Southeastern Classic Celebrates 20 Years of Great Commission Giving

The Southeastern Classic brings together a wide range of participants, including long-time donors, local pastors, and Southeastern alumni. On Monday morning they teed off across the rolling courses of the North Ridge Country Club with one purpose: to raise money to equip Southeastern students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. In 20 years, the tournament has raised the equivalent of over 200 yearlong scholarships, funding students who are preparing to serve Christ in their local communities and among the nations.

Before players dispersed to the different courses, Southeastern President Scott Pace expressed his gratitude to those attending: “When I say thank you for participating, I’m saying thank you for participating in something far bigger than the Southeastern Classic.”

When I say thank you for participating, I’m saying thank you for participating in something far bigger than the Southeastern Classic.

“You’re participating in the lives of student, young men and young women, whom God is raising up to serve him in a variety of contexts and capacities.”

After the morning’s events, participants gathered for a celebratory reception and the announcement of the tournament winners and raffle drawings.

“Thank you for being a part of the 20th anniversary of this tournament,” opened Jonathan Six, vice president of institutional advancement at Southeastern. “Through this tournament, we’ve been able to see almost 2 million dollars raised, going to serve our students — going to advance the cause of Christ through the work and ministries of our students around the world. And you all have been a part of that.”

During the reception, attendees heard from Dennis Darville, current chief editor at Links Players and two-time alumnus of Southeastern. Twenty years ago, Darville launched the first Southeastern Classic while serving in Six’s current position. He took a moment to share with attendees some of his own story and to encourage them in their walk with the Lord and their love for Christ.

At the core of Southeastern Seminary, Darville said, “is the vertical piece. It’s central to their identity — which is to simply say, first priority of life, the central piece of our life, is to worship Christ the risen Lord, to worship him with all our heart, and to understand that he’s been raised from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of the Father on high. And to understand that changes everything.”

The Southeastern Classic could not happen without the generous support of this year’s 45 sponsors who believe in the mission of Southeastern and the work of its graduates.

Drew Davis, director of financial and alumni development, commented on the tournament’s success and its impact among the Southeastern community.

“Countless students have matriculated and graduated from Southeastern over the past 20 years and are now serving overseas as missionaries and in the pulpits of their local church and in the counseling room and in all aspects of society. This tournament and the people who have supported it have made that possible,” he shared.

To learn more about Southeastern and how you can partner to equip students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission, visit sebts.edu/support-sebts.