Midwestern Seminary presented the 2023 Presidential Merit Award to this year’s recipient — John Yeats. The presentation was made during the seminary’s Alumni & Friends Luncheon, which was held in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans, June 13–14.
Yeats has served as the executive director of the Missouri Baptist Convention for 12 years and served for 25 years as the recording secretary of the SBC. During his time at the MBC, Yeats led Missouri Baptists in paying off convention debt, organized staff and processes around the mission and vision of the MBC, established strategic missions partnerships and more.
Midwestern Seminary’s president Jason Allen mentioned three ways he gives thanks for Dr. Yeats: 1) for encouraging his son Dr. John Mark Yeats to serve in Kansas City, 2) for bringing health to the Missouri Baptist Convention through his leadership, and 3) for being a faithful partner with Midwestern Seminary.
Allen noted, “It’s my personal joy to present to you the Midwestern Seminary Presidential Merit Award for your many achievements and accomplishments in leadership of the MBC for many Southern Baptists.”
Alumnus of the year
Additionally, Allen recognized the 2023 Alumnus of the Year, pastor Scott Patty.
Scott Patty is the founding pastor of Grace Community Church in Brentwood, Tennessee. Before he began Grace in 1993, Patty served as a youth pastor for 10 years. He was raised in Nashville and came to faith in Christ as a high school student. After graduating from Belmont College in 1985, he attended Midwestern Seminary and graduated with his master of divinity in 1989. Scott is married to Beth and they have two married daughters and three granddaughters.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and published by the Pathway. The Baptist Paper edited this article for style, length and brevity.
