As our fall semester approaches, we are excited to share new and strengthened degree options designed to serve the men God is calling to pastoral ministry. This month, we also introduce you to Kym Nies, our Administrative and Admissions Assistant, and restate a conviction at the heart of our work: theological education should lead to Christlike character, practical holiness, and a deeper love for the Lord.
New Degree Options for Personal Theological Education
We are excited to announce the addition of a Master of Theological Studies (MTS) to our degree options. This 74-credit program includes 12 credits of biblical languages, with two courses of Hebrew and two courses of Greek.
Dr. Jeff Moore, our Director of Admissions and Enrollment and Assistant Professor of New Testament, describes the MTS:
“It lays a wonderful foundation of exegetical, systematic, historical, and pastoral theologies, and also includes two courses of Hebrew and two courses of Greek for a total of 12 credits of biblical languages. This equips students to do word studies and translate the Hebrew and Greek texts into English.”
We have also made changes to our Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies (MAPS) to give students greater flexibility. The content of this 56-credit degree has changed very little, but applicants are no longer required to have three years of pastoral ministry experience. The degree continues to serve men with pastoral experience while also welcoming those who have not yet gained that experience.
Our flagship Master of Divinity (M.Div.) has been strengthened and is now 98 credits. It remains academically rigorous and pastorally focused, with 24 credits of biblical languages: 12 each in Hebrew and Greek.
Our Programs at a Glance
- Master of Divinity: 98 credits, including 24 credits of biblical languages.
- Master of Theological Studies: 74 credits, including 12 credits of biblical languages.
- Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies: 56 credits, with no prior pastoral ministry experience requirement.
- Certificate of Ministry: 32 credits, with flexible course choice.
These options reflect our commitment to knowing our students and equipping each man for his particular ministry context. As Dr. Moore explains:
“Here at GBTS, we are all about personal theological education. We want to know our students and spend time with them. Our classes are all synchronous, meaning that every student is present either in person in Conway or logged on live to our video feed for each class. This commitment to personal theological education is part of the reason we are rolling out these new degree programs. We know not every student and situation is the same, so we want you to pick the degree that best fits your life situation. We love the local church, and all our degrees are geared toward men who are in or aspire to pastoral ministry. Yet, each degree has different tools to meet different needs, so we individualize the process of theological education to equip the man to best serve the Lord.”
Staff Spotlight: Kym Nies
If you have visited our campus or emailed to inquire about GBTS, you may already have met Kym Nies. As our Administrative and Admissions Assistant, she is our “first responder” of sorts—the person who greets you when you visit or responds when you reach out to learn more about the seminary.
Kym brings 30 years of experience in administrative support in public health, and that experience is on display every day at GBTS. A native Kansan, she has two sons, one daughter, five grandchildren, and one cat. We are grateful for the care and experience she brings to serving our students and those considering theological education.
GBTS Core Value #6: Embodying Experiential Christlike Character
Thesis Statement
GBTS models and promotes experiential relationships with Christ that lead to practical holiness in sound doctrine, earnest prayer, and humble service.
Affirmations
The heart of Christianity is a personal relationship with Christ that is rooted in faith in the gospel that works through love (Gal 5:6). Because theological education is not an end in itself, we affirm that sound doctrine is not understood until it has been personally applied to all of life.
According to the Scriptures, theological education aims to lead believers to glorify God through the enjoyment of his Son (Ps 37:4). We affirm, therefore, that personal godliness is essential to growing in the knowledge of the Lord. We affirm that progressive sanctification in holiness is necessary for our students to be equipped and qualified to preach and pastor God’s people.
Denials
At GBTS, we deny that sound doctrine can be separated from personal godliness (Titus 2:1–8). We deny that academics and scholarship have to be in opposition to individual piety. We deny that we have to choose between theological scholarship and heartfelt devotion to Christ.
Because all Scripture is designed to lead us into a loving relationship with God, we can promote the highest academic standards while fostering a deeper passion for knowing, loving, and enjoying the Lord.
How You Can Support GBTS
Pray
As our fall semester begins on September 14, would you join us in praying?
- For our students to grow in their love for Christ as they pursue their academic studies.
- For our 2026 graduates. Some are beginning new ministries, some are seeking the Lord about where to serve, and some remain serving in their churches.
- For students, faculty, and staff as our fall semester begins on September 14th.
Visit
We love when GBTS supporters visit our campus. Let us know when your next trip brings you through central Arkansas so we can give you a tour!
Give
Become a regular donor to our General Fund. Every gift, no matter the size, helps us continue our mission to train future and current pastors.
You can also donate to our residential scholarship fund. Would you like to support one student for a class, a semester, or an entire degree? Contact us—we would love to hear from you.
Church-based. Pastor-focused. Missions-minded.
Contact us: info@gbtseminary.org
The corporation shall not discriminate against applicants, employees, students, volunteers, and others on the basis of race, color, nationality, or ethnic origin; however, as a religious institution, the corporation reserves the right to deny or terminate employment or to deny or terminate any other status of persons whose lifestyle, words, actions or otherwise do not align with the corporation’s Statement of Faith, standard of conduct, or other policies of this organization.