DBU Report Summer 2021 - Page 12

DBU REPORT 12 MAY 2021 COMMENCEMENT With necessary precautions in place, Dallas Baptist University held four in-person Spring Commencement ceremonies in Pilgrim Chapel on May 13 and 14, celebrating 333 bachelor’s graduates, 209 master’s graduates, and 12 doctoral graduates. In his opening remarks to the graduating class of 2021, Dr. Adam C. Wright encouraged this new generation of alumni who are being called out to serve the Lord in these especially unusual and difficult times that they must daily seek wisdom, spiritual discernment, and learn to wait upon the Lord. “Too often we get ahead of God. We should be reflective, still, and wait. God will show you. He will make His will evident and known if we will truly pray ‘Thy will be done.’” During each of the commencement services, special addresses were given by three beloved Christian leaders who have each impacted both DBU and the world for Christ. 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m Thursday: Jurie Kriel Jurie Kriel, together with his wife Karin, are innovating 5twelve City Church, reaching the urban core of Austin, Texas. Jurie also co-founded and leads NXT Move, serves as the catalyst for cities for the Lausanne Movement, works closely with Movement.org, led the team that initiated Movement Day Africa, and co-founded and led the Timothy Ministry Training seminary. As a part of Doxa Deo leadership in South Africa, Jurie was a senior pastor overseeing six campuses in Pretoria, South Africa. He currently holds the position of CEO of Movement DFW and serves as a church consultant, influencing and helping plant churches in key cities around the world. Jurie and Karin have been married for 20 years and have two boys, Joshua and Ethan. 10:00 a.m. Friday Commencement Service: Dr. Mike Simmons Dr. Mike Simmons has served as pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill, Texas, for the past 30 years. Dr. Simmons obtained his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (now Virginia Tech). He later earned his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Jurie Kriel and DBU President Dr. Adam C. Wright Dr. Mike Simmons