Wednesday, October 25, 2017 five representatives from Southeastern traveled to Orlando, Florida for the annual TRACS (Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools) Conference. The three day event was full of educational seminars that offered instruction and ideas on how to make our college more effective. This year's conference registered over 200 attendees. Currently, TRACS is comprised of 82 member schools including Southeastern Free Will Baptist College, Bob Jones University, Crown College of the Bible, West Coast Baptist College, Pensacola Christian College and Randall University just to name a few.
Our Academic Dean, Dr. Danny Baer is pleased to announce that Southeastern Free Will Baptist College continues moving toward full accreditation. Southeastern achieved Candidate status last Spring. As a result we are now listed on the US Department of Education website and have been able to begin the application process for Federal Aid for our students. We have also learned of unexpected benefits at this stage such as stories from many Southeastern alumni and undergraduate transfer students who have experienced their degrees being recognized and their credits transferring at a number of institutions. It is our prayer and goal to receive accreditation within the next three years.
Fulfilling Our Mission
The purpose of Southeastern is to train men and women for the ministry. 38% of our students are studying to be pastors. However, they are not only studying to be pastors, they are actively engaging in pastoral work while in college. In fact, 18% of Southeastern students are actively employed in local churches as associate pastors, youth pastors, music pastors or children’s pastors. Kraig Spivey, pastor of Sheraton Park Free Will Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC stated, “Having a Southeastern student come and serve as our youth pastor is a huge help and provides us great opportunities to further disciple the next generation.”
Southeastern College is also committed to aiding our churches in providing quality educators for their Christian Schools. Therefore, it is a pleasure to announce that 48% of our students are preparing to be elementary and secondary teachers. Not only will they have an opportunity to join the church and home in training children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,” teachers in Christian schools regularly have the privilege of leading one or more of their students to Christ. Actually, our Christian School teachers are some of the most impactful soulwinners and disciplers we have in our churches.
Southeastern's faculty, staff and students are preparing to welcome over 80 high school students to our fall All Access Days. Students will participate in classes, chapel services and society competition. Students attending an on campus event is another step in the process of them discovering their calling.