Baptist Educators July 6, 2021

– Emmalie Ellis

“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:16-20).

As He stood before them, this is what the resurrected Jesus commanded the remaining eleven disciples to do: to boldly enter their broken world and teach of the redeeming love they had found. This Great Commission is now extended to each of us, begging to be fulfilled. However, it is not in ignorance or haste we step out. Just as God is glorified in our obedience to go out, so is He glorified through our devotion, preparation, and education. Christ himself spent hours knelt in the Temple feasting on the Scriptures and learning from the teachers there (Luke 2:41-52). To teach we must first be taught. To pour out we must first be poured into. To make disciples for the Kingdom, just like the eleven, we must first be discipled.

To step out into faith is a daunting task and the feeling of unpreparedness can suffocate our ministries if left unchecked.
To the frightened young adult who has been called to lead worship, to the mother whose heart loves children’s ministry, the collegiate professors, aspiring pastors, youth ministers, those in non-profit work, small group leaders, devoted volunteers, and to you, dear reader: you are called and you are not alone. To step out into faith is a daunting task and the feeling of unpreparedness can suffocate our ministries if left unchecked. There is a great community of fellow saints ready to share their experience so you too may continue the cycle of sound Christian teachings and the spreading of the gospel.

Because of the call given to us in Matthew 28, Dallas Baptist University is proud to announce a new graduate degree program, the Master of Arts in Education Ministry Leadership (MAEML) beginning in the fall of 2021. To those who are ready to take the next step in furthering their education in order to fulfill their calling, the MAEML program provides a multifaceted approach to education and training. Through combining practical experience and contemporary methodology while holding fast to the timeless truths of God’s Word, the MAEML program is determined to produce educated scholars with hearts eager to serve their communities, church families, and respective ministries.

The next season of ministry will look like no other that has come before it. A post-pandemic world demands new processes and innovation. A buzz word currently affecting our ministries is assimilation: the process of bringing people together. Navigating a recently separated church will undoubtedly force ministers to think outside of traditional approaches to ministry. The MAEML desires to aid our future pastors, worship leaders, and executive teams to step boldly into a post-pandemic world with devout leadership skills that stand the test of uncertain times.

DBU is more than prepared to help equip the called. Dr. Blanton Feaster serves on the faculty at DBU and is the director of the MAEML program in the GSOM. Dr. Feaster has served on church staff and in higher education in Baptist churches and institutions across the state of Texas for 22 years in the areas of worship, education, and administration. The MAEML program at DBU provides quality education through our credentialed full-time and adjunct faculty. Among our MAEML program faculty, there are over 284 years of practical ministry experience, which greatly benefits students in classroom and vocational callings.

If there ever was a time the world needed educated, committed, and courageous individuals who are sold out for the gospel, it is now. To fulfill The Great Commission is a heavy and high task in our dark and broken world. We simply cannot change the world for the Kingdom alone: Moses had Aaron, Timothy had Paul, and the disciples had Jesus. In addition to the time we are called to spend individually growing our relationship with the Lord through prayer and meditating on His Word, we are called to seek out Christ-honoring community within our lives (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). DBU aspires to be just that for the future leaders of the Church- a community of trusted and experienced educators of the Christian faith, dedicated to walking alongside graduate students in the MAEML program.

Because of the call which we have been given and because we were never meant to go through life alone, I urge you to be diligent in making disciples and finding godly mentors, peers, and friends to work alongside of. For more information regarding the Master of Arts in Education Ministry Leadership program at Dallas Baptist University, visit www.dbu.edu/maeml. Soli Deo gloria.

Written by Emmalie Ellis
Emmalie Ellis writes for the University Communications department at Dallas Baptist University.