Southeastern welcomes Landon Dowden as Associate Professor of Preaching and Pastoral Ministry

Dowden has taught at Southeastern as an adjunct faculty member for the past 10 years; he currently serves as lead pastor of Hebron Baptist Church and will be teaching part-time at Southeastern as associate professor. Dowden is a three-time graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS) where he earned a Master of Divinity, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Philosophy with a focus in preaching.

“Dr. Dowden brings decades of ministry experience as a faithful pastor and gifted preacher to invest in our students at Southeastern,” commented Scott Pace, provost and professor of preaching and pastoral ministry at Southeastern. “As a shepherd and a scholar, he epitomizes who we are as an institution that is committed to training pastors as skillful expositors to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. I’m thrilled to have him join our faculty in this crucial role.”

Dowden’s long-time connection with Southeastern includes his relationship with the late Jim Shaddix, senior professor of preaching who served at Southeastern for the past 12 years until his passing in February 2025.

“I am a grateful product of the ministry of Dr. Jim Shaddix. I am privileged to have called him both mentor and friend,” Dowden expressed.

Shaddix and Dowden met at NOBTS in 1999 where Shaddix then served on faculty and as dean of the chapel. Their relationship developed from professor and student to mentor and mentee — until, in 2014, they had the opportunity to begin working together as colleagues, teaching at Southeastern.

“My passion to preach the word with Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered faithfulness is because of his investment in my life and ministry,” Dowden said, reflecting on his friendship with Shaddix. “I committed to him to strive to steward well all he entrusted to me and to help those coming behind us to make the word of God fully known so the people of God can be made fully mature. Nothing is better for God’s people than God’s word preached clearly, faithfully, and consistently.”

Southeastern President Danny Akin commented on Dowden’s appointment, stating, “Landon Dowden is one of the finest preachers and teachers of preachers I know. The fingerprints of his mentor Jim Shaddix are all over his life and ministry! What a blessed addition he is to the preaching faculty of Southeastern and Judson College.”

Southeastern is excited to welcome Dowden, his wife Tara, and their four children to the Southeastern community. To learn more about our preaching programs and their professors, visit sebts.edu/degrees.