WAKE FOREST, N.C. — Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Judson College students and faculty gathered in Binkley Chapel to celebrate the fall convocation ceremony and the start of a new semester on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025. 

President Danny Akin opened his address by welcoming new and returning students before introducing the biographical and expository nature of his sermon.

Titled “Missionary Ion Keith-Falconer: A Life of Glorious Apostolic Promise Cut Short in the Mysterious Providence of God,” the sermon explained the commands of 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 as illustrated by the life and death of missionary Ion Keith-Falconer.

In this passage, Paul commands the Corinthians, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (ESV).

Akin explained that these five characteristics define the life of Keith-Falconer — a life that he challenged his listeners to imitate.

“Now we know, these are not commands that make you a Christian,” Akin said, “but these are the things that should exemplify your life as a result of the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Once your life has been transformed, then these will be natural outgrowths as you grow in your discipleship and as you grow to become more and more conformed to the image of our Savior.”

Walking through each of Paul’s exhortations, Akin examined the story of Keith-Falconer’s life, noting his love of God’s Word from an early age, his passion for the gospel and for evangelism.

Keith-Falconer demonstrated a willingness to do what many were unable to commit to or consider — going and sacrificing all that he had for the sake of the lost.

Akin noted that Keith-Falconer once told his listeners that “’the burden of proof rests upon you to show that the circumstances in which God has placed you were meant by Him to keep you out of the foreign mission field.’

“Which is why,” Akin said, “over and over we put before you the question, not ‘Lord, should I go?’ … No, ‘Lord, why should I stay?’”

As a distinguished scholar and prominent athlete in the late 1800s, Keith-Falconer gave up his life in Europe and traveled with his wife to Southern Arabia to share the gospel among Muslim communities. Only six months later, he died from malaria.

“No other word attributed to this mighty man of missions both sums up well his life and the closing challenge he puts before us today,” Akin said. “It is one of my favorite missionary sayings in all the world — ‘I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light.’”

Closing in prayer, Akin thanked God for the example of Keith-Falconer’s life, saying, “Lord, there are so many places that are so dark. And You have raised us up. You have saved us, You have called us, and now, Lord, You are ready to send us. May we be willing to go wherever it is that You call us to go and be willing to do whatever it is You call us to do, knowing that, as we read a moment ago, You will be with us even to the end of the age. What a great promise; what a great mission.”