southeastern that sees academics as a major part of our callings and shows students how to value it as such. I believe that such a culture can be created if college students really get behind this notion of studying in community and seeing their execellence in education as part of their overall calling to serve the church well.

Sam Haymore is a junior at The College at Southeastern and is pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in history (pre-law).

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Chad Welch

Kevin Cox

Southeastern Celebrates First Two Graduates from the Hunt Scholars Program As Chad Welch and Kevin Cox crossed the stage of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary’s (SEBTS) Binkley Chapel this past May, they celebrated not only a personal accomplishment but a monumental milestone in the life of the seminary as the first two graduates from the Hunt Scholars Program.

“This program allows hardworking students to maximize both their time and finances,” said SEBTS President Danny Akin. “But even more importantly, it provides a very intensive fiveyear program of sequential studies that prepares them well for the ministry. My hopes for this program have really exceeded my expectations.”

The Hunt Scholars Program began in 2015, allowing students to receive their Bachelor of Arts and Master of Divinity in pastoral ministry in as little as five years. Since its inception,

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the Hunt Scholars Program has exceeded its enrollment projections each year and has doubled in size in the last academic year.

“I’m elated!” said Hunt. “I pray every student sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry will look at this program at SEBTS. I could not hope for a better seminary, faculty or program,” said Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church Woodstock, Ga. for 32 years and senior vice president of evangelism and leadership at the North American Mission Board.

The program allows for students like Welch and Cox to learn under exemplary professors who have extensive experience in pastoral ministry in the local church.

Chad Welch remembers his call to ministry clearly after the death of his grandfather in 2013. Anxious about the eulogy he was asked to deliver at

the funeral, he distinctly remembered that the moment he stood up to speak “was the most comfortable, relaxing feeling I’d ever experienced.”

From that moment on, Welch resolved to follow Christ in the same way his grandfather did.

As Welch read scripture daily, he found himself inescapably experiencing God’s confirming call on his life in numerous ways.

“Every single day for four weeks I prayed with a different excuse and every single day I’d have that excuse [addressed] in scripture the next day,” said Welch.

As Welch realized that his call truly was from the Lord, he contacted his longtime friend, Matt Capps, pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, North Carolina. Capps encouraged him to look into enrolling in the Hunt Scholars Program.

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Kevin Cox heard the call to ministry as a teenager but ignored it for many years. After graduating high school and attending trade school, Cox went straight to work. It wasn’t until many years later at a men’s retreat that Cox committed to follow through with the call God had placed on his life as a boy. With that call, he knew he would need to go back to school for training. That’s when his brother-in-law told him about the Hunt Scholars Program. Cox remembers being hesitant about what job prospects would look like graduating from SEBTS at 53, but he stepped out in faith and enrolled, along with Welch, as one of the first students in the Hunt Scholars Program.

“For me, it was just that confirmation of what I ran away from in my teenage years,” said Cox, who lives in Maryland with his wife of 32 years.

One of the most valuable aspects of

the Hunt Scholars Program for both Welch and Cox has been through the pastoral ministry enhancement course, which connects students and pastors through roundtable discussions. These discussions take place with the other Hunt Scholars over breakfast, allowing them to ask questions and hear the pastor’s transparency on successes, failures and struggles he has experienced throughout his years of ministry. In the 2018-19 academic year, students had the chance to hear from pastors Crawford Loritts, Vance Pitman, David Platt, Bryan Chapell and others.

Cox believed his calling is to fulltime vocational ministry, which he hopes to pursue after graduation.

In addition to serving in a local church and looking for new ministry opportunities, Welch hopes to continue pushing his app, CrossTalk, into new outlets, including K-Love

and the Billy Graham Chaplain’s Rapid Response Team. The app helps people grow in their faith, share the gospel and connect people to a church they can call home.

For both Cox and Welch, the Hunt Scholars Program is worth the time and effort and has shaped them relationally, academically and spiritually.

“We are thrilled that our Hunt Scholars Program has produced its first graduates,” said Scott Pace, who formerly served as director of the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership before becoming dean of The College at Southeastern. “These pastors are tangible expressions of God’s faithfulness to SEBTS, and they embody the godly character, spiritual giftedness and ministerial skills that our program is designed to cultivate and develop.”

