Southeastern Magazine Fall 2024

2023-2024

Remembering Adrianne Miles p.44 “I Need to Go to Seminary” On Mission Among the Speller Bros p.38

Announcing p.16

A Word from the President ver the years I’ve come to realize it matters little if you are known, but it matters a great deal what you are known for.

Or to say it another way, it matters most who or what you choose to make known. As Christians, our call is not to be famous or even to be popular. Our mission is to make much of King Jesus and to make him known to every nation, tribe, people, and tongue (Matt. 28:19, Rev. 7:9).

As president of Southeastern, it has been my desire for over 20 years to see our school committed to this mission — not to promote ourselves but to promote Jesus,

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serving his church and fulfilling his Great Commission. By God’s grace, that is the culture we have here at Southeastern. That is the heartbeat of our students and faculty.

I love how our college, now in its thirtieth year, expresses this mission: equipping students to give their lives for the cause of Christ in the church, among the nations, and in every aspect of society. Our college, like our seminary, is laser focused on helping students make much of Jesus not only in their own lives and careers but also wherever the Lord sends them — from their homes to the nations and everywhere in between.

To solidify this identity for our college, we announced in October that we are renaming our undergraduate program Judson College after pioneering Baptist missionary

Adoniram Judson. Our students and faculty are excited to be associated with that name because of how well Judson fits the Great Commission vision of our college and represents the kind of school Southern Baptists are sending their students to. There is no one better to represent our mission and culture than Adoniram Judson, who gave his life for the cause of Christ in Burma (modern-day Myanmar).

As a dedicated student, Judson represents the kind of rigor and commitment we desire our students to imitate in their studies. As a husband and father, Judson modeled the kind of faithful spiritual leadership we train our students to practice. As a pastor and missionary, he demonstrated the kind of obedience to God’s word and commitment to his calling that we commend

in the classroom and celebrate in our alumni around the world.

I still remember the first time I picked up To the Golden Shore, Courtney Anderson’s classic biography of Judson. I could not put it down. I was riveted by the story of a man radically changed by the gospel, who sacrificed everything — with joy and conviction — to see the unreached reached with the gospel. Judson’s story gripped me, and ever since, it has regularly challenged me and refreshed my passion for the Great Commision.

I pray that his story will inspire generations of students as they come to Judson College to be equipped for their calling. I pray that Judson’s Great Commission legacy and Judson College’s commitment to that mission will similarly challenge and refresh your heart for King Jesus and for

the nations — for those who have yet to surrender to Jesus as Lord.

By God’s grace and through your support, we are seeing men and women biblically and theologically equipped on our campus and sent out by their churches to advance the cause of Christ around the world.

Thank you for joining us in this mission and for your faithfulness to pray for us, to send us students, and to support our efforts here as we serve your churches. We could not do what we do without you.

Together, we are equipping and mobilizing an unprecedented disciple-making force who will be known — not for the great things they do but for the great King they serve whose gospel transforms lives. Until he comes again, may we be found faithful.

Daniel L. Akin President

Table of Contents 6 At the Office with Scott Kellum Senior Professor of New Testament and Greek

11 Headlines 32 Giving Tuesday 34 Endowment Report 38 “I Need to Go to Seminary" On Mission Among the Speller Bros

47 A Word from the Vice President Dr. Jonathan Six, Vice President for Institutional Advancement

48 Upcoming Events

Judson College Announcing

p.16

Retiring Faculty

42 Keith Harper Senior Professor of Baptist Studies (Retired)

In Memoriam

44 Adrianne Miles Associate Professor of English and Linguistics

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New Faculty Drs. Craig Williams & Deanna Rogers join the Judson Faculty

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Ledford Student Center Updates

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“There is no one better to represent our mission and culture than the Baptist missionary Adoniram Judson, who gave his life for the cause of Christ in the church, among the nations, and in every aspect of society. His name and legacy represent our Great Commission vision and mission as an institution, which demonstrates what kind of school Southern Baptists are sending their children to."

Daniel L. Akin President

WH O WE A R E The Southeastern Society is made up of generous men and women from all walks of life who share a desire to assist Southeastern as we seek to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.

J I M & RUTH A N N DY E R

Southeastern Society Members since 2016

Because we have been so blessed, we need to bless others. One person has a very limited amount of time and resources to share the gospel, but Southeastern Seminary is able to multiply our resources and efforts by training a missionary force, equipping and sending people to places we cannot go.

That’s exciting to us, and that’s why we support Southeastern.

– JIM & RUTH ANN DYER –

WH Y WE G I V E Due to 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 to serve him wherever he leads.

H OW TO JO I N Join by giving $1,000 or more annually to fund the work of training gospel-ready ambassadors for Christ. For more information or to become a member, contact Drew Davis at ddavis@sebts.edu.

with Scott Kellum

Having taught at Southeastern for over 20 years, Scott Kellum exudes a passion for God’s word and for his people. As a biblical languages and New Testament expert, Kellum enjoys the world of academia, but even more so, he loves his family, his students, and the simple things of life.

Q How did you meet your wife, Cathy? met Cathy at church in a program called TrainA Iing Union. I was a college student at Ole Miss at the time, and she had just graduated high school. It took a little time for us to start dating, but when I got the chance to pursue something with her, I stepped right up. She is the very center of our family. In our circle of friends and family, Cathy is known as Momma, and she epitomizes that role. I call her “my precious bride.” I am very blessed.

do you and your family like to Q What do when you have some free time? be honest, we have very little of that in our A To lives, but we use it well. We like to go on outings, and we travel a good bit because one of my daughters is a flight attendant. We like camping; we’ll do movies sometimes and just general American stuff. We’re such country folk. I’m excited because I brought back a fishing kayak from my last trip to Mississippi, and I’m looking forward to getting some river time. I love deer hunting, outdoor stuff, and just doing things with my hands. It’s not your typical academic sort of past time.

did you and Chuck Quarles Q How become friends? do not remember a time when I did not know A IChuck.

We went to the same elementary school, middle school, and high school. He grew up in Tula, and I was more in the south of the county, but we went to a unified county school. We had the same scholarship to Ole Miss too. Then we were at Mid-America at the same time and were roommates. At that time I wanted to be a missionary; I wanted to be on the front lines as I perceived it. During senior preaching week, Chuck preached a sermon on Ezekiel 33, about the watchmen on the wall and the message that, “If you don’t go, their blood is on your hands.” And I cannot explain it, but God said to me — louder than an audible voice — “You’re not going. You’re going to teach.” That significant moment in my life set in motion a series of things.

led you to pursue your studies Q What in New Testament and Greek?

I got a degree in classical Greek by accident.

A So, Greek sounded to me like pain and suffering, but I needed a foreign language in college, and I could get out of a year of non-credit classes in seminary if I took it early.

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1 Then my college asked me to make it my major to save their degree program, so I double majored in art and classical civilization with an emphasis in Greek. I lost half of my hours when transferring between different seminaries, but I had advanced standing, so I didn’t have to retake the courses — I could take other courses instead, particularly biblical studies. So I took nothing but language courses, and that resulted in me having 21 hours of Hebrew and 52 hours of Greek on a college or seminary level. I don’t expect everybody to do that sort of thing. But it’s that kind of outcome that makes you say, “Okay, God did this.” My interest in New Testament went alongside Greek; I never actually considered another area.

mindset should Q What students have when

attempting to translate or understand a difficult biblical text?

