This service is an SEBTS commencement service. The service begins with prayer (00:00-13:38). Douglas H. Pruden was recognized as the representative from this graduating senior class (13:39-14:29). President Stealey offers warm words of thanks and congratulations to this graduating class (14:30-19:02). He then introduces the speaker, Carl Elkanah Bates, who was pastor of First Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC (19:03-20:45). Special music and singing occurs before he begins to speak (20:46-26:17). His subject for the message is “Nineteen Years From Now,” relating his own life with the lives of those who are graduating and hoping to impart something helpful for them to carry into their futures, namely that God will be with them day after day, until the end of the age. He also encourages them to be fervent in prayer, humilty, and endurance, which are provided in God’s plan through His grace and love (26:18-50:21). The service ends in prayer (50:22-51:27).
James F. Heaton was pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC. The service begins with a prayer from 0:00-1:30. Music plays from 1:31-5:09. Philippians 1:1-11 is read from 5:37-7:30. A prayer is offered from 7:36-11:18. The President of the graduating class is introduced from 11:31-12:06. The class president presents the class gift to Dr. Binkley from 12:15-13:22. The faculty accept the gifts from 13:23-15:36. The speaker is introduced from 15:40-17:55. A special music performance takes place from 18:00-20:44. Rev. Heaton speaks from 20:57-57:35. He preaches on love and the most important command of God that we are to live out. Heaton encourages the class to have a right relationship with God and develop the fruit of the Spirit to the praise and glory of God. The chapel sings from 57:54-1:01:11. A closing prayer is offered from 1:01:13-1:01:45.
Thomas Albert Bland was Professor of Christian Sociology and Ethics (1956-1993). The service begins with a passage of scripture reading and music from 0:00-5:09. A responsive reading is done from 5:19-6:45. A prayer is offered from 6:49-9:20. Dr. Bland speaks from 9:30-26:16. His source text is Philippians 4:10-13. Bland shares that Christ has the power to strengthen us to face life’s greatest challenges.
Raymond Eugene Owens was Associate Professor of Preaching. The service begins with music from 0:00-2:58. Owens shares opening remarks and offers a prayer from 3:03-4:24. Music plays from 4:30-5:04. Another prayer is given from 5:30-7:30. Dr. Owens preaches from 7:36-27:45. He preaches on the sacrifice of Christ for humanity. He shares that Jesus was focused on the relationship with the world.
David Mein was a missionary to Brazil and the president of the North Brazil Baptist Seminary. The service begins with an introduction to the speaker from 0:00-1:02. Dr. Mein speaks from 1:16-23:30 He preaches on the significance of preaching the gospel. Mein’s source text was Psalm 67:1-2. A closing hymn is sung from 23:37-25:33. The service closes with prayer from 25:34-25:54.
Clarence William Cranford was the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. The service opens with an opening scripture reading from 0:00-1:49. Rev. Cranford speaks from 1:50-32:34. He preaches on the Christian life and what it looks like to faithfully follow Jesus. He exhorts the chapel to be faithful in their service and allegiance to Christ.
Nathan Brooks was the Director of Church Programs for the North Carolina Baptist State Convention. The service begins with an introduction from 0:30-1:46. A prayer is offered from 1:55-4:19. Dr. Brooks speaks from 4:29-39:37. His message was titled “Finding My Role in Missions.”