Fletcher Seminary Chair Rev. Stephanie Nash has announced the new online seminary’s first graduates: Thomas Bradshaw, MA, of Frederick, Maryland, and Stanley Eugene Wilson, MA, of San Antonio, Texas. Both Bradshaw and Pastor Wilson graduated with the Master of Arts (MA) in Christian Ministry degree and are continuing their studies at Fletcher to earn the Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree.
Thomas Bradshaw, a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Walden University, is seeking ordination in the United Church of Christ. He earned his Associate in General Studies (AGS) from Reading Area Community College, Reading, Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from American Public University.
An ordained Baptist minister, Stanley Wilson planted and pastors The Abundant Life Christian Fellowship Church in San Antonio, where he also works with youth