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Bible was written, the writer expected the original reader to understand it.

So, we get a basic translation, and then we realize we’re going to have to work a little bit harder. We look and see, does the author address the topic elsewhere in the book and elsewhere in Scripture? If he does, then we have somewhat of a guideline to help us, and then we closely analyze the text in its context to discover the meaning.

have your experiences Q How teaching on short-term

research or Q What writing projects are you

currently working on?

am currently working on the A IEvangelical Exegetical Commentary of Acts. It will be around 300,000 words long, not including footnotes, and I’m looking forward to it. We’re in the beginning stages of getting that ball rolling. I also have an essay that’s coming out on the early closing of the canon. It will be paired with the work of somebody who has a different opinion.

mission trips shaped the way you view your role as a professor? really helped me in terms of A It’s my relationship to my culture.

As I see my brothers and sisters in Christ relate to their government that looks skeptically on them, it helps me to view my culture through the prism of the kingdom. I think the church is more authentic on the outside of culture addressing it than trying to be the center of culture. I’m proud to be an American and grateful for the country that we have. But my identity is not American; my identity is Christian, and so I identify more with those fellow believers in other countries.

start with the perspicuity of A Let’s Scripture. That means the clarity of Scripture, namely, that when the

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about your Q What experiences as a

pastor? How have these influenced the way you view teaching and missions? think my experience as a A Ipastor prepared me for the teaching ministry. I think it’s very valuable to have experience in the church as I teach those going to the churches. I find a deep satisfaction in ministering to the people of God and especially teaching lay people because I am so often teaching those in the realm of academics.

has God Q What been teaching you

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in his word lately?

I’ve just now transitioned

A over to Jeremiah, and it might be better to ask me this question when I’m through with the book.

In the first part I have been particularly struck by the comparison between “faithless Israel” and “treacherous Judah.” It points out the treasonous nature of idolatry in God’s people. It’s very convicting.

I tend to be a deep-diver in Scripture, even when reading devotionally. When I see the depths in the word of God, it’s life giving.

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1. A Vietnamese tea set 2. Souvenirs from a trip overseas 3. Authentic papyrus paper 4. "The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown," translated into Korean 5. Dr. Kellum's favorite baseball team, the Ole Miss Rebels 6. "The Spirit of Ole Miss," Dr. Kellum's grandfather's plane 7. A Roman Gladius 8. Godzilla (1960s) Memorabilia

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SCAN HERE TO SEE DR. KELLUM'S AT THE OFFICE VIDEO

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My time at Southeastern was as fruitful for me as it was for my congregation. The Lord used Southeastern to first shape, humble, and surrender my life to Christ to be malleable in his hands that I would then proclaim the gospel to the Latino world. My congregation, at first, were overwhelmed since most of them have an elementary school education. But as I asked the Lord for guidance and knowledge to be able to explain to them the simplicity of the gospel, now they look forward to delving into the Scriptures each week. They have come to learn how to interpret Scripture for themselves and be able to teach and preach the Scriptures to others based on sound biblical teaching. Their boldness and fervor fueled me to continue learning and continue taking the next class, awaiting what I would learn and what I could communicate to them about our wondrous and majestic Lord.

Angel Jimenez BA Christian Studies and Music, 2017 MA Christian Studies, 2022

Headlines

Spring 2024 Graduation Southeastern Seminary and The College at Southeastern celebrated the graduation of 277 students on May 10, 2024.

In his commencement address, President Danny Akin spoke from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, expositing the great act of reconciliation that Christ has done between God and man. To the graduates, he gave this challenge: “We have experienced the miracle of reconciliation; we have believed the message of reconciliation; and as you depart today as graduates of Southeastern Seminary or The College at Southeastern, you go as ministers of reconciliation.”

During the commencement ceremony, Southeastern recognized and honored the late Dr. Adrianne Miles who passed away on May 5 after a difficult battle with cancer. Miles was beloved by her family, friends, students, and fellow faculty members.

Read more about Dr. Miles on page 44

The Foundations of a Great Commission Seminary: Akin Gives 2024 Seminary Report On June 12, during the seminary reports at the 2024 annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention, Akin spoke on the foundations of a Great Commission seminary and what it looks like for Southeastern

students and graduates to live their lives with King Jesus’s final words in mind. First and foremost, the foundation upon which Southeastern is built is the word of God. Building on that foundation, students are taught to love God, love the truth, love the Church, and love the world.

At Southeastern, this is all done under the umbrella of the Great Commission. Finally, Southeastern

A BIBLICALLY FAITHFUL GREAT COMMISSION SEMINARY

THE GREAT COMMISSION

CHURCH HISTORY

LOVE THE CHURCH

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM

BIBLICAL COUNSELING

LOVE TRUTH

PREACHING & PASTORAL MINISTRY

BIBLICAL STUDIES

THEOLOGY

PHILOSOPHY & ETHICS

DISCIPLESHIP

LOVE GOD

trains students in eight key areas of study: discipleship, philosophy and ethics, theology, biblical studies, preaching and pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, missions and evangelism, and Church history. With this structure in place, Southeastern seeks to equip students to live with missional intentionality and a love for God’s people — wherever God calls them, in all areas of life.

LOVE THE WORLD

THE WORD OF GOD

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Southeastern Centers Receive Generous Grants In May, Southeastern received a grant of $1.25 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. in support for the Great Commission Preaching Initiative of the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership (CPPL).

This initiative seeks to serve and equip pastors in five specific areas: 1. Research seeking to learn from current preachers and study current issues 2. An annual, two-day Great Commission preaching conference 3. Regular on-campus workshops dedicated to training participants in Christ-centered expository preaching 4. Cohorts and coaching from Southeastern professors 5. Related content created for journal articles and the CPPL blog and podcast In July, Southeastern received another grant of $1.25 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the Congregational Renewal Initiative of Southeastern’s L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture (CFC). This initiative is a concerted effort between the CFC and Southern Baptist churches to strengthen congregations through the development of research and resources on spiritual formation for public witness. The initiative is being funded through Lilly Endowment’s Thriving Congregations Initiative, which aims to encourage the flourishing of congregations by helping them deepen their relationships with God, enhance their connections with each other, and contribute to the vitality of their communities and the world.

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Headlines

Robert Smith Jr.

Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership Hosts Inaugural Preaching Conference On September 16-17, Southeastern Seminary and the CPPL hosted the first annual Engaging Exposition Preaching Conference. Welcoming over 150 pastors and church leaders to campus, the conference consisted of four sessions, breakout opportunities, and a panel discussion with key speakers. The inaugural conference challenged and encouraged pastors in their ministry within a community of like-minded leaders seeking to faithfully shepherd their flocks for

James Merritt

God’s glory. Following the theme of “The Pastor’s Character,” the conference addressed the need for pastors to be transformed and motivated by God’s word.

