The first time someone suggested I consider attending seminary, my response was an unequivocal, “No Thanks.” I planned to work in the business world, serve in my local church, and leave the deep theological topics to my pastor. Seminary was for the professionals, certainly not for me. My convictions changed in the fall of 2010 when I heard about a new one-year program called The WEST Institute—the Laramie, Wyoming teaching site of Shepherds Theological Seminary. That one year was perhaps the most pivotal year of my life. 

The time in the classroom gave me both a foundation in God’s Word and the tools to rightly interpret and apply it. The authentic community surrounded me with others on a similar spiritual path. And the intentional discipleship challenged me to put into action the truths I was learning in the classroom. The overall result was a life truly transformed.

It has been my joy to work with the one-year program since 2011. I have watched God work in the lives of others just as He worked in my life. Graduates with the MTS degree have gone on to become school teachers, doctors, engineers, pastors, missionaries, counselors, and stay-at-home moms. Although their professions may vary, they are all using their seminary training to minister to their churches and those around them. When the opportunity was presented to bring all we had learned at The WEST Institute to Cary, NC, my wife and I jumped at the opportunity!