Neil Franks, pastor of First Baptist Church in Branson and president of the Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Board, challenged the nearly 150 graduates at Southwest Baptist University’s Dec. 19 commencement never to settle for less, but always to settle for more.

MBTS celebrated its 56th commencement exercises on Dec. 12. The event was highlighted by the keynote address and the honoring of a long-time faculty member. Speaking to 59 graduates, their families and friends, Jason Allen, MBTS's president opened the service with an uncompromising gospel presentation, and then added, “It is our prayer and ambition that this service would so bear witness to our Lord Jesus Christ that you would be stirred in your interest to become a follower of Christ. All that we do here, and all that you will see in this hour, is rooted in our unshakable belief in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.