Akin also served as editor of the recently-published A Theology for the Church, the first major systematic theology textbook published by B&H Publishing Group. It will serve as a textbook for many institutions and a handbook for church leaders and all believers.

After earning his bachelor's degree from Criswell College, Akin earned his M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Arlington.  

Johnny Hunt
Since 1986, Johnny Hunt has held the position of senior pastor at First Baptist Church, Woodstock in Woodstock, Ga. During his time there, Hunt has seen the church grow from around 250 Sunday School attendees to over 5,500.

Prior to pastoring at First Baptist, Woodstock, Hunt pastored churches in Gaffney, S.C., Wake Forest, N.C., and Wilmington, N.C.

Hunt was recently appointed as president of the Southern Baptist Convention, after serving as president of the Southern Baptist Pastor's Convention. 

In addition to his responsibilities as pastor, and now as president of the SBC, Hunt maintains a speaking/preaching schedule. He has a love for the Word of God and a desire to impact young leaders.

Johnny Hunt holds degrees from Gardner-Webb University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was also awarded two honorary doctorates from Immanuel Baptist Theological Seminary and Covington Theological Seminary.

Paige Patterson
Paige Patterson is a noted speaker, author and evangelist, as well as currently serving as president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Tx. Prior to his presidency of Southwestern, Patterson was instrumental in establishing conservative leadership at Southeastern Seminary during his 11 years of serving as president there.

He was elected as president of the Southern Baptist Convention two times, during which time he oversaw revisions to the Baptist Faith and Message.

Patterson has a commitment to spreading the message of Christ through a variety of ministries, including outreaches to the lost in the French Quarter of New Orleans and outreaches to sportsmen, being that Patterson is an avid hunter himself.

Patterson has earned degrees from Hardin-Simmons University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Junior Hill
Junior Hill began his ministry at age nineteen and served as a pastor for eleven years in Alabama and Mississippi before entering vocational evangelism in 1967 as a full- time Southern Baptist evangelist.

A native of Hartselle, Alabama, he received his Bachelor of Science degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., and his Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, La. He received the Doctor of Divinity degree from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. He has also been awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree from Covington Seminary.

He has served as First Vice-President of the Southern Baptist Convention, and in 1995 was recognized as the Distinguished Alumnus Of The Year by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

He has conducted over 1500 revivals and numerous foreign crusades. In addition he is a frequent speaker at pastors’ meetings, evangelism conferences, seminaries and state conventions across the country.

Hill is also the author of numerous books, including the most recent Words Of Cheer, which was a collaboration with Bob Pitman, and Big Shots and Little Squirts.

Jerry Vines
Jerry Vines has been a Baptist pastor and preacher for over 50 years, serving as pastor of First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., for 23 years. He also led the Southern Baptist Convention as president for 2 years. Vines now aims to win people to Christ and help believers grow in their faith through the efforts of Jerry Vines Ministries, an organization that provides Bible preaching and teaching materials, including books, DVDs and CDs of expository teaching from God's Word.

Vines also has a rigorous speaking schedule, especially in connection with the "Power in the Pulpit" conferences, which seek to help pastors become more effective in the preparation and delivery of expository sermons.

Vines holds degrees from Mercer University, New Orleans Theological Seminary and Luther Rice Seminary.

Ergun Caner
Ergun Caner is the president of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Virginia. Born in Stockholm, Sweden to Turkish parents, Caner became a believer in 1982, after immigrating to the United States in 1979.

Caner has pastored churches in Kentucky, North Carolina, Indiana, Colorado and Texas. In 1999, Ergun became a professor of Historical Theology at The Criswell College until 2003 when he moved to Lynchburg to teach Theology and Church History at Liberty University.

Ergun is now the President of Liberty Theological Seminary and travels extensively throughout the world as a leading voice for Frontline Apologetics.

He received his degrees from University of the Cumberlands, Criswell College, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the University of South Africa.

Adam Dooley
Since July of 2006, Adam Dooley has held the position of senior pastor at Red Bank Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Prior to his arrival in Chattanooga, Dooley pastored two churches in Kentucky after surrendering to the call of ministry at age 18. He has also served as adjunct professor for Boyce College and Tennessee Temple Seminary. With a passion for expository preaching and evangelizing the lost, he seeks to unveil the timesless truths and principles of Scripture to a contemporary audience.
 
Dooley received his Bachelor of Arts from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in 1999, as well as the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2002 and 2006 respectively.

Greg Heisler
Recent "Book of the Year" award-recipient Greg Heisler is an Associate Professor of Preaching and Speech at Southeastern, where he has served since 2005.

Prior to coming to Southeastern, Heisler was the senior pastor for churches in both Kentucky and Florida.

His book Spirit-Led Preaching was recently awarded the "Book of the Year for a Preacher's Soul Award" by Preaching Today, for its commitment to emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in effective expository preaching.

Heisley has earned two degrees from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Alvin Reid
Alvin Reid serves as Associate Dean for Proclamation Studies and Professor of Evangelism at Southeastern, where he holds the Bailey Smith Chair of Evangelism.
 
In addition to his role as a professor, Reid is well-known as a speaker for youth, college, and evangelism events. He is a prolific author in the fields of evangelism, the youth culture, spiritual awakenings, and misssional Christianity. His writings include the books Convergent Church, Join the Movement, Raising the Bar, Radically Unchurched, and Introduction to Evangelism, along with numerous articles on evangalism and reaching the culture.
 
Reid holds degrees from Samford University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He keeps a large pet snake in his office.

Stephen Rummage
Stephen Rummage is the Pastor at Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C. He is a frequent guest speaker for churches and conferences across the United States. His most recent book, co-authored with his wife, Michele, is Praying with Purpose.

Rummage received degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Southeastern Seminary and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Steven Smith
Steven Smith is the Assistant Professor of Preaching, Associate Dean for the Professional Doctoral Program, and James T. Draper, Jr., Chair of Pastoral Ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Smith has earned degrees from Liberty University, Southeastern and Regent University, and has experience serving in the pastorate as both an associate pastor and senior pastor.


Mike Whitson
Michael Whitson became the pastor of First Baptist Church Indian Trail in 1983. During his tenure as pastor, the church has seen phenomenal growth. Today, First Baptist is blessed to serve over 5,000 members, and is a vital part of the growing community of Indian Trail, N.C. Several building programs have taken place under Whitson’s leadership.