Keynote speakers included Robert Smith Jr., Jimmy Scroggins, James Merritt, and Scott Pace.

Exploring further how God and his word mold a pastor’s heart, attendees had the opportunity to hear from Southeastern faculty Allan Moseley, Chuck Quarles, Dwayne Milioni, and Chuck Lawless in breakout sessions that covered topics from the heart of the pastor for his congregation to the prayer life of the pastor and qualifications for pastoral leadership.

Jimmy Scroggins

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Kelly King Joins the Faculty as a Visiting Professor

Kelly King

Faculty Take on New Leadership Roles In June, Benjamin Quinn was installed as the new director of the L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture. Quinn has taught at Southeastern since 2012 and currently serves as associate professor of theology and history of ideas. Since 2022 he has served as the associate director of the CFC.

Benjamin Quinn

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In August, Kristin Kellen was appointed director of the EdD program. Associate professor of biblical counseling at Southeastern and an alumna of the PhD and EdD programs, Kellen has faithfully served as the associate director of EdD studies for the past two years and has taught at Southeastern since 2016.

Kristin Kellen

Southeastern Seminary is excited to announce that Kelly D. King has joined the Southeastern faculty as visiting professor of Christian ministry. King brings with her years of experience in equipping women for ministry and leadership, and she began teaching courses this fall.

“One of my passions is equipping women to live out their calling and preparing them to be disciplemakers in multiple contexts,” King shared as she reflected on her new role at Southeastern. “In this position, I have the opportunity to invest in other women who will continue to expand God’s kingdom around the world.”

King began teaching as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma Baptist University and has had many opportunities to train leaders through Lifeway events. She received both of her degrees from Gateway Seminary: a Master of Arts in theological studies and a Doctor of Ministry with a focus in executive training for women’s ministry leaders in Southern Baptist state conventions.

This fall, we welcomed 1,492 students across all programs, our largest incoming class ever!

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Carlos Goodrich, Chair

New Mission Trips Announced at Gathering Chapel The Great Commission is the heartbeat of Southeastern Seminary and its students. At the beginning of each semester, Gathering Chapel brings the Southeastern community together to calibrate their hearts around the final words of Jesus and to announce the institutional mission trips for the school year. Mission trips for this year include: West Central Asia

Dallas, TX

Southeast Asia

Madagascar

South Asia

London, England

New York, NY

East Central Asia

New Bedford, MA

Clarkston, GA

Las Vegas, NV

São Paulo, Brazil

LE A R N MOR E AT S E BTS . E D U /C G C S

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Headlines

Trustees Approve College Name Change On October 14-15, Southeastern welcomed its board of trustees and Southeastern Society to campus for their fall annual meetings.

Both groups received encouraging updates about institutional growth from the administration, including reports of significant enrollment increases (across undergraduate, graduate, and advanced degree programs) and record charitable giving in excess of $8.5 million during this past fiscal year.

The Southeastern community also welcomed two new trustees: Dustin Rudolph, from California, and Travis Southern, from Washington state.

On October 15, trustees unanimously approved the recommendation to rename the college to Judson College in honor of Baptist missionary Adoniram Judson. Students, faculty, and college alumni joined the trustees and Southeastern Society after chapel for a celebratory lunch on the lawn, commemorating this significant moment in the life of Judson College.

Danny Akin

Thomas West

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We want to be worshipers of Jesus who want to know him, love God, and love others with all of our hearts and minds and strength. And that’s the core. Cross cultural work, language learning, platforms, teams, and strategies — they’re not secondary. They flow from that.

Thomas and Harper McKay* Seminary Alumni Serving in the Asian Pacific Rim

*Names changed for security

Judson College Announcing

October 15, Southeastern Seminary’s board O nofTuesday, trustees voted to approve that The College at South-

eastern be renamed as Judson College.

Named after Adoniram Judson, pioneer Baptist missionary in the early 1800s to Burma (modern-day Myanmar), Judson College exists to equip students to give their lives for the cause of Christ in the church, among the nations, and in every aspect of society.

“When we were considering names for the undergraduate program at Southeastern,” said President Danny Akin, “we wanted a name that represents our Great Commission vision and mission as an institution and one that demonstrates what kind of school Southern Baptists would be sending their children to.”

“Adoniram Judson did not ask the question, ‘Should I go?’

He asked the question, ‘Why should I stay?’” Akin said. “And seeing the need was so great in Southeast Asia, he answered that call, and he went; and the results were incredible.”

Judson, Akin expressed, perfectly represents the college’s mission and culture in the way he dedicated his life for the cause of Christ in his ministry amongst the Burmese people.

The college’s new name was announced in chapel following the annual fall meeting of the board of trustees and Southeastern Society. Immediately after chapel, Southeast-

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ern students, faculty, staff, and their families gathered on the quad for a celebration lunch and the reveal of the official Judson College sign outside of Appleby Hall, the primary building for undergraduate studies.

This fall, Judson College celebrates its thirtieth anniversary, following years of unprecedented student body growth. This growth has extended both to campus building projects and amenities and to the college’s House System — the vibrant Christian community where Judson students develop life-long friendships as they learn to live for the cause of Christ wherever he calls them.

When reflecting on his own call to missions, Adoniram Judson once wrote, “The command of Christ, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature,’ was presented to my mind with such clearness and power, that I came to a full

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decision, and though great difficulties appeared in my way, resolved to obey the command at all events.”1 The Great Commission is the heartbeat of Judson College, and over the years, many of its students have experienced a similar call to the one Adoniram was presented with over 200 years ago. Now, Judson alumni around the world represent Christ to their communities as they serve at local churches, in professional careers, and on mission amongst some of the most unreached people groups on earth.

SCAN HERE TO WATCH THE ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO

1. Edward Judson, The Life of Adoniram Judson (New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Company, 1883), 17.

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The Life of

udson J

in 1788 in Malden, MassaB orn chusetts, Adoniram Judson spent

nearly 40 years of his life laboring for the advance of the gospel amongst the Burmese people. Over the course of his ministry, he was widowed twice and only briefly survived by his third wife. He and all three women sacrificed everything for the cause of Christ, influencing modern missions with a legacy marked by great sacrifice.

Adoniram grew up as the son of Abigail and Adoniram Judson Sr., a congregationalist pastor. However, despite being raised in a Christian family, Adoniram had no love for the God of the Bible. In college he became a deist and, after revealing his new religious leanings to his family, indulged in a brief season of rebellion against God away from his family.

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On his return home, Adoniram learned of the death of a close deist friend and, distressed at the state of his lost friend’s soul, began a pursuit of truth that ultimately led to his conversion in 1808. This concern for the lost would shape the rest of Adoniram’s life and ministry.

Over the next several years, God used the passion of Adoniram and several other like-minded men to establish the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

It was through this organization that Adoniram and several fellow laborers departed overseas as America’s first ordained foreign missionaries.

At their ordination, Judson and his companions were told, “You are but the precursors of many, who shall follow you in this arduous, glorious exercise; for the Gospel shall be

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preached to all nations, and all people shall see the Salvation of God.”1 Ann and Adoniram would spend the rest of their lives serving in Burma, playing a crucial role in introducing Christianity to that country.

