Southeastern Celebrates Fall 2022 Graduating Class
Chad Burchett | December 09, 2022
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and The College at Southeastern celebrated 264 graduates during Friday’s fall commencement ceremony at Binkley Chapel. Akin charged attendees to treasure the incarnate King, stewarding their gifts and training to fulfill the Great Commission of King Jesus wherever God sends them.
“This is a day of recognition and celebration, but it is also a day of worship and of sending,” shared Mark Liederbach, Senior Professor of Theology, Ethics, and Culture; Dean of Students; and Vice President for Student Services. “Behind each of these graduates and degrees is a driving mission. Our mission is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the Church and fulfill the Great Commission.”
As a Great Commission college and seminary, Southeastern trains students from around the world to serve the Church and fulfill the Great Commission. Representing 16 countries and 28 states, this Friday’s graduates were sent out not only to engage their hometowns and countries but also to carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, tribe, people, and language.
“We have pushed these men and women because we know that God’s calling upon their lives is the greatest calling, and that calling is to go and be servants of King Jesus, taking the gospel to every tribe, people, and nation — whether it be here in America or around the world,” noted President Danny Akin.
We have pushed these men and women because we know that God’s calling upon their lives is the greatest calling, and that calling is to go and be servants of King Jesus, taking the gospel to every tribe, people, and nation.
Charging attendees to commit their lives and ministries to Christ, Akin’s commencement address centered on the good news of Christmas: God the Son became incarnate that all who believe in him might be reconciled to God, enjoy abiding peace, and have eternal life in him. In his address, Akin explained the four names given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, noting the uniqueness, beauty, and glory of Christ in his person and work.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
“He is the Wonderful Counselor because he is the Wisdom of God,” shared Akin. “He is the mighty God because he saves his people. He is the Everlasting Father because he is forever fatherly in his concern and care. He is the Prince of Peace because he reconciles us to God and one another. Through these four names, Isaiah explains to us the beautiful characteristics and character traits of this great king, whose gospel we take to the nations.”
He is the Wonderful Counselor because he is the Wisdom of God. He is the mighty God because he saves his people. He is the Everlasting Father because he is forever fatherly in his concern and care. He is the Prince of Peace because he reconciles us to God and one another.
Akin concluded his commencement address with a gospel invitation, reminding attendees that the Christ who came is the Christ who died to save sinners. “This Great King loves every single one of you and longs to be your personal savior,” commented Akin.” The Christ of the cradle was always destined to be the Christ of the cross. The manger and the cross should never be separated.”
Southeastern honors this graduating class and their distinguished accomplishments, sending them out in celebration to fulfill the Great Commission around the world.