Tributes have been paid to renowned Baptist preacher Dr. Jim Shaddix, who died after a "hard yet hope-filled battle with brain cancer."
Shaddix served as senior professor of preaching, W.A. Criswell Chair of Expository Preaching, and senior fellow for the Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership, according to a press release honoring his achievements from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Judson College in North Carolina.
The seminary confirmed that Shaddix "went home to be with his Lord and Savior" on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.
"Jim Shaddix was a unique and precious gift to the church of the Lord Jesus Christ," said Southeastern President Danny Akin. "He was also a much-loved and cherished friend. He was a great teacher and preacher of the Bible.
"He was an unbelievable mentor and disciple maker. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Simply put, he was a man of God and a faithful servant of King Jesus. I will miss him tremendously. But I am also comforted by the fact that I will see him again."
Shaddix had a career spanning more than 40 years in ministry, including 12 years of teaching at Southeastern. The seminary press release said he left an "indelible impact on the lives of countless individuals."
"As a champion of prayer and expository preaching, Dr. Shaddix first and foremost sought God’s glory as he mentored young pastors, shepherded congregations, and taught thousands of students how to exposit the word of God with humility and faithfulness," the tribute read.
"He was deeply passionate about the character of the pastor and the preparation of preaching God’s word, and in his life he faithfully modeled what he taught."
Even during his final days, Shaddix remained focused on the gospel, the local church, and the call of the Great Commission. He continued to encourage others with biblical truth, particularly equipping younger men for pastoral ministry.
"Through the valley of the shadow of death, he and his beloved wife, Debra, demonstrated deep trust in the Lord and in his sovereignty. Southeastern is profoundly grateful for the influence they have had on this community and the lives of the many they have invested in."
Southeastern has created an online memorial page for people to share tributes and memories of Shaddix and his ministry.
The memorial page recalls how Shaddix became a Christian at the age of 9 after the truth of the cross was revealed to him.
"Hope in the world is different from hope in the Bible," the memorial page recalls a comment by Shaddix. "Hope in the world is a maybe, a might be, a want to be. It might happen; it might not. But hope for believers in Christ is a certainty.
"Coming to this place in this journey where physical death could be very real, but you’re looking at and thinking more about what’s on the other side—God has used that journey to move my hope more from just the escape of hell, and even more than just assurance of salvation, to a joyful expectation of the hope that we have."
A funeral service was held in the seminary's Binkley Chapel on Friday, Feb. 7.
