Every week, Pastor Seth Beyersdorf stands before the congregation of Oakridge Community Church in Stillwater, Minnesota, with the responsibility of preaching God’s Word and shepherding Christ’s flock.

It is a calling he has embraced for many years. Seth and his family have been members of Oakridge since 2013. He was called by the church to pastoral ministry in 2016 and became the church’s primary preaching and teaching pastor in 2019. Through seasons of growth and challenge, he has sought to faithfully minister God’s Word to the people entrusted to him.

To help him develop in these pastoral responsibilities, Seth pursued a Master of Divinity through Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary. Rather than pulling him away from ministry, his theological studies became an important tool in strengthening it.

“CBTS has been a vital part of training and preparing me to minister God’s Word to His people,” Seth explains. “My time at CBTS has helped me not only learn to handle God’s Word with carefulness and reverence, but also with pastoral concern.”

The phrase pastoral concern captures much of what Seth gained during his years of study. Theological education is often associated with gaining knowledge, but for Seth, the goal was never simply to know more. The aim was to become a better shepherd of Christ’s people. As he studied Scripture, theology, church history, and the biblical languages, he found those lessons shaping the way he preached, counseled, and cared for members of his congregation.

For Seth, seminary was never disconnected from real ministry. All that he was learning could be carried immediately into the life of the church he serves. Whether standing behind the pulpit on Sunday morning or sitting across from a church member in need of encouragement, he was learning how to apply God’s Word with greater wisdom and care. His professors deepened his understanding of Scripture and strengthened his ability to communicate its truths to others.

What Seth appreciates most about his education at CBTS is how well it serves men who are already engaged in ministry.

“I wholeheartedly recommend CBTS to anyone thinking about entering seminary studies, especially those who are already engaged in ministry in the local church,” he says. “The study format allows for your classes to be integrated into your current schedule.”

As he reflects on completing his Master of Divinity, Seth is deeply grateful—not only for what he learned, but also for those who made the opportunity possible.

“As a pastor with a younger family, finances are always tight,” he says. “I am filled with thankfulness to the Lord for stirring up the hearts of His people to help provide such rich theological education at an affordable cost.”

Seth’s experience reflects a reality shared by many CBTS students. They bring local church involvement, ministry, and family responsibilities with them as they pursue theological education. They are faithfully serving while seeking to grow in their ability to preach, teach, counsel, and shepherd God’s people. For many, affordable tuition makes that pursuit possible.

The generosity of ministry partners helps remove financial barriers for men who are already laboring in Christ’s kingdom. As Seth’s story demonstrates, the impact of their support extends far beyond a classroom. It reaches local congregations, families, and communities that benefit from better-equipped pastors and church leaders.

Today, Seth continues serving Oakridge Community Church with a deeper understanding of God’s Word and a renewed commitment to shepherding Christ’s people faithfully. His story is one example of how theological education, supported by God’s people, can strengthen local churches for generations to come.

If you would like to help make stories like Seth’s possible, we invite you to learn more about supporting the training of future pastors and church leaders through CBTS.

Support CBTS by becoming a monthly ministry partner

Seth Beyersdorf | 2026 CBTS Graduate Testimony

Stay in touch with CBTSeminary

For more information about CBTS, go to CBTSeminary.org

Consider giving to CBTSeminary to help us train the next generation of gospel ministers.

Apply to CBTS today to be sharpened for a lifetime of faithful ministry.

Follow CBTS on our socials: X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Sign up for our newsletter and receive monthly updates related to the Seminary.