INDIANAPOLIS (BP)–Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary will continue to wed the heart, head and hands of students to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, Daniel Akin said in his first address as SEBTS president to the seminary’s annual alumni and friends luncheon.
The June 16 luncheon during the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Indianapolis presented an opportunity for Southeastern’s new president to share with friends and graduates his aspirations for the future of the seminary.
“People often ask me what I intend to change as president of Southeastern,” Akin said of the institution that enrolled a record 2,389 students this past year.
“The answer is – nothing. Why in the world would you take a speeding train headed in the right direction and turn it around? I want students to know that if you come to Southeastern Seminary, you will come to a school that is passionately in love with Jesus Christ. That is the heartbeat of our institution.”
Southeastern’s well-known emphases of expository preaching, missions and evangelism will continue to flourish, Akin said, as will a newly revamped doctor of ministry program that he described as “without equal anywhere.”
Although he inherited a marvelously successful seminary from his predecessor and “father in ministry,” Paige Patterson, Akin said he still believes that Southeastern Seminary can increase its impact for the Kingdom.
“There is still a prize out there that is a higher upward calling that we’re going to pursue, that we’re going to go after,” Akin said, “and I am convinced that the best days of this seminary lie ahead.”
Elected as alumni association officers were: President, Rodney Baker, Lake City, Fla. (class of 1999); president-elect, Shannon Scott, Raleigh, N.C. (class of 1973); secretary-treasurer, Steve Griffin, Eden, N.C. (class of 1992); and executive committee chairman, Bill Sanderson, Wendell, N.C. (class of 1981).
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