By Bob Allen
Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, one of 15 theological-education partners with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, has been accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, seminary President Greg Earwood announced June 19.
“We celebrate with great joy the achievement of accreditation as a member of the Association of Theological Schools,” Earwood said. “We are grateful to God and to all our friends who support us in our calling to prepare ministers of the gospel.”
Based in Pittsburgh, Pa., the Association of Theological Schools is an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Earwood said the association’s commission on accrediting recognized the seminary’s master of divinity degree program as qualified for accreditation and notified the school June 17.
More than 270 graduate schools of theology in the United States and Canada form the ATS. Previously Baptist Seminary of Kentucky was on candidate status.
Earwood said faculty and staff at BSK, located on the campus of Georgetown College in Georgetown, Ky., “have worked diligently from our very first classes in 2002 until now in providing high-quality theological education.”
“From this point, we will continue the ongoing work of enhancing our strengths and addressing areas needing attention,” Earwood said. “We will do so with our purpose in mind — to prepare men and women sensing God’s leadership for life and ministry in faithful witness to Jesus Christ in the church and the world.”
Trustee Chair Larry Gray thanked Earwood, faculty and staff for their service to students and churches.
“We are especially excited for all the ways this decision will positively impact our students and their futures in study and ministry,” said Gray, president of Baptist Health Corbin in Corbin, Ky.
According ATS, the Baptist Seminary of Kentucky reported a fall 2014 enrollment of 32 students.