[1]WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP)–Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Olford Ministries International of Memphis, Tenn., have announced the formation of a partnership in a doctor of ministry in expository preaching.
Southeastern Seminary President Daniel Akin will teach a seminar titled, “Essentials of Expository Preaching” at the Olford campus from June 7-10 and Jan. 10-13, 2005. Students will have access to the resources at the Stephen Olford Center for Biblical Preaching.
Describing it as “a natural partnership,” Akin said Southeastern Seminary and the Olford Institute have “a common commitment and conviction concerning the necessity of expository preaching for building great churches. No one has set the pace in this area more than [Olford Ministries founder] Stephen Olford. My own approach to preaching was greatly shaped by the ministry of Dr. Olford. So when he invited us to partner with him in offering the D.Min. in expository preaching, I immediately said yes.”
The Stephen Olford Institute for Biblical Preaching was founded in 1980 to promote biblical preaching and practical training for pastors, evangelists and lay leaders. Since 1985, more than 2,000 pastors and Christian leaders have attended training institutes at the center.
Olford said he is looking forward to working with Southeastern, noting that “God has given us a common vision to teach pastors to rightly divide the Word of Truth and live Spirit-filled lives. May God be with us as we minister together and may He receive all glory and honor.”
In June, along with Akin and Olford, other instructors will be David Olford, president of Olford Ministries International; Hershael York, associate dean of ministry and proclamation in Southern Baptist Theological Seminary’s school of theology in Louisville, Ky.; and noted Bible teacher and author John Phillips.
[2]“I believe any student would greatly benefit from this program of study as they have the opportunity to study with both Stephen and David Olford and outstanding professors at Southeastern Seminary,” Akin said. “There are seminaries that allow you to go out to the Olford Institute and go through that seminar and count it as one of your D.Min. seminars. The neat thing about ours is we have a formal partnership with them and that I’m one of the teachers each time they have this seminar. I’m scheduled to be with them in the first full week of June and the second full week of January (each year) until Jesus comes back.
“Together, I believe we have an awesome opportunity to train up a generation of faithful expositors who will make a tremendous contribution to the body of Christ in the 21st century. David and Stephen are dear friends to me personally. It’s a natural and wonderful thing for us to be working together this way.”
For information concerning the seminar or Southeastern’s D.Min. program, go to www.sebts.edu or call the D.Min. office at (919) 761-2464 or the Olford Institute at 1-800-843-2241.
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