WALNUT RIDGE—Williams Baptist University (WBU) has partnered with Pastor Training Schools to offer ministerial training to pastors across Arkansas, allowing them to earn certificates through a structured two-year program.
The agreement was signed on Tuesday, October 20, by WBU President Dr. Stan Norman and Jay Parks, the director of Pastor Training Schools, during the annual Arkansas Baptist State Convention in Rogers. The partnership aims to bring accessible theological education to pastors who cannot relocate to WBU's main campus in Walnut Ridge.
“This program is for those who feel called to pastor churches but are not at a place in life where they can pick up, move to Walnut Ridge, and work toward a bachelor’s degree,” said Norman. “We will be working hand-in-hand with Pastor Training Schools to set up cohorts all around our state to provide the education these men need to minister more effectively.”
Pastor Training Schools, originally founded in Mississippi, serves around 300 students through evening classes that focus on accessibility. Through the new partnership, Arkansas pastors can enroll in courses covering topics such as spiritual formation, hermeneutics, homiletics, Old and New Testament studies, theology, pastoral ministry, evangelism and missions, church revitalization and planting, and discipleship multiplication. Students who complete the prescribed curriculum will earn a certificate in ministerial training.
Jay Parks expressed excitement about the collaboration, saying, “We are so excited about the Lord opening doors in Arkansas through our partnership with Williams Baptist University to equip full-time pastors, bi-vocational pastors, or men who are exploring a call to ministry. We look forward to locking arms with local pastors throughout Arkansas to identify and equip God-called men for the churches across the state.”
The program is planning to launch new cohorts within Arkansas by March. Those interested in enrolling or forming community study groups can contact Dr. Brett Cooper at WBU by email at bcooper@williamsbu.edu or reach out to Jay Parks at Pastor Training Schools via jayp@pastortrainingschools.org.
Williams Baptist University is a private, Christian institution located in Walnut Ridge.