Preview Day sees prospective students experience what it means to be a ‘Southwesterner’

Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College (TBC) welcomed more than 200 visitors to Preview Day on Oct. 24, as 106 prospective students had the opportunity to see the campus, meet faculty, and hear about the degrees and services available.

“I hope that you know that throughout the entire semester we’ve been praying diligently every morning that this would be a day where the Lord would confirm to you if this is the place where He would have you,” said Armando Hernandez, director of admissions.

President David S. Dockery shared details about the consistent and continuing growth the seminary has experienced over the last few years. He elaborated on the international reach of Southwestern, tying it to the seminary’s rich, 117-year history.

“God has blessed this place immensely, and now we have the privilege to steward that heritage and to invite you to come along and be a part of it – to be a Southwesterner,” Dockery said.

Dockery pointed out the institution’s steadfast commitment to the Great Commission and explained the importance of Southwestern’s commitment to the “full authority and sufficiency of the Scripture.” He described the commitment Southwestern shows to the local church, to preparation of its students, and to personal interaction between full-time, experienced faculty and those in attendance from day one.

“We hope that you’ll consider Southwestern,” he said. “It’s a very special place. It has a breadth of offerings not found in any other seminary in the country.”

Students from across the United States traveled to the Fort Worth campus to attend, from New Mexico to North Carolina.

Logan Principato, hoping to pursue his Master of Divinity (MDiv), drove more than eight hours from his home in Mountain Home, Ark., to attend the event, having experienced Southwestern’s influence in various areas of his theological journey.

“I have a pastor that went to Southwestern; he actually got his doctorate. He defended his dissertation on Wednesday, so he just finished,” Principato said, adding he saw Southwestern be involved in various ways with his Baptist Collegiate Ministry.

Todd Mabie, a pastor of 24 years from South Dallas, was excited to hear about the offerings of the Master of Divinity program at Southwestern.

“I’m already called,” Mabie said. “So, I’m just trying to become better equipped and equip the saints better.”

Mabie began pursuing his MDiv years ago, before life and the Lord led him down a different path. Now, however, he is enthusiastic at the prospect of completing the degree.

“I’m just seeking wherever He’d want me to be, and He’s opened this door again,” he said, adding he has “a desire to finish and to finish well.”

During the Preview Day, students broke into groups, dividing between those considering undergraduate and graduate programs.

Madison Grace, provost and dean of the School of Theology, explained to those looking to pursue graduate studies what time in the School of Theology would be like. He emphasized the commitment to the Scripture across all facets of education at Southwestern and of the seminary’s ultimate goal to prepare and equip those seeking to participate in the Great Commission.

“What we want to do in the School of Theology is help equip you towards that end,” he said. “That’s what we’re aimed at, the equipping of you to be able to do this ministry well, because we’re all aimed at doing the Great Commission. We want to make disciples of all nations.”

Gabriel Martinez, a student from Fort Worth hoping to pursue his Bachelor in Christian Studies while working through the 5-year program, was happy to be back on campus, his father having received his MDiv from Southwestern.

“I’m not unfamiliar to the seminary, I know people that have passed through here getting their MDivs … ,” Martinez said. “But I’ve never been a part of the TBC before, so this is really nice.”

During lunch, when prospective students got to eat with faculty members from the different areas of studies, Carl Bradford, TBC dean, explained the college’s goal of working in tandem with Southwestern as a whole.

“I want you to know that here at Texas Baptist College, it isn’t just about earning a degree,” Bradford said, addressing the room of parents and prospective students. “But it’s about becoming the type of person that God has called us to be and go to the places that He has called us to go.”

He emphasized the importance of humility, stewardship, and Christ-centered examples of leadership within the school, also listing some of the seminary’s six core values. A panel of past and current TBC students shared their stories about their time in TBC and answer any questions they could.

Michaela Thibodeaux, a Bachelor in Christian Studies student with a minor in Intercultural Studies,, shared a story about the personability of her TBC professors. The sister of previous TBC alumnus, she recalled the professors wanting to meet with her when she wasn’t even a student.

“I wasn’t expecting that her professors, her teachers, would interact with me,” Thibodeaux said. “It was really sweet, and I was able to build relationships with professors before ever even stepping on campus as a student.”

Gemma White, a Bachelor of Intercultural Studies student, praised TBC professors’ commitment to Scripture.

“One of the really cool things about our professors here is they teach us and give us a biblical foundation,” White said. “That enables us to think critically because of the biblical foundation. And so, something I realized since being here is that I can’t fully think critically unless I have that biblical foundation.”

A panel of Southwestern alumni currently serve in various ministry roles participated in the seminary panel discussion. Each one expressed gratitude for their time at Southwestern that prepared them for their service.

“If you’re on the fence, I’ll just remind you the church desperately needs theologically trained, rooted ministers, probably now more than ever,” said Todd Pylant (’93), pastor of First Baptist Church of Benbrook, pointing out every area of ministry—preaching, missions, music and worship, counseling—needs ministers that are theologically trained.

Grace expressed Southwestern’s goal to partner with those who are considering pursuing a theological education, pointing out the faculty is committed to helping students be prepared for ministry.

“Theological education is far more than completing assignments in a class or reading books that you may be able to purchase online,” Grace said. “Education is about engaging in a curriculum that is explicit and implicit, engaging with faculty that is teaching you through lectures and assignments, and is teaching you through the lives they live around you every day. And this is what you’ll get at Southwestern Seminary.”

The panelists said they benefited from their time inside the classroom as well as outside of it in their interactions with fellow students and faculty, adding that the variety of courses, from biblical languages to spiritual formation, truly equipped them for their various areas of ministry.

“One thing I wish I had better appreciated going into it is that everything in the curriculum is of value,” said Drew Smith (’17, ’22), discipleship pastor of NorthPointe Church in Burleson, Texas. He noted the education he received in counseling, church history, and other courses all help him as a pastor. “And it’s of value because you never know where God is going to send you in the future. … No amount of seminary education is wasted.”

Jonathan Weber, a potential Master of Divinity in Worship Leadership student from Fort Worth, expressed his pleasure with the day and his reasoning for wanting to be at Southwestern in the first place.

“Mostly the people and the heart behind it,” Weber said. “… I don’t know all the details yet, but I know that the next step is here.”