EARN YOUR B.A. & M.DIV. IN 5 YEARS ACADEMICALLY RIGOROUS

EDUCATION

+

INTENSE LOCAL CHURCH

MENTORSHIP

collegeatsoutheastern.com/huntscholars huntscholars@sebts.edu

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Education for Living

In one of those delightful bursts of youthful naivete, on May 21, 2002, I was confident that I had taken the last English exam of my life. I know this for a fact because I wrote in my journal on that day: “Today is the last English exam of my life.” I had just completed my first year as a student at The College at Southeastern, and I had no idea what I would be doing that summer, much less where I would be going after graduation. As it turned out, less than three years after I wrote those words, I would apply to attend graduate school… in English. Eventually, I went on to earn a Ph.D. in English as well, taking countless exams between 2002 and 2012, when I finished school. That chapter of my story ends with comical, if providential, irony in the spring of 2012 when Southeastern hired me as an English professor.

How did I go from celebrating the end of English classes in 2002 to English professor a decade later? The long answer begins with a father who read with me every night until I was old enough to read on my own and a mother who gave me devotionals and journals and encouraged me to write from a young age.

The long answer includes my wife as well; she was the one who encouraged me to apply to a master’s program in English. If I had to give a short answer, I would focus on those three transformative years during my time as a college student at Southeastern.

It was during this time that my lifelong love of reading and writing

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aligned with my schoolwork. I remember a conversation with my father during my junior year in anticipation of my wedding in which he asked me what I was going to do. “What do you mean?” I remember asking. He was talking about my profession. I responded by inquiring about jobs that would enable me to read and write for a living, and I’ll never forget his response. First, he asked if I felt called to be a pastor. When I answered that I didn’t believe that was my calling, he said, “Well, your options are going to be kind of limited.” He was right.

There are few jobs that will allow someone to read and write whatever they want for a living.

I had been reading writers such as Søren Kierkegaard and Michel de Montaigne in my History of Ideas classes, Emily Brontë in English and Augustine in theology. I wanted to live and write like these literary heroes. But it slowly began to occur to me that I not only lived in different times but also in a different world, what I learned to call a different “political economy” thanks to History of Ideas. How was I going to be able to pull off reading and writing as a profession?

The solution to this problem, I realized, was embodied by my professors, people like Michael Travers, Steve Ladd and Ivan Spencer. These folks were doing what I wanted to do. At the same time, a life of sermons and Sunday school lessons and Wednesday night Bible studies took on new signifi-

cance. Time and again, I had been given opportunities to read aloud, pray, and even teach lessons as I got older.

Adults I admired at church had told me I had a gift for teaching. I will never forget Christy Davis, the mother of one of my best friends, telling me that I would be a teacher someday.

God used my parents, my local church, my wife and my professors to show me a path on which I could cultivate my gifts, pursue my desires, and build my knowledge and skills for his glory. All these voices and insights came together during my time at Southeastern. As I went on to work my way through graduate school, I was driven in part by the longing to provide other young people with the kind of experience I had as a college student.

Whether my own students aspire to answer a call to vocational ministry, learn a trade, pursue further education, raise a family full time or secure a 9-5 job, I try to model for them the virtues that are most vital beyond the classroom: intellectual curiosity, spiritual hunger, and epistemic humility. These are virtues I learned in college, and I pray my students learn them as well.

Matthew Mullins is Assistant Professor of English and History of Ideas. He teaches classes in literature, literary theory and writing. His research focuses primarily on American literature and hermeneutics. Dr. Mullins also serves as Associate Dean for Academic Advising for the College at Southeastern.

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College Students On Mission in Kentucky

Lynch is a town that is situated in the shadow of Black Mountain, Kentucky’s highest point, and the steep rise of the mountains on either side of Main Street leaves nowhere to go but up.

It’s in this small mountain town that a group of students from The College at Southeastern House System traveled in March 2019 to work with Meridzo Ministries, started by Lonnie and Belinda Riley in 1999. During the week, students worked in a variety of ministries that involved serving a food pantry, horse stables, future missionary housing, a thrift store with a local church and more.

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“Every ministry that’s come into being that you’ve seen this week is not initiated by me,” Riley told Southeastern students. “I don’t dream it up.

God brings it to me from different avenues, but I’m sensitive to hear what God is saying to me so that the progression of it can bring people into the kingdom.”

