The ThM William B Dean, MD, Pastor Formation Fellowship

When Blake Haynes began his studies in the Master of Theology (ThM) program at Dallas Theological Seminary, he knew he needed a solid theological education and the support of classmates and professors. Having already been involved in student ministry at his home church in Oklahoma, he was eager to deepen his understanding of the Bible.

Partway through the program, however, he faced a financial obstacle: The ThM requires 120 credit hours over at least four years, presenting a significant challenge to students preparing for—or already engaged in—vocational ministry. Blake chose to apply his completed credits to the Master of Arts in Christian Studies, a 63-credit-hour program.

But at that moment of decision, Dr. Tim Robinson, a professor in the Pastoral Ministries Department, approached him. “Dr. Robinson told me about a new opportunity: the Pastor Formation Fellowship,” Blake remembers, “and mentioned the financial assistance that would come with it if I was accepted.” That conversation changed the course of Blake’s studies. “Had I not been selected for this generous gift of financial assistance, I wouldn’t be here in the ThM program.”

Blake’s experience is just one example of how the fellowship supports students academically and spiritually. The ThM William B Dean, MD, Pastor Formation Fellowship (PFF) launched at DTS in 2024. Each cohort welcomes ten students in the ThM for a community of learning and growing in ministry skills that will continue until they graduate. The cohort meets every Monday for two class sessions and a meal together. Along with the on-campus experiences in the classroom, the group has also participated in national conferences, service projects, and prayer walks. The goal of the PFF is to foster life-on-life relationships among the fellowship members and professors as they go to God’s Word together and get equipped with the essential skills for pastoral ministry. It’s theological education, personal spiritual formation, and a brotherhood of support and encouragement that will extend well beyond their days at seminary. In addition to the extra activities and experiences with others in the cohort, the PFF offers financial assistance that eases the burden of the ThM’s tuition costs.

That financial aid has brought relief to Blake and enabled him to stay with the ThM as he’d originally hoped. But as a member of the first PFF cohort, he has found that the benefits go far beyond the monetary help. “We’ve all come together as a brotherhood,” he says. “I know there’s a group of guys here on campus that have my back, that care about me, and when I see them, they don’t just walk by—they come up and say, ‘How are you doing? How are you really doing?’ They check in on me.”

Blake has valued the off-campus experiences, such as attending a conference together in New York and sharing prayer walks around Dallas in groups of three. He especially praises the in-depth attention the cohort members receive from experienced pastors, including DTS faculty members. “I love Dr. Robinson,” Blake says. “He brings so much joy to the classroom. He has invested so much in us, and he really gets to pour out his philosophy of ministry with us. And that’s true of all the professors who have spent time with us.” The fellowship has also enjoyed days with DTS alumni such as Chuck Swindoll and Chip Ingram, leaders who have modeled integrity and gospel-centered love. “Those times were really special, because they’ve been in pastoral ministry for many years. We got to hear where they came from and about their experiences and struggles when they were in seminary.”

What does the future look like after seminary? Blake is sure everyone in the cohort will stay connected and be available for lifelong support and encouragement. “It’s a community,” he says, “and we’re able to help each other already. In the future, we’ll continue to lean into that and really rely on one another—like, ‘Hey, I’m dealing with this issue in my church right now. How have you guys dealt with that?’ This is what a seminary experience should be.” Blake looks forward to contributing to future Pastor Formation Fellowship cohorts as he continues to follow God’s leading in pastoral ministry.

To learn more about the ThM William B Dean, MD, Pastor Formation Fellowship, click here.

To learn about the degree and certificate programs available at DTS, click here.