Southeastern Celebrates 319 Spring Graduates
Chad Burchett | May 13, 2022
On May 13, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) and The College at Southeastern celebrated the graduation of 319 college and seminary students in Binkley Chapel. Representing over 30 states and 20 countries, these graduates have been trained and sent out to fulfill the Great Commission around the world.
Danny Akin, President of SEBTS and The College, delivered his commencement address on Matthew 28:16-20, charging graduates to submit their lives and ministries to the final marching orders of King Jesus. “Southeastern believes that because these are the final marching orders of the Lord Jesus Christ, they must drive us, define us, and determine who we are,” Akin commented.
Southeastern believes that because these are the final marching orders of the Lord Jesus Christ, they must drive us, define us, and determine who we are.
Highlighting the need to train Great Commission students, Akin shared a recent study by Barna Group in which only 17 percent of respondents were able to define and locate the Great Commission in Scripture. Of those who regularly attended church services, 51 percent said they had never heard of the Great Commission. Calling graduates to change these statistics, Akin charged them to prioritize fulfilling the Great Commission in its entirety — including teaching disciples the content and priority of the Great Commission.
Based on the Great Commision account in the Gospel of Matthew, Akin called attendees to rest in Jesus’ authority, be obedient to his commission, and trust in his promise. “Every square inch of the universe belongs to King Jesus,” noted Akin. ”As you go in his name to make disciples of the nations, he promises that you go in his authority, in his backing, in his support.”
As you go in his name to make disciples of the nations, he promises that you go in his authority, in his backing, in his support.
“Words are not adequate to express my appreciation and pride in these men and women who are graduating today,” Akin shared before conferring degrees on the graduates. During today’s commencement exercises, 37 advanced-level, 247 graduate-level, and 35 undergraduate-level graduates were sent out to fulfill the mission across the street, throughout the country, and around the world. Many of these graduates will be going to serve among the more than 7,000 unreached people groups and over 3 billion people who have no access or limited access to the gospel.
Akin concluded his address by presenting a gospel invitation to all in attendance, calling them to respond to the testimony concerning Christ in Scripture and be born again through faith in Christ. SEBTS celebrates the accomplishment of these graduates who now go to embody its mission to serve the Church and fulfill the Great Commission around the world.