Lynch was founded as a coal mining town by U.S. Steel 102 years ago.

Since then, the industry has declined sharply, causing high levels of unemployment and poverty in Lynch and the surrounding area. The population, once peaking at 10,000 resi-

*Quotes edited for clarity and length

dents, has fallen to around 700.

The Rileys moved to Lynch 20 years ago, leaving behind a successful pastorate with the belief that God was clearly leading them. Meridzo now has 20 faith-based missionaries who trust that the Lord will provide for their needs as they serve him in the various outposts that the ministry offers. One such missionary is Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) graduate Drew Baldwin.

Baldwin and his family moved near Lynch on faith in early 2009 after he graduated from SEBTS. Though he was at first concerned about how his

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family would be provided for, Riley told him to ask, “Where would God have you?” and then trust that God would provide.

The Baldwins’ ministry focuses on Meridzo’s The Stables at Creekside Glen, which uses horses to minister to the community. Rather than coming up with their own plans, Baldwin said that they have “taken a position of responding to what God brings to the door,” a theme across all of Meridzo’s ministries.

During the week-long mission trip, Baldwin encouraged college students

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not to stray from God’s timing and to abide in Christ.

“He’s going to supply our needs, which is a reflection of how he takes care of us,” said Baldwin.

One example of God’s provision came in the form of summer rain.

The horses at The Stables use over 200 bales of hay each year. One year, a church wanted to provide hay for the ministry from the fields next to the church, but some church members opposed letting the grass grow tall. It rained so much that season, however, that the church could never mow the

grass. Church members took this as a clear direction from God to bale the grass for the ministry. Now, this is an ongoing partnership by which God provides hay for the Stables.

“One of the most meaningful things that happened was seeing the examples of all the people we worked with, the faithfulness they displayed and the stories they told about their faith in God,” said Andrew Barnes, a sophomore justice and social ethics major.

College students led the Wednesday night service at Baldwin’s Eolia Baptist Church. They led in worship after which several students shared their testimonies with the congregation.

Earlier in the week, the students had met some of the church members while doing ministry.

Students also had the opportunity to work with Paul Radosevich at Meridzo’s Calvary Campus, a former school that had been abandoned. Radosevich and his family have been serving there for seven years as faithbased missionaries.

“My M.O. was to go into a community and ask God what he wanted to do,” Radosevich said. “God always brings people at the right place at the right time, and you have to trust him.

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I’m a gatekeeper I feel like. I open the gate, God shows off and I hang on.”

At the Calvary Campus, students unpacked cans for the food bank, cleared a fallen tree, put finishing touches on new wheelchair ramps, painted a bunk room and did yard work.

“I was coming in expecting to get a lot of interaction with people and sharing the gospel one-on-one, but that didn’t exactly happen,” said Chloe Farley, a junior worship ministry major. “We did a lot of service jobs and sometimes it can be a little hard to think, ‘How is this sharing the gospel?’ What the Lord showed me was that the little jobs are still important and, done to his glory, they are so meaningful.”

Scott Hildreth, George Liele director of the Center for Great Commission Studies and assistant professor of global studies at SEBTS, worked with the administration of The College at Southeastern to create a mission trip partnership that would be more accessible to college students financially, would engage the passions of students and would be applicable to their wide variety of skill sets. What drew him to Meridzo was the spiritual vitality of the missionaries that would positively influence the students as well as the exposure they would get to this level of spiritual and physical poverty in a North American context. Working with Meridzo offers a variety of ways for students to minister as well as the opportunity for them to return as interns or long-term missionaries.

What the Lord showed me was that the little jobs are still important and, done to his glory, they are so meaningful.

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Generational Impact

Southeastern Parents and Donors Kenny and Debra Goetze

family at that point and have never looked back.

Kenny and Debra Goetze have been part of the fabric of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for decades. As donors, they have supported the school financially for 30 years. As parents, they have seen their daughter, Amanda, be academically and spiritually enriched through her time in The College at Southeastern. Even after Amanda graduated in 2009, the Goetzes continue to see the way the Lord is working in the lives of College students and alumni alike. The couple took some time to share about their experience with The College at Southeastern and how they, along with their daughter, have benefitted from its Great Commission impact.

When and how did your involvement with Southeastern begin?