During the many months it took them to arrive at their final destination, Ann and Adoniram came to a difficult conclusion. Through studying the Scriptures, they became convinced that baptism by immersion for professing Christians was the only form of baptism prescribed

by Scripture. This conviction separated the Judsons from their original denomination as well as their fellow missionaries, leaving them reliant on the American Baptists who were wholly unaware of the situation.2 Upon their arrival in Rangoon, Burma, on July 13, 1812, Ann and Adoniram slowly began to comprehend the extent of the work that lay before them.

At the time, the Burmese were primarily Buddhist, and their government was dependent upon the whims of the emperor. However, God gave Ann and Adoniram favor with the local government, so Adoniram set about the greatest task before him: language mastery and translation of the Bible.

Ann was quicker to grasp the common language because of how often she interacted with Burmese people. Adoniram progressed more

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slowly but with the intentionality of learning the nuances and structure of the language and grammar.

He knew that he was not only laying down a foundation for reliable translation but also paving the path for future missionaries who would come after him.3 Evangelism among the Burmese people was a labor of time and great patience, as their culture struggled to comprehend core tenets of the Christian faith. Six years passed before they baptized their first convert, Maung Nau. Over the next several years, more would gradually come to believe.

Adoniram was always very careful to ensure that those who confessed faith in Christ were sincere in their commitment, as he knew that severe persecution was likely in their future.

Little did he know how much suffering he and Ann would soon endure. However, it was not because of their ministry.

In 1824, the Judsons’ mission work was interrupted by the start of war amongst the Burmese and English.

Adoniram was arrested during this time, under the suspicions of being

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a British spy.

The next year and a half of the Judsons’ lives was a horrific narrative of imprisonment and hardship. While Adoniram endured the extreme conditions of his confinement, Ann did everything in her power to keep him and his companions alive, constantly seeking favor and aid from those in positions of power. During all of this, Ann was also caring for a newborn, their daughter, Maria Judson, whom she had given birth to during Adoniram’s imprisonment.

When Adoniram was finally released, he discovered that Ann and Maria were both ravaged by sickness and barely hanging on to life. The three of them celebrated freedom for only a short time before Ann passed away, followed shortly in death by her daughter.

Adoniram was not yet halfway through his years of ministry, and he had lost his greatest partner. However, in those first years with Ann by his side, the seeds of truth had been sown, and the Burmese church was beginning to grow. To the people of Burma, light had come. For Adoniram, however, everything was dark.

In his book Ten Who Changed the World, Daniel Akin describes this time in Adoniram’s life, saying, “Death seemed to be all about Adoniram. For a period of months, he was plunged into

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despair and depression. He would flee to the jungle and live the life of a hermit, for some time questioning himself, his calling, even his faith. . . . However, God’s power and love did not fail him. He would emerge from the valley of the shadow of death in the strength of his Good Shepherd.”4 Despite death and darkness, the gospel would not be thwarted. Many other missionaries had arrived in Burma, and Adoniram’s translated works were being printed and distributed near and far by the thousands.

It would take many more years, but in October of 1840, he would finish translating the first Burmese Bible.

In this latter half of his ministry, Adoniram met his second wife, Sarah Boardman, a widow who had come with her husband to Burma in 1827. Sarah was a great missionary in her own right and, following her husband’s death, would travel with her young son George to minister to the Karen people in the jungles of Burma.

She and Adoniram linked arms in ministry and found much joy over the next years as they formed a family and continued in their mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sarah passed away in 1845, and like Ann, she was accompanied in death by some of her children. Adoniram grieved deeply once again.

In the last years of his life, however, Adoniram never surrendered his call to missions. Upon his return to the states, he experienced the celebrity status that he and his family had gained while overseas, and it made him very uneasy. He had expected a life of martyrdom, not fame.

On this trip, however, he met

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his third wife, Emily Chubbock, a renowned author who left her comfortable position in America to sacrifice her health and the next four years of her life with Adoniram serving in Burma.

In April of 1850, Adoniram passed away at sea after suffering from a severe illness. In his absence, he left a country infused with the hope of the gospel.

In a biography about his father Adoniram, Edward Judson shares these words uttered by his father and recorded by a companion who suffered with him in prison camp: “‘It is possible,’” said Adoniram, “‘that my life may be spared; if so, with what ardor and gratitude shall I pursue my work; and if not, His will be done; the door will be opened for others who will do the work better.’”5 Many times God spared Adoniram’s life, and in that life, he passionately pursued Great Commission work. By God’s grace, Adoniram’s work also opened the door for many others and inspired their commitment to pursue missions, both in Burma and elsewhere. Adoniram Judson gave his life for the cause of Christ, knowing that in his death he would live and that through his sacrifice many others might know the eternal hope of Christ.

—————— 1. Courtney Anderson, To the Golden Shore (Valley Forge: Judson Press, 1987), 113.

2. Anderson, To the Golden Shore, 146.

3. Anderson, To the Golden Shore, 179–80.

4. Daniel L. Akin, Ten Who Changed the World (Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2012), 24.

5. Edward Judson, The Life of Adoniram Judson (New York: Anson D. F. Randolph & Company, 1883), 226–227.

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Dr.Craig Williams

fall Craig Williams began teaching as proT his fessor of business at Judson College while also

serving as coordinator for business programs. Williams’s experience includes years of teaching in higher education as well as decades of management and business administration within the corporate world. At Judson College, Williams is excited for the opportunity to integrate the Christian faith into the classroom as he equips students to fulfill God’s calling in their lives.

“Craig Williams is an incredible addition to the faculty that further enhances our BBA program,” said Ryan Hutchinson, executive vice president for operations. “Dr. Williams’s

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resume brings both significant field experience in the workplace and academic experience in the classroom.

As we seek to build a Great Commission-saturated BBA program, Dr. Williams offers an important perspective on wedding faith with business acumen.”

—————— Williams received his master’s from East Carolina University and his PhD from NC State University — both in industrial and organizational psychology. He also received an MA in Christian Studies at Southeastern Seminary. Williams teaches a number of courses at Judson, including Organizational Management, Human Resource Management, and Intro to Psychology.

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Dr. Deanna Rogers

summer Deanna Rogers joined the English T his faculty at Judson College. Serving as assistant professor of English, Rogers has long-time ties with Southeastern, both from her childhood and from her experience teaching as adjunct professor in the college from 2016-2019. She has a passion for American literature as well as composition, and she is eager to pour into Judson students, expertly equipping them for the ministry and work before them.

“Dr. Rogers is a tremendous addition to our faculty,” commented Provost Scott Pace. “Her academic credentials and years of experience will ensure that

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our students are thoroughly equipped to fulfill their calling. Perhaps more importantly, her strong biblical convictions and her desire to personally invest in students will ground them in the truth and help them grow in their faith.”

—————— Rogers received her MA in English from Clemson University and her PhD in English with a concentration in composition and rhetoric from the University of South Carolina. In addition to upper-level English courses, she teaches English Composition II, American Literature, and World Literature at Judson.

