[1]WAKE FOREST, N.C. – Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Judson College welcomed the Southeastern Society (SES) and Board of Trustees to campus for their biannual meeting April 14-15.
During the first plenary session and presidential address on Monday morning, SEBTS President Danny Akin highlighted a continued increase in overall enrollment and engagement for both the seminary and Judson College.
This growth includes the work of theological education overseas, where this May, more than 30 Farsi-speaking students will graduate with either a theological bachelor’s or master’s degree from Southeastern — both offered completely in Farsi.
Akin also highlighted the unwavering missional emphasis of the institution, thanking SES members for their faithful support of the Great Commission and Southeastern’s work to equip laborers for the harvest.
Akin shared that 216 Southeastern students currently serve on the mission field through the International Mission Board (IMB), and because of the SES, almost all of them have received scholarships. He also announced that in the last seven years, children of current IMB missionaries have received more than $5 million in scholarships.
[2]Akin also spoke about the recent death of Jim Shaddix [3], senior professor of preaching at Southeastern, who went home to be with the Lord after a year of battling severe brain cancer. Southeastern has deeply felt the loss of Shaddix and grieved with his family, knowing also that he has found healing and fullness of joy in the presence of his Savior.
Following Akin’s remarks in the morning, SES members heard encouraging reports of God’s faithfulness to Southeastern as the student population continues to grow, resulting in a 20 percent increase in enrollment for Judson College in the past year and with comparable if not higher numbers in sight for the coming fall.
In the seminary, enrolled credit hours have increased since 2023, and the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program, Southeastern’s flagship degree, has continued to grow over the past three years.
Plenary Session 2
During the second plenary session, trustees unanimously approved a number of curriculum updates and revisions, including changes to both the M.Div. and Master of Arts cores.
Trustees also approved updates and revisions to undergraduate curriculum, including new minor in Christian counseling and worship ministry, a major in Christian ministry, and a B.A.-M.Div. in worship ministry.
In addition, trustees approved several updates and revisions to advanced curriculums. These changes included the addition of a new Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in chaplaincy.
Trustees also approved a new D.Min. post-doctoral certificate, which will afford current doctoral graduates the opportunity to continue their studies. Additionally, trustees approved a new Master of Theological Studies to D.Min. track for international students in cross-cultural settings who are participating in an approved Global Theological Initiatives cohort.
In addition to curriculum changes, trustees unanimously voted to approve two faculty promotions: John Burkett to associate professor of rhetoric and composition and Walter Strickland to associate professor of systematic and contextual theology.
Trustees also unanimously approved the installment of the following four endowment funds:
- David Flynn DeForest Student Aid Fund
- Warren Landscaping and Maintenance Fund
- Thomas G. Brown Student Aid Fund
- Mary Ellen Morgan Medical Emergency Fund
Finally, trustees elected officers for the 2025-2026 year: Carlos Goodrich was reelected chairman; Andy Taylor was reelected vice chairman; David White was reelected treasurer; and Tim Dale was elected secretary.
Trustees also honored Rusty Small and Ann White, who are rotating off the board this year. During chapel on Tuesday, both trustees were celebrated and awarded a Great Commission globe in honor of their service.
Trustees will adopt a budget for the next fiscal year in May.
Southeastern Family Banquet
On Monday evening, SES members and the Southeastern community gathered for fellowship and celebration of the 30-year anniversary of the SES. SES members’ investment in and support of Southeastern’s mission have paid dividends over the past three decades through the lives of countless students and their families.
Caleb Iverson, an alumnus and current doctoral student at Southeastern, shared his own testimony and reflected on the many moments that have shaped him during his time at Southeastern.
“I stand here as a representative of our students, thousands of students now,” Iverson said, “that have gone through Southeastern, have been trained, have been equipped – and I just want to say thank you on their behalf. Because it’s through your generosity, it’s through your support, that God has provided a space for these many moments to happen. And it’s through these accumulations of moments that students have been trained to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.”
Akin followed Iverson’s testimony with a celebratory reflection on the past 30 years and the many areas of growth that Southeastern has witnessed because of the support of the society. These include the establishment of eight new endowed chairs, the creation of four academic centers and the founding of Global Theological Initiatives to further theological education around the world. Furthermore, in all of this, SES has made possible the continued financial support of thousands of students, including hundreds of IMB missionaries.
“You will not know, until you’re in heaven, the impact that you made for the cause of Christ around the world,” Akin told society members. “There’s no doubt in my mind that you will hear from the heavenly Father, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You did what you could do, and then I took it and did far more than you could have ever hoped or imagined.’”
Following Akin’s remarks, Chuck Lawless, senior professor of evangelism and missions, gave the keynote address in which he reflected on the role of partnership in his own life and among believers as a primary means for the advancement of the Gospel.
“Here’s what I want you to know,” Lawless said. “We get to do this work because of partners like you.”
“Our graduates get to do what they do and our students of future generations will get to do what they do because you and others who come after you support our work through this institution and through your local churches. And I — and we, as a faculty — we get to do this. And faculties of the future, who follow after us, will get to do this because of folks like you: partners.”
Commissioning Chapel
Commissioning Chapel is an annual celebration in which the Southeastern community prays for students and their families who are going to the mission field. These students are sent and commissioned by their local churches, many of whom had members in attendance during chapel.
Akin gave an address titled “Lord, I am Going; Please Open the Door” from Colossians 4:2-6. Akin concluded his message with a prayer.
“Lord, help me say the right words at the right time in the right way to the right person and always for the right reason. Give me not only Gospel words but Gospel sensitivity as I go.”
This spring, more than 40 students and their families were uplifted in prayer as they prepare to go out on the mission field either with the North American Mission Board or with the IMB.
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