Southeastern Family, Board of Trustees, and Donors Celebrate Presidential Inauguration

The inauguration, which occurred on Tuesday morning, coincided with the fall gatherings of the BOT and SES, Southeastern’s donor society.

Presidential Reports

On Monday, during his presidential reports to the BOT and SES, Pace shared several exciting developments in the life of Southeastern.

Pace highlighted his recent work to strengthen relationships with local church pastors and denominational leaders from neighboring states. He also emphasized the importance of fulfilling the Great Commission through the efforts of local churches.

“If we will train Great Commission pastors who will then lead Great Commission congregations, who will raise up Great Commission members, whom they will mobilize for the kingdom and for the gospel, then the Great Commission will be accomplished through our partnership and work through the local church,” Pace said.

“Everything else is kept in rhythm by the beat of the Great Commission. But it’s not just a drumbeat. It’s our heartbeat, and that’s what it’s going to continue to be.”

Everything else is kept in rhythm by the beat of the Great Commission. But it’s not just a drumbeat. It’s our heartbeat, and that’s what it’s going to continue to be.

This Great Commission heartbeat is evidenced by students’ growing interest in institutional mission trips. This year Southeastern students and staff are participating in nine international trips and four national trips, each of which quickly become waitlisted.

Considerably subsidized by the generosity of Southeastern donors, these trips have a profound impact on the students who participate.

Southeastern and Judson have witnessed God’s continued grace through the generosity of others, including the highest Alumni Association and Southeastern Fund giving in Southeastern’s history. Overall, charitable giving is at its second highest year on record.

Overall enrollment continues to grow, approaching 5,700 students, with Judson experiencing the most rapid growth. A recent student poll, Pace noted, indicated that 45% of Southeastern’s students sensed a call to pastoral ministry, 19% to international missions, and 11% to counseling ministry.

“Seventy-five percent of our students are committed to these three areas,” Pace shared. “That’s really critical for us to understand … where God is working, how he’s raising people up, and where we need to dedicate our resources as we train and equip the next generation of ministry leaders.”

Monday’s Events

Following the Monday morning SES meeting, BOT and SES members gathered outside of the new Akin Student Center expansion for a celebratory ribbon cutting.

Pace thanked all those involved in the building and funding of this expansion, highlighting its already evident impact on the Southeastern and Judson community.

“Today we lift up our students that we serve through this facility,” Pace prayed in closing. “It’s a place where your presence will dwell among our students as you work within our students to call them to the nations, to raise them up to serve our churches, to serve in different ways that will make an impact for your kingdom and carry the gospel to the nations.”

Monday evening, attendees gathered at Richland Creek Community Church for the celebratory Southeastern Family Banquet in honor of Pace’s upcoming inauguration.

During the banquet, close friends and colleagues reflected on Pace’s journey to presidency and God’s work in his life.

Carlos Goodrich, former chairman of the Board of Trustees and chairman of the presidential search committee, reflected on the process of electing Pace as the seventh president of Southeastern.

“As the trustees considered the future leadership of Southeastern, we understood the importance of finding someone who would remain faithful to the convictions and the mission that has defined this institution,” Goodrich said. “We were looking for a man of deep biblical conviction, genuine humility, proven leadership, and a heart for the Great Commission. And, through a season of prayer and careful consideration, we became convinced that Scott Pace was that man.”

During his own remarks to attendees, Pace expressed his deep gratitude to his wife, Dana; to their children, Gracelyn, Tyler, Tessa, and Cassie; and towards those who have been involved in his life and ministry.

“As I step into this role, one of the things I love most and I’m excited most about is what I often reference as the Southeastern family,” Pace said. “God has united so many people in particular ways to help us to accomplish our mission.”

He closed by acknowledging the immense stewardship of the task before him, saying, “I want to take what has been entrusted to me and steward it well.”

Second Plenary Session

During their second plenary session, trustees appointed James Steele, a pastor from San Diego, California, and an alumnus of Southeastern, as an interim trustee.

New trustees Lance Smith, Shannon Underwood, and Randy Mascagni will serve on the audit and investment committee, and Ryan Goodroe will join the academic committee.

Trustees celebrated that the endowment has grown by $13.7 million to more than $55 million over the past three years, further strengthening Southeastern’s financial outlook, securing faculty funding, and ensuring low tuition costs for students.

Trustees approved the Kennedy Family Student Aid Fund, which supports Master of Divinity students who are pursuing pastoral ministry. They also approved updates to undergraduate and graduate curriculum.

Inauguration Ceremony

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Andy Taylor opened the inauguration ceremony with a welcome from the trustees.

“This is not only a celebration of Dr. Pace and Southeastern Seminary; it is a celebration of God’s faithful work in you as ambassadors of Christ who have heeded the call to go,” he said. “Today is more than a change in presidential leadership. While we look to the future, we give thanks for our history, for the shoulders that we stand upon. It’s an opportunity to pause and give thanks for the faithfulness of God.”

The inauguration programming included a video of congratulations and welcome to Pace from the Great Commission Council, followed by a resolution presented by the trustees, the formal rite of installation, and a challenge to Pace from President Emeritus Danny Akin.

“I am thankful that God has raised up a president who will lead this school into the future with joy, a servant heart, and a passion for the mission of King Jesus. I am truly honored to be your servant as you lead this school into the future,” Akin told Pace. “I believe that you’re going to be the best, the most successful president this school has ever had, and I will be your biggest cheerleader every step of the way.”

I am thankful that God has raised up a president who will lead this school into the future with joy, a servant heart, and a passion for the mission of King Jesus.

Following his rite of installation, Pace addressed the student body, staff, and faculty as their newly inaugurated seventh president. He promised to hold the institution to five essential standards over the coming years: that Southeastern Seminary and Judson College would be a spiritual, biblical, theological, practical, and missional institution.

“I personally want to pledge today, to you, before our Lord, the words of the Apostle Paul,” Pace said. “’I will labor and toil with all of his energy and strength that he powerfully works within me.’ ‘I will remain steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor for him is not in vain’ because, ultimately, ‘I do not consider my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I have received from the Lord Jesus to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.’”

“But our task,” Pace said, “will not be accomplished by any one person. It will, in fact, be the collective effort of all of us, from trustees to our Southeastern Society to our faculty to our students to our staff, leveraging our lives and investing our resources to see the name and glory of King Jesus magnified around the world.”

“May we be faithful to the Master by being faithful to his mission and by being faithful with his message,” said Pace. “I love Southeastern Seminary and Judson College. It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as your president. Thank you for the privilege of a lifetime.”

Following the inauguration, attendees gathered in the Akin Student Center for fellowship and a celebratory, campus-wide lunch.

Southeastern Seminary and Judson College celebrate the inauguration of President Pace not only as an answered prayer and a recognition of God’s faithfulness but also as a renewed dedication to Southeastern’s mission as the Great Commission seminary.

 

To learn more about how Southeastern equips students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission, visit sebts.edu.