Greenway brings ‘word of hope’ in ministry update to SBC
Even in this moment of “unprecedented challenge” brought about by COVID-19, President Adam W. Greenway assured the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) that “God is still doing an extraordinary work” at The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In a pre-recorded report during the June 2 SBC Advance, a two-hour online event providing ministry updates from SBC entities, Greenway said, “It would be very easy for me to spend the time talking about all of the adversity, all of the financial challenges, all of the uncertainties that we have, but what I want to do in this moment is to bring a word of hope, a word of excitement.”
“Because I know that even in the midst of COVID-19,” he continued, “God has been working to continue to use Southwestern Seminary and our Southwestern Seminary faculty, students, and staff to make a difference that is meeting the needs and helping to change lives even in this moment.”
Greenway shared that, in the 2019-2020 academic year, more than 500 men and women graduated from Southwestern Seminary and Scarborough College, which he noted is two times the average enrollment of an accredited seminary in North America. These graduates, “all committed together to following God’s calling upon their lives,” Greenway said, have been equipped “for more faithful service” and will now go forth “to serve the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention and reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Furthermore, in light of Southwestern Seminary’s April 29 announcement that it will resume on-campus instruction in the fall, Greenway shared that upgrades are presently being made to the campus’ dormitories and “some strategic moves” across the campus are planned, all of which will “welcome back students” in the new semester and aid the institution in fulfilling “the assignment Southern Baptists have given to us in operating an on-campus residential program of theological education right here in Fort Worth, Texas.”
“In this moment where people are looking for hope,” Greenway said, “I want it to be that Southwestern Seminary and Scarborough College is continually giving a message of hope, real hope, that is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in the power of God to overcome whatever challenge or obstacle we may face.
“Southern Baptists can be proud that you have a seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, standing firmly upon the faith once and for all delivered unto the saints [and] that is supportive of the Cooperative Program because we are supported by the Cooperative Program.”
Expressing his gratitude to SBC churches for their contributions to the Cooperative Program, which significantly lowers the tuition of Southwestern Seminary students, Greenway concluded, “Thank you for what you do, Southern Baptists, to make possible our work. Know that Southwestern Seminary exists to serve you and your churches. … Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel and for our work together in the Great Commission.”
