In an increasingly hostile secular environment, “the mission field around us has changed,” Albert Mohler said in his report to messengers to the 2024 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.
Speaking during the afternoon session on June 12, Mohler contrasted the convictions of Southern Baptists with other denominations and said the “seductions of the world, the velocity of social change, progressiveness, ideologies and the great cultural shifts of the age” are moving the denominations further apart.
The primary task of the six SBC seminaries is “to raise up a generation of young ministers of the gospel who are going to hold to the faith, not subvert the faith,” he said, noting Southern Baptist seminaries remain a stronghold of faithful, confessional theological education in North America, due in large part to support from churches.
“Thank you for believing in the training of those who are going to teach and preach the Word of God,” Mohler said. “Thank you for holding your schools accountable.”
Mohler highlighted this year’s 30th anniversary of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry at Southern Seminary. Mohler credited Graham for his support in transforming Southern Seminary and emphasized the ongoing impact of his legacy on SBC ministries and missions efforts.
“Billy Graham made a huge difference 30 years ago in a way that still reshapes the life of Southern Seminary,” Mohler said. “It would be wrong for me to come to the Southern Baptist Convention in 2024 and fail to recognize the indebtedness that not only Southern Seminary but Southern Baptists hold to Dr. Billy Graham. The influence he had in this denomination is making a difference right now.”
To view more photos from the seminary reports, click here.
