Over a hundred years ago, B. H. Carroll was traveling by train in the Panhandle of Texas to meet his family. Travel those days, like today, can leave the lonely traveler in one’s head simply “musing.” As Carroll mused, he thought of the lack of training for Baptist ministers in the Southwest and the need to establish a work to that end. He said, “It weighed upon my soul like the earth on the shoulders of Atlas. It was made clear to me on that memorable day that, for the highest usefulness of our Baptist people, such an institution was an imperious necessity.” His train-ride resolve led him to ponder God’s query for a servant in Isaiah 6 and Carroll said he was ready to answer: “Here I am; send me.”
He knew of the struggles and burdens that would arise as one would endeavor to build a new institution. This call also meant that what he thought would be the quieter years of his life would be disrupted by this important work. Whatever the sacrifice, Carroll was ready to answer God’s call. He says, “From that hour I knew as definitely as I ever knew anything, that God would plant a great school here in the Southwest for the training of our young Baptist preachers.” As we can see more than a century later, Carroll indeed had a bold vision birthed out of a divine mission that led to the founding of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
In the ensuing years, we know, the vision became a reality. The seminary was founded out of Baylor University in 1908 and moved to Fort Worth in 1910, where it has engaged in its educational mission that led to an alumni base of tens of thousands all around the globe—a reality that led fifth President Robert E. Naylor to claim the “sun never sets on Southwestern.”
Throughout Southwestern’s history there have been moments of triumph but also moments of extreme challenges. Financial downturns, religious-political concerns, as well as questionable administrative decisions have left their marks. However, Carroll’s God-sized vision for Southwestern has persevered, adapted, and pioneered new ways to equip students to engage the world for Christ. From the original charter in 1908 to today, a laser focus has always been on “the promotion of theological education.”
The effects of the work of Southwestern will not be known until glory, but we can be certain that God-called men and women have walked the halls in Fort Worth—and connected online— and been sent out around the globe. Churches have been planted, disciples have been made, and countless people have come to a saving knowledge of Christ through the work of Southwesterners.
Today, commitment to our mission and our core values remains strong as we continue to send out more to the uttermost. If Carroll could see our graduates in the pulpit, on the mission field, and in the classroom, he would find that his original ideal for the seminary not only has been met but has exceeded his expectations.
As Southwestern continues to complete its mission into the future, we acknowledge that historically it has been most effective when it has been most faithful to this calling and vision. Central to Carroll’s vision was the support for the hundreds of churches and ministries that needed ministers equipped and trained for current pastoral and evangelistic needs. His desire for creating a seminary envisioned these churches and the ministers who would teach the Word of God, make disciples, serve their communities, and lead congregations to God-glorifying worship. The seminary was always intended to be Kingdom focused in its work. It was never intended to exist for itself or its leaders. Today, the seminary’s cooperative commitment to the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention remains strong as we equip students who will serve churches and ministries to further engage in the work of the Great Commission.
My own musings on the past, present, and future of Southwestern always find encouragement in the vision that our founder laid out for us as Southwesterners. Many of us have long remembered the teaching and mentorship we have received on and through Seminary Hill and are indebted to those who have made sacrifices for the mission of this institution. We are thankful for them as we are thankful for Carroll and his vision for an institution that continues to change lives and hearts around the globe.
