“You Are Going Out to Be Just Like Jesus”: Southeastern Celebrates Third Prison Program Graduation

With tears of pride and joy, family, Southeastern faculty and staff, and representatives from Game Plan for Life (GPL) and the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction (NCDAC) gathered in the gym at Nash Correctional Institution to honor the accomplishment of these 14 men. Joining 35 already deployed field ministers at 9 different facilities, these graduates represent the third graduating class commissioned from the NCFMP to now serve 11 different facilities across North Carolina.

“Almost six years ago, many of us gathered here in this very gym to usher in the start of this new program with our first convocation service,” recounted Seth Bible, acting dean of The College at Southeastern, director of prison programs, and assistant professor of ethics and the history of ideas at The College. “We had no idea what the future would hold, but we were confident in the Lord that held the future in his hands. Today I am pleased to present these 14 men, graduating with a fully accredited Bachelor of Arts in pastoral ministry degree — all of which will move on to other facilities in the coming days to serve the incarcerated population in North Carolina.”

During his opening remarks, Bible shared that The College’s NCFMP has graduated 65% of students accepted into the program, which is an unusually high graduation rate for a four-year educational program that exclusively serves an incarcerated population. Bible attributes the success of the program to God’s faithfulness and the strength of the program’s partnerships.

Offering greetings from NCDAC, Maggie Brewer, chief deputy secretary of rehabilitative and correctional services, reminded graduates that their hard work and their future ministry will have a lasting impact on North Carolina.

“You are making history here in North Carolina,” Brewer noted. “The program is providing positive impacts and outcomes throughout the state. … I will leave you with one question today: What will your impact be today and from this day forward?”

You are making history here in North Carolina. The program is providing positive impacts and outcomes throughout the state.

Brewer shared that throughout the year, she gets to observe first-hand as Southeastern’s field ministers counsel and mentor fellow incarcerated men. Brewer narrated how she has enjoyed the opportunity to watch them in action throughout the state and to hear testimonies about the difference these men are making among the incarcerated population. For Brewer, these testimonies are clear reminders of why the NCFMP matters and how it is gradually changing the culture within North Carolina’s prison system.

Joe Gibbs, founder of GPL, owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, and generous supporter of the NCFMP, also offered a brief charge to graduates and their families, reminding them that God is the God of second chances and that he promises a heavenly reward to those who serve him faithfully.

Following Gibbs’ charge, President Danny Akin delivered his commencement address, preaching from Mark 10:42-45 and drawing on the theme of service throughout the Gospels.

“On one occasion, Plato made this statement: How can one be happy when he has to serve others?” noted Akin. “Several hundred years later, Jesus came and turned that idea on its head, and he would say, How can you be happy unless you do serve others? Jesus didn’t just say that; he lived it. Graduates of Southeastern Seminary, my brothers in Christ, just keep this always in the forefront of your mind, and God will use you greatly: We are never more like Jesus than when we are serving others.”

We are never more like Jesus than when we are serving others.

“You are going out to be just like Jesus,” added Akin. “God will use you greatly for his glory, and only heaven will be able to mark what all God did through the spring graduating class of 2023 here at the Nash Correctional Institution. I love you, I am proud of you, and I am so very excited about what God is going to do in your lives as you go out from here.”

Before conferring degrees, Bible took a moment to honor the life of one of the spring 2023 graduates who died earlier this year from a longtime battle with cancer. Bible commended this graduate’s example of diligence in the program and awarded the graduate his degree posthumously.

As these graduates deploy to facilities around North Carolina, they go as biblically and theologically trained leaders, who are equipped to have a Great Commission impact throughout the state. To learn more about The College’s prison programs or to support these strategic educational efforts, visit the Prison Programs page on The College website.