Southeastern unveils the Kingdom Diversity Missions Initiative
March 30, 2017
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and The College at Southeastern are excited to begin the new Kingdom Diversity Missions Initiative (KDMI)—a program designed to encourage minorities to become more involved in Great Commission work around the world.
By Harper McKay
WAKE FOREST (NC)—This new initiative combines two of Southeastern’s strengths—missions and kingdom diversity—in order to address the reality that African, Hispanic and Asian Americans are disproportionately underrepresented on the international mission field.
Walter Strickland, special advisor to the president for diversity and instructor of theology, said the new initiative “captures the heartbeat” of Southeastern. “We recognize that every tribe, tongue and nation are not just the recipients of God’s mission, but they ought to be mobilized on mission as well.”
As a partnership between Southeastern’s Kingdom Diversity Initiative (KDI) and Center for Great Commission Studies (CGCS), the new program offers minority students financial assistance for Southeastern mission trips along with help in preparing to go—raising funds, obtaining a passport, etc. When students return from their trip, the initiative will offer a time of debrief to help students process what they have learned and apply it to God’s calling on their lives.
The goal of the KDMI is to create opportunities for minority believers to engage in missions and cultivate in them a passion for taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.
According to CGCS Director Scott Hildreth, the initiative addresses the need to involve the entire body of Christ in missions. “This initiative is important because God gave the Great Commission to the whole church,” he said. “We want to equip the whole church, including ethnic minorities, who have not had opportunities or traditions of international missions, to take the gospel to the nations.”
Those working with the initiative hope to see long-term change within minority churches as they equip leaders to have a global vision, leading to more minorities becoming involved in local and international mission work.
Hildreth explained that the initiative is not just a program to send minority students on short-term mission trips, although that is part of the focus: “Our prayer is that they will lead their churches to embrace the Great Commission and that it will become a vital part of their lives.”
The KDMI can provide assistance for any international trip that Southeastern sponsors. For additional information read The Center for Great Commission Studies post. To learn more and apply for the program, visit kingdomdiversity.sebts.edu.