Update from Golden Gate Arizona Campus

By Dallas Bivins
Director, Arizona Campus of Golden Gate Seminary

Wintertime in the desert: it can get cold, right? Well, not so at Golden Gate Seminary — in fact, things are heating up!

The main campus in northern California has been sold — the new location will be in southern California in Ontario. If all goes to plan, our new name will be: Gateway Seminary of the SBC. We are securing a campus in Fremont (Bay area) to complement the other regional locations in Brea, California; Portland; Denver; and, of course, Phoenix.

What’s happening in Phoenix, you ask? Last year we opened a second location in north Phoenix at Calvary Community Church, I-17 and Cactus Road. And now this semester, we are opening a third teaching center, this one in Lake Havasu at Calvary Baptist Church! In all, we are expecting to have 15-20 students receive seminary training “on the river.”

In-step with the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention Centennial Vision, we are pleased to announce the newest addition to the team, Dr. Ray Meadows. He will be heading up our church-planting efforts, including the Church Planting Certificate. The first class will be Introduction to Church Planting, June 6-9, followed by the Intern/Apprenticeship programs in the fall. Here’s the best thing about Dr. Meadows: he not only teaches the class on church planting … he’s also doing it! Ray is currently planting a church in Anthem — welcome aboard!

More good news? It’s still a few months away, but it looks like we should graduating nearly 20 students in May! What motivation, commitment and sacrifice these students have shown in growing themselves for God’s use. We are so very proud to have played a part in their education — and our role as ministry partners with them for the rest of their lives! God is faithful!

That’s just a small glimpse of what God has been doing in your home-state seminary. This spring, He has blessed us with an all-time high of 31 new students, pushing our total enrollment to over 100! At Golden Gate Arizona, our desire is to be your ministry partner — helping to develop God’s work in your life and work. Please call to find out more: 480-941-1993.