During Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s Spring Convocation service, President Jason Allen announced a $2,500,000 gift and launched a new institutional initiative in partnership with the International Mission Board. Calling the partnership “Midwestern Seminary’s Missions Moonshot,” the seminary specifically aims to produce 100 new missionaries annually in the years ahead.
Allen began the service referencing President John F. Kennedy’s Moonshot Address to rally the American people to put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s.
The term “moonshot,” he explained, is shorthand for a goal that is so daunting and ambitious that it requires a special, collective effort of sacrifice and determination. In the context of the seminary, he said, it is a goal so big that it requires God’s blessing and help to achieve.
Within this goal, Midwestern Seminary aims to produce annually 100 individuals who are committed to overseas service to unreached or underreached people groups for a minimum commitment of two years.
“What we long to see God do here in the years ahead is a deepening and expanding of our Great Commission work so that annually we can see and celebrate 100 students or graduates going out to the nations,” Allen said. “We don’t intend this number generically, but through a countable, defined and identifiable group of men and women who are called to the nations.”
Resources
Allen also announced a very generous, anonymous partner who recently elected to increase their commitment to the Fusion programs. He said, “God has put on the heart, and provided the resources for a couple, who wish to stay anonymous, to give a $2.5 million donation and pledge to the mission programs at Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College. They’ve chosen to make this gift in honor of one of Southern Baptists’ finest laymen, Wayne Lee.”
“When God called me to Midwestern Seminary 10 years ago, I first met trustee Wayne Lee. Southern Baptist leaders Jimmy Draper and O.S. Hawkins told me then that Wayne Lee may well be the finest layman in Southern Baptist life. Mr. Lee has blessed Midwestern Seminary in every way, and I’m delighted to see this gift made in his honor.”
Missions focus
During the service, Allen spotlighted the Fusion masters and Fusion undergraduate programs. At both levels, Fusion involves several cohorts of students completing a year of study and training at Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College before going overseas for the summer. While overseas, the students have the opportunity to implement what they’ve learned and gain real-life experience on the field.
Reflecting on this new partnership, IMB President Paul Chitwood said, “The International Mission Board is delighted to work in partnership with Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College to reach the world for Christ, especially through their Fusion programs.
He added, “I’m overjoyed by this announcement of their ‘Missions Moonshot,’ and this timely expansion of their Great Commission vision. The Lord’s provision of financial support, strategic academic programs, rigorous overseas opportunities, and gospel-minded leadership at Midwestern Seminary makes this achieving this bold goal possible — and even more.”
As Allen closed the service, he stated, “As we achieve this goal of producing 100 new missionaries each year, we will see greater ways that God is using this institution for the nations and for the glory of His Son Jesus Christ.”
To view the entire convocation address, visit mbts.edu/events/chapel.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Brett Fredenberg and originally published by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.