Newly established Board of Reference has inaugural meeting, hears about ‘really bright’ Southwestern future

Nearly 40 pastors and denominational leaders met on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as online, on Oct. 19 for the inaugural meeting of a newly established Board of Reference. Through their partnership with the seminary, these leaders will represent Southwestern to prospective students and donors while also providing advice on how the seminary can best reach students and set them up for success in ministry, according to board leadership.

“One of the dreams for the Board of Reference is that you help us connect with all the constituencies and then bring them together toward a hopeful future for this place,” said David S. Dockery, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dockery added that his goal is to provide members with information about the seminary so that they can have answers as they are representing the school to people. He also said that he intends to listen to the counsel and advice from the board members on how to build a better Southwestern.

Hance Dilbeck, president of Guidestone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary alumnus, is one of nearly 40 pastors and denominational leaders of the newly formed Board of Reference at the Fort Worth institution. The Board of Reference held its first meeting Oct. 19 on the seminary’s campus.

The Board of Reference is chaired by Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, who will help gather information and utilize the influence of the members of the board.

“When Dr. Dockery and O.S. Hawkins first approached me about leading this group, I couldn’t say yes fast enough,” Graham said. “For no other reason than that we need some fellowship and to get to know one another, and I know we all have a mutual love for our seminary.”

Graham said that the Board of Reference exists to provide the Office of the President with ideas for how to help the seminary. He said that the board members are all part of what he called the “comeback of Southwestern” by being a part of the group.

“With everything that has happened in recent days at the seminary, it led to us getting our hearts and heads together to be on the same page with what’s going on,” Graham said. “We need your positive reference and influence to your churches and other pastors.”

Graham said he is encouraged by seminary leadership in both the administration and in the faculty. He also said that he will work hard to serve the pastors and leaders on the board in their relationship with the seminary and the growth of the institution.

Representing Southwestern’s senior leadership, O.S. Hawkins, chancellor, is also helping lead the Board of Reference as part of his role. He said he will use his experience from both Guidestone Financial Resources and work as a pastor for many years to guide the board members in a helpful way.

Hawkins provided four pieces of good news to the board members to help them understand that even though the seminary has had difficulties, there is reason to be hopeful: his confidence in Dockery, the faculty, the students, and the commitment of those who want to see Southwestern succeed.

“We are not out of the woods yet, but we know where we are going,” Hawkins said. “We know who we are, and we know what our brand is. The future is really bright here at Southwestern, and I’m very encouraged by that.”

The Board of Reference members are:

• Dr. Jack Graham, Chair – Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas
• Dr. O. S. Hawkins, Chancellor, Southwestern Seminary/President Emeritus, GuideStone
• Dr. John Mann – Assistant to the President for Church/Constituent Relations, Southwestern
• Dr. John Avant – President, Life Action Ministries
• Dr. Wesley Baldwin – Aloma Church, Winter Park, Florida
• Dr. Bart Barber – First Baptist Church, Farmersville, Texas
• Dr. Greg Belser – Morrison Heights Baptist Church, Clinton, Mississippi
• Dr. Kie Bowman – Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin, Texas/SBC Prayer Ministry
• Dr. David Bowman – Tarrant Baptist Association, Fort Worth, Texas
• Dr. Mac Brunson – Valleydale Church, Hoover, Alabama
• Rev. Ryan Buck – Immanuel Baptist Church, San Angelo, Texas
• Rev. Gilberto Corredera – Prestonwood en Español, Plano, Texas
• Dr. Daniel Dickard – Shandon Baptist Church, Columbia, South Carolina
• Dr. Hance Dilbeck – President, Guidestone Financial Resources
• Dr. Jimmy Draper – Lifeway (President Emeritus)
• Rev. Todd Fisher – Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma
• Dr. Steve Gaines – Bellevue Baptist Church, Cordova, Tennessee
• Dr. Michael Gossett – Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler, Texas
• Dr. Buddy Gray – Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hoover, Alabama
• Dr. Eric Hankins – First Baptist Church Fairhope, Alabama
• Dr. Robert Jeffress – First Baptist Church Dallas, Texas
• Dr. Ryan Jespersen – Dallas Baptist Association, Dallas, Texas
• Dr. James Kang – Council of Korean Southern Baptist Churches, Denton, Texas
• Dr. Matt Kendrick – Redemption City Church, Fort Worth, Texas
• Dr. Richard Land – President Emeritus, Southern Evangelical Seminary
• Rev. Lyle Larson – First Baptist Church, Goodlettesville, Tennessee
• Dr. Ryan Lee – Semihan Church, Carrollton, Texas
• Dr. Nathan Lorick – Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Grapevine, Texas
• Dr. Tony Mathews – Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Grapevine, Texas
• Dr. Scott Maze – Cross Church, North Richland Hills, Texas
• Dr. Bruce McCoy – Baptist General Convention of Texas
• Dr. Byron McWilliams – First Baptist Church, Odessa, Texas
• Rev. John Meador – Cross City Church (First Baptist Church), Euless, Texas
• Dr. Stan Norman – President, Williams Baptist University, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas
• Dr. Spencer Plumlee – First Baptist Church, Mansfield, Texas
• Dr. Todd Pylant – First Baptist Church, Benbrook, Texas
• Dr.  Wyman Richardson – Central Baptist Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas
• Dr. Stephen Rummage – Quail Springs Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Dr. Daniel Sanchez – Southwestern Seminary (emeritus)
• Dr. Juan Sanchez – High Point Baptist Church, Austin, Texas
• Rev. Clay Smith – Johnson Ferry Baptist Church, Marietta, Georgia
• Dr. Steven Smith – Immanuel Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas
• Dr. Jarrett Stephens – Champion Forest Baptist Church, Houston, Texas
• Dr. James Spivey – Gambrell Street Baptist Church, Fort Worth, Texas
• Dr. Eric Thomas – First Baptist Church, Norfolk, Virginia
• Dr. Heath Thomas – President, Oklahoma Baptist University
• Dr. Ted Traylor – Olive Baptist Church, Pensacola, Florida
• Dr. Brad Whitt – Abilene Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia
• Dr. Darin Wood – First Baptist Church, Midland, Texas
• Dr. Ed Young Sr. – Second Baptist Church, Houston, Texas