Southeastern displays scope of Great Commission classrooms at Southeast EMS

At the Southeast Regional meeting of the Evangelical Missiological Society (EMS) on April 9, 2016, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) exemplified its motto of “every classroom a Great Commission classroom.” With nearly 50 papers presented during the meeting, SEBTS participants came from all levels, from the president and administration to seminary and college students.

“EMS was a very good showing for SEBTS,” said Scott Hildreth, director of the Center for Great Commission Studies (CGCS) and assistant professor of global studies. “We had presentations from every section of our family.” 

SEBTS hosted the regional meeting where SEBTS President Danny Akin opened with his presentation, “I am Going to the Nations with my Local Church.” The remainder of the meeting included several sessions focused on topics such as, “History and Theology,” “Immigration and Diaspora” and “Practice,” all with the aim of addressing the theme of the local church and missions.

In partnership with the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies, the meeting also included presentations that addressed the question, “Do Muslims and Christians worship the same God?”

SEBTS presenters included two vice presidents, six faculty members, two staff members, two advanced degree students, one M.Div. student and one undergraduate student. They presented papers on topics across the board.

“Our motto of being a Great Commission school where every classroom and every discipline has a Great Commission focus was on display,” said Greg Mathias, associate director of international missions at the CGCS and assistant professor of global studies. “The array of topics our students, staff and faculty talked about was impressive. Subjects ranged from a theology of church, mission, God and spiritual warfare. We also presented on women’s issues, African-American issues, church planting and even some of our projects and initiatives.” 

EMS is a professional society of missiologists, teachers, pastors and students who are passionate about missiology. In an effort to advance the gospel to the whole world, EMS members study and evaluate mission concepts and strategies from a biblical perspective so that they can communicate sound mission theory and practice to the local church and mission agencies around the world. They hold a national conference and eight regional meetings throughout the United States and Canada each year.

The EMS Southeast Regional meeting also included presenters from the International Mission Board, The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Columbia International University, Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary, Carolina Graduate School of Divinity, Lee University, Southeastern Bible College, Ivy Christian College, Ambassadors for Christ, AfricaCare, Christar, Raleigh Road Baptist Church and The Church at Brook Hills.