Features

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Elliott House Seeking first the Kingdom

College is excited to J udson announce the launch of a new house to its House System: Its name is Elliott. Elliott will play an integral part in the Judson College student experience, providing house members with intentional community, ministry opportunities, fun events, discipleship, and accountability.

Named in honor of Larry and Jean Elliott, Southeastern alumni who were murdered as missionaries in Iraq, the Elliott House represents the missional heart of students in Judson College.

Larry and Jean’s story started in Cary, North Carolina, where the couple first considered following God’s call to pursue international missions. Both decided to study at Southeastern Seminary; Jean pursued a year of biblical training in preparation for the field while Larry completed his Master of Divinity, graduating in 1978.

Over the next 25 years of their lives, the Elliotts served faithfully as

24

Features

missionaries in Honduras, pouring out their hearts to reach the people there.

During their time in Honduras, God used the Elliotts to establish 12 churches and 92 mission points while also building more than 80 freshwater wells.

Not long after their retirement and return to the States, the Elliotts realized that their missions work was not yet complete. In 2004, God called Larry and Jean to war-torn Iraq. Despite knowing the danger, they left with great joy to partner with the International Mission Board in providing fresh water for those in need.

Within 23 days of their arrival, the Elliotts and two other missionaries were tragi-

Fall 2024

cally slain in a drive-by shooting in Mosul, Iraq. Their lives are a testament to their love for Christ and for others, down to their very last days.

Reflecting on the Elliotts’ story, Director of College Life Jake Hatfield observed how “the Elliotts’ lives embodied the mission of Judson College. Truly, they gave their lives for the cause of Christ in the church, among the nations, and in every aspect of society.”

“Not only are the Elliotts the first house namesake with a direct tie to our school, but also they perfectly embody the mission of our college having literally given their lives for the cause of Christ on the mission field,” commented Seth Bible, dean

of Judson College. “In this, the twentieth anniversary of their deaths, we are humbled to honor them in this manner.”

As part of the culture of Elliott House, its core values illustrate the heartbeat of Jean and Larry’s ministry. Sacrifice is a characteristic evident in every aspect of the Elliotts’ lives, most notably at the end, and it is symbolized by the color red. Diligence, symbolized

by the color black, represents the Elliotts’ perseverance and many years of service. Hospitality is the third value, portrayed by the color yellow and commemorative of the Elliotts’ commitment to care for both the spiritual and physical needs of others.

In its formation, Elliott House represents the legacy of two missionaries who chose to seek the kingdom first. They prized Jesus and the gospel over their own lives and were willing to go as his ambassadors to the ends of the earth, no matter the cost. Students at Judson College now carry on this legacy as they prepare in community to give their lives for the cause of Christ.

Larry and Jean Elliott Memorial Missionary Scholarship Fund The Elliott Memorial Missionary Scholarship is a fund established in memory of Larry and Jean Elliott to support students serving on the international mission field in closed countries or countries which are otherwise characterized by hostility to the gospel.

S CAN HER E TO L E AR N MO R E ABO UT THE E L L IOTTS AND THE SCHO L AR SHIP F UND

Fall 2024

Features

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Ledford Student Center

Dining Hall Updates - September 2024

Ledford Student Center

Dining Hall Expansion and Event Space

Also Coming November 2024

Ledford Fitness Center Renovations 28

Coming 2025

Upcoming Goals

This year, our goal is to raise $2 million for the Southeastern Fund The Southeastern Fund is a vital financial resource designed to assist students by offsetting their tuition costs. By providing essential funding, the Southeastern Fund makes theological education more accessible and affordable for all students at the seminary. This support helps to alleviate their financial burden, enabling them to focus more on their studies and spiritual growth without the constant stress of financial constraints. The fund plays a crucial role in fostering an environment where students can thrive academically and spiritually, preparing them to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.

SCAN HERE OR GO TO SEBTS.EDU/GIVE

Sam James Church Planting Endowment Give today to the Sam James Church Planting Endowment.

This endowment is designed to recruit, equip, and send church planters to our cities and to the nations until Christ returns.

“If you can't go, then you can send. That's why the Great Commission is not an option. You have a choice: you can either go, or you can stay here and send others who are called to go."

Dr. Sam James IMB missionary for 50+ years in 115 countries

For more information contact Drew Davis at ddavis@sebts.edu or (919) 761-2351 SCAN HERE TO HEAR MORE FROM SAM JAMES AND GIVE NOW 29

Be a part of what God is doing through women at Southeastern

The Southeastern Women’s Fellowship was founded to support and encourage female students at Southeastern. Our goal is to award scholarships each year and provide opportunities for Fellowship members to support fundraising efforts for women’s scholarships and causes.

Will you join us as we seek to serve and honor God by building a lasting legacy through the lives of these faithful women?

SEBTS.EDU/SWF

I try to emphasize with our students here how sweet it is to know that theological training and education can benefit you regardless of what you do. My pathway has been into vocational ministry, but the education you get at Southeastern is something that’s valuable regardless of what your career is. My training directly equipped me for what I’m doing now.

But I think it can also directly equip people to go into the workplace and know how to be faithful there.

Katy Weaver MA Christian Education, 2021

HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF 300 GIVERS THIS GIVING TUESDAY!

On Giving Tuesday, December 3, join us in training students to go and make disciples. Each year, gifts from gracious givers like you enable men and women to affordably pursue the biblical and theological training they need for a lifetime of faithful ministry. Over the past several years, God has used these gifts on Giving Tuesday to equip thousands of students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission around the world.

SCAN HERE OR GO TO SEBTS.EDU/GIVINGTUESDAY

As the pastor of a local Southern Baptist church, Southeastern prepared me to be on mission through their commitment to making every classroom a Great Commission classroom.

It’s an honor to give back to the institution that the Lord used to shape my ministry.

DAVID SONS

LEAD PASTOR AT LAKE MURRAY BAPTIST CHURCH, LEXINGTON, SC, MDIV CHRISTIAN MINISTRY, 2019

WAYS TO GIVE TO SOUTHEASTERN’S MISSION Cash or Check

Stock

Please make checks payable to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and send to the address below: Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Attn: Financial and Alumni Development P.O. Box 1889, Wake Forest, NC, 27588

When you donate appreciated securities, both the gift amount and charitable deduction are the fair market value of the stock and there is no capital gains tax. Please note, there can be exceptions — notably, that the security must have been held at least one year and there are potential limits due to AGI.

Matching Gifts Many companies offer their employees a gift-matching program. The percentages and amounts may vary, but you can inquire with your respective Human Resources Office to see if this is available to you. This is a great way to maximize your giving to Southeastern!

IRA Give a tax-free gift to Southeastern directly from your IRA. IRA distributions to Southeastern qualify for the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). You must be age 72 or older and the annual maximum donation is $100,000.

Donor Advised Funds Donor-advised funds are tremendous giving vehicles that allow donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from their fund over time.

These funds are established at a public charity, and there are numerous organizations (including faith-based organizations) that provide this service across the country for donors to choose from when opening a fund. Please consult with your financial advisor about donor-advised funds.

NOT AB LE TO G IVE ON G IVI NG TUE SDAY ?

