Have you ever wondered how Montanans are engaging Baptist seminaries to increase their readiness for ministry at home and abroad? As Southern Baptists reflect on the Cooperative Program’s 100th anniversary, this sacred effort’s investment in the development of ministry leaders by discounting seminary education costs is bearing fruit in Big Sky Country. In fact, the Spring 2025 semester found thirty-four Montanans enrolled as degree-seeking students in the Southern Baptist Convention’s six seminaries: fourteen in undergraduate coursework, thirteen pursuing master’s degrees, and seven completing doctoral studies.
For many Montanans, an international option just north of the border in Cochrane, Alberta provides the shortest commute to a Baptist seminary. Canadian Baptist Theological Seminary and College was founded in 1987 by what is now the Canadian National Baptist Convention and is committed to training God-called men and women for twenty-first century leadership in tough places. They offer a variety of undergraduate and master’s programs through residential and online delivery methods.
The SBC seminary with greatest proximity to Montana is Gateway Seminary whose main campus is in Ontario, California. Established in 1944 and known as Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary until 2016, Southern Baptist’s seminary to the West offers a robust selection of master’s and doctoral programs. Like all SBC and CNBC seminaries, their programs are accessible online. Their Pacific Northwest Campus in Vancouver, Washington and Rocky Mountain Campus in Centennial, Colorado present Montanans with the nearest proximity to in-person learning at an SBC seminary. There were three Montanans enrolled in master’s work at Gateway Seminary in Spring 2025.
The youngest SBC seminary—Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri—is the next closest to Montana. Launched in 1957, they offer a full range of academic programs. Seven Montanans were enrolled there in Spring 2025 with three in undergraduate programs at Spurgeon College and four in doctoral work.
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas has been around since 1908. They offer undergraduate programs through Texas Baptist College as well as master’s and doctoral opportunities. One Montanan was enrolled at SWBTS in master’s-level coursework during Spring 2025.
The spring term saw sixteen Montanans at the SBC’s oldest seminary: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky founded in 1859. There were nine undergrads at Boyce College and seven working on master’s degrees.
Created as a missional initiative in 1917, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana offers a unique opportunity to Montanans. NOBTS’ Caskey Center for Church Excellence offers scholarships of $5,000 per year to help Senior Pastors and Church Planters in Montana who meet certain eligibility criteria. The scholarship application deadline for Spring 2026 is November 15, 2025. Five Montanans were enrolled at NOBTS in Spring 2025: two in undergraduate courses at Leavell College, two in master’s programs, and one doctoral student.
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina was created in 1950 and offers undergraduate programs through Judson College as well as master’s and doctoral opportunities. Two Montanans studied at SEBTS in Spring 2025 both of whom were doctoral students.
Montana Southern Baptist Convention-affiliated churches looking to equip current and aspiring ministry leaders have a host of seasoned learning communities available as partners in leader development. While residential learning is an option for some, online delivery methods—as well as financial aid available through each institution—make these programs encouragingly accessible.
Degree-Seeking Students with a Permanent or Home Address in Montana Enrolled in Southern Baptist Convention and Canadian National Baptist Convention Seminaries
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