Belhaven University to Celebrate Graduating Class of 2024
April 4, 2024 (Jackson, Miss.) - Belhaven University’s 2024 Spring Commencement is April 27, 9:30 a.m. at the Mississippi Coliseum. All traditional, adult, graduate, and online students will gather for one graduation ceremony, celebrating the Belhaven University Class of 2024. The ceremony will be available via livestream on the Belhaven University Facebook page or YouTube channel.
Dr. Billy Kim will be the commencement speaker this year. Kim is a broadcaster, pastor, and influential speaker as well as an international Christian statesman who has advised former presidents of South Korea. Kim built an international media network at Far East Broadcasting Company-Korea where he serves as Chairman of the Board, and he became the first Asian to serve as the president of the 40 million-member Baptist World Alliance.
He earned his B.A. and M.A. at Bob Jones University. After completing his studies in the U.S., Kim returned to South Korea and founded the 17,000-member Central Baptist Church in Suwon, Korea where he served for 47 years as senior pastor. He now serves as pastor emeritus of Suwon Central Baptist while leading the Antioch congregation at Won Chun Church in Suwon.
Kim was the interpreter for Billy Graham in the famous Seoul Crusade of 1973 where over one million persons attended. In 1992, he was decorated by the President of South Korea for his effective efforts in changing the relationship between Korea and the countries of China and Russia. Kim has received a total of 24 honorary doctorates in recognition of his significant contributions in advancing the Kingdom of God around the world. He and his wife, Trudy, reside in Seoul, South Korea, and have three children and ten grandchildren.