BJU Seminary
About the Seminary
Sam Horn, PhD, DMin — Dean, VP for Ministerial Advancement
Preparing men and women to serve Jesus Christ is the heartbeat of what we do at Bob Jones University. Whether through preaching the Word, missions or counseling, our desire is for our graduates to use their God-given talents to spread the Gospel, disciple believers and counsel those who may face trials, grief or trauma.
The BJU Seminary and Graduate School of Religion equips men to accurately explain and proclaim the Word of God. Preaching is central to shepherding people for the glory of God in any ministry context. It’s vitally important to develop the right kind of men to do the preaching that God commands. Men of knowledge, compassion, integrity and courage serving in pulpits, on the mission field and as counselors provide the example people of God need to grow in the image of Christ.
The BJU Seminary and Graduate School of Religion equips women to effectively teach others in the classroom and by example. As missionaries, graduates are thoroughly prepared to serve the needs of the lost and believers in a number of different ways. As counselors, their knowledge, compassion, empathy and commitment to the Word serve them well as they communicate the truths of Scripture and Jesus’ love to individuals struggling through trauma, depression or major trials in their lives.
Since setting a right example is the essence of true spiritual leadership, men and women studying in the BJU Seminary and Graduate School of Religion endeavor to be well-developed models of truth as we seek to show the lost world and the church that Jesus Christ requires faith and obedience from each one of us.
Seminary Conference Series
Bob Jones University Seminary since 2011 has hosted an annual conference for pastors and lay leaders dealing with some aspect of ministry in a concentrated manner. The seminary conference draws from the theological and ministry practice of its own seminary professors and of leaders who are recognized for their expertise on the conference topic. Details of past conferences can be found at the links below.
Programs
Our course curriculum saturates our students with the knowledge and skills essential for serving as full-time vocational servants of Christ who minister the Word of God to others. We believe that it is knowledge of the contents and meaning of the Bible that equips a Christian for effective service for Christ.
Philosophically we are committed to the idea that a Christian’s effectiveness in ministry will be directly in proportion to the extent of his knowledge of the Scriptures and his ability to apply them to the lives of those he serves.
Professional Ministry Program
Pastors, it’s never too late to earn a seminary degree. Our Professional Ministry Program offers 1-week courses of concentrated, quality education that easily fit into your busy schedule.
What does a student receive?
When a student graduates from the Seminary they will leave with a degree, but more important, they will leave with the knowledge and the zeal necessary to fulfill the 2 greatest commandments of all—to love God and love your neighbor through the proclamation of the good news about Christ.
Armed with thorough knowledge of the Biblical languages, comprehensive theological knowledge, complete familiarity with the sixty-six books of the Bible, an understanding of the needs of people, and the leadership and interpersonal skills to serve, our Seminary graduates are ready to take up their cross and follow their master into the harvest fields of service until Christ comes again.
Division of Graduate Studies
- Biblical Counseling, MA
- Biblical Language and Literature, MA
- Biblical Studies, MA
- Ministry Studies, MA
- Church Ministry
- Church Planting and Revitalization
- Theological Studies, PhD
- Biblical and Systematic Theology
- New Testament Interpretation
- Old Testament Interpretation
Division of Professional Ministry Studies
- Doctor of Ministry
- Master of Divinity
- Advanced Track
- Bible Translation and Linguistics
- Biblical Counseling
- Biblical Languages
- Church Planting and Urban Ministry
- Church Worship
- Global Missions
- Military Chaplaincy
- Preaching and Pastoral Ministry
- Master of Ministry
Faculty
The faculty at BJU Seminary is on a mission to train men and women who have made a life-commitment to fulfil the last command of Christ, the Great Commission. Our goals are to teach students in our master's and doctoral degree programs how to spread the Gospel of Christ, help new believers become a vital part of the Church, the Body of Christ, and teach growing Christians how to know, obey, and glorify God in every dimension of life.
They are recognized specialists in their teaching fields, having served as:
- Missionaries
- Evangelists
- Youth pastors
- Church planters
- Associate pastors
- Senior pastors of independent Fundamental churches
Approximately 25 faculty (resident & adjunct) offer ministry training each year. Our full-time faculty have all earned doctoral degrees while most of our adjunct faculty have earned doctorates. Their cumulative years of ministry experience total over 450, with an average of 20 years per faculty member.
