Hemphill leaving Southwestern Seminary to lead SBC's 'Kingdom' strategy

by   David Porter                                                                                                                                    Vol. XVI, No. 5, May/June 2003

Kenneth S. Hemphill announced his retirement as president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary April 8 to take a new position as national strategist for the Southern Baptist Convention's "Empowering Kingdom Growth" movement. Hemphill's new work, after nine years as president of Southwestern, will be a joint venture with the SBC Executive Committee and LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, TN, to begin this summer.

He announced his retirement to the seminary family during chapel in the middle of the board of trustees' semiannual meeting at the Fort Worth, TX, campus. Hemphill, 55, said he is leaving with sadness, excitement, and the "same sense of call and assurance" that led him to Texas "to lead Southwestern during challenging but exciting days of transition."

"These have been nine exciting and profitable years, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity the Lord has given me through the call of the trustees of this institution to serve as the president of the greatest seminary in the world," Hemphill said. "I believe Southwestern's future is bright and that her greatest days lie before her."

Morris H. Chapman, president of the SBC Executive Committee, and LifeWay President James T. Draper Jr. -- both Southwestern graduates -- expressed a mix of sadness that their alma mater was losing its leader and enthusiasm that Hemphill is joining their staffs to undergird the SBC-wide Empowering Kingdom Growth initiative.

"I am extremely thrilled and energized that Dr. Hemphill has agreed to serve the Southern Baptist Convention as national strategist for Empowering Kingdom Growth," Chapman said, underscoring SBC leaders' prayers for "ever-increasing momentum in preparation for God to soften our hearts and bring a genuine revival."

"Empowering Kingdom Growth is the envisioned future for Southern Baptists," Draper said. "We're praying that it becomes a great movement of God, and I'm excited that Dr. Ken Hemphill has agreed to be the national strategist for EKG.

Trustees expressed sadness at Hemphill's departure, and they said a search committee would be formed quickly to find the right person to lead Southwestern into the 21st century. "It is with heavy hearts that we accept Dr. Hemphill's retirement," board chairman Michael Dean said. "Dr. and Mrs. Hemphill have left an indelible mark upon Southwestern Seminary. Their tenure at the seminary will be remembered for their evangelical warmth, pastoral compassion and spiritual sensitivity."

Hemphill said the passion to lead EKG developed over several years as he and his wife prayed that God would "show us how our gifts and calling can best serve to exalt His name, advance His Kingdom, and accomplish His will."

Hemphill came to Southwestern from the Home Mission Board -- now the North American Mission Board -- where he served as director of the Southern Baptist Center for Church Growth, another position funded in part by LifeWay, from 1992-94. Prior to that he served as pastor of First Baptist Church in Norfolk, VA, from 1981-92 during which time the church experienced tremendous growth. Hemphill has written more than 10 books, including The Prayer of Jesus and The Names of God. Six of his books focus on church growth.

During his tenure at Southwestern, the seminary raised approximately $50 million toward the "Touch the World ... Impact Eternity" capital campaign. Southwestern's endowment increased by more than 60 percent.

Hemphill led the seminary to start an Islamic studies program, one of only three in the nation. The school started one of the first Christian school administration programs. Southwestern built the first two phases of the new Ralph M. Smith Leadership Development Complex, a $22-million continuing education building. Southwestern also bolstered its library holdings by acquiring the Breed Collection, giving Southwestern one of the finest Baptist history collections in the world.