Introducing the Class of 2023

At the beginning of this month, we kicked off the 24th academic year of the Sovereign Grace Pastors College. Below you can see the names and pictures of our students. What you can’t see are the stories behind these names and faces. It has been humbling to learn of the roads these folks have travelled to the PC, the challenges they’ve encountered, the sacrifices they’ve embraced, the faith they’ve exercised. All of this has increased our expectations, already high, for what the Lord has in store for these men, their wives, and their families.

This year we welcomed ten students, ranging in age from 24-40. All of our students this year are married. They bring with them 11 children, two born in the past three months and two on the way. Hailing from eight different churches and coming from a range of backgrounds, they have all arrived obviously eager to embrace the opportunities this year will afford for learning and growth.

Let me introduce you to the class of 2023.

Back row: Adam Penird (Winona Lake, IN) • Jordan Spillers (Louisville, KY) • Caleb Hancock (Franklin, TN) • Jordan Strand (Sioux Falls, SD) • Frank Lundy (Gilbert, AZ) 

Front row: Kyle Bagwell (Seguin, TX) • Todd Born (Louisville, KY) • Philip Baillie (Marlton, NJ) • Rocco Dalia (London, UK) • Austin Momber (Louisville, KY) 

All of our labors and good intentions profit nothing without the Lord’s hand of blessing. Would you please join us as we pray for our students and their families? We’re asking that: 

  • A hunger for God and his Word would be kindled and burn bright and continuous throughout the year;

  • Marriages and families would be strengthened and find new life and joy and godliness;

  • Minds would expand and grasp truth and its contours and relationships and implications;

  • A passion and faith for God’s purposes in the local church would be galvanized;

  • Gifts for ministry would be discovered and sharpened and empowered;

  • Dimensions of God’s calling would be discerned and vision for ministry clarified and inflamed;

  • Teachers would be strengthened and sharpened and graced to teach their courses like never before;

  • In everything, every context and in every way, Christ would be magnified in every mind, heart, and life associated with the Pastors College.

It is a privilege to partner together with the churches of Sovereign Grace in the training of these dear folks for the work of ministry. Thank you so much for your encouragement, prayers, and support.

Jeff Purswell
Class of 2022

Left to right: Gabriel Magill, Philip VanderWeide, Tim Owens, Merrick Potter, Eddie Spuler, Caleb Collins, Mark Christenson, Matt Groen

Last month, the Pastors College held its 23rd annual graduation exercises. It was an honor to celebrate with these students and their families, all of whom sacrificed in significant ways to give themselves to a rigorous course of study, training, and personal growth—all in order to glorify Christ and serve his church. This year’s class comprised eight students, ranging in age from 25-42, hailing from seven different churches in six states. Two students were sent by Emmaus Road Church in Sioux Falls, a testament to the intentionality of Greg Dirnberger and his team in raising up young leaders. For the second year in a row, we had a second-generation PC student in Philip VanderWeide from Covenant Fellowship Church, whose father Brian graduated in 1999. Most of the students were strangers when they arrived, but they all now depart as dear friends and trusted co-laborers in the gospel.

Although it was painful to bid farewell to these dear friends, we are eager to observe the fruit these men and women will bear for the cause of the gospel. Four of the students are returning to their sending churches, eager to take on new ministry responsibilities. Two of the students are actually returning to churches they had been part of in previous years; in their case, the PC served as a sort of “means of re-entry” into Sovereign Grace. The Pastors College can also serve to connect graduates with churches in need of a pastor, and this summer Caleb Collins, who came to the PC from Louisville, relocated to Richmond to join Matthew Williams and the team at KingsWay Community Church.  

I hope you’ll join us in giving thanks to God for the provision to Sovereign Grace these graduates represent. And please do pray for them as they relocate and prepare to serve in local Sovereign Grace churches.

Jeff Purswell is the Director of Theology and Training for Sovereign Grace Churches and the dean of the Sovereign Grace Pastors College. He also serves as an elder at Sovereign Grace Church in Louisville, KY.

Jeff Purswell
New Ordination Standards

In accordance with the new Statement of Faith, ratified in November 2020, the Theology Committee recently announced our new ordination standards. The updated standards have been rewritten to align with the new Statement of Faith, and we’re excited for how they will serve our churches and elder candidates in Sovereign Grace.

Staff