Student Spotlight with Josiah McDill

Why did you decide to study at The College at Southeastern?

Because I believed God was calling me to serve in vocational ministry. I knew I wanted and needed to be properly prepared for this, and I knew from others who went to Southeastern that I would be able to be trained well here. I also came to Southeastern to continue to seek out what avenue of vocational ministry God wants me to serve in. Through my time at Southeastern, God has given me direction towards and a passion for pastoral ministry in the local church. I now take each class seeking to be trained and equipped for pastoral ministry in a way that will help me serve the Church for the glory of God.

How have you been discipled by students, staff, and faculty?

During my time here at Southeastern, I have been discipled by students through Discipleship Groups (D-Groups) that Student Life organizes within the student body. Through these D-Groups, I grew in my ability to discuss theological questions with brothers in Christ and in my knowledge of the foundational truths of the Christian faith.

I have also been discipled by staff here at Southeastern in so many ways. One way was being given the opportunity to lead a D-Group for freshmen. I learned a lot about leadership and discipling others through this experience. Throughout my time as a house leader, Student Life was always there for me when I needed something, whether to serve other students or to grow in my own walk with Christ. They were always willing to meet with me, look to Scripture with me, and push me towards the Church. In addition, when I was a house leader, the Student Life staff always made themselves available to me to discuss hard things and work with me through questions of life and faith.

My professors here at The College have intentionally discipled me. They have not taught me passively but have done all they can to truly make sure I understand how to apply what I learn in class to my ministry. My professors have truly cared about my walk with Christ and have sought to teach their classes to equip me to fulfill the Great Commission.

My professors have truly cared about my walk with Christ and have sought to teach their classes to equip me to fulfill the Great Commission.

What house are you in, and how have you been involved in the House System?

I am in the Judson House (also known as the best house), and have been involved in worship events, house tournaments, and other fun times of fellowship. I have also served for two years as a house leader in the Judson House. As a Fellow, I maintained order and cleanliness in the guys’ dorms and was a built-in friend and mentor for those who needed me within the house. As a Chancellor, I helped disciple, lead, and administrate the leadership team for the Judson House, setting vision for the house and ensuring students were served and discipled well during their time at Southeastern.

How have you been able to disciple other students as a house leader?

Being a Fellow in the house allowed me to walk alongside guys as they sought to follow Christ with all they had. There were lots of one-on-one and group conversations throughout the school year where we held each other accountable, where I got to point guys toward the gospel during hard times, and where I got to help guys seek truth in Scripture. As Chancellor, I was able to disciple the four people on my team. It was such a special opportunity to meet with them as a team and one-on-one — to ultimately challenge them to love God with all their hearts and love others as they love themselves. I got to share with them all the things God taught me during my time of leading the Judson House.

How has your training and experience in The College equipped you to make disciples off campus?

My time here at The College has taught me how to defend my faith and theology well, how to love others well as I seek to push them towards truth, and how to be confident in sharing the gospel with those who do not know Christ. At Southeastern, I have learned to read and interpret Scripture more faithfully, which enables me to teach others the truth of the Bible and how to interpret it. I have now been able to do these things with siblings, lost coworkers, and college and high school students outside of Southeastern.

I have learned to read and interpret Scripture more faithfully, which enables me to teach others the truth of the Bible and how to interpret it.

How are you currently serving in your local church?

I serve on a hospitality team, in childcare, and more recently in the college ministry at Imago Dei Church. Because my heart for evangelism has grown during my Southeastern trips and classes, I am also seeking out how to best serve in local outreach and evangelism at Imago Dei.

How is God directing you to fulfill the Great Commission with your life?

I believe God is directing me to fulfill the Great Commission by going into my neighborhood, door-to-door, to build relationships and share Christ. I believe God is directing me to fulfill the Great Commission by giving financially towards overseas missions. I believe God is calling me to fulfill the Great Commission at my workplace as many are far from Christ. I believe I am called to fulfill the Great Commission as a pastor who will shepherd a flock, helping them be faithful worshipers of God and helping them go out and lead others to worship our Savior.

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the fall 2023 issue of the Great Commission Magazine of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.