Training Pastors Around The World
August/September marked the start of the US Pastors College in Louisville, Mexican Pastors College in Juarez, and Trinity Fellowship Pastors College in Ethiopia. So much to be excited about as we consider both the year, and fruit, ahead…
US Sovereign Grace Pastors College
An update from Jeff Purswell, Dean of the US Sovereign Grace Pastors College in Louisville, KY…
In August, the US Pastors College kicked off its academic year by welcoming our 27th class of students. We are once again humbled by the sacrifices that these men, their wives, and their children made as they left their homes, churches, communities, and, for some, their home culture to pursue training for pastoral ministry.
Thirteen men have joined us in Louisville this year: eight from the US, three from Canada, and two families from the Philippines who braved the visa application process, jetlag, and the challenges of life in a foreign country to be a part of this year’s class. It is a diverse group: the students range in age from 22 to 41 and come from a variety of vocational backgrounds. All of them are married, and they brought with them 24 children (and one due to be born this month!).
At least four of the students are actively pursuing church planting, while the rest are eager to serve in a variety of contexts. Observing the combination of these students’ academic eagerness and their relational bonding gives us great encouragement for what the Lord has in store for this year. And we are once again reminded of the sacrifice of our churches in sending such quality men and women to be equipped in the college. Please pray for these men, their families, our instructors, and all that goes into the PC year—that the outcome would be faithful and fruitful laborers for the harvest, whose lives, families, and churches are built upon the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pastors College of México
An update from Edgar Flores, Pastor at Gracia Soberana Ciudad Juárez, Mexico & Dean of the Pastors College of Mexico…
We are thrilled to begin the 2025-26 year of the Pastors College in México. By God’s grace, our first PC graduation was in August. This PC year, we have four students: Alejandro Mascareño (Baja California, México), Eli Warren (Ciudad Juárez, México), Isaac Alarcón (Guadalupe, México), and David Calvo (Costa Rica). Three students and their families moved into the apartments on the church premises. Two students are exploring the possibility of planting Sovereign Grace churches. Eli Warren desires to plant a church in the west of Ciudad Juárez (one of the most troubled parts of our city), and Isaac Alarcón is exploring the possibility of beginning a church in Rancho 3M, a children's home in Guadalupe (one hour from our city). The Ranch is deeply connected to Sovereign Grace, and having a Sovereign Grace church in Guadalupe has been a desire for years.
Our desire for the Pastors College of México is to be known as a Sovereign Grace Pastors College. We want the College to be profoundly rooted in the shared values and virtues that Sovereign Grace embraces and in our Statement of Faith. By God's grace, the number of professors who will give classes in-person is growing, and this is the second year of Greek classes. We desire that our students will continue to cultivate a life of godliness throughout the year and be fully immersed in the life of our local church. It is an exciting year—thank you for praying with us as we equip future Sovereign Grace pastors.
Graduating class of 2024-25.
A welcome gathering for the new class of 2025-26 and their families.
Trinity Fellowship Pastors College
An update from Josh Pannell, Dean of Trinity Fellowship Pastors College in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia …
Greetings from Addis Ababa!
In the Lord’s kindness, a new year of Trinity Fellowship Pastors College has begun. This year, God has entrusted us with nine students: five from Trinity Fellowship in Addis, three from Nairobi sent by Brian Kiama, and one from Pakistan. The brothers from Nairobi are especially a mark of the Lord’s kindness to us, as they are the first students sent from a church planted by a TFPC graduate. Our brother from Pakistan represents a network of churches pursuing Global Partnership with Sovereign Grace Churches, and we rejoice to serve him here, trusting the Lord to strengthen many in Pakistan through his training.
Once again, many Sovereign Grace pastors have gladly agreed to cross oceans to teach these men: Steve Whitacre, Joseph Stigora, Jace Hudson, Mark Prater, Mark Alderton, Joel Bain, Jeff Purswell, Pete Payne, Andy Farmer, Dr. Josh Blount, Rick Gamache, and Brian Chesemore. Alongside them, six classes will be taught by TFPC graduates now pursuing MTh degrees through our partnership with Union School of Theology in Wales: a joyful sign of the maturity God is quickly working.
This year’s graduation will also mark our fifth anniversary as a pastors college. We give thanks for all the Lord has done, and we ask him to raise up more faithful shepherds for many churches from these men. Truly, the Lord is kind.
