CONWAY, Ark. – Grace Bible Theological Seminary (GBTS) celebrated its Fall 2024 Convocation on Wednesday, September 4. The design of this annual worship service is to “call together” (from the Latin con + voco) students at the beginning of the academic year to urge them to run the race set before them in their theological education and ministry preparation. The theme of the evening was “Perseverance unto Christ” and featured a time of worship led by GBTS student Jonathan Chance with accompanist Jane Fetterly.
Jeff Johnson gave the President’s welcome, and in his opening remarks, he thanked God for building the seminary according to His divine wisdom and strength. Johnson noted, “If any of us took credit for this work, it would be a shame on the glory of God.” He offered three prayer requests that attendees could pray for GBTS students: First, for personal holiness of life; second, for cultivation of a love for the church; and third, for prayer-filled hearts. Johnson concluded by reflecting on the nature of the seminary’s work—it is generational in scope, and it involves faculty and staff impacting students who, in turn, will impact churches and engage in kingdom advancement.
Academic Dean and Instructor of Old Testament Preston Kelso provided the sermon and exhortation to students. Expositing his primary text of Hebrews 12:1-3, Kelso implored: “The need for endurance amid hardship and suffering is not abnormal in the Christian life—rather, it is part-and-parcel of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.” He reflected on the great testimony of witnesses in Hebrews chapter 11 who, in faith, preceded present-day believers. “If God got Abraham across the finish line,” Kelso commented, “if he got Gideon across the finish line, He is going to get you and me across it as well.” But Kelso also urged students to look to the One who is better than even the best Old Testament believer, the One who has run the race with perseverance ahead of us—Jesus himself. Christians run in Christ’s footsteps, which climaxed in his perfect suffering and atoning death for sinners.
First-year Master of Divinity (M.Div.) student Adam Hair reflected, “The Convocation service gave me encouragement to press on in my studies, and it was a reminder of why we study as theological students—so that we can be poured out in ministry, eventually, to the glory of God.” Praise-filled anthems in the worship service included “Crown Him with Many Crowns” and “All Glory Be to Christ,” sung heartily to the pioneer and perfecter of believers’ faith, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:3).
The seminary offers special thanks to the following individuals: board member Tommy Walls for reading Scripture; Jamey Niswonger for providing technical and audio-visual support; media specialist Christian Santos for photography; and Kayla Irons and administrative assistant Kym Nies for preparing an assortment of refreshments that students and attendees enjoyed following the service.
For more information about Grace Bible Theological Seminary, please visit our website.
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