Theology and Missions

"When I visited Union, it felt like home. People greeted me warmly, a professor answered my questions when I sat in on his class, and the campus was beautiful. As a teenager who felt that the Lord had called him to ministry, I knew that this place would equip me for the calling I had been tasked with.

Professors at Union strive for excellence in their work, leading to a refining process for the students they teach. The content of the classes along with the investment of the professors adequately challenged me in my training for ministry.

Union's atmosphere gave me real-life application of the words of the Bible. Every single member of faculty and staff strive to show Christ — from the cafeteria workers, to the Safety and Security guards, to Dr. Dub.

Union University shaped me into one who desires to forgive, repent of my own mistakes, and live out the Word of the Lord practically in my own life. Because I witnessed the people at Union living out the will of God, I have been encouraged to do the same in all circumstances."

Garrett Veazey ('19)
Student Minister, FBC, Paris, Tenn.

"When I toured, I noticed that the school was more than just Christian in name, but that they were genuinely striving to provide truly explicit Christian education. I was impressed with the faculty in the School of Theology and Missions, and felt in that moment that Union was where God was calling me to attend.

Along with academic challenges, Union professors challenged me to grow in my faith. As someone who has spent years in the pastorate, I was equipped for this work through the faculty at Union who pushed me to grow not just academically, but spiritually as well.

As I faced challenges in ministry early on, I often reminded myself of the things which I had been taught and found myself able to persevere in difficult circumstances. Union led me to spiritual maturity which has been invaluable in my ministry."

Brennan Kress ('22)
Pastoral Apprentice, Cornerstone Community Church, Jackson, Tenn.

"I decided to attend Union because of its reputation among the pastors and ministers in my life. I could see Union's sturdy & Christ centered influence in their lives and ministry.

The faculty in the School of Theology and Missions made sure that what we learned never left our hearts unchanged or our voices without praise."

J.P. Barden ('18)
Pastor, New Vision Baptist Church, Brownsville, Tenn.

"The professors challenged me to think both critically and contextually about biblical exegesis, and they helped me build a proper framework for bringing the text of Scripture to bear on everyday Christian life. As a pastor in the local church, I use those skills every day in sermon preparation, counseling, and my broader teaching ministry.

Union instilled in me that all true learning and spiritual growth takes place in the context of community. Indispensable to that growth is the community of the local church and from that center stem communities like Union University."

Jon Pope ('18)
Lead Pastor, Springhill Baptist Church, Paris, Tenn.

"I did not want to attend Union, but God made it clear that it was his will for me to come. This is the only reason I chose to attend Union. Despite my resistance, Union has truly been a blessing to me. I am grateful for my experience and am so glad the Lord led me here.

The academic rigor of the STM along with its caring professors have prepared me for success in seminary. The professors at Union enjoy when students ask questions during office hours and are willing to work with them individually. This enhanced my learning experience and improved the quality of my work.

Through Union, I was able to meet like-minded, Christian friends who have encouraged and challenged me in my faith. My professors showed me how the Christian worldview influences every discipline by demonstrating excellence in their field whilst holding fast to Christian values. Finally, my involvement at the same local church throughout my time at Union complemented and strengthened the growth I was experiencing on campus."

Gabrielle Berry ('23)
Master of Arts in Biblical Studies Student, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"Union challenged me with difficult courses that truly stretched my mind to grasp biblical theology, and my affections toward God were shaped by the faithful, passionate teaching of the Bible.

The courses in biblical languages and other biblical studies are academically rigorous, biblically faithful, and theologically robust, and the professors who teach those classes are of the highest quality"

Elliot Garrett ('21)
Pastor to Students, First Baptist Church of Senatobia, Miss.

"I really enjoyed my experience at Union University's School of Theology and Missions. I made great friends with both professors and students and found my time to be spiritually and academically enriching. It was only after beginning graduate school at Wheaton College, however, that I realized how rigorous Union's programs are. I began graduate work equipped better than most of my peers, especially in language skill and exegetical practice, but also in important but mundane skills such as citing sources and formatting headers. With the excellent education I received at Union, I successfully completed the MA. Even more importantly, though, I was able to make the most of Wheaton's MA program by diving immediately into graduate level work instead of taking remedial language and exegesis courses. Union's School of Theology and Missions equipped me not only to enter MA and PhD studies but also to enjoy them."

Stephen Wunrow ('15)
PhD student at Wheaton College

"It is impossible to overstate the impact of the School of Theology and Mission on my life. From classes to faculty to friends, I was challenged at every turn to love Christ more with my head and heart. Now, as a professor, I pray that I can have the impact on my students that Union's STM faculty had on me."

Benjamin T. Quinn (PhD, Bristol University)
Associate Dean for Institutional Effectiveness (undergraduate)
Assistant Professor of Theology and History of Ideas
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary/The College at Southeastern
Wake Forest, NC

"While attending Union University my wife and I were called to serve as IMB missionaries to the nations...but it was the investment made in the Department of Christian Studies that prepared me for the arduous work of church planting in Western Europe."

Mark Bustrum
Missionary in Portugal
International Mission Board of the SBC

"The School of Theology and Missions opened my eyes to the depth of the scriptures as I learned the languages, background, and correct hermeneutical approach to handling the word. My approach to teaching and preaching is a direct result of these studies. The program increased my discipline in study and in articulation of the word. My classes were rigorous but extremely satisfying as I felt I achieved something valuable for my ministry career."

Dax Hughes
Senior Pastor
Heartland Worship Center
Paducah, KY

"The School of Theology and Missions prepared me for seminary and pastoral ministry through their commitment to a robust, Christ-centered education under the oversight of their stellar faculty. The professors are not only leading scholars in their fields of study but are also churchmen with shepherd's hearts. Examine these professors and you will find that they radiate an infectious love for the church and a heart for the nations. If you want to be equipped to love the church and fulfill the Great Commission on the undergraduate level, I know of no other place better for you to attend than the School of Theology and Missions at Union University."

Paul Christensen
MDiv Student
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, NC

"I truly believe that Union University's School of Theology and Mission houses the most academically-acclaimed, yet also pastorally-minded faculty of any undergraduate university in the nation. Because of the strenuous, yet greatly enriching nature of the STM's classes, I have not only been able to survive intensive graduate-level study, but thrive as well — both academically and spiritually. As a woman who is passionate about the Church and seeing it thrive in America today, Union's School of Theology and Missions uniquely nurtured and prepared me for further study and work in the field of theology."

Katelyn Walls
MA in Religion and Ethics student
Yale Divinity School

"My time studying Biblical studies and theology at Union University was invaluable in shaping me in my faith and who I am as a person. As a new believer who felt a call from God to pursue ministry, I entered Union with a lot of questions. The faculty helped me work through those issues and provided me with a firm theological foundation based on Scripture. More than simply guiding my academic studies, however, professors such as George Guthrie and Ray Van Neste proved to be faithful to 2 Timothy 2:2 by sharing life with me, inviting me into their homes. Ultimately, they discipled me through the most formative time of my life."

J. Ryan West (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
National Coordinator for LoveLoud
North American Mission Board of the SBC