Iorg urges Southwestern, TBC community to seek Jesus’s peace, stay on mission

A “pastoral word” about Jesus’s peace and a challenge to remain on mission was offered by Jeff P. Iorg, president of Gateway Seminary, during the Sept. 27 chapel service at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College, the first held since the Sept. 22 resignation of former President Adam W. Greenway.  

Iorg, a 1990 Doctor of Ministry graduate of Southwestern, stated his thankfulness to be at the Fort Worth institution, which honored him with the seminary’s Distinguished Alumnus Award during its luncheon held during the 2022 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Anaheim, California. 

“Thank you, Southwestern, for your investment in my life over the years,” said Iorg.

“The Southwestern community is living through a disorienting time of unexpected change,” said Iorg. “While the nature and scope of these challenges is significant, after 40 years of Christian leadership, I can tell you that leading during chaos is seemingly more the norm than the exception.” 

Iorg explained there were many chaotic times for believers recorded in the Bible, including for the disciples after Jesus’s crucifixion and before His resurrection was widely known. 

“It was a time when Christian leaders had disappeared or lost their focus,” he said. “The Christians were intimidated and confused, fragmented and isolated. And while the circumstances of the story in the text are very different than yours, the principles of living through chaos are the same.” 

Preaching from John 20:19-29 in which Jesus appears to the disciples following His resurrection, Iorg urged the assembly to remember that Jesus speaks peace during trials, noting a “tri-fold affirmation of peace” in the passage. “Jesus offers you today peace in the midst of the chaos,” said Iorg. 

Secondly, Jesus reassures believers “by His presence” amid turmoil and by “directly addressing” their doubts. 

“When you are living through chaos, Jesus draws nearer to you and reassures you by His presence,” Iorg preached. 

Iorg recalled a dark time in his life when he was stricken with cancer in 1994. He made it through surgery, only to be told a second surgery was needed immediately. After the second surgery, he was not recovering well and could not speak or think clearly. He could only remember one Bible verse, Psalm 30:5: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” He kept praying the verse and in the morning, he said, he was grateful that his “body was stabilized” and his thoughts had “cleared.” Reflecting on that time, he said it was clear to him that Jesus is “enough” — when no one on earth could help him, he realized Jesus’s power sustained him. 

“Southwestern: Jesus is enough. His peace is present in your chaos. And He personally comes to you, embraces you, and without rebuke, reassures you He is with you,” Iorg said, adding that during such times, “Jesus will help you overcome your doubts.” 

Thirdly, Iorg reminded the Southwestern community that Jesus sends believers on mission even during difficulties. Iorg encouraged students, faculty, and staff to focus on the mission that they have to accomplish. 

“The mission of God and the mission of Southwestern Seminary have not changed,” Iorg challenged. “And Jesus speaks in the middle of your chaos and says, ‘Get focused on your mission. As the Father has sent Me, so send I you.’”

Iorg told seminarians that they “have spiritual power because you are indwelled by the person of the Holy Spirit” and that it is the Holy Spirit who “empowers you to stay on mission during chaos.”

He urged the assembly to “guard your own heart against bitterness, anger, frustration and a vengeful spirit.” 

“We have a message of restoration; forgiving sins and being forgiven,” he said. “You are living through a disorienting time of chaotic change” but “the message is clear. Jesus speaks peace to you.” 

Iorg has served as the president of Gateway Seminary in Ontario, California, since 2014. He is also an author, former pastor, and church planter. He was the executive director-treasurer of the Northwest Baptist Convention from 1995 to 2004. In addition to his doctoral degree from Southwestern, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hardin Simmons University and a Master of Divinity degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. 

Iorg’s entire sermon can be viewed here.

Chapel is held every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10 a.m. (CT) in MacGorman Chapel on the campus of Southwestern Seminary and TBC. Chapel may be viewed live at swbts.live.