SWAG合集

HILLSBORO, Kan.鈥� Crafted by a dedicated partnership between SWAG合集 and the Central and Southern districts of Mennonite Brethren (MB) churches, courses in Graduate Studies in Ministry (GSM) will begin at SWAG合集 in fall 2025.  

The courses will run over eight-week modules in a hybrid learning model and provide essential skills in preaching, pastoral care, spiritual formation, church administration, and cultural engagement. Additionally, pastors can utilize these courses to equip future ministry leaders in their congregations and build a sustainable model for leadership development in Mennonite Brethren churches.

Pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the district-selected steering team of seven pastors and SWAG合集 faculty anticipates launching a master鈥檚 degree for the 2026-27 academic year.

鈥淭his is a tremendous opportunity for SWAG合集 to serve its member churches,鈥� said SWAG合集 Provost Frank Johnson, Ph.D. 鈥� Elements of this initiative have existed for some time, but in God鈥檚 timing, the door has now opened. While a formal degree will not be available this fall, we intend for credits to transfer to the degree upon full HLC approval.鈥�

GSM Steering Team Members

Born out of the goal to see more Mennonite Brethren-trained church planters, missionaries, pastors, and other leaders, these graduate-level courses will equip students to serve their local church and beyond.

鈥淎n individual church could not possibly pull off an initiative of this magnitude,鈥� said Southern District minister Brian Harris, D.Min. 鈥淚t requires the expertise that SWAG合集 offers and the experience and relationships from our churches. It will be key for our pastors to look and say, 鈥業 see these people and they are the harvest workers we鈥檙e looking for.鈥� We鈥檙e asking the pastors to recruit this next wave of students. It鈥檚 bringing those two pieces together.鈥�

Wendell Loewen, D.Min, is one of the college鈥檚 three steering team representatives. Serving as special assistant to the president at SWAG合集, Loewen said pastoral buy-in has been a critical component in the infancy of these courses.

鈥淭he way this is structured is we鈥檒l utilize pastors with appropriate degrees to be involved as instructors or cohort facilitators,鈥� Loewen said. 鈥淭hey could be a go-between between the instructor and the student. We will also have mentors who are seasoned pastors who may not have a terminal degree but can also walk with the student through two years of courses.鈥�

As a SWAG合集 graduate and now pastor at Bethesda Church in Huron, S.D., Aaron Garza (g’14) is thrilled to know fellow alumni will have the opportunity to serve alongside him with a SWAG合集 undergraduate degree or graduate-level certification.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited that the same school that I went to and prepared me for ministry can be more intentional at a larger scale,鈥� said Garza, a Ph.D. Candidate. 鈥淚n opening these courses and this program, we鈥檙e creating that relational funnel where camaraderie among leaders is developed and sent out through our denomination. We鈥檙e helping facilitate relationships with shared convictions and having new leaders born out of this, prepared for the work before them.鈥�

New to SWAG合集鈥檚 biblical studies faculty in 2024-25, Eric Foster-Whiddon, Ph.D., has quickly built an appreciation for the conference鈥檚 vision for theological education.

鈥淲e鈥檙e thinking about theological education from an Anabaptist, MB perspective at a graduate level,鈥� Foster-Whiddon said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 looking at things like church history, but with an Anabaptist lens. We will use the M.B. Confession of Faith as a foundational element in theology classes. As we鈥檙e thinking through systematic theology, the touchpoint is this document, what it is, how it works, and how it integrates.鈥�

In his 10th year as lead pastor at Community Bible Church in Olathe, Kan., Aaron Halvorsen, M.Div., said the broad nature of the courses may help someone involved in a non-pastoral role or short or long-term missions. 

鈥淚f some of my church elders wanted to do something like these courses, I鈥檇 be really encouraged by that,鈥� Halvorsen said. 鈥淓ven if it鈥檚 not a primary teaching pastor, I think there is a space for that person and for someone who hasn鈥檛 gone to formal seminary but wants to improve their skills in ministry.鈥�

While the program continues to take shape, Rodriguez said the steering team will play a vital role in the full curriculum and leadership development. 

鈥淭wo things that pastors are really liking about this are that SWAG合集 is allowing pastors to be part of it and the role the steering team is taking in vetting curriculum, faculty, and making sure everything aligns with our Confession of Faith,鈥� Rodriguez said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e thrilled to be in a relationship with future students and pastors.鈥�

Learn more about SWAG合集’s Graduate Studies in Ministry Courses at and all other graduate offerings at .

SWAG合集 Public Relations & Communications has a written branding guide detailing abbreviations, academic degree descriptions, and other policies. Visit  to learn more. 

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Established in 1908 and located in Hillsboro, Kan., SWAG合集 is a Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Central and Southern Districts of the United States Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches.