Preparing for full-time ministry not only requires hard work in the classroom, but it also takes the support of faculty and a curriculum to set up students for success.
Matt Gaskin, who graduated in 2018, found that at Southwest Baptist University.
SBU played a vital role in preparing Matt for his career as a worship arts associate at The Mount Church in Keller, Texas. His classes gave him the resources and practical knowledge that he refers to daily.
“My professors not only taught me how so study the Bible, prepare sermons, teach lessons and handle the tasks of ministry, but to love, care for and serve the people that I’m serving, just as they loved, cared for and served me,” Matt says. “SBU academics gave me a love for learning, which I realize now did not stop after crossing the stage at graduation.
“I’m learning and growing with each new day, and SBU gave me a strong foundation to build upon.”
And, that support also has been important to Matt personally.
“SBU faculty were very influential in my life, but not just academically,” Matt says. “Many faculty members became friends and mentors who intentionally invested in my life over my four years as a student, and I could never thank them enough for their love and care for me and the many other students they serve so well.”
In conjunction with his academics, Matt also learned from the areas in which he was involved across campus.
“I served as a Resident Assistant for four semesters, as an Admissions host for six semesters, as a mission trip leader in 2017 and 2018, and helped with many campus ministries along the way,” Matt says.
“All of these roles taught me how to serve and work with people, which was great since
I got to apply first-hand what I was learning in my ministry classes.”
SBU also helped Matt grow in his Christian walk.
“It taught me the importance of not only being a student in the classroom, but a student of the Word,” Matt says. “The Christ-centered education helped me to grow in so many ways and gave me so many opportunities that I never would have dreamed of.”
And, that is what makes SBU so unique.
“At SBU, you aren't just a student or letter grade,” Matt says. “You are an important part of a community, and you are going to be loved from the time you step onto campus until you cross the stage at graduation – and, even after you leave. SBU runs deep. It is an 11 on a 10-point scale.
“As for my experience at SBU, what I can say is that I’m glad it hasn't ended. I’m so grateful that I still get to be a part of an ever-growing community, and I can't wait to see how SBU is still impacting me even 10 years from now.”