PARTNERSHIPS

Theological Training Rooted in the Local Church

We believe that the local church is the primary context of the Spirit’s renewing work, including the equipping and affirmation of aspiring leaders. God has called the church in Opelika and Auburn, Alabama to equip those he is calling and sending out. We endeavor to be "of, by, and for the church" in our community. Therefore we strive to ensure that our training process is truly rooted in the local church. We do so in the following ways:

• Our faculty are local pastors, church planters, ministry leaders, and missionaries on home assignments.   
• Our practicum and mentoring program are designed to be worked out in the life and ministry of each student’s local church. 
• Our program provides a structure and process for local church internships or residencies.

Local Church Partnerships

• First Presbyterian Church of Opelika
• Grace Auburn Church
• Grace Heritage Church
• Greater Peace Baptist Church
• Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church
• Simple Church of Auburn/Opelika
• The Good Shepherd Anglican Church

Institutional Partnerships

Metro Atlanta Seminary

We enjoy a formal partnership with Metro Atlanta Seminary in Atlanta, GA. By rebalancing the emphases of seminary education to reflect a more holistic approach, MAS’s innovation lies in employing the age-old apprenticeship model to the present day. Their model provides a helpful critique of the Enlightenment’s shaping influence on theological education by giving serious attention not only to the transfer of knowledge but also to the development of ministry competencies and, most importantly, to the transformation of the heart by the gospel. 

In addition to providing theological education in the Atlanta area, MAS had a vision to plant other seminaries through a 3-5 year affiliate program. We launched in 2021 as an affiliate seminary of MAS which allowed us to begin with an accredited program through the Association of Reformed Theological Schools (ARTS). 

With MAS’s support and blessing, we exited the affiliate program and are now moving towards independent accreditation beginning with our 2023-2026 cohort.

Missional Training Center

We enjoy an informal partnership with the Missional Training Center in Phoenix, AZ which is a program of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO. Similar to MAS, MTC’s approach represents a critique of the Enlightenment worldview and resulting pedagogy but from a different viewpoint. 

Under the leadership of Dr. Michael Goheen, MTC applies the insights of 20th century missiologists such as Lesslie Newbigin, David Bosch, and Harvie Conn to pioneer a theological curriculum framed by the Scriptures’ witness to the mission of God.

MTC has helped us unify our program around a robust missional theology.