SEBTS Welcomes Art Rainer as the New Vice President for Institutional Advancement

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Art RainerSoutheastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) is delighted to announce Art Rainer as the new vice president for Institutional Advancement at SEBTS. Before moving to Wake Forest, N.C., Rainer served as the administrative pastor of First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach, Fla. Rainer has co-authored two books, “Raising Dad” and “Simple Life.”

“My wife and I are excited to join the Southeastern family,” said Rainer. “It is such a great honor and privilege to serve this great institution. I look forward to coming alongside the Southeastern team as we train and equip students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.”

The President of Southeastern, Dr. Daniel Akin, offered strong support for Rainer. “I have known Art Rainer since he was a teenager,” said Akin. “I have watched him grow into the godly and gifted man that he is today. His addition to Southeastern is a welcomed gift from our Lord. The future is bright and hopeful with Art joining our team.”

Rainer is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a Master of Business Administration and is a candidate for a doctorate in business administration. Both degrees have a special focus on the area of marketing. He adds value to the leadership of the Institutional Advancement division in effectively communicating the message of SEBTS to potential donors and students.

Furthermore, Rainer has extensive experience both personally and professionally in the context of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) giving him an ability to understand how to operate among the SBC constituency groups.

At First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach, Rainer was heavily involved in fundraising efforts. When he started the position, the church was in serious financial trouble, and efforts had to be undertaken through fundraising to save the church financially. These efforts proved successful, and have given Rainer extensive experience in the area of building relationships for financial support.

Rainer has spent a significant amount of time researching the Millennials generation, those born between 1982 and 2002. This generation of individuals represents the pool of prospective students among whom SEBTS is recruiting. Understanding this group helps Rainer to lead the SEBTS team effectively to recruit new students.

Currently, he is also working towards a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies at SEBTS. Rainer and his wife, Sarah, have a three-year-old son and a newborn boy.

Rainer joined SEBTS as the Acting Vice President for Institutional Advancement in Aug. and was elected by the Board of Trustees on Oct. 15. Rainer oversees admissions, alumni development, communication, financial development and planned giving within the division of Institutional Development.

Ryan Hutchinson, executive vice president for Operations at SEBTS also affirmed Rainer’s presence at SEBTS. “I am excited to have Art Rainer join the SEBTS team as VP for Institutional Advancement,” said Hutchinson. “Both his educational background and demeanor will help us to grow our school both numerically and financially. He desires to serve God with his whole heart and mind, and I look forward to see how God uses him in the coming years.”

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