Ministry Residency Testimonials

Hear what our students are saying about the program:

Keith Twigg

Former Director of Multisite and Campus Pastor at Harvest Church
Cody, WY

Keith Twigg, who pastored in Montana and Wyoming, continued to minister to the people God called him to serve, all while working on his degree online at DTS.

Kason Branch

Lead Pastor at Creekstone Church
Keller, Texas

“The Ministry Residency at DTS was engaging, relevant, and real! I’ve truly received tools to add to my leadership tool belt that will last for a lifetime. I’m grateful for the experience!”

Scott Avary

Executive Pastor at The Bible Chapel
McMurray, PA

“Through interaction with students in ministry settings all over the world, practical assignments, and a well-designed Ministry Residency program, I have been able to immediately apply classroom learning within my current ministry context. The blend of real world application with world-class biblical teaching makes this an wonderful option.”

Meagan Wall

Special Needs Director, Stonebriar Community Church
Frisco, TX

“I really enjoyed the Ministry Residency year. I was faced with challenges I never saw coming. It was almost as though the Lord knew this would be a year of change for the ministry and I wouldn’t be able to handle it without my mentor, advisor, and cohort speaking truth into my life. The wisdom and encouragement I received through each of them was the most valuable part of the whole experience. I would encourage anyone who is working in ministry to take advantage of the Ministry Residency.”

T.J. Morelli

Small Groups/Men’s Pastor, Austin Ridge Bible Church
Austin, TX

“The Ministry Residency was by far one of the best experiences I have had at DTS. The two-semester Ministry Residency has a very strong balance of three core areas: classroom leadership training, practical hands-on leadership experience, and unparalleled interaction with other ministry leaders. It is a program you do not want to miss.”

Josh Stone

Pastoral Intern, Community Bible Church
Beaufort, SC

“The real deal is when you are actually immersed in ministry. The Ministry Residency program has been so rewarding in allowing me to sink and swim for credit.”

Tory Mayo

Lead Pastor, The Well Community Church
Austin, TX

“A student should consider the Ministry Residency because it gives students hands on experience in a ministry context mixed with practical ‘on-time’ learning. In the regular classroom setting, you learn something and then apply it several years down the road when you are doing ministry. However, with the residency, you are learning as you are serving, and this makes the learning stick more as it is immediately applicable and necessary.”

Steven Richard

Senior Pastor, Fellowship Community Baptist Church
Baytown, TX

“Through the DTS Ministry Residency, I was able to work in ministry as a senior pastor at my current location while completing my degree at the same time. I was learning on the job. I was able to apply many principles learned from the classroom in my leadership setting. I gained new information in the area of leadership that helped me as a senior pastor. I was also able to train my own leadership team at the church. This was very exciting for me in ministry and my leadership team welcomed the new change. I developed the confidence needed to fulfill my ministry. The Ministry Residency takes the classroom learning off the pages and enables the student to experience what he is learning firsthand while working in ministry. You are able to see the Lord work right before your eyes, and this builds your confidence as a leader.”

Jay Felker

Young Adults Pastor, McKinney Memorial Bible Church
Fort Worth, TX

“A student at DTS faces the challenge of being overwhelmed with information, and if not careful, can begin to see their education merely through an academic lens rather than seeing the practical use as well. The DTS Ministry Residency has given me an avenue to immediately exercise and apply the truths I am gleaning from the classroom.”

Rich Shipe

Youth and Life Groups Pastor, Blue Ridge Bible Church
Purcellville, Virginia 

“Every part of my degree program (MA/CL) has been extremely helpful to my development in my role in ministry. But the Ministry Residency was easily the most formative and valuable. It is a well designed program that brings the theory into practice in ministry. A highlight of the program is the relationships I built in my cohort. I was sharpened and encouraged by those guys and it is amazing to see how God is working through incredible people all over the world. It is hard to fully describe how much I was blessed and my church benefited through the work that was accomplished through the guidance of this program.”

David Adams

Emerging Leaders and Advancement Director, Downline Ministry
Little Rock, Arkansas

“The Ministry Residency was a great year of practically helpful training on leadership, ministry effectiveness, and self-awareness.  The relationships you form with other seminary students who are also in vocational ministry help fuel the growth process, and enhance the entire year.  I highly recommend it for the high caliber training and resources, the edifying relationships, and the practical ‘on-the-ground’ application.”

Casey Oliver

Pastor of Student Ministries, Metropolitan Baptist Church
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

“The Ministry Residency program was one of the best DTS classroom environments in which I have been involved. When I signed up I had no clue how much I needed to be in a context that ministered to me personally while I was ministering to others. Everything I learned, I was able to immediately put into practice.” 

Todd Thorp

Associate Pastor, Church of Grace
Nashville, Tennessee

“The Ministry Residency was a revolutionary experience.  I had served in ministry for about ten years prior to the Ministry Residency but I was lacking important leadership insights.  All of the exercises we worked through in order to develop a clear sense of self-awareness, both of strengths and weaknesses, was invaluable to me.  If you are looking to gain a clearer sense of vocational calling and want to know how you “really” measure up as a leader, get involved in this Ministry Residency!  Dr. Hillman is a great professor to work with.  He really cares and makes the effort to walk with you through the whole experience, offering great advice and wisdom along the way.”