Commissioning Chapel Recap

Southeastern’s annual Commissioning Chapel took place this past Tuesday to celebrate God’s leading of students and their families to the harvest fields. These students will be going across the country and around the world to serve with the North American Mission Board or with the International Mission Board.

40 of the 60+ students going to the field this year were represented at Commissioning Chapel. There are many distance learning students being sent out by their churches who were unable to attend in person.

The commissioned students join the 215 other missionary units who are current Southeastern students and scattered across the globe with the IMB.

Dr. Danny Akin preached a sermon titled “Lord, I am Going; Please Open the Door” from Colossians 4:2-6. He encouraged listeners to remember the importance of prayer for those going and for those sending.

Student Lydia Wood was particularly challenged by Dr. Akin’s reminder to pray for friends being sent out: “For those of us who are in a season of staying, we have to hold the rope for those who are going. May God help us refuse to forget them.”

What does it mean to refuse to forget? For those of us sending, it is a question that must be answered. A practical way is to make it a daily habit to pray for the featured Prayer Card on our CGCS webpage.

Akin also challenged those being commissioned to remember the importance of prayer in mission work. He concluded with the following prayer for them to consider praying:

“Lord, help me say the right words at the right time in the right way to the right person and always for the right reason. Give me not only gospel words but gospel sensitivity as I go.”

The message was followed by a time of intentional prayer for the students being sent out. The commissioned students and families were called to the front along with representatives from their local sending churches. Faculty, students and guests gathered around and formed a chain of prayer throughout Binkley Chapel.

This moment of coming together was a sacred reminder that we all play an integral part in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Watch the full Commissioning Chapel service: