The service begins with the theme of worship as the responsibility of growing missionary churches (00:00-00:32), the reading of Isaiah 52:1-7 (00:33-02:49), and prayer (02:50-04:45). The service continues with singing (04:46-08:17). There is no introduction for the speaker, M. Ray McKay, but he was Professor of Preaching at SEBTS. He begins by saying that every informed and obedient Christian is a missionary, for God in Christ displayed this exact love toward the world (08:18-15:49). The third aspect for Christians in this way is maturity, which can be reached in no other fashion than to have the world on their hearts in the same way as God (15:50-18:16). Everyone, everywhere who is an informed, obedient Christian is a missionary, and this task is not only up to foreign missionaries but up to local churches as well (18:17-19:33). He then responds to “how” to grow a missionary church by saying the pastor must be: first, a missionary himself in understanding, spirit, and purpose (19:34-20:08); second, the pastor will include missions in his preaching (20:09-21:07); third, he must have a planned educational procedure for the church (21:08-23:06). He closes with a benedictory prayer (23:07-23:31), and the service ends with singing (23:32-24:36).
The service was organized by the Student Coordinating Council, and it begins with an announcement and a prayer (00:00-02:46), followed by singing (02:47-07:18). No introduction was given for the speaker, Paul Kercher, but he was a student at SEBTS. He speaks on “who is a Christian” and “what is a Christian,” speaking first about the different ways in which the word was commonly used in that day (07:19-09:59). He argues that a Christian must be spoken of in terms of the individual person, especially regarding one’s own three distinct (while not separate) parts: intellect, emotions, and will (10:00-13:52). He then says that a Christian is someone who experiences something, arguing that belief without experience is not enough (13:53-19:45). Finally, he says that a Christian is someone who practices his beliefs in his conduct, attributing the conversation to Christian ethics (19:46-23:56). He ends with two succinct definitions of a Christian (23:57-24:50) before ending in prayer (24:51-25:42).
Jack Stanton was from the Home Mission Board (now known as the North American Mission Board). The service begins with an opening scripture reading and music from 0:00-1:18. There is an introduction to the speaker and a word of prayer from 1:25-4:53. Rev. Stanton cites John 17 for his message on evangelism and sharing the gospel with others. He encourages the students to follow the same program that Jesus set as an example to seek out the lost and share with them the good news. Stanton reminds them that only a dynamic faith brings up the desire to evangelize with others. Rev. Stanton preaches from 4:57-26:32.
Olin Trivette Binkley was the second President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Professor of Christian Sociology and Ethics. Dr. Binkley opens the service with announcements and prayer from 0:00-2:39. A responsive reading takes place from 2:45-5:13. Binkley preaches from 5:53-22:48. His message is to patiently wait on God in the midst of hardships.
Marc Hoyle Lovelace was Professor of Archaeology. The service starts with a responsive reading from 0:00-1:48. A prayer is given from 1:49-4:43. Music plays from 4:46-5:27. Dr. Lovelace speaks from 5:35-17:22. He preaches on how the temple and earthly dwelling of God will one day no longer a necessity once we reach heaven because we will finally be present with God there.
James H. Blackmore was Special Instructor in New Testament and Director of Public Relations. The service starts with opening remarks from 0:00-1:09. A prayer is offered from 1:12-2:15. Instrumental music plays from 2:16-4:00. An introduction to the speaker is given from 4:08-5:05. Dr. Blackmore speaks from 5:10-18:40. His topic was on temptations that shepherds must overcome.
Robert F. Smart was Dean of the University of Richmond. The service opens with a scripture reading and music from 0:00-1:07. A word of prayer is offered from 1:15-4:08. Dr. Smart is introduced from 4:25-7:31. Robert Smart preaches from 7:41-35:05. Closing music is played from 35:06-35:14.
The service opens with the singing of “Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim,” (00:00-00:47) an opening prayer, (00:48-02:58) and the mention of a responsive reading from Selection 43, “Great is the Lord,” based on Psalm 145 (02:59-03:23). An introduction is given for Russell Cherry, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, NC, who was from Portsmouth, VA. He graduated with a BA degree from the University of Richmond in 1947 and a BD (1950) and Doctor of Theology degree (1954) from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. He served as Fellow in the Department of Preaching at SBTS, and he has pastored in Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina. He was a lesson-writer for the SBC’s literature for churches, and he was a Bible instructor by extension for the University of Richmond for 8 years. He is married with three children (03:24-05:15). Russell opens his message in prayer, (05:16-05:50) and the sermon text is 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10 (05:51-07:56). This message is about the pastoral relationship between Paul and those whom he served, chiefly seen through five key words (07:57-08:50). First to mention is “affection,” which shows the pastor’s love for truth and for those in his care, refusing to be a recluse (08:51-12:51). Second to mention is “anxiety,” which shows the pastor’s parental longing for the church to persevere through life’s hardships in his absence (12:52-16:09). Third to mention is “help,” which shows the pastor’s heart to always protect and come alongside the church in its forward progress of the gospel (16:10-19:32). Fourth to mention is “joy,” which shows the pastor’s fruit of ministry for the Lord Jesus Christ (19:33-22:32). Finally, the word “prayer” describes the pastor’s heart in his relationship to God and to the people for their growth and perseverance (22:33-26:05). Russell Cherry closes the sermon in prayer by reciting Numbers 6:24-26 over the congregation (26:06-26:37).
W. J. Edwards was Association Missionary for the Flat River Association in NC. The service begins with an introduction from 0:00-1:39. Psalm 23 is read from 1:42-3:02. A prayer is offered from 3:06-4:43. Edwards speaks from 4:58-29:16. In this recording, He shares his testimony of how God showed him a new perspective on life, death, and his calling through the diagnosis of a terminal illness.
