Fulfilling the Great Commission: Phase Two Campaign Case Statement

February 3, 2009

Southeastern - Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

In 1951, Southeastern Seminary began with 85 students enrolled in a basic theological program. As of May 2008, Southeastern has granted over 12,000 degrees. Today, more than 2,500 students are in pursuit of associate, bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees. Southeastern is the largest seminary on the East Coast and we are anticipating significant growth in the near future.

Southeastern has an undergraduate program and a graduate program, both of which operate as integral parts of the Institution. Courses such as theology, Christian philosophy and ethics, as well as the biblical languages, require that students grapple with the deeper, more challenging issues of the faith. This biblical, theological and practical background prepares people to preach, teach, evangelize, counsel, pursue justice and help others in churches and communities across our state, our nation and around the world.

Unprecedented growth in our student body over the past decade presents us with an increasing and urgent challenge to provide the training and resources necessary to equip ministers, teachers and community leaders for the future. In order to maintain affordable tuition costs for our students, we are seeking funds from outside sources to continue and build on a tradition of excellence in theological education.

Over the next few years, we will embark on an ambitious and strategic endeavor to complete the second phase of our long-range plan. After deliberate and intensive scrutiny, the administration adopted a plan to meet the pressing financial needs in the areas of endowment, student aid, capital projects and improvements as well as curriculum and faculty expansion. Each of these priority needs is crucial to the continued success of Southeastern Seminary.

Scholarship on Fire! Phase One Summary

The first phase of the Scholarship on Fire campaign was designed to raise funds for endowments for missions and student aid, as well as building projects and improvements. The goal for phase one was $16.5 million, and we received just over $17 million in commitments along with 100 percent participation from our trustees, presidential cabinet and faculty. The allocation of these funds is as follows: over $6 million is being used toward the construction of Patterson Hall, and approximately $10 million was designated for endowments supporting scholarships, faculty, and even building maintenance.

Some of the funds have already made an impact. Students have received grants enabling them to travel overseas on mission trips. Furthermore, scholarship money which augments the budget benefits every Southeastern student by keeping tuition affordable.

We are wedding the head, the heart, and the hands in fulfilling the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus Christ. - President Daniel Akin

Lewis A. Drummond Center for Great Commissssion Studies - $2,000,000

The increasing number and consistent flow of missionary candidates coming from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary for service with the International Mission Board indicates a passion for missions that permeates the campus. - Jerry Rankin, President of the International Mission Board

In 1995, Southeastern pioneered the 2+2 program - the first international church planting program by a Southern Baptist seminary. Through a partnership with the IMB, Southeastern created the Master of Divinity with International Church Planting program, placing students on the fast track toward mission service. This partnership results in a program that offers students the unique opportunity to be “thinking doers” and to apply their theological education to planting churches in cross-cultural contexts. Those not called to missionary service realize there is no dichotomy between those who go and those who stay to minister in stateside churches; they are being equipped to lead their churches to give priority to our Great Commission task through giving, praying and partnership with people groups around the world.

Missions and evangelism are the very heart of Southeastern, thus our commitment to “Every classroom a Great Commission classroom” and our focus on “Fulfilling the Great Commission.” Endowed funds are essential if Southeastern is to realize its vision of training students who will devote their lives to missions, evangelism, and church planting. Through this endowment, students will be equipped to help fulfill the Great Commission by sharing a verbal witness for Jesus Christ both at home and around the globe.

Undergraduate Scholarships - $1,000,000

We are producing students who know God’s Word and who can proclaim and defend God’s Word in any situation in which they find themselves. We are producing students who are theologically sound, spiritually strong, intellectually sharp, and culturally savvy. - Bruce Ashford, Dean of The College at Southeastern

With the departure of five area colleges from the Southern Baptist Convention, Southeastern is poised to become the premier choice for Southern Baptist Christian education in North Carolina. However, there are little to no resources available to offer our undergraduates. Southeastern’s college students receive no assistance from the Keesee Educational Fund or the government-funded Pell Grant Program. A Student Aid Endowment must be established to help eliminate the financial barriers that can prevent God- called men and women from attending Southeastern. This endowment will help students with matriculation costs, groceries, housing, health care and transportation. The ever-increasing cost of living added to the number of students who want to study here make raising this endowment a necessity.

Library Renovation - $3,000,000

At the heart of an academic institution committed to excellence is an outstanding library. In a real sense a school’s library is the nerve center for a student’s learning experience. Some are saying the day of the traditional campus library has passed. At Southeastern we strongly disagree. Committed to being technologically up-to-date and culturally relevant, we believe a first-class library is absolutely essential for a quality education. - Daniel L. Akin, President

Originally the Law Library for Wake Forest College in the 1930’s, the library now stands as the primary research and resource center for the seminary. In 1958, a new addition was built and the existing structure was renovated. At that time the building was named in honor of Dr. Emery B. Denny, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Its last major renovation was over 30 years ago.

