As Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary reflects on 2025, the year stands as a profound milestone: two decades of training men for the gospel ministry. The Lord has grown CBTS into a robust institution for confessional theological education, and this is to the praise of God alone.
In 2025, CBTS added multiple administrators to the staff, celebrated our first ThM graduate, and rejoiced in God for sparing Dr. Timothy Decker’s life through a heart transplant. CBTS also offered several online classes to more than 470 students worldwide. Below are some of the in-person events and modular courses from 2025.
January Module
The academic year began in January 2025 with a modular course in Louisville, KY, that underscored the seminary’s commitment to Baptist history and practical ministry. Renowned historian Dr. Tom Nettles taught “The Pastoral Theology of Charles Spurgeon.” Drawing from his extensive research, Dr. Nettles provided students with an immersive look at how Spurgeon’s deep theological convictions—rooted in the 1689 Confession—informed his legendary pastoral care and church leadership.
CovCon’25: The Law of God
In March 2025, CBTS hosted its annual Covenant Conference in Montgomery, Alabama, focusing on the theme “The Law of God.” The conference featured insightful sessions from Sam Waldron, John Miller, Jon English Lee, and Tom Hicks, as well as guest speaker Joel Beeke. Together, they provided a comprehensive biblical defense of the law’s role in the believer’s life and addressed contemporary issues related to Christian Nationalism.
A Historic Graduation
The highlight of the spring season arrived in May 2025 with the seminary’s commencement ceremony. This was a landmark event as the seminary honored its largest-ever graduating class of 34 men. Paul Washer delivered the commencement address, offering a powerful charge to the graduates to remain steadfast in the ministry.
May Module
The weekend of graduation was also a time of rigorous study. Dr. Sam Waldron taught a concurrent live module: “Exposition of the Book of Romans.” Students spent the weekend diving into the doctrinal depths of Paul’s letter, ensuring that even amidst celebration, the work of exegetical training continued.
Summer Seminar
In addition to the modular courses, CBTS hosted a specialized seminar in the summer of 2025 focused on the legacy of a key figure in modern Reformed Baptist history. This seminar, held in July, featured a series of lectures by Pastor Dave Chanski that explored the ministry principles and homiletical legacy of Albert N. Martin. The sessions focused on the practical application of Martin’s “Pastoral Theology” series, with a particular emphasis on the biblical priority of preaching and the public reading of Scripture. Designed for current and aspiring pastors, the event sought to pass on the rigorous, Christ-centered ministerial standards Martin modeled over decades of leadership at Trinity Baptist Church.
September Module
Later in the year, over Labor Day weekend in September, the seminary hosted a specialized module on the life and theology of Geerhardus Vos.” Instructors Dr. Lane Tipton and Danny Olinger guided students through the redemptive-historical method, exploring how the progress of revelation centers on the person and work of Christ.
New Website, Logos, and Merch
Near the end of 2025, the seminary officially unveiled a new website designed to better serve its growing student body. Alongside the digital launch, CBTS introduced new institutional logos and a new merchandise store, featuring apparel with the updated logos.
We look back to 2025 with gratitude to the Lord for His kindness toward the faculty, students, and administrators of Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary. By His grace alone, the seminary remains dedicated to providing a “Confessional, Reformed Baptist, and Affordable” education for the next generation of Christian leaders.
