Trustees Unanimously Elect Scott Pace as Seventh President of Southeastern Seminary

A two-time alum of Southeastern, Pace has taught at Southeastern since 2018 and has served in numerous administrative roles: initially as director of the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership, then as vice president of undergraduate studies and dean of Judson College, and most recently as provost and dean of graduate studies.

“Words cannot express how deeply honored and grateful I am to be elected by the Board of Trustees as the seventh president of Southeastern Seminary and Judson College,” said President-Elect Scott Pace. “I’m stepping into this new role with a real sense of stewardship, desiring to be faithful with what God has entrusted to me. I’m also grateful and humbled by God’s kindness in calling me to this role and tremendous responsibility. I look forward to serving our Savior with joy and confidence, trusting in what he will continue to do through our Southeastern family.”

“By God’s grace,” said Pace, “Southeastern will continue to equip Great Commission-minded pastors and church leaders to be firmly rooted in the inerrant and infallible word of God and to faithfully preach it as capable expositors — because at Southeastern, we advance the global church by serving the local church.”

Pace combines more than 20 years of full-time and interim pastoral ministry experience with 17 years of academic and administrative experience. Before returning to Southeastern as a professor in 2018, Pace also taught at Oklahoma Baptist University, where he served for nine years while also ministering in a variety of interim pastorate roles.

The vote took place on Tuesday afternoon during the Board’s third plenary session. Pace will serve as the seventh president of Southeastern, effective August 1, 2026. His inauguration will take place when the Board reconvenes on campus for its fall meetings.

“Dr. Pace has consistently demonstrated a love for the local church and a heart for equipping pastors, missionaries, and ministry leaders for service to the church and the nations,” said Carlos Goodrich, chairman of the Board.

“His leadership reflects Southeastern’s identity as the Great Commission Seminary, and we are confident he will faithfully steward that mission. Southeastern has a strong foundation, and Dr. Pace brings both continuity with that foundation and the vision needed to lead the seminary forward in fulfilling its mission of training the next generation of ministry leaders,” Goodrich said.

His leadership reflects Southeastern’s identity as the Great Commission Seminary, and we are confident he will faithfully steward that mission.

A month prior to Pace’s election, the Presidential Search Committee presented Pace to the Board as Southeastern’s presidential candidate.

In the time since the candidacy announcement, Pace’s recommendation received overwhelming support and approval within the Southeastern community and throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. Southeastern staff, faculty, and administrators united in their affirmation of Pace alongside donors, supporters, and the wide network of Southeastern alumni serving across the world.

In light of Pace’s official election following the Board’s vote, current President Danny Akin expressed his enthusiasm for Southeastern’s future under Pace’s leadership.

“Scott Pace is exactly the right man to lead Southeastern Seminary and Judson College in the days ahead. I have no doubt he also is God’s man,” Akin said. “I have had the joy of watching Scott grow and mature since he was a student at Southeastern. I have seen up close and personal how God has prepared him for this important assignment. He has a keen mind and a servant’s heart that inspires others to trust him. And he walks with Jesus, and that inspires people to follow him. Southeastern will have a promising future under his leadership.”

Scott Pace is exactly the right man to lead Southeastern Seminary and Judson College in the days ahead. I have no doubt he also is God’s man.

As Pace steps into this new role, he brings with him years of administrative, teaching, and ministry experience, which have formed in him a deep love for the local church and a passion for equipping students to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.

Entity leaders from across the Southern Baptist Convention have joined in celebrating the announcement of Pace as Southeastern’s seventh president.

“As Southeastern has become one of the most prolific missionary training schools in the history of the Southern Baptist Convention, I’m excited about working with Scott Pace as the seminary’s seventh president,” said Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board. “Truly, Southeastern is a Great Commission seminary, and the ministry track record of Scott Pace indicates he is a Great Commission leader.”

“Scott Pace is a faithful leader, a gifted theologian, and a man deeply committed to the authority of Scripture and the mission of the church,” said Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board. “I am grateful for his heart for evangelism and disciple making, and I am confident Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary will continue to thrive under his leadership. I hope Southern Baptists will join me in praying for Scott as he steps into this important role and continues equipping leaders to take the gospel to North America and the nations.”

Southeastern and Judson are thankful to God for the faithful leadership and godly example of Dr. Danny Akin and for the proven investment and clear vision Pace brings to his presidency as Southeastern continues its mission to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.

To learn more about Pace, visit sebts.edu/president.