We became involved at Southeastern in the late 1980s when Southeastern obtained their first conservative majority on the Board of Trustees. One of those leaders reached out to us. He approached us and said, “Southeastern Seminary’s going to be going through a time of transition. We need people who will stand with us and be committed to both pray for us and help us financially.” It was a vision that took us about a half a second to get excited about, and we joined the Southeastern

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What do you feel sets Southeastern apart from other colleges?

The spiritual climate, building a biblical foundation, instilling a passion for Christ, the academic excellence and nurturing relationships with fellow students, to name a few things. Southeastern creates an incredibly stretching experience from the classroom to relationships with leaders to mission trips. Knowing where Amanda was and the climate she was living in, knowing that she could call any number of faculty or staff and she would have someone to help her with anything whether it be something personal, academic or spiritual – we felt like it’s the very best place she could have been. We realize that not every kid who comes here and their parents will have the enriching experience that we had with Amanda, but I’ll tell you that the chances are so much greater here than somewhere else.

As parents, how did you prepare your daughter before she came to college?

It was our desire as parents to lead our kids to a genuine, growing, passionate relationship with Christ. We tried to make everything in our home life center around that. I think that prepared Amanda well for being at Southeastern.

How do you feel your daughter was spiritually and theologically prepared during her time at Southeastern?

We just can’t say enough about what Southeastern has done for our daughter – the biblical foundation,

the faculty, their passion for Christ, the way they love the students and interact with them. You blend that with other students who are likeminded, and it is invaluable; it is incredibly hard to duplicate. We did some things to prepare Amanda, but what Southeastern did for Amanda in preparing her for life after college was just nothing short of amazing.

How do you believe you have been able to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission in your role as Southeastern donors and parents?

It absolutely thrills us to think about the generational impact of being a part of a school that has trained pastors, missionaries and church servants for over 30 years with a thorough knowledge of God’s word and its inerrancy.

Southeastern produces graduates who have a passion for the Great Commission! You really just have to stop and think about it – let it sink in a moment.

That’s decades of training and graduating students! The impact that type of training has on the church and the kingdom of God is incalculable. We cannot think of a singular place to invest that brings a greater spiritual return on investment than Southeastern. Southeastern has also influenced us. It’s been a blessing over the last 30 years to be here for classes and meetings and to hear what the school is doing. The school has played a significant role in our spiritual growth. Southeastern has impacted this community, the church and the world, and it continues to do so.

What a privilege to be involved!

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ENGAGE THE WORLD WITH THE GOSPEL.

in Faith and Culture

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STORIES “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

From our local community to the outermost parts of the world, Southeastern students and alumni are reaching people with the gospel by fulfilling the Great Commission. Using the model of Acts 1:8, we want to highlight these stories of how our Southeastern family is serving in North Carolina, North America and around the world. Acts 1:8 Stories create a collective and consistent way to tell the story of Southeastern, one person at a time. From local pastors to missionaries among the unreached, God is doing a great work through students and alumni. Where are they now and where are they going? We can’t wait for you to find out!

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Serving the Local Church Through Event Planning

Sometimes the most effective leadership happens from behind the scenes.

This was certainly the case for Elizabeth Graham, director of events at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) and owner of Yellow Brick Events (YBE). During her time at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS), the Lord developed in her the skills and passion to pursue event planning as a way to serve the church.

“It’s unique when people get to do what they love, but even more than that for the Lord to gift you in that area and for you to be able to steward that gift well,” said Graham.

After graduating from the University of Tennessee, God called Graham to pursue theological training during a three-week, summer mission trip to the Philippines in 2004. In 2005, she began her Master of Divinity in biblical counseling at SEBTS with the hopes of eventually pursuing a Ph.D. to focus on eating disorders and body image.

However, God began to change Graham’s direction.

In 2007, she was sitting in her office when she discovered a mass on her neck. This finding necessitated thyroid surgery and the decision to take the next 14 months off of seminary.

Upon going back to school, she was still recovering physically and was not able to be a full-time student. She decided to move from the M.Div. to the

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M.A. in biblical counseling. Through a variety of job responsibilities at SEBTS, the Lord was already developing in Graham a trajectory to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission through event planning.

trative assistant to the senior vice president of business administration Ryan Hutchinson. Graham eventually became the card and travel program manager. Her responsibilities within that office paved the way for her career

This time in seminary is so important for how the Lord will use you in the future no matter what vocation you’re going to be in.