YOU CAN G IVE YE AR - ROUN D! SCAN H E RE OR GO TO S E BTS . E DU/G IVE

Giving to Southeastern Seminary matters to me because the Great Commission matters to me, and the Great Commission expresses the heart of Jesus for the nations.

Our hearts follow our treasure, and if we want our hearts to align with Jesus’s heart for the world, we’ll look to invest in ministries that equip and empower his people to obey his commands. Southeastern is one such ministry – a place where passion to reach the lost is cultivated and displayed.

TREVIN WAX

VP FOR RESEARCH AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AT NAMB, PHD APPLIED THEOLOGY, 2015

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Endowment Report Over the past four years, donors have directly contributed nearly $8 million to strategic endowments. These endowments ensure long-term financial security for the seminary and provide the means to equip students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission until Christ’s return.

Fund Overview

EQ UI T Y

Asset Allocation $14,305

The Endowment Fund is a long-term investment for Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary requiring annual spending and real growth.

The Fund consists of global equity, fixed income, special opportunities, and real assets.

Fund 32% Overview EQUIT Y

FIXE D I N C O M E & CAS H

$14,305

$7,268

$14,305 IN COME & CASH FIXED

EQUIT Y 17%

32%

32% 17%

$7,268

R E AL AS S E TS $15,998

FIXED IN COME & CASH 36% ASSETS $7,268 REAL

17% 36%

$15,998

REAL ASSETS

Purpose & Expectation

D I VE R S I F Y I N G ST R AT E GI E S E Q U IT Y - 3 2 %

$6,542

The long-term goal of the Endowment Fund is to exceed the sum of 5% annual spending, inflation (Consumer Price Index), and fees.

Risk Control We expect the overall volatility to be less than the benchmark, and this is achieved by diversifying among many different asset managers and asset types. One of our core principles is downside protection, so care is taken to hire managers appropriately and to diversify widely.

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FIX ED INCO M E & CAS H - 17 % R EA L AS S ETS - 3 6 % D IV ERS IF YING ST RAT EGY - 15 %

TOTA L

$ 44,112, 472

$15,998 DIVERSIFYIN G ST RAT EG I ES

15%

36% 15%

$6,542

DIVERSIFYIN G ST RAT EG I ES

15%

$6,542

TOTAL

$ 4 4 ,112 , 4 7 2 100% TOTAL $ 4 4CHM ,112 ,472 BEN ARK

B E N C H M AR K

70% Stocks (MSCI ACWI), 30% Bonds BEN CHMUS ARK (Bloomberg Aggregate)

70% Stocks (MSCI ACWI), 30% Bonds (Bloomberg US Aggregate)

70% Stocks (MSCI ACWI), 30% Bonds IN CEPT ION DAT E (Bloomberg US Aggregate)

100%

100%

Endowment Fund / Oak City Since Inception: June 01, 2018 June 01, 2018

IN C E P T I O N DAT E June 01, 2018

IN CEPT ION DAT E

Investments are screened to avoid companies involved with tobacco, gambling, pornography, and Junealcohol, 01, 2018 abortion-related goods and services.

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Investment Strategy

Embrace Stewardship

•

Asset allocation is critical

•

Employ portfolio to reflect worldview

•

Downside protection is important

•

Engage in investments honoring to God

•

Biblical worldview is non-negotiable

•

Believe that our resources belong to God

Performance Returns

RE TURN RATE (%)

PO RT F O L IO N E T O F F E E S 5.7

15% 12% 9%

B E NCHM A RK

5.1 8.1

13.8

3.7

7.8

6% 3% 0% -3% Since Inception (Ann)

Trailing 3 Years (Ann)

Trailing Year

Total Endowment Balance (Last 10 Years) $45,000,000 $40,000,000 $35,000,000 $30,000,000 $25,000,000 $20,000,000 $15,000,000 $10,000,000 $500,000 $0

Fall 2024

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

The total endowment balance has increased by 80.8% since 7/31/2014.

This increase includes donations, unrealized gains, and realized gains over the ten-year period.

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Southeastern taught me that every waking moment is an opportunity to be like Jesus. It helped me to see that opportunities to speak Christ, to live Christ, and to magnify Christ are available every day. I am so grateful for the wisdom and knowledge (the ‘how to’ of ministry) that I learned at Southeastern.

However, I walked away forever changed by the people (or the ‘with whom’ of ministry) at Southeastern.

The people I got to learn under, the people I got to do life with, and the people I got to grow closer to Christ with stand out the most to me. I experienced a true sacrificial love from start to finish.

Sean and Adrienne Robinson MA Intercultural Studies, 2017 MA Ministry Leadership, 2018 MA Christian Studies, 2018

TH A N K YO U TO T HI S Y E A R' S M A J O R S PO NS O R S !

P L AT I N U M S P O N S O R S

GOLD SPONSORS

DESI G N DEV ELO PMENT | RE M OD E L H E ALTH | ROBL IN G M E D I CA L

To learn more, play, or become a sponsor next year, please visit sebts.edu/classic or email Drew Davis at ddavis@sebts.edu

"I Need to Go to Seminary" ON MISSION AMONG THE SPELLER BROS

or each student at South-

Great Commission F eastern, ministry looks different. For Seth Taylor, it requires an arduous amount of effort; it can be painstakingly slow; and it is always through uncharted territory. But his ministry to a group of people called the Speller Bros is a testament to God’s grace and a celebration of the allsurpassing worth of the gospel.

“I always knew about God because of my parents,” Seth shared as he spelled out his story. “Even before spelling, I listened to them read the Bible, and I learned all about Jesus. One day mom read to me the plan of salvation from a homeschool book. I realized I needed to be forgiven, so I asked in my mind for Jesus to save me. He did, and now the Holy Spirit helps me try to live for him, even though I still can’t talk.”

From a young age, Seth experienced the world very differently than those around him.

When Seth was a little under a year old, his parents, Andy and Laurie Taylor, learned that their son had severe autism and motor apraxia.

Because of his autism, Seth was unable to speak and had no way of communicating with others.

Over the next decade, the Taylors sought out many different therapies and methods of helping Seth, but nothing seemed to break through the barrier. Not until his eleventh birthday, that is.

Around that time, Andy and Laurie learned about a woman who was able to communicate with her own autistic son through something called a letterboard; through it, he was able to spell out his thoughts.

Here was an opportunity to try something new, something that might change Seth’s world. It was a terrifying thing to get their hopes up for something else that might not work.

However, our God is a God of hope.

Andy, Laurie, and Seth traveled to meet the woman who could teach them how to use the letterboard, and within a few days of working with her,

Fall 2024

communication opened up for Seth.

Using the letterboard, an 8.5x11-inch laminated piece of paper, Seth demonstrated to his parents the fullness and complexity of his thoughts.

“The first time we saw him have open communication on the letterboard,” Andy described, “Laurie and I were both overjoyed and sorrowful at the same time. We thought that Seth was unaware of everything around him, but he was actually listening to everything we said. We were so happy that he now had a voice, but also sad that he had lived so many years trapped in his mind. There were lots of tears,” he remembered. “Honestly, it was also scary at first. We didn’t know what he would say. Would he be mad or disappointed in us?”

