Christian Education

Are you called to ministry? A seminary or Bible school can help prepare you.
For those called into ministry, researching and locating the right seminary or training center can be a daunting yet critical task. Charisma compiled the following list to help you pursue your calling.

Asbury Theological Seminary, founded in 1923, is a multidenominational, graduate institution that is rooted in the Wesleyan-Armenian theological tradition. The school offers a variety of master’s degree and postgraduate degree programs. In addition to its main campus in Wilmore, Kentucky, the seminary offers a satellite campus in Orlando, Florida, and online education. Current enrollment exceeds 1,600 students. For more, visit asburyseminary.edu.

Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, in Springfield, Missouri, is one of two seminaries endorsed by the Commission on Christian Higher Education at the Assemblies of God of the U.S. for graduate-level theological education. It is one of the world’s leading charismatic seminaries and has one of the 10 largest Doctor of Ministry programs in America with an enrollment of more than 500 postgraduate students. For more, visit agts.edu.

Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas is an interdenominational, three-year Bible institute with a Pentecostal-rooted curriculum. The institute is home to five ministerial schools specializing in pastoral and leadership; children and families; missions; worship and technical arts; and youth. There is also a Spanish Institute for those wishing to work in Hispanic cultures and communities. For more, visit cfni.org.

Church of God Theological Seminary, located in Cleveland, Tennessee, is the main theological training center for the Church of God. Founded in 1975, the school has dedicated itself to preparing pastors and ministerial leaders for global evangelization, and offering a number of master’s and doctoral degrees. For more, visit cogts.edu.

Fuller Theological Seminary, located near Los Angeles, in Pasadena, California, is the world’s largest multidenominational seminary, offering three schools: Theology, Psychology and Intercultural Studies. Well-known for its multicultural and denominational diversity, the school has an enrollment of more than 4,300 students from an estimated 70 nations and more than 100 denominations. The school currently offers 13 degrees, as well as certificate programs. In addition to its main campus, the school offers classes at several extension sites located across the Western U.S. For more, visit fuller.edu.

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is a private, nonprofit institution of higher learning associated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Founded in 1917, the seminary offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs. The school provides online courses and has a handful of extension centers across the U.S. With a yearly enrollment of more than 3,600 students, the school has as its focus missionary work and evangelism. The seminary played an important role in helping to restore New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. For more, visit nobts.edu.

Oral Roberts University, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a charismatic Christian liberal arts university that offers undergraduate and graduate-degree programs. Founded in 1963 by Oral Roberts, the school has an estimated enrollment of 5,300 students. The mission of ORU is to “equip students to go into every person’s world, sharing the message of Jesus Christ.” With that in mind, the school focuses heavily on missions and outreach ministry, with an emphasis on planning trips to as many states and countries as possible. For more, visit oru.edu.

Rhema Bible Training Center is described as an intensive, on-campus school designed to train individuals for full-time ministry. The school is sponsored by Kenneth Hagin Ministries, which also offers study through the Rhema Correspondence Bible School, a home-study course designed for the layperson who desires to have a stronger foundation in God’s Word. For more, visit rbtc.org.

Simpson University is a private, evangelical Christian liberal arts college based in Redding, California. The school offers both undergraduate and graduate-degree programs in education and Christian ministry. Founded in 1921, the school has an estimated yearly enrollment of 1,000 students who represent more than 25 denominations. For more information, visit www.simpsonuniversity.edu.

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Louisville, Kentucky, is the flagship seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention and was founded in Greenville, South Carolina in 1859. The school, known as Southern Seminary, offers seven ministry-related degree programs and is home to one of the world’s largest theological libraries. The seminary is divided into five schools: Boyce College; the School of Church Music and Worship; the School of Leadership and Church Ministry; the School of Theology; and the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. For more, visit sbts.edu.

Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, is a Christian liberal arts university that offers a master’s degree in ministerial leadership through its College of Christian Ministries and Religion. Established in 1935, the school enrolls an estimated 3,000 students yearly and offers 45 programs leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees, including an MBA. For more, visit seuniversity.edu.

The King’s College and Seminary in Van Nuys, California, is a Spirit-filled biblical and theological training center founded by Jack Hayford. Through hands-on field experiences in ministry, students receive practical, on-the-job training. The seminary offers a one-year Graduate Certificate in Biblical Studies and a Graduate Certificate in Christian Ministry, as well as three degree programs: the Master of Practical Theology, the Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry. For more, visit kingsseminary.edu.

Regent University School of Divinity is a private, interdenominational university. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, the school has a satellite campus in Alexandria, Virginia. Founded in 1978 by Pat Robertson, the school offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 30 courses of study. For more information, visit regent.edu.

Victory Bible Institute, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is an extension of Victory Christian Center, the megachurch pastored by Billy Joe and Sharon Daugherty. The school offers five training programs: School of Ministry; School of Worship; School of Media and Arts; Victory Kidz; and In Ministry Training. For more, visit vbitulsa.org.

Clearly, this list is not exhaustive. But to learn more about these seminaries and Bible training centers, visit their Web sites and speak to school representatives. Then make an informed decision with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who will help you carry out God’s plan for your life.