“I loved events and knew that I was going to keep doing that for the seminary as long as the Lord would allow it,” said Graham.

Graham initially started working at SEBTS in 2005 in the recruiting office.

In 2008, she worked as the adminis-

in event planning, first with the ERLC and then as a business owner of YBE. “I am under no delusion that had it not been for my years here at Southeastern that I would have the skill set to be where I am now,” said Graham.

Hutchinson, now the executive vice

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Getty Sing! Conference, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

president for operations at SEBTS, highlighted the incredible contribution Graham made in her more than nine years on the SEBTS staff.

“It was great to see Elizabeth grow in her various roles and her hunger to learn new things,” he said, noting that after she left, three people were hired to manage the responsibilities she carried out for the school.

“Having a dedicated person for the first time to oversee events for the institution was one of those challenges she undertook. She handled that challenge with great skill and a constant desire to improve. It is great to see how she continues to build on that foundation through the excellence she shows in her role as director of events with the ERLC and even starting her own business, Yellow Brick Events.”

As the ERLC began to host more events, the organization approached Graham in 2013 to do consulting work in planning two major conferences for the organization: the ERLC National

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Conference and the Leadership Summit. A job that was supposed to last 10 months turned into six years. In 2014, the ERLC asked Graham to come on staff as the director of events in order to build a team and launch initiatives for the organization.

In the day-to-day grind of event planning, Graham finds herself in multiple meetings on the ERLC and YBE side, leading teams and creating content that equips the local church. She has the opportunity to create an environment that minimizes distraction, allowing for the Bible to be taught and the Holy Spirit to do his work in the hearts of those in attendance.

“Conferences are really a support system for those that are directly equipping the local church. We’re equipping from an extension,” said Graham, who said that in her work with the ERLC, she and her team determine what issues the local church is seeking to address in the culture

today and create events that speak to those tensions.

Graham not only sees how her equipping in the SEBTS workplace has been beneficial to her career but also how her theological education has given her a position of influence in event content planning.

“Without a theological framework and foundation for that, I would not be able to contribute the same way that I’m able to contribute now,” said Graham, who explained that her training at an SBC seminary and work with SBC entities for 14 years has given her a place to speak into the content of conferences and tangential components such as Bible study curricula and books.

“This time in seminary is so important for how the Lord will use you in the future no matter what vocation you’re going to be in,” said Graham.

Photo courtesy of Eric Brown Photography

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Tourism Sparks Gospel Proclamation Among Unreached

*Kevin and Lisa Brown discovered the reality of lostness in the world, a burden that not only continued to grow within them but called them to action as God brought the two together to serve as a couple in Southeast Asia.

“Both of us when we were [overseas] realized that there were people over there who really did not know who Jesus was,” said Kevin, who served with Cru in East Asia as a college student while Lisa served as a Journeyman in Africa.

As the couple sensed the calling to serve the Lord through full-time, overseas missions, they decided to enter into the 2+3 International Church Planting program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS), which Kevin recalled gave a “theological underpinning” for their ministry ahead.

A decade later, the journey has continued as their primary ministry in Southeast Asia centers on tourism. As teams arrive, they experience the activities associated with tourism ranging from backpacking to scuba diving, all providing opportunities to reach some of the unreached people in the country with the gospel.

“All our guests … have an opportunity to share the gospel among unreached people groups,” said Kevin…

“That job supports local businesses and engages people with the gospel.”

Their ministry has changed over the years. The first four years of ministry involved teaching through

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an NGO. However, after the NGO closed down, the Lord opened up the door to start the tourism business that has served to reach many in remote parts of Southeast Asia with the gospel.

In Spring 2017, SEBTS students and professors traveled to Southeast Asia to work with the Browns.

The trip, which SEBTS has hosted since 2013, involved two primary elements.

The first half of the trip involved the team participating in tourist activities associated with the Browns’ business, including scuba diving, viewing a historic palace and visiting a farm that helps support nationals in the country. While this half of the trip is touristic in nature, it supports local partners, allowing them to continue ministry in the country.

The second half of the trip involved the team dividing in two, traveling to two separate islands for four days. They would meet locals along the way with whom they would build relationships and share the gospel. This aspect of the trip helps the team lay the groundwork for the Browns and their national partners to come after them and continue to minister in these areas.

