JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 5, 2025 — Jimmy Bledsoe emphasized the critical role of theological education in missions during his keynote address at 黑料论坛's fifth annual W.D. Powell Missions Lecture Jan. 30.
鈥淭he glory of God and the mission of God has to be our highest priority and our greatest occupation,鈥� Bledsoe said. 鈥淓ven if we are the senders and not necessarily the ones who are sent, we must still have a very high esteem for God鈥檚 mission. He is a missionary God.鈥�
Bledsoe, of the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, served with his wife Diana in East Africa for 13 years. He remains a member of the Kenya Theological Education Team as a theological education specialist. He is currently serving on a special assignment as seminary liaison at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College.
Bledsoe鈥檚 address centered on what he called 鈥渢he good warfare鈥� in missions: equipping church leaders with sound theological training to combat false teachings and ensure the gospel is rightly proclaimed. He painted a sobering picture of the current state of theological education in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 43 percent of the world鈥檚 Christians are expected to reside within 25 years, yet only 10 percent of pastors and church leaders have access to sound theological education.
The W.D Powell Missions Lecture, held annually at 黑料论坛, serves as a focal point for conversations about global missions and evangelization. It is named after the Union alumnus from the late 19th century who became known as 鈥渢he Apostle to Mexico鈥� for his missionary work.
Ray Van Neste, dean of Union鈥檚 School of Theology and Missions, introduced the event by reflecting on Powell鈥檚 legacy. He shared about Powell鈥檚 ministry, including moments when individuals who had planned to kill him were instead converted after hearing him preach.
鈥淧owell鈥檚 story reminds us of the power of the gospel and the importance of missions,鈥� Van Neste said. 鈥淧owell represents that tradition of missions that we want to foster and continue.鈥�
Andy Pettigrew, an IMB representative and Union alumnus, introduced Bledsoe as the keynote speaker, highlighting Union鈥檚 rich history in missions. He emphasized how theological education fits into the broader missionary ask. 鈥淲hen you think about missions, you tend to think about evangelism and discipleship,鈥� Pettigrew said. 鈥淏ut what is our objective? We want to see healthy churches planted. As you see healthy churches planted, we want to see leaders developed as well.鈥�
Bledsoe built on this theme by stressing that theological education is essential for developing biblically grounded leaders who can shepherd healthy churches and resist false teachings such as prosperity theology and syncretism. He shared statistics about Kenya, where 90 percent of self-proclaimed Christians believe God will grant them material riches if they have enough faith 鈥� a belief rooted in prosperity ideology rather than biblical truth.
As Bledsoe concluded his address, he issued a call to action: 鈥淏rothers and sisters, will you extend your reach? Will you think ahead and plan for theological education as fighting the good warfare in our mission for the sake of the glory of God and the health of his church?鈥�
Tori Green, a Union alumna currently serving as a missionary in Spain, echoed Bledsoe鈥檚 sentiments in a video message shown during the event. Green credited Union with shaping her passion for missions through programs like GO Trips and chapel services that emphasized the Great Commission.
鈥淯nion has played a huge role in that,鈥� Green said. 鈥淭hey speak about [missions] with the same importance that the Bible gives it.鈥�
Green also highlighted how her experiences at Union prepared her for ministry abroad. 鈥淚 think about the quality of both professors and students at Union,鈥� she said. 鈥淯nion is a place with a culture that is created and cultivated in such a way that high-quality young individuals of faith want to come.鈥