Recently, a student asked me a question that I had never been asked before:

"What was your favorite thing about studying at The Master's Seminary?"

I appreciated the opportunity to pause and reflect on that question. Looking back, my time at The Master's Seminary was truly one of the greatest blessings of my life.

When my wife and I moved from Northwest Ohio to Southern California in 2018, we had no idea what to expect. Leaving behind family, friends, and everything familiar was one of the most difficult decisions we had ever made. Yet, despite the challenges, it turned out to be one of the best decisions we have ever made.

As I reflect on my years as a student, three aspects of the experience stand out above the rest.

1. The Unwavering Focus on Scripture

Before arriving at The Master's Seminary, I expected that there would be a strong emphasis on the Bible. The legacy of John MacArthur and Grace Community Church made that abundantly clear.

What surprised me, however, was just how thoroughly Scripture shaped every aspect of the curriculum.

As I evaluated seminaries prior to attending TMS, I noticed that many programs included courses that, while helpful, were not directly focused on biblical study. At TMS, every class was intentionally designed to help students understand the Scriptures more accurately and communicate them more faithfully.

Whether studying theology, biblical languages, church history, or pastoral ministry, every course pointed us back to the Word of God. The goal was not merely to accumulate knowledge, but to become better students, teachers, and preachers of Scripture.

It was a joy and privilege to spend each day learning how to understand God's Word more deeply and handle it more faithfully.

2. The Emphasis on Personal Character

Anyone attending seminary expects to learn theology, biblical languages, pastoral ministry, and the various disciplines necessary for ministry. What I did not expect was the degree to which the faculty cared about my personal character.

A biblical pastor is not simply someone who possesses theological knowledge, language skills, or preaching ability. A biblical pastor must be a man of God—someone who is above reproach and increasingly conformed to the image of Christ.

Because The Master's Seminary exists to train pastors, the faculty understood that ministry effectiveness depends on more than academic performance. They were deeply concerned with the condition of our souls.

Every class began with prayer. Professors regularly encouraged students to trust the Lord through the challenges and pressures that seminary life inevitably brings. They reminded us that seminary itself should be viewed as an act of worship. Faculty members consistently emphasized caring for our wives and children. Chapel messages frequently confronted hidden sin, selfish ambition, pride, and unhealthy attitudes. We were repeatedly called to repentance and faithfulness.

Looking back, I can honestly say that the professors seemed less concerned with my GPA than with my spiritual health. They wanted to see students become godly men who would faithfully shepherd Christ's church.

That emphasis left a lasting impact on me.

3. The Friendships

Coming from Northwest Ohio, most of my relationships were formed within the community and culture in which I had grown up. One unexpected blessing of attending seminary in Southern California was the opportunity to build friendships with people from all over the world.

The Master's Seminary attracts students from a remarkable variety of backgrounds, cultures, and nations. During my time there, I formed friendships with men and families from South Africa, Egypt, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand, Malawi, Canada, and many other places.

Those friendships enriched my life in ways I never anticipated. They broadened my perspective, strengthened my faith, and reminded me of the global nature of Christ's church.

In many ways, studying at TMS felt like a small foretaste of heaven—people from every tribe, tongue, and nation united by their love for Christ and their desire to serve Him faithfully.

Looking Back with Gratitude

The years I spent at The Master's Seminary were not always easy. Seminary required sacrifice, hard work, perseverance, and trust in the Lord. Yet when I look back, I am overwhelmingly grateful.

The deep commitment to Scripture, the emphasis on personal holiness, and the friendships forged along the way shaped me profoundly. God used those years to prepare me for ministry, strengthen my family, and deepen my love for His Word. For that, I will always be thankful.