About the First West School of Ministry
MISSION
The First West School of Ministry exists to equip ministers, missionaries, and lay leaders with the theological foundation and practical experience to be servant leaders in their families and their local church as they live out their calling in Christ.
MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
First West is a leading church within the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Located in Northeast Louisiana, First West is a multi-site, multigenerational congregation of over 1,700 attendees that seeks to love Christ fully and follow Him faithfully. It has a rich history of pastors who hold high the truth of God’s Word and communicate that truth clearly week after week. Its current Lead Pastor, Michael Wood, has continued that legacy through his faithful teaching and preaching of God’s Word. The centrality of God’s Word to First West’s identity is evident not only in its weekly worship gatherings, but also in its commitment to take the good news of Jesus to its community and beyond.
First Baptist Church of West Monroe, also known as First West, founded in 1920, exists to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to NELA, NOLA, and the World. The heart and vision of First West through the years has been to be a church that makes disciples to fulfill the Great Commission. Helping people know Christ as well as helping them continue to grow in their faith is a constant effort in mission and vision of the church. The vision is to “See people changed by the Gospel and living out their Christ-Centered purpose” and the mission to accomplish that is to “See To It” that no one misses the grace of God. This has taken on different forms over time, and today, First West is a multi-site church with a heart for Gospel change both in Northeast Louisiana and the World. The focus and impact of First West in Ouachita Parish is clear, and its heart for missions is evidenced by partnerships near and far. First West has missional partnerships in New Orleans, LA, Loveland, CO, Guatemala, Germany, Greece, East Asia, and many others to help accomplish this grand call of taking the Gospel to as many people as possible.
The First West School of Ministry will exist to give a viable option for theological training to the Northeast Louisiana Region under the authority of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. There are so many serving in the local churches that could benefit from such a program that this effort will be utilized and appreciate by many. First West recognizes that it is able to help in many ways, and this is one of those ways to help extend the Kingdom reach locally that could reach far and wide. The local BCMs, as well as the Fenn Residency Program at First West, would work well in tandem in accomplishing the mission of the School of Ministry.
The leadership team at First West is comprised of different backgrounds, different ministry experience, and different avenues of experience and education, which lends to a group that has a heart for ministry and the local church. This team leads out with the vision and mission of First West to accomplish weekly activities as well as missional efforts, community events, and a wide range of other special events. This information and other details about First West can be found at www.firstwest.cc. This team will help assure the viability and the sustainability of the School of Ministry and help encourage the people under their watch care to take advantage of this opportunity.
FOUNDATIONAL ASPECTS
Each week, the student will meet in his/her class to learn foundational aspects of ministry. The setting will be interactive and will include both theological and practical components. Areas of instruction will include, but will not be limited to, the following: pastoral ministry, missions, church planting, church administration and leadership, discipleship, evangelism, sermon preparation, and worship leadership. Reading and writing assignments will be used to enhance the learning environment, and the student will engage in personal, practical ministry through the local church context.
SEMINARY CREDIT
Through its agreement and partnership with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, FWSoM offers up to 21 graduate hours of transfer credit (roughly 25% of the desired graduate degree program). Such a program allows the student to experience theological excellence and practical ministry in the local church setting while earning seminary credit that will be applied to his/her academic journey.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who would be considered an ideal student for the First West School of Ministry?
The ideal candidate would be a man or woman who has a clear calling to ministry, the mission field, or as a church planter. Furthermore, the school is a great place for a lay leader to further his/her theological and practical skills in order to serve more effectively in the local church.
Is the First West School of Ministry a seminary?
No. The First West School of Ministry is not a seminary nor is it in competition with our Southern Baptist colleges and seminaries. Rather, it is partnering with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in an effort to provide theological and practical ministry training to Northeast Louisiana while allowing students to earn seminary credit in the process.
What is required to become a student?
All prospective students must complete an application either online here or in-person through the church office. Each application should be submitted with a $25 application fee as well. Deadlines for semester application are as follows:
- Fall — July 15
- Spring — January 8
Spring 2024
Discipleship and Spiritual Formation (3 hrs.)
Students will be equipped for leading a biblical discipleship ministry by exploring a variety of personal and church-wide discipleship principles, methods and approaches. They will develop skills for evaluating and applying discipleship models as part of a contextual disciple making strategy to fulfill the Great Commission.
Following the submission of the application, the student will be contacted to schedule an interview with the Lead Pastor, Multiplication Pastor, or other designee of the Senior Leadership Team.
How much is tuition, and what does it cover?
Tuition for members of First West Church is $100 per credit hour while tuition for nonmembers is $200 per credit hour. This cost covers books, instructional materials, and resources necessary for the course. (NOTE: If a student chooses to audit a course for non-credit, there will be a $25 flat fee for each course.)
Will the program be offered in a semester format?
Yes. The First West School of Ministry will observe a semester format in its course offerings. Semesters will include Fall (September-December), Spring (January-April), and Summer (May-July).
What would a typical course look like?
Each course will include class discussion, instruction, guest speakers, book assignments, writing assignments, and practical ministry responsibilities/projects. Theological foundations and experiential opportunities will be highlighted. Faculty members (e.g. ministers) will serve as facilitators, mentors, and encouragers for the student.
How will students be evaluated in each course?
The First West School of Ministry follows the grading procedures of most other educational institutions. In other words, a student who is enrolled for credit will be assigned a letter grade (A-F) upon completion of each course.
How will the program help me later in my ministry and/or missionary work?
The First West School of Ministry will equip each student with both biblical and practical knowledge and skills that will enable the student to serve more effectively in ministry. Indeed, the curriculum will provide a wonderful foundation for future study and ministry. Even more so, the student’s connection to First West Church and its staff will enable him/her to have lifelong ministry partners which will serve as continued mentors, references, and friends as the student moves through kingdom opportunities.