An SEBTS graduate, who received her M.A. in intercultural studies, described her experience on the trip in this way: “The people we met welcomed us

*Names changed for security reasons

into their homes, provided wonderful meals and gave us a place to sleep. However, at the end of our visit, we pulled away in little boats from these islands leaving not a single believer behind. It broke my heart to think that these warm, gracious people do not know the gracious and loving savior who died for them. I was impressed by this trip with the sure knowledge that missions to the unreached must be an absolute priority for the Church and in my own life.”

While the Browns were not surprised by the typical elements of culture shock that they anticipated prior to moving overseas, what did surprise them was the patience it would take to see churches planted.

While many have come to Christ, establishing a church has been a much longer and more difficult process in part due to the geography of where the Browns live.

However, throughout the process of developing the business and ministry, they have found national church planting partners to be invaluable in the process of reaching their region with the gospel.

For the Browns, these national partners are not just a resource for ministry and business practices but teammates who strengthen their faith. Instead of reacting out of anger, the Southeast Asian believers with whom the Browns work have

Photo courtesy of IMB

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demonstrated humility under discrimination for their faith, Kevin noted. It’s a quality that has shaped his faith.

He sees them as those who can continue the ministry even after he leaves, realizing that just as God has called him to ministry, God is also calling the national believers with whom he works.

“Each of the national partners we work with has been called by God in their own unique way; I just try to recognize those that are called and come alongside of them,” he said.

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I was impressed by this trip with the sure knowledge that missions to the unreached must be an absolute priority for the Church and in my own life.

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At the Office

with Dr. Miles

When walking into Adrianne Miles’s office, it is no surprise that this is the workspace of a literature professor.

British and American novels line the walls of her office and where she lacks in books, she makes up for in her colorful collection of Wizard of Oz 50th anniversary memorabilia and gifts that former students have given her over the years. From discussing some of her favorite books to what the Lord is teaching her, the assistant professor of English and linguistics took some time to discuss how various items in her office serve as an inspiration to her and others.

You teach British literature for college students. What is an aspect of British literature that inspires you?

The thing that I love about British literature is that it’s old. I like that there are multiple centuries of it, and I like seeing how people really don’t change all that much. The things that Shakespeare wrote about, people are still struggling with – jealousy and love and wanting to be promoted at work – it’s the same. I love seeing how the insights that Shakespeare draws out – like insights about human nature – are still very relevant today.

What is your go-to book from your shelf?

I would probably pick up a more modern novel like Ian McEwan’s “Atonement.” It’s not written from a Christian perspective, but I can’t read anything without thinking about how it is an echo of redemption. This book shows that we all have a desire to be forgiven and that somebody needs to atone for what people do.

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*Edited for length and clarity

What’s a strange book that you have in your office?

“Dobsons Drie Bobbes.” It’s old – 1557. The novel genre hadn’t been invented yet, but it’s a precursor to the novel. A practical joke would be a “dry bob.” It’s one story about this guy, Dobson. Each section is about the practical jokes he plays and the trouble he gets into. It does follow his life but mainly traces his series of practical jokes. So, it’s kind of weird. That is probably the most unusual book I have.

As an English and literature professor, what is a resource you think every college graduate should have?

I think more important than having a certain novel or a certain collection of short stories or a certain collection of poems is having the ability to synthesize what you’re reading and to place it in your world. Even thinking about how to read literature for a graduate today is a bit too narrow because we don’t live in a reading culture; we live in a watching culture. So much of the hypothesis of how to read

At the Office

1.

2.

3.

4.

1. Wizard of Oz pop-up book 3. Shakespeare works and memorabilia

2. American historical fiction 4. Dobsons Drie Bobbes

well or think well about your reading school. I was a sophomore and one of translates to thinking well about your my friends suggested this novel called watching. I think it’s important for “North and South,” which is an Ameristudents to make a connection be- can historical fiction novel. I rememtween literature and shows. It’s part of ber thinking, “I’d rather read this than our literary culture. Music is poetry; do anything else right now.” shows are narrative.

What’s something you’ve been learning What was a book that influenced you in scripture these days? growing up?

