US Pastors College - Class of 2026
An update from Jeff Purswell, Director of Theology for Sovereign Grace Churches and Dean of the US Pastors College…
It seems we say this every year, but by God’s grace we’re still marveling over all that the Lord did in this past year’s Pastors College class. Thirteen men joined us this year in Louisville: eight from the US, three from Canada, and two families from the Philippines who braved the visa application process, the logistics of an international move, and the challenges of life in a foreign country to be a part of this year’s class. This rich demographic combination, with students ranging in age from 22 to 41, included two ordained SG elders (the first to have attended the PC since our new polity), another second generation PC student, and two men from outside of SG seeking to join our family of churches.
Beyond the intensive classroom learning experience—at which these men labored diligently and excelled—we observed a remarkable, transformational community form among the students and their families. These families endured an unusual number of trials this year, from financial struggles to acute health challenges (providentially, two of the students were nurses!), all of which served to knit their lives deeply together. And this went well beyond the students themselves. Their wives were wonderfully engaged in each others’ lives and families, as well as with many in our host church, Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville.
It was particularly gratifying to see the children of the class, from toddlers to teens, growing in their love for each other and for the Lord. One of the wives wrote this in a note addressed to the ladies entering the PC this year: “Perhaps my greatest joy, though, was watching our children flourish during this PC year. Seeing them grow in their love for the Lord, delight in being with God’s people, and genuinely love the local church has been one of the sweetest blessings of this season.” To those of us seeking to serve these families, few words are sweeter.
All of these various components—academic, pastoral, personal, and relational—combined to produce a year, not just of equipping, but, by God’s unspeakable grace, of transformation. Yes, after 36 weeks of class, 800+ hours of lecture, an additional 1000+ hours of outside work, papers, exams, and approximately 12,000 pages of reading, these men have a solid foundation of biblical, theological, and pastoral knowledge upon which to build their lives and ministries. But the Pastors College is more than an academic institution. It provides a rich immersion in the doctrine, values, and culture of Sovereign Grace churches. As I like to say, it is “pastoral training calibrated to our partnership”—training that is Scripturally-rooted, theologically faithful, gospel-centered, local-church connected, relationally nourished, and life-and-doctrine focused, and all aimed at equipping men and their families for ministry within Sovereign Grace.
The fruit of this year is deeply encouraging to consider. Seven of the students entered full-time vocational ministry. One returned to take over senior leadership in his church. Two entered a specific church planting track. And to a man, they left relationally knit, doctrinally deepened, pastorally sharpened, and ready to make an immediate impact in their local church.
We’re already receiving this year’s students, 14 in all, and are eager to begin a new year. Which prompts us again to give praise to God and thanks to you, our pastors and churches, for your faith and sacrifice in sending such quality men and women to be equipped in the college. The Pastors College exists not for itself, but for you—and we could not do what we endeavor to do without you.
