By Michael Gryboski, Editor Thursday, April 23, 2026

The Trustees of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina,  have unanimously selected Scott Pace to succeed prominent Southern Baptist leader Daniel Akin as president.

Southeastern Seminary announced Tuesday that it had selected Pace, an alumnus and professor at the academic institution, to succeed Akin when he retires in July.

Pace was quoted in the announcement as saying that he was “deeply honored and grateful” to be elected president, noting that he was “stepping into this new role with a real sense of stewardship, desiring to be faithful with what God has entrusted to me.”

“I’m also grateful and humbled by God’s kindness in calling me to this role and tremendous responsibility,” he added. “I look forward to serving our Savior with joy and confidence, trusting in what he will continue to do through our Southeastern family.”

“By God’s grace, Southeastern will continue to equip Great Commission-minded pastors and church leaders to be firmly rooted in the inerrant and infallible word of God and to faithfully preach it as capable expositors — because at Southeastern, we advance the global church by serving the local church.”

Jeff Iorg, Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee president and CEO, conveyed his congratulations to Pace in a statement quoted by Baptist Press on Tuesday.

“I celebrate the successful transition at Southeastern Seminary,” stated Iorg. “Pace will provide remarkable leadership as they continue to prioritize the Great Commission as their driving motivation for developing leaders for Southern Baptist churches and our global mission outreach.”

In advance of being elected president of the seminary, Pace was already serving as provost and dean of Graduate Studies, as well as professor of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry.

According to his official biography, Pace earned a Bachelor of Science from North Carolina State University, and a master’s in divinity and a Ph.D., both from SEBTS.

Pace previously served in the corporate world as an accountant and a business manager before he shifted to his current vocational calling. He has been married since 1999 and has four children.

Last October, the 68-year-old Akin announced that he planned to step down as president of Southeastern Seminary at the end of 2025-2026 academic year after 21 years in the role.

“Charlotte and I have prayed this matter through and talked with family and friends. We are convinced the time is right for us and the school,” Akin said in a statement last year.

“We are at perfect peace in our decision. The college and seminary are healthy and thriving, and I believe the best days are ahead for this Great Commission juggernaut.”

Akin is the longest-serving president of SEBTS since its founding in 1950 and is credited with helping the academic institution achieve record enrollment and giving.

News Source : https://www.christianpost.com/news/scott-pace-to-succeed-daniel-akin-as-president-of-sebts.html