I’m reading through the Bible in a The book that made me really love year. Often as I finish whatever part literature is a book I read in high I’m reading, my prayer is, “God, thank

At the Office

you that you’re patient with me even when I am like the Israelites, but help me not to be as dense as they were.” I think as we immerse ourselves in scripture and know the Bible better, we know God better and we can talk about his faithfulness. God took care of the people who were taking jewelry and making idols and doing all kinds of crazy things and he still loved them.

He’s taking care of us. He has a plan for us, too.

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A LEGACY OF Faith Become a part of the Timothy Society by including Southeastern in your estate planning.

For more information or to join, please call (919) 761-2202, visit sebts.edu/give or email give@sebts.edu.

WHAT IS SES? The Southeastern Society is a group of generous men and women from all walks of life, who share a desire to assist Southeastern Seminary as she seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the Church and fulfill the Great Commission.

IMPACT OF SES Since its inception in 1995, SES members have contributed $27 million to the mission of Southeastern.

In the last five years alone, SES members have donated $8.5 million, which represents a 350 percent increase compared to the first five years.

Because of the faithful giving of SES members, Southeastern is able to keep tuition affordable. As a result, graduates have more financial freedom as they heed God’s call and serve him wherever he leads.

HOW TO JOIN You can join SES by giving $1,000 or more annually to fund the work of training gospel-ready champions for Christ. For more information or to become a member, contact Drew Davis at ddavis@sebts.edu or 919.761.2351.

Join the Southeastern Alumni Association YOU’LL RECEIVE THESE GREAT BENEFITS • • • • • • •

Audit courses for free Access to the library Access to ATLA Religion Database 50% off transcripts 40% discount on conference registrations 10% discount at the Locker Use of the Ledford Student Center (including the fitness center)

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Your membership dues, $50 per year or $600 lifetime, help us equip students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission while keeping tuition affordable for students.

For additional information or to join visit sebts.edu/saa , call 919.761.2293 or email alumni@sebts.edu .

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I am sure by now you can tell this year marks the 25th anniversary of The College at Southeastern. Since its inception, Southeastern’s leadership has developed and molded The College into one of the best evangelical, Southern Baptist schools in the United States.

While some might see this as a bold claim, I don’t see it as being so farfetched.

In a recent conversation with my 8-year-old son, he mentioned that perhaps one day he would attend The College at Southeastern. Admittedly, I was taken aback by his thought, but as his dad I can only hope that he would have the opportunity to be shaped into the Christ follower that I see our graduates becoming. It is through our graduates that I see young men and women morph into strong, faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are consumed with the mission of God. When I meet our college graduates, a few key characteristics arise.

First, our college graduates have a Great Commission focus like no other. They, like William Carey so eloquently stated, expect great things from God and are attempting great things for God. The Great Commission compels them to serve in the toughest places around the globe but also to faithfully present Christ while ministering in difficult areas in the United States.

This Great Commission calling creates in them a passion and boldness like no other.

Second, our college graduates maintain biblical fidelity. Theology matters to our graduates. As students, they were put through the gauntlet of theological rigor, forcing them to be deeply rooted in the faith, once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). This theological depth fuels their Great Commission passion and al-

A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR lows them to stand in the public square to give defense of the Christian faith.

Third, our graduates understand the cultural moment, and they know how to speak truth in the midst of cultural chaos. I am astounded by the clarity with which many of our students understand the philosophical underpinnings of the cultural movements of modern, western civilization. What is more amazing is the ability of graduates to apply the Bible to the challenges of modern secularism and demonstrate its veracity before the watching world.

So, yes, as a parent it would be a delight for my son to attend The College at Southeastern. I am convinced there is no greater school that weds together a Great Commission passion, biblical fidelity and cultural exegesis. Likewise, there is no better place to invest relationally and financially in the life and ministry of the Church and her leaders than Southeastern Seminary and The College at Southeastern. Our Great Commission passion fuels us to advance the good news of salvation around the world. Our commitment to biblical fidelity undergirds our Great Commission passion and our study of western thought opens the door for biblical truth to shed light on a dark world.

As we continue For the Mission, – our four-year campaign to help fund God’s work through Southeastern – I encourage you to join hundreds of others so that generations of students may continue to be trained with a Great Commission passion, a commitment to biblical fidelity and an ability to make the gospel known in the midst of cultural chaos.

Jonathan Six

Director of Financial and Alumni Development

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