The Board of Trustees of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary convened on Monday, April 13, for their annual Spring meeting to adopt the operating budget, approve faculty promotions, elect new board officers, and honor outgoing trustees. Throughout the meeting, trustees received reports from the financial board, the audit committee, and standing committees covering every area of institutional life, affirming the health of the seminary and the faithfulness of its leadership.
In his address to the board, President R. Albert Mohler, Jr. turned to 2 Timothy 2:1–6, where the Apostle Paul gives Timothy three pictures of faithful ministry: the good soldier, the rule-keeping athlete, and the hardworking farmer. Mohler connected each image to the seminary’s work of preparing students for gospel ministry, noting that the current generation arrives on campus already tested by a hostile culture. “What makes this generation different is that they have seen so much already,” Mohler said. “Many of them have already had to stand against the tide and take a stand for Christ. They’ve got to have an apologetic instinct and a gospel commitment, or they wouldn’t show up here.” Of the athlete who competes according to the rules, Mohler emphasized the importance of a rule of faith and a rule of doctrine. “We’re living in a world in which the rules are themselves denied and subverted and confused,” he said. “We want to train up generations of those who will go out to serve the church ready to compete according to the rules.”
Mohler grounded the seminary’s mission in Paul’s charge to Timothy: “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” He called this verse the institution’s reason for existence. “You look at the students who are here now and you recognize they’re here to study with this faculty, to learn these truths, to be in the presence of witnesses in order to be taught, in order that they may teach others also,” Mohler said. “I’m just so thankful for this faculty. I’m thankful for this moment. I’m thankful for this Board of Trustees and for all you do.”
Trustees moved to adopt a $58.7 million operating budget for the 2026–2027 academic year, a 4.7% increase over the previous year. The budget reflects the seminary’s continued financial strength and its commitment to affordability and excellence in preparing students for a lifetime of ministry.
In other business, trustees approved faculty promotions for Kha Do to Associate Professor of Music and Worship, Matthew Haste to Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Biblical Counseling, Kaspars Ozolins to Associate Professor of Old Testament Interpretation, and Andrew Walker to Professor of Christian Ethics and Public Theology. Sabbatical leave was approved for Kyle Claunch, Associate Professor of Christian Theology.
The board elected new officers, including Bruce Chesser (TN) as chairman, Clay Smith (GA) as first vice chairman, Bill Behrens (D.C.) as second vice chairman, Bradley Rushing (AL) as secretary, and Mark Jordan (KY) as financial board chairman.
Trustees honored the faithful service of six board members whose terms concluded: David Bruce (NC), Keith Daniels (TX), Joe Ligon (OK), Tim McCoy, Josh Powell (SC), Jeremy Roden (KY), and Bill Sones (MS). The board also welcomed Randolph “Randy” Alles (VA) and Matthew Smethurst (VA), who were appointed as interim trustees in October and attended their first board meeting.
Outgoing Board Chairman Keith Daniels reflected on his time of service and the privilege shared by all who govern the institution. “What we are doing is stewarding the trust as it relates to the generations,” Daniels said. “It’s not about us, and it’s not even about the seminary itself. It’s about the legacy of God—that he continues to save, he continues to grow his people for his glory. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to serve not just the institution but to serve the Lord ultimately.”
The Spring 2026 meeting of the Board of Trustees affirmed Southern Seminary’s enduring commitment to theological faithfulness, sound stewardship, and the preparation of ministers who will serve the church with gospel conviction for generations to come.