Purpose

The Center exists to:

1. Do Great Commission research to facilitate healthy local church growth in the city
2. Provide training and resources to equip urban ministers to reach the city for Christ
3. Facilitate internships and training opportunities for students preparing for urban ministry

The Advisory Board

The Advisory Board is made up of experienced and knowledgeable leaders of urban ministry who help give guidance and support for the Center.

Dr. Ritche Carney
North American Mission Board Strategic Focus Cities Coordinator, Alpharetta, GA

Dr. Jeff Cook
Associate Professor of Biblical Education and Urban Studies, Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH
Executive Pastor of Christian Fellowship Baptist Church, Kansas City, MO

Dr. Kevin Cosby
Pastor of the largest African-American Church in Kentucky, St. Stephen Baptist Church, Louisville, KY
President of Simmons Bible College, Louisville, KY

Dr. Gary Frost
Senior Pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY

Dr. Charles Lyons
Pastor of Armitage Baptist Church, Chicago, IL

Dr. Charles Roesel
Pastor Emeritus of First Baptist Church, Leesburg, FL
Leading practitioner in Ministry Evangelism

Donald Sharp
Pastor of Faith Tabernacle Baptist Church, Chicago, IL

Dr. Mark Terry
IMB Missionary; Professor of Missions at a Baptist seminary in the Pacific Rim
Developed an Urban Missions Center in a capital city in Southeast Asia

The Dehoney Family

Wayne Dehoney served as the Senior Pastor of Walnut Street Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky, from 1967-1985. Through his leadership, Walnut Street Baptist stayed in the city when members and others were fleeing to the suburbs. He led the church to reach the urban community around the church. The church developed an entire city block around the church that provided ministry and assistance to those in need.

Wayne Dehoney also served two terms as the President of the Southern Baptist Convention. Lealice Dehoney supported and ministered with her husband for 63 years.

The Billy Graham School

Southern Baptists have a long tradition of being missions-oriented. The Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth at Southern Seminary continues that historic tradition.

Our goal is to equip students for ministry as pastors, teachers, evangelists, missionaries, urban ministers, church planters, and denominational workers whose passion for God’s glory propels them ever forward as they reach out to a lost and dying world.

Visit us at www.sbts.edu/bgs/