H7 Story: First Graduate from CBTS
As part of our commitment to developing leaders, FCC has partnered with Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary in Owensboro, KY, for several years, providing church leaders, residents, and interns with the opportunity to receive high-quality theological training through discounted online courses.
While several of the pastors and leaders at FCC are pursuing further education through CBTS, Brandon Ivy is the first official graduate. On May 22, he received his Master of Divinity degree after only one year and ten months in the program!
Brandon's graduation also represents just the beginning of what God is doing through this partnership. Today, 10 FCC leaders are actively enrolled in Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary courses, with at least six others auditing classes. As more men and women deepen their theological training, FCC is continuing to invest in raising up faithful leaders who are equipped to serve the church, make disciples, and handle God's Word with wisdom and conviction.
Below is a letter from Brandon sharing his journey and thanking the church for their support of him during this time:
My name is Brandon Ivy. My wife and I have three children, and we reside in Greeneville, Tennessee, where we are grateful members of First Christian Church. As I complete my Master of Divinity degree, I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to my church family. Praise God for His faithfulness throughout this journey and for all that He has done in my life and ministry.
To the members of First Christian Church, thank you for supporting me through prayer, encouragement, and financial generosity during my seminary education. Your investment has made it possible for me to pursue theological training while continuing to serve in ministry. Many of you have encouraged me, prayed for me, and strengthened me along the way, and I am deeply thankful for your kindness and support.
I have had the tremendous privilege of regularly preaching and teaching within our church family. Through these opportunities, I have experienced firsthand the importance of faithfully handling God’s Word and seeking His glory in the service of His people. Your trust, encouragement, and partnership have been a tremendous blessing to me and my family.
My time in seminary has strengthened my confidence in the sufficiency of Scripture, deepened my love for Christ and His church, and increased my desire to serve God’s people faithfully. It has also reinforced my conviction that sound doctrine and faithful ministry are essential for the health and growth of the church. Not only has this training prepared me to preach and teach more effectively in the local church, but it has also cultivated a growing desire to continue my theological studies beyond the M.Div. level. Lord willing, I hope to pursue further academic training and one day serve the church by teaching at the seminary level while remaining committed to the work of preaching and shepherding God’s people.
Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me, and investing in my preparation for ministry. The fruit of your generosity extends far beyond a classroom education. By God’s grace, it will impact sermons preached, disciples made, believers encouraged, and future generations equipped for faithful service. I am grateful beyond words for my church family and look forward to continuing to serve alongside you through preaching, teaching, and gospel ministry for years to come. May God receive all the glory for what He has done and continues to do through the ministry of First Christian Church.
While several of the pastors and leaders at FCC are pursuing further education through CBTS, Brandon Ivy is the first official graduate. On May 22, he received his Master of Divinity degree after only one year and ten months in the program!
Brandon's graduation also represents just the beginning of what God is doing through this partnership. Today, 10 FCC leaders are actively enrolled in Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary courses, with at least six others auditing classes. As more men and women deepen their theological training, FCC is continuing to invest in raising up faithful leaders who are equipped to serve the church, make disciples, and handle God's Word with wisdom and conviction.
Below is a letter from Brandon sharing his journey and thanking the church for their support of him during this time:
My name is Brandon Ivy. My wife and I have three children, and we reside in Greeneville, Tennessee, where we are grateful members of First Christian Church. As I complete my Master of Divinity degree, I want to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to my church family. Praise God for His faithfulness throughout this journey and for all that He has done in my life and ministry.
To the members of First Christian Church, thank you for supporting me through prayer, encouragement, and financial generosity during my seminary education. Your investment has made it possible for me to pursue theological training while continuing to serve in ministry. Many of you have encouraged me, prayed for me, and strengthened me along the way, and I am deeply thankful for your kindness and support.
I have had the tremendous privilege of regularly preaching and teaching within our church family. Through these opportunities, I have experienced firsthand the importance of faithfully handling God’s Word and seeking His glory in the service of His people. Your trust, encouragement, and partnership have been a tremendous blessing to me and my family.
My time in seminary has strengthened my confidence in the sufficiency of Scripture, deepened my love for Christ and His church, and increased my desire to serve God’s people faithfully. It has also reinforced my conviction that sound doctrine and faithful ministry are essential for the health and growth of the church. Not only has this training prepared me to preach and teach more effectively in the local church, but it has also cultivated a growing desire to continue my theological studies beyond the M.Div. level. Lord willing, I hope to pursue further academic training and one day serve the church by teaching at the seminary level while remaining committed to the work of preaching and shepherding God’s people.
Thank you for believing in me, encouraging me, and investing in my preparation for ministry. The fruit of your generosity extends far beyond a classroom education. By God’s grace, it will impact sermons preached, disciples made, believers encouraged, and future generations equipped for faithful service. I am grateful beyond words for my church family and look forward to continuing to serve alongside you through preaching, teaching, and gospel ministry for years to come. May God receive all the glory for what He has done and continues to do through the ministry of First Christian Church.