Texas Baptists’ Theological Education Council and Institutional Relations Committee endorsed nine master’s degree programs, a doctor of ministry degree and three Ph.D. degree programs that will be offered by B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary at East Texas Baptist University.
Contingent on a merger between the seminary and ETBU being approved by accrediting agencies in June and by the boards of the two institutions in July, students pursuing the degrees will qualify for ministerial financial assistance through the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
Pending final approval of the merger, B.H. Carroll students will be eligible to receive the grants if they are pursuing the Master of Divinity degree, any of eight ministry-related Master of Arts degrees, the Doctor of Ministry degree or the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Scripture and witness, in faith and heritage, or in ministry and formation.
The BGCT Executive Board learned about the May 20 action by the Theological Education Council and Institutional Relations Committee during its hybrid-format meeting, conducted online and in-person on the campus of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
‘Educating the next generation of Christian servant leaders’
ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn expressed appreciation for the “dedication and support” of the Theological Education Council and the Institutional Relations Committee.
“The BGCT’s approval, enabling B.H. Carroll ministry students to receive support from the Texas Baptists’ Ministerial Financial Assistance program, is crucial for supporting graduate theological education students,” Blackburn said.
“We are committed to educating the next generation of Christian servant leaders, men and women trained and equipped for the transformational ministry they have been divinely called to serve and lead.”
Gene Wilkes, president of B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary, similarly expressed his gratitude.
“Our students have not had access to financial aid like this before. This, another gracious gift from the Lord, will expand the reach of B.H. Carroll as it seeks to fulfill its mission for Christ and his church,” Wilkes said.
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He also expressed appreciation to Blackburn, ETBU Provost Tommy Sanders and Dean Sandy Hoover of the ETBU School of Christian Studies and Humanities “for their help in the merger process and this opportunity to help our students.”
The Theological Education Council and the Institutional Relations Committee also endorsed the Master of Arts in chaplaincy and pastoral care degree program at Dallas Baptist University, and they reaffirmed the Master of Ministry degree program at Stark College and Seminary.
Stephen Stookey, director of theological education for Texas Baptists, reported 937 students—506 pursuing undergraduate degrees, 369 pursuing master’s degrees and 62 seeking doctoral degrees—received $1.48 million in ministerial financial assistance during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Currently, B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary has 124 students enrolled in degree programs, including 37 seeking doctoral degrees, Stookey noted.
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