Ken Casillas
Education
- PhD, Old Testament Interpretation, Bob Jones University
- MA, Bible, Bob Jones University
- BA, Bible, Bob Jones University
Neal Cushman
Associate Dean, BJU Seminary
Education
- PhD, Biblical Studies, Baptist Bible College & Seminary
- MA, Bible, Bob Jones University
- BA, Bible, Bob Jones University
Roger DePriest
Education
- MATS, Theological Studies, Talbot Theological Seminary
- BA, Psychology, Cedarville University
Nicolas Ellen
Education
- DMin, Biblical Counseling, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
- MA, Biblical Counseling, The Master's University and Seminary
- MA, Christian Education (Church Ed Ldshp), Dallas Theological Seminary
Venessa Ellen
Education
- PhD, Administration, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- MA, Biblical Counseling, The Master's University and Seminary
- MA, Christian Education, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Dave Fisher
Education
- PhD, Church History, Bob Jones University
- MA, Church History, Bob Jones University
- BS, Social Studies Education, Bob Jones University
Brian Hand
Division Chair, Division of Graduate Studies
Education
- PhD, New Testament Interpretation, Bob Jones University
- MA, Bible, Bob Jones University
- BA, Humanities, Bob Jones University
Steve Hankins
Education
- PhD, New Testament Interpretation, Bob Jones University
- MA, Bible, Bob Jones University
- BA, Bible, Bob Jones University
Timothy Hughes
Education
- PhD, Theological Studies - NT Interpretation, Bob Jones University
- MA, Bible, Bob Jones University
- BA, Bible, Bob Jones University
Randy Jaeggli
Education
- PhD, Old Testament Interpretation, Bob Jones University
- MDiv, Master of Divinity, Bob Jones University
- BS, Paper Science and Engineering, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Randy Leedy
Education
- PhD, New Testament Interpretation, Bob Jones University
- MA, Bible, Bob Jones University
- BA, Bible, Bob Jones University
Greg Mazak
Education
- MEd, Counseling and Guidance, Clemson University
- PhD, NT Interpretation, Bob Jones University
- MDiv, Divinity, Bob Jones University
- BS, Psychology, Ohio State University - Main Campus
Mark Minnick
Education
- PhD, New Testament Interpretation, Bob Jones University
- MA, Bible, Bob Jones University
- BA, Bible, Bob Jones University
Jim Newcomer
Education
- DMin, Doctor of Sacred Ministry, Northland International University
- MA, Pastoral Studies, Bob Jones University
- BA, Youth Ministries, Bob Jones University
Eric Newton
Education
- PhD, Theology, Bob Jones University
- MA, Theology, Bob Jones University
- BA, History, Bob Jones University
Alan Patterson
Education
- PhD, New Testament Interpretation, Bob Jones University
- MDiv, Divinity, Bob Jones University
- BS, Civil Engineering, North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Gary Reimers
Education
- PhD, Theology, Bob Jones University
- MA, Bible, Bob Jones University
- BA, Bible, Bob Jones University
Mike Stallard
Education
- PhD, Systematic Theology, Dallas Theological Seminary
- BS, Mathematics, University of Alabama in Huntsville
Greg Stiekes
Education
- PhD, Biblical Studies - New Testament, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
- ThM, Theology, Erskine Theological Seminary
- MDiv, Master of Divinity, Central Baptist Theological Seminary
- MA, Interpretative Speech, Bob Jones University
- BA, Interpretative Speech, Bob Jones University
Layton Talbert
Education
- PhD, Theology, Bob Jones University
- MA, Theology, Bob Jones University
- BA, Bible, Bob Jones University
Resources
Achievements & Service
A recent survey of 1000 of our Seminary graduates has revealed a remarkable record of achievement.
Advanced Degrees
The surveyed graduates have earned 140 master's degrees and 91 doctoral degrees from other graduate institutions.
Published Works
They have authored over 250 published works in biblical and religious studies.
Higher Education
They serve in higher education in 69 colleges and seminaries in the United States and in other countries around the world.
Leadership Positions
Of these graduates, 708 serve leadership positions in the United States and around the world as pastors, evangelists, missionaries, Bible translators, biblical counselors, college and seminary professors, and administrators and executives in Christian institutions of higher learning.
Bud Steadman
MMin, ’90
Executive Director
Baptist World Mission
Decatur, Alabama
My present ministry with Baptist World Mission is a synthesis of two major responsibilities—preaching the Word of God and overseeing the administration of an international Christian mission organization. Though these two aspects of my service with BWM are quite diverse, my training at Bob Jones University prepared me for both through a consistent emphasis on finding Biblical balance.
Balance in ministry demands standing for the truth of God while compassionately serving people. Such balance demands effectively multitasking while maintaining priority focus. This balance was both modeled and mentored by the leadership of BJU during my days of training. I am thankful that such a Biblical emphasis is perpetuated today in the training of the next generation.