Midwestern focuses on campus growth
KANSAS CITY—Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) observed its 50th President’s Convocation on Aug. 21 with a chapel message from Seminary President R. Philip Roberts. Carey Casey, chief executive officer of The National Center for Fathering, received the President’s Medallion during the ceremony, and the James R. Doss Family Room at the Koehn and Myers Center for World Evangelism was dedicated immediately following the service.
Working from Galatians 1:1-10, Roberts noted three key certainties upon which the Apostle Paul built this particular correspondence.
First of all, “The Apostle Paul had an unshakable trust in an unsurpassable salvation,” Roberts said.
Paul knew then what remains true to this day, that no other religion can or does offer salvation as a gift, by grace alone. Along with salvation founded in grace comes peace. Even today, no other religion speaks of the peace and assurance that can be found in the Gospel of the gift of Jesus Christ.
Secondly, Roberts said, Paul had confidence in an irreplaceable revelation. His confidence was such that he extended a sincere warning against anybody, including himself, who might ever try to convince them of the truth of a Gospel other than the one they had already accepted.
And finally, Paul was so certain of the significance of the Savior, His salvation and the seriousness of the assignment He has given us, that he voluntarily made himself a slave of Christ.
These are certainties that the seminary as a whole should stand on as well, Roberts exhorted, as the future waxes imminent.
“We hope and pray for the future and the next steps the Lord has for Midwestern,” Roberts said, outlining such plans as campus improvements and growing the endowment. Goals including developing a dynamic curriculum and research strategy, a vibrant college and a growing seminary. and growing the existing first-rate faculty.
Following his message, Roberts recognized Casey and his wife, Melanie.
The Presidential Medallion is the highest honor awarded by the seminary and is given to individuals who have made a significant impact on Midwestern and Christian higher education.
The citation accompanying his medallion affirms his service to the Lord and the far-reaching impact for His Kingdom Casey has had as a former pastor and president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Foundation, current CEO of The National Center for Fathering and Player Development Partner with the Kansas City Chiefs. As a member of the MBTS board of regents and past chapel speaker, he has also shown significant support for Midwestern.
Students, faculty, staff and guests reconvened at the Koehn and Myers Center for World Evangeslim after chapel service for a room dedication. The room containing the Morton-Seats archaeological collection was named and dedicated in memory of James R. Doss, major supporter of the seminary’s archaeological program and Tel Gezer Project student scholarship donor.
Doss’ son, Gary, offered remarks on behalf of his late father, and Stephen J. Andrews, MBTS professor of Old Testament, Hebrew and archaeology and director of the Morton-Seats Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, voiced a prayer of dedication before the official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
New Vice President for Administration Anthony Allen and four new faculty members—Frederick Cardoza II, Eric Foley, N. Blake Hearson and Gustavo Suarez—were also recognized in the chapel service.
Allen came to MBTS after serving 16 years at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS), Wake Forest, N.C., as assistant to the vice president for institutional advancement and then vice president for institutional advancement.
Cardoza joins MBTS as assistant professor of Christian Education, associate director for the professional doctoral program, director of distance learning and associate academic dean of Midwestern Baptist College, SBC.
Hearson has been appointed assistant professor of Old Testament and Hebrew.
Suarez was appointed to serve as professor of church planting and director of the Nehemiah Center for North American Church Planting.
Midwestern also announced that Sept. 4 will mark the fourth annual “Missouri Baptist Day,” with Missouri Baptist Convention President Mike Green speaking in a special 10 a.m. chapel service. Guests are encouraged to take a tour of the campus that day. Tours and the chapel service itself are both free to the public.