WAKE FOREST (BP) – During Friday’s (Dec.8) fall commencement ceremony, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and The College at Southeastern celebrated 228 Great Commission graduates, who represent 29 states and 19 countries. Joining the thousands of Southeastern alumni serving around the world, these graduates are being sent to serve local churches and make disciples wherever God calls them.
Inviting attendees to consider the priority of the Gospel message and the need to share it, the ceremony encouraged graduates and their families to join in the work of fulfilling the Great Commission.
Delivering the commencement message and charge for graduates, President Danny Akin preached from Matthew 1:18-25, highlighting the profound reality of the incarnation and the fitting response it deserves.
“Because he is God with us in the cradle, he can be God for us on the cross,” Akin said. “God sent His Son to save us, and save us He will if we trust Him and call on His name.”
Akin noted that because Jesus is the Son of God sent to save humanity, His redeemed people should be devoted to sharing this Gospel message of hope, reconciliation and redemption.
During his message, Akin reminded graduates that, as they go to serve churches and reach the nations, they can hold onto three fortifying truths from Matthew 1:18-25:
- God still does the supernatural (v. 18).
- God came to save us by living among us (vv. 19-21).
- God still keeps His promises (1:22-25).
With this reminder that God is working, that He is still drawing people to Himself, and that He remains faithful to His promises, Akin charged graduates to stay grounded in the Gospel and passionate about serving the Church and fulfilling the Great Commission.
Akin concluded his message with a Gospel presentation, inviting attendees who do not know Jesus to consider God’s love toward them in Jesus Christ and to respond in faith and repentance, experiencing for themselves the hope, reconciliation and redemption guaranteed by the Gospel.
Southeastern is proud of its fall 2023 graduating class and celebrates their commitment to make disciples of Jesus across North America and among the nations. Equipped as Great Commission Christians, these graduates go to their homes, their communities, and the nations with a heart for the Church, for the lost, and for God and His Word. Southeastern is excited to see their kingdom impact as they continue to serve Christ in new places.
