Southern Seminary and Boyce College recently welcomed hundreds of guests to campus for their fall Preview Days, an opportunity for prospective students to experience firsthand what makes these institutions distinct. On October 10, 147 guests attended Southern Seminary’s Preview Day. The following week, October 16–17, Boyce College hosted 320 visitors for its largest fall Preview event ever.
For many prospective students, Preview Day is an opportunity to discern their calling and experience how Southern Seminary may help equip them for whatever ministry the Lord has prepared. It’s more than a campus tour. Preview Day offers an invitation to step inside a community shaped by deep theological conviction, personal discipleship, and a shared commitment to the Great Commission.
“Preview Day is one of the most important opportunities for a prospective student to truly experience who we are as a Christian community,” said Paul Akin, Provost of Southern Seminary. “It’s about catching a vision for what it means to prepare for faithful service in the local church, on the mission field, or in the marketplace.”
From the moment guests walk the historic campus, meet professors, and sit in on classes, they begin to see that theological training at Southern is not merely academic.
“When students walk our beautiful campus, meet our faculty, and sit in our classrooms,” Akin said, “they begin to see how theological training here is not simply academic—it’s deeply personal, spiritual, and formational.”
For Akin, one of the joys of Preview Day is watching that realization dawn.
“I love seeing students and families experience that moment when they realize this could be home,” Akin said. “There’s something special about watching them meet our faculty—men and women who love Christ, love the church, and love their students.”
The excitement of the day is demonstrable. Classrooms buzz with conversation. Families linger in the hallways talking with professors. Worship fills the chapel.
“There is a visible and tangible excitement that permeates the campus during Preview Day,” Akin said. “It’s a joy to witness people discover that theological training here is not just about information. It’s about transformation and preparation for a lifetime of faithful service.”
More Than a Visit
What makes Preview Day different from a typical campus visit is the way it immerses guests in the full rhythm of seminary life.
“You meet the faculty who will mentor you, worship with students, explore our world-class facilities, and sense the culture that shapes everything we do,” Akin said. “It’s designed to help you picture your life here—studying God’s Word, being equipped for ministry, growing in community, and being sent out to serve Christ.”
Rather than offering snapshots, Preview Day provides a living portrait of Southern Seminary’s mission to train and send faithful servants for every sphere of Christian ministry.
For Akin, one of the clearest distinctives of Southern Seminary, and one of the highlights of Preview Day, is access to the faculty.
“Our professors are not distant scholars. They are pastors, missionaries, and theologians who walk alongside students in life and ministry,” Akin said. “When a student sits down with a professor over coffee or visits during office hours, they’re not just talking about class content; they’re learning how to think, pray, and serve faithfully.”
That kind of mentoring, Akin insists, is what shapes enduring faithfulness.
“This is what prepares students to navigate real ministry challenges—whether that’s shepherding a church, engaging unreached peoples, or leading with integrity in the workplace. Having direct, personal access to that level of wisdom and experience is one of the greatest advantages a student can have in preparing for lifelong service to Christ.”
“This Could Be Home”
For those considering theological training, Preview Day isn’t simply an event. It’s an encounter with a community devoted to the gospel. It’s where many realize, as Akin puts it, “this could be home.”
Southern Seminary Preview Day for the spring semester is scheduled for April 17, 2026. Find out more and reserve your spot today at sbts.edu/admissions. Boyce College Preview is March 26-27, 2026 and more details can be found at boycecollege.com/preview.