A Three-Decade Journey of Innovation and Growth

Truett Seminary has experienced remarkable development. As Truett has recognized the changing landscape of ministry and the diverse backgrounds and denominations of the student body, the Seminary has broadened the curriculum and created new programs to offer every student an opportunity to be equipped for their God-given call.

This inspiring season of innovation and growth has included not only the creation of new academic programs but also new houses, centers, institutes, and extensions. Ten examples (there are still others!) are highlighted here.

Black Church Studies Program

The Black Church Studies Program is dedicated to equipping students for 21st-century ministry and leadership contexts. Centered on fostering critical Christian thinking, the program encourages engagement through the Black Church and beyond. Dr. Jamal-Dominique Hopkins was recently appointed as the new program director and has sought to expand the program with fresh course offerings, connection to local churches, and dedicated resources that focus on the advancement of Black theological scholarship. 

“The Truett Black Seminarians Association (TBSA) has been a cornerstone of mine as a student here at Truett Theological Seminary and has exposed me to conversations about what classes are available for us to take that deal with our tradition and black theology as a whole. I am grateful that the Black Church Studies Program is currently being developed more fully alongside TBSA by Dr. Hopkins with the goal for students to walk away more well-rounded and in a position to be able to continue to serve the Black church and the community faithfully.”

Madison Patton, MDIV Student 

Extension Campuses

As Truett Seminary expands, it has launched two additional campuses to support the needs of students and ministers across Texas. Through courses offered in Houston and San Antonio, students have the opportunity to pursue a variety of degrees and learn in their local contexts without having to relocate to Waco. This year, both campuses have seen exciting transition through the naming of new campus directors, with Dr. Joe Rangel in San Antonio and Dr. Steven Turley in Houston. These campuses are becoming increasingly vibrant, as students from both Texas and around the globe are pursuing degrees in close-knit, caring communities.

“To be a part of Truett is to be a part of a family. Seminary is a wonderful, liminal space of discovery, growth, and learning. Truett San Antonio will forever be a part of my story. I am thankful to God, my teachers, my classmates, and my mentors for their time, effort, and energy. I would not be who I am or where I am today without each and every one of them.”

Joshua Trice, MDiv

Faith & Sports Institute

The Faith & Sports Institute (FSI) is a team of athletes, coaches, chaplains, and scholars who provide theological education, compelling research, and formative practices for Christian leaders in sports. This year, the Institute eclipsed 50 degree seeking students, with the online degree reaching a record 28 students enrolled in just two years. Graduate students are complemented by the Institute’s online continuing education program, which has now exceeded 300 courses taken by athletes, coaches, administrators, and sports ministry leaders. 

“It has been humbling to see that the conversation about God and sport is not just a 21st century idea, but one that has been happening for a long time. As a FSI student at Truett, it has been fascinating to learn about how the theology of God and sport has evolved since the early Christians began wrestling with it, and this program has opened my eyes to an array of new ministry resources that I never knew existed.”

Brian Smith, MATSS Program Student

Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching

The Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching prepares seminarians for preaching and leadership and provides continuing educational opportunities for seasoned preachers and ministry leaders. As the Kyle Lake Center continues to grow its presence on campus, it provides opportunities for preachers to collaborate on projects, discern their calling, discuss preaching and cultural intelligence, and be equipped to engage an intercultural church with an intercultural future.

“The Kyle Lake Center Student Leadership team serves to encourage students in their exploration of preaching and support students as they grow in their ability to preach. I was excited to be a part of this program as I see in it an opportunity to hone my leadership skills and be mentored by experienced and seasoned leaders and pastors.”

Rahab Zhewe Felix, MDiv Student

Online Certificate Program

The Online Certificate Program, initially begun by Paul W. Powell, offers substantial theological study in a flexible format that fits the unique pace of those serving as ministers in bi-vocational and small-church contexts. 2024 marks a significant milestone, as Truett celebrates the program’s 20th anniversary with nearly 1,000 certificate students who have participated in this online format. 

“The Certificate Program for Truett Seminary has been life-changing, absolutely transformational, academically and spiritually enriching, and incredibly practical. I was ordained at the tender age of 66, having taught for 45 years in a Christian school. I wanted to explore ministry but could not go full-time in a traditional seminary program, but the Truett Online Certificate Program met every expectation I had. It was orthodox, evangelical, academically stimulating, and extraordinarily appropriate.”