Seth also remembers that moment very clearly, and he described in his own words what it was like to communicate with his parents for the first time.

“It was amazing,” he spelled. “It was so good for me to show them that I am smart even though my hands and body act crazy. They could get to know me, and my family was so happy.

Spelling has opened up my life.”

A year later, around his twelfth birthday, Seth experienced something even more life-changing than being able to spell: He asked Jesus to save him from his sins and through the gospel found eternal hope and forgiveness in his Lord and Savior.

The day he was saved, Seth spelled out to his mother the summary of Christ’s work on his behalf: “All done.”

Speller Bros and Seminary Over the years since then, Seth has grown in his faith and in his ability to communicate with people.

Only recently he and his family discovered a community of other young men whose lives look very much like Seth’s. They are called, in Seth’s words, the Speller Bros.

Also autistic and non-speaking, these friends use letterboards to communi-

cate at spell groups and community activities. Their proficiency at using a letterboard varies, and Seth explained that it takes a lot of time and energy to use. The practice of spelling also requires a partner to help, and for some of the Speller Bros, that means that communication can only happen at therapy with a therapist.

Others, like Seth, are now able to spell at home with a family member.

With this newfound community, God answered Seth’s deep desire for friendship. However, he also placed a new desire in Seth’s heart: to share about Jesus and the beauty and hope of the gospel with these new friends. Once Seth realized this, he had another decision to make.

As Andy recalled, “Seth told me on his letterboard, ‘Dad, I need to go to seminary.’” When he asked Seth why, his response was, “‘Because I need to learn about God so I can lead a Bible study for the Speller Bros.’”

At first Andy was overwhelmed at this request. Would it be possible?

However, by God’s grace, he knew of a seminary that shared Seth’s heart for reaching the lost with the gospel.

For almost three years, Andy has served on the board of trustees at Southeastern Seminary, and after Seth shared his desire for theological education, Andy reached out to Southeastern’s provost, Scott Pace, to see what their next steps should be.

The First Steps of Theological Equipping This year, Seth started his first Go Certificate class at Southeastern: Theology I with Ken Keathley. Because of the format of the class and its online delivery, he was able to work through the content at his own pace.

Since beginning the Go Certificate, Seth has now completed the first course and moved on to Hermeneutics with Danny Akin and Great Commission studies with Chuck Lawless. Through these classes, Seth is gaining a biblical and theologi39

cal foundation as he prepares to lead a Bible study for the Speller Bros.

“I think God put the desire in my heart so they can know how much God loves them,” Seth expressed, reflecting on his mission to minister to the Speller Bros. “My first Bible study,” he said, “is about the man born blind (John 9).”

In addition to planning this study, Seth has been able to use what he is learning in his classes to articulate how God is at work in his life.

“I have a blog that has more subscribers than I thought would read it,” Seth shared. “I wrote my testimony recently to share the gospel. I had just learned about the Holy Spirit in theology class, so I incorporated it in my story. I hope I have more opportunities to share.”

As Andy reflected on the events of the past months, he was struck by the way that God has been able to use Seth in his own unique circumstances. “The last year has been amazing. Seth has grown into his calling. To see his determination is humbling. Certainly, he is impacting the spelling community. But Seth is an inspiration and challenge to all who know him to lay down their excuses and allow the struggles of your life to be used to magnify the greatness of Christ.”

“Laurie and I have said for years that Seth’s life has been the most sanctifying experience for both of us,” Andy shared. “Seth has helped us to see the Imago Dei in every person. His love for ministry is humbling. He could have become bitter with frustration and anxiety. But he leans on the Holy Spirit.”

Go Make Disciples Through Spelling As Seth seeks to minister to the Speller Bros, there is a lot to learn, and the journey is not easy.

“My mind cannot control my body, so I look like I’m only a shell of a person,” Seth shared through his letterboard. “I struggle to stay regulated, which can look like crazy, impulsive movements, strange sounds, and my lack of verbal speech.

It is hard to do a lot of things, and I have a lot of people stare at me in public.”

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Their perception of him, however, fails to see the full picture. “My mind is intact,” he explained, “so it’s been lifechanging to have a way to communicate. My mind loves God and wants to fulfill his plan for me.”

It is through God’s sovereign plan and grace in Seth’s life that Seth is now able to be an ambassador for Christ to his friends and to those around him. As he is equipped for that work through his studies at Southeastern, Seth is able to see his own understanding and love for God grow. His journey challenges others, as well, to see the overlooked gospel opportunities around them.

“I think about Southeastern’s ‘GO’ logo every day, and especially as I think about Seth,” Andy shared. “We often connect Great Commission impact with the recognizable areas of the world that need more gospel witness. Who would have thought to see the Speller Bros as an unreached people group for ministry? But that is what Southeastern trains students to do every day.”

When asked how his Southeastern community could pray for him, Seth gave this request: “They can pray that we get the Bible study logistics worked out. Pray for more people to have spelling to unlock their voices. I know that I will be healed in heaven someday.

However, if you pray for me to be healed in my life here, that would be great.”

Southeastern is thankful for the opportunity to come alongside families like the Taylors to provide theological education and equipping. Through students like Seth, God is bringing lost hearts to himself in the most overlooked and unreached people groups, both at home and across the world.

SCAN HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO AND SEE MORE OF SETH'S STORY

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Retirement

I know from my conversations with hundreds of his former students over the years that they join me in expressing our deepest gratitude towards Dr. Harper for teaching us more fully what it means to be a Baptist.

Brent Aucoin Professor of History

Keith Harper Senior Professor of Baptist Studies At Southeastern from 1996-2024 fter serving faithfully for 28 years at Southeastern Seminary as senior professor of baptist studies, Keith Harper has retired from full-time teaching as of July 31, 2024.

Harper came to Southeastern in the fall of 1996 as an assistant professor of Church history, having taught previously at Mississippi College after receiving his PhD from the University of Kentucky in the field of U.S. History with a specialty in Southern history.

Over the next 28 years, Harper would continue to pursue scholarship with a passion and fervor somehow matched by his zeal for teaching others and guiding them into the world of academia.

Baptist history is one of Harper’s primary passions in research. He has written extensively on the Southern Baptist denomination, from its past to its present. However, Harper’s scholarship involves a plethora of other interests as well, including Southern history, U.S. religious history, and U.S. social history. He also possesses a deep interest in the state of Kentucky, where he completed the entirety of his academic education. As a historian and as a teacher, Harper has given the voiceless moments of the past and people of the present an opportunity to speak and, most of all, to be heard.

A

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Dr. Keith Harper is a gift to Southern Baptists and to Baptist scholarship.

His keen mind and warm-hearted scholarship emerged from a passion for the purity of the church’s witness to God’s kingdom. While Dr. Harper is a scholar who influenced the masses with his pen, I can testify to his investment in individuals who will never be able to return the favor. His legacy will reverberate for generations to the glory of God. Walter Strickland Assistant Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology

Fall 2024

! i n m u l A , Hey

HE ASTE T U

RN

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.

SO

STAY CO NNECT ED & MA K E A N I M PAC T!