The $3 million renovation includes:

A redesigned layout to better utilize space for - more efficiency, individual study areas and high-density shelving for archival materials.
New HVAC system, an environmental, zone-specific control throughout the library, particularly crucial for the archives.
Upgrading and replacing plumbing, power, wireless, kitchen, rest rooms, and computer equipment.
Updating the interior including new furniture, carpeting, and seating.
Work-circulation-reference desks and end caps for existing book cases.
More space for private collections and memorial book shelves purchased annually through the generosity of many donors.

Fifty-four percent of high school graduates consider the library an important factor in deciding whether to attend a particular school. While buildings and technology do not save people, they are a vital part of equipping students to engage an ever-changing world with the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ. New furnishings, carpet, seating, computers, and updated rest rooms will dramatically improve the overall “feel” of the library, creating an inviting place for serious theological study and research.

Academic Endowment - $3,500,000

We are a particular seminary with a particular kind of faculty who love Christ and have a passion for the peoples of the earth. They are Great Commission teachers because the truth of the Great Commission has transformed their lives. - David Nelson, Dean of the Faculty

Southeastern’s faculty contains some of the world’s leading scholars in Old and New Testament studies, theology, biblical languages, homiletics, and many other fields. Committed to the purpose and mission of the school and to the historic evangelical Christian faith, they employ all useful methods of research and legitimate theological inquiry in the pursuit of truth and knowledge. Our professors believe this knowledge is gained so that it can be put to use in the local church. Their treasury of ministry experience translates into practical lessons that change hearts and lives. A strong academic endowment is vital to the seminary and to continued excellence in scholarship and theological training of men and women for all types of Christian service. Endowed chairs enable the seminary to attract and retain dedicated faculty of the highest distinction and experience who are committed to training the next generation of pastors, missionaries, and Christian leaders to impact the world for Christ.

I pray Southern Baptists will appropriately recognize and honor our faculty for their investment in the future of our churches and the expanse of the gospel. - Marty Middleton, Master of Divinity student

Southeastern Fund - $5,500,000

We have an obligation to prepare students adequately for Kingdom work, and we must obey the Savior’s charge to go and win the lost to Christ with a confidence that only the proper nurturing, training, and equipping can provide. Annual receipts of one million dollars in the Southeastern Fund are equivalent to the purchasing power of a 20 million dollar endowment. - Daniel L. Akin, President

Rather than view the Southeastern Fund - the seminary’s annual fund - as a separate entity, it is integrated into the overall campaign effort. It is imperative that the on-going needs of the school not be neglected while striving to meet future needs. Expenses related to daily operations must always be kept in mind. By supporting the Southeastern Fund, donors provide President Akin the resources he needs to lead with confidence as he embraces new opportunities and steers us clear of unforeseen challenges. Gifts to this fund are unrestricted; consequently they are used where the needs and opportunities are the greatest. Every gift shapes the education and experience our students receive as they prepare for the most important job in the world - Kingdom work.

Planned Giving - $2,000,000

Most of us are never able, while living, to give a large gift to support Kingdom work, but with a planned gift we can make a significant impact by leaving a lasting testimony that keeps giving until our Lord returns. - George Harvey, Director of Development

In addition to raising funds for the current needs identified above, phase two includes an emphasis on supporting the growth and success of Southeastern through planned and deferred gift commitments. A planned gift could mean simply having a will that leaves a portion of our worldly possessions to support the ministry of the Church. Or it could take the form of annuities providing income while we are alive. Support received through planned giving will provide essential financial resources to meet future needs of the school. These gifts can be established through wills, trusts, annuities, life insurance, stocks, bonds, real estate, and other estate planning vehicles.

What Difference Will My Gift Make?

This is about more than just funding endowments or renovating buildings; it is about investing in people who are already changing their communities.

Jeremy Lyons arrived on campus “called to preach, teach, write - whatever doors God opened.” One Saturday night, he and a handful of Southeastern students drove to Raleigh and walked the streets giving out food and clothing while sharing the Gospel with the homeless. They invited those they met to church, returned the next morning to pick them up and took them out to eat after the service. From there a ministry emerged that is transforming lives on the streets and in the church.

God gave Mark and Tanya Wilby of South Africa a desire to study His Word. They became acquainted with several Southeastern professors who encouraged them to apply. Mark and Tanya were active in a local church while here, and they both graduated and returned home to take the Gospel to the most rural areas, where poverty, AIDS and inaccessibility make this task difficult.

We are grateful to the Lord for his blessings upon Southeastern. We are convinced that the best is still in front of us. Thank you for prayerfully considering this opportunity to partner with us to reach the world for Christ. Our assignment is clear and urgent. Help us attract, educate and send even more. Every dollar you give is a wise Kingdom investment you will not regret.

Campaign gifts are not restricted to those initiatives identified herein. While these areas represent tremendous opportunities to strengthen Southeastern, we recognize that a donor may wish to support us in a way not specifically highlighted above. We will accept such gifts and count them in the campaign total provided that the gift helps Southeastern fulfill its mission of equipping students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.

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