Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary held its academic awards chapel on Thursday, December 3, to honor students who have completed requirements for diplomas and certificates through Southeastern’s certificates program and Biblical Women’s Institute.

Provost Bruce Ashford recognized the students who
represented ten different locations around the world. Bryan Douglas Kempton was awarded the certificate of worship ministry from Southeastern’s certificates program. The Biblical Women’s Institute recognized Amanda Hastings Smith from Douglas, Georgia, for her completion of the diploma in women’s studies and Amber Joy Harper from Louisville, Mississippi, for completing an advanced certificate in women’s studies.

Several students were awarded the certificate in women’s studies, including Amy Duncan of Vacaville, California, LaQuisha M. Parks of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Cynthia Sharon Stake of Greenville, South Carolina. Five studentsalso received the certificate of women’s studies with international missions.

Another award given was the Owens Evangelism Award, which is an annual award that honors a full-time student who exemplifies thestrongest personal evangelistic witness among the on-campus student body. Thomas Sebastian Meyers was recognized for his exemplary evangelistic lifestyle, participation in Crossover events, witnessing along with faculty and involvement with an evangelistic Facebook page. Alvin Reid, who is the Bailey Smith chair of evangelism and professor of evangelism and student ministry, chooses the recipient of this award each year.

Following the recognition ceremony, Southeastern President Danny Akin preached a sermon from Revelation chapter 12 on what he called, “An apocalyptic Christmas story.” In opening the sermon, Akin said, “This is not the nativity story we grew up reading. But it is the grand redemptive story line.”

Through the message, Akin encouraged students and faculty that they can trust God to keep his word, honor his son and care for his people. He ended the service reading the Christmas hymn, “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.”

The Southeastern Kingdom Choir performed music for the awards chapel. Southeastern students and faculty also took up a special offering for the International Mission Board’s Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

If you missed Dr. Akin’s message, you can listen to it here: https://vimeo.com/147843794