A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N

You’ll also receive these great benefits: • Audit courses for free • Retain access to the ATLA Religion Database • Receive 50% off transcripts • Receive 40% off conference registration for SEBTS events • Receive 10% off merchandise at the Locker • And more

For more info or to join the Alumni Association, connect with us at sebts.edu/saa 919.761.2822 alumni@sebts.edu

In Loving Memory

Adrianne Miles 1 97 1 -2 02 4

In Memoriam

Associate Professor of English and Linguistics At Southeastern from 2010-2024 outheastern mourns the passing of Adrianne Miles, who went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, May 5, after a difficult yet faith-filled battle with cancer. Dr. Miles was a much beloved professor, mentor, and friend to hundreds of students, staff, and faculty. Her joyful investment in students, her passion for biblically equipping women for scholarship, and her caring heart for those around her made her a precious gift to the community and a Christ-like presence on campus. Dr. Miles will be remembered not only for her testimony of joy and honest faith in suffering but also for her longtime investment in students, her quick smile and caring heart, and her passion for connecting literature to the Great Commission. With a confident hope in the resurrection, the Southeastern community rejoices that even now Dr. Miles is experiencing fullness of joy and healing in God’s presence.

In honor of her lasting legacy, Southeastern announces The Dr. Adrianne Cheek Miles Women in Scholarship Endowment, which will help to ensure in perpetuity that generations of women will be biblically equipped for scholarship and Great Commission ministry at Southeastern — a cause dear to Dr. Miles’ heart.

S

Few professors have been as beloved by faculty and students alike as Adrianne Miles. She was a constant source of blessing, encouragement, and wisdom.

Every time I saw her my heart was lifted and my spirit nourished.

She excelled in the classroom and was a wonderful churchwoman and a precious sister in Christ.

She is now with the Savior she so adored, served, and worshipped. I am consoled in her passing that she has passed into the presence of King Jesus. Well done, AD! Danny Akin President

Dr. Miles was a blessing to all who knew her and counted her as a mentor, friend, teacher, and colleague. She was truly a light in this world. It was an honor to count her as friend.

Deanna Rogers Assistant Professor of English

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We enthusiastically joined the Legacy Society because it was a small way to give back to a place that meant so much to us. Planning to give at our passing allows us to ensure that the institution that helped shape us continues to impact future men, women, and families for God’s kingdom. It is a gift of eternal significance that you can pursue at any income level.

Eric & Becca Warren MDiv 2018

Make Southeastern a Part of Your Story The Southeastern Legacy Society exists for supporters of Southeastern Seminary to make an impact through legacy giving dedicated to equip students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.

Training gospel-ready ambassadors for Christ requires the support of Christians who believe in this mission. When the time comes that you are home with Christ, your support can continue to make a Great Commission impact for those in need of the gospel.

Become a part of the Southeastern Legacy Society by including Southeastern in your estate planning.

To join or for more information, visit sebts.edu/give or email ddavis@sebts.edu.

A Word from the Vice President he last twelve months have proved to be among the most exciting of my tenure at Southeastern. God’s hand of blessing is upon us, and I am reminded of his faithfulness each time I step on campus. Thank you for being a part of what God is doing here.

Through your consistent prayers and generous support, we have completed our “For the Mission” campaign. This four-year initiative allowed for the renovation and construction of a dining and event space in the Ledford Center, renovation of student housing, establishment of new academic and student aid endowments, and growth of the Southeastern Fund. Additionally, this past fiscal year, Southeastern received over $8.6 million in charitable giving, a new record for donations.

Throughout the last three semesters, God has continued to entrust us with growing numbers of students for preparation and mobilization to serve him here in the States and around the globe. I am delighted to report that all our programs last year increased in student enrollment. I am also encouraged by our undergraduate and Master of Divinity growth despite challenging trends among seminaries nationally. We look forward to continued growth among our programs as we train and send more and more graduates to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.

This semester, I am particularly excited about our new college name: Judson College. Over the last year, our leadership team sought a name that would fit our institutional identity and would be identifiable amongst the churches we serve. Along the way, it became apparent that Judson College was the name that best fits our missional identity and calls our students to give their lives for the cause of Christ in the church, among the nations, and in every aspect of society. Adoniram Judson represents well our mission and vision, and I cannot think of a better name to represent our college.

As we continue to experience growth and publicly solidify our Great Commission identity, please pray for our faculty, staff, and students.

We know we cannot do anything of eternal value apart from his presence and the power of his Spirit. So, we invite you to keep sending prospective students our way and supporting us financially as we work together toward the one mission that matters for eternity.

T

Soli Deo Gloria,

Jonathan Six Vice President for Institutional Advancement

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DEC

06

Joyful Collective Christmas Concert

UPCOMING EVENTS MAR

Clay Shoot

APR

Southeastern Society

APR

College Preview Day

MAY

Graduation

JUN

SBC Alumni & Friends Luncheon

28

JAN

28 FEB

10-14

Convocation

Global Missions Week

FEB

Meet Southeastern

MAR

Seminary Preview Day

27

06

13-14 11

16 11

MAR

Christ-Centered Exposition Workshop

MAR

Redeem + Restore Counseling Conference

20

21-22

Visit sebts.edu/events to learn more!

S O U T H E AST E R N B A P T IST T H E O LO G I CA L SE MINA RY WA K E F O R EST, NC DA N I E L A KI N PRESIDENT

S C OT T PAC E PROVOST

RYA N H U TC H I NS ON

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR OPERATIONS

J O N AT H A N S I X

VICE PRESIDENT FOR INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

M A R KE T I N G & COMMU NICAT IONS

R EBECCA PATE - Director CHAD BURCHETT - Associate Director of Marketing ABIGAIL GINSTERBLUM - Photographer EMILY GWYN - Graphic Designer CLARISSA HARTMAN - Graphic Designer MARY ASTA MOUNTAIN - News & Copy Writer SOPHIE RHOADS - Social Media Manager FRANCESCA SMYLY - Graphic Designer RYAN THOMAS - Senior Graphic Designer DAVID THOMPSON - Undergraduate Marketing Coordinator CORBIN WEAVER - Marketing Assistant

F I N A N C I A L & A LU MNI DE V E LOP ME NT

DR EW DAVIS - Director GEORGE HARVEY - General Counsel & Director of Planned Giving CHRIS ALLEN - Assistant Director for Church & Convention Relations MEREDITH COOK - Grant Coordinator CADEN FARR - Associate Director of Financial Development JESSICA GODDARD - Development Events Specialist CALEB HOLT - Church & Convention Relations Assistant TANNER KEEN - Alumni Relations Specialist LONI McKENZIE - Gift Accountant KAYLA MING - Administrative Assistant ISA O'MARA - Donor Engagement Specialist DAVID ROGERS - Major Gifts Officer JONATHAN VAUGHAN - Church Relations Officer

To inform us of address changes or if you would like to receive the magazine, please contact us at 919-761-2177 or email alumni@sebts.edu.

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

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Help us reach our goal of 300 givers! sebts.edu/givingtuesday Every dollar you give goes directly to the Southeastern Fund, which assists students by offsetting their tuition costs, enabling them to focus on their preparation without additional financial constraints.