Danny Watkins, Certificate of Christian Foundation and Certificate of Ministry 

Program for the Future Church

The Program for the Future Church (PFFC) is a collaborative community that pilots solutions for emerging and pressing challenges facing the modern Church. The PFFC recently published a peer-reviewed article that outlines the methodology and theological vision that guides the program’s work and features three participants, including a Truett student, a local pastor, and a Baylor educator. The publication of this article provides the basis for a webinar series hosted by the Association for Theological Schools (ATS) and offers a platform to introduce other educators and administrators at peer institutions to the theology and practice that guides the PFFC’s approach to theological research and learning. 

“The Program for the Future Church is a hub through which we bring together different ministries and leaders for events and research. It has been both informative and transformative to me!”

Rachel Burton, MDiv Student

Spiritual Direction Training Program

The Spiritual Direction Training Program offers training for those interested in strengthening their gifts for spiritual discernment. Since its founding in 2017, the program has awarded the Certificate in Spiritual Direction to over 70 students and welcomed its largest cohort of 24 students in 2023. Spiritual Direction graduates are integrating this ministry skill into their service as congregants, pastors, school administrators, Christian educators, hospital chaplains, and more

“The skills I learned in the Spiritual Direction Training Program have made me a better minister. I have learned how to better accompany church members in their journey with Christ. I am a better listener and most importantly I am continuing to grow in my attentiveness to what God is doing in my own life and spiritual formation which equips me to be a better pastoral presence in all aspects of ministry.”

Tiffani Harris, MDiv, CSD

Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice

The Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice Program (TEFJ), offers students, ministers, and practitioners a degree path to learn how to tend to communities in holistic, restorative, and sustainable ways through a theological and biblical lens. The program has advanced its hands-on learning style to offer experiences that allow students to meet with leaders who are working to combat hunger and poverty around the world. As a core part of the curriculum, students have begun traveling to Italy—the world’s food capital—for a course on the intersections of theology, ecology, and food justice. Last year’s trip began with a personal invitation from Pope Francis to attend a Papal Audience. This came after Pope Francis learned about the TEFJ program and how it is addressing some of the concerns he outlines in his encyclical Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home. Additionally, students met with leaders at the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme in Rome, and then traveled to Florence and Assisi to continue studying local and global food systems while unpacking the connections between theology and ecology through the work of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.

“Being able to travel to Italy after reading Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si: Care For Our Common Home was one of the greatest privileges of my time at Baylor, if not my life. I will always cherish the moments of that trip. Participating in a Papal Audience and exploring the home of Saint Francis and Saint Clare are things that many want to do but never get the chance. I feel so very grateful to Baylor and the TEFJ program at Truett Seminary for the opportunity.”

Amy Toney, MA in Theology, Ecology, and Food Justice Candidate

Wesley House of Studies

The Wesley House of Studies at Truett Seminary seeks to form and equip Christ-centered, Spirit-led students to serve churches and institutions in the Wesleyan tradition. In four years, the Wesley House has blossomed with over 77 full-time degree seeking students both in Waco and at the extension campuses in Houston and San Antonio. Additionally, the program recently launched the Pastoral Studies Program which offers a deep study of Wesleyan heritage. It also provides a quality theological education and necessary certification for those who are seeking ordination within the Global Methodist Church. The Pastoral Studies Program has served 115 local church pastors over the past year, offering flexibility in course content, cost, and scheduling, with a Spanish version set to debut in 2024.

“The Wesley House of Studies has been a special place for me to call home during my time at Truett. I have found deep community within the Wesley House as I have been able to meet weekly with other women in the program in a Wesleyan Band. Having this time to meet with fellow students to worship, pray, and create relationships has fostered profound connection and is a deep part of what has made my seminary experience so formative thus far.”

Ryan McCord, Truett MDiv Student

W. Winfred Moore Center for Ministry Effectiveness

The primary focus of the Center for Ministry Effectiveness is to strengthen congregational and ministry leaders and support them as they carry out their callings. The Center engages with pastors, church staff, key lay leaders, young ministers, leaders of mission efforts, and innovative missional leaders in a variety of contexts to create collaborative learning opportunities. Under the Center, the Truett Church Network has expanded to connect with over 3,000 alumni and friends of the Seminary to offer resources and build community. 

“The Center for Ministry Effectiveness has been a very useful tool for me both as a current student and upcoming graduate. It has been valuable for me to expand my ministry skills through conferences and opportunities to practice ministry while also building a network to rely on in the future.”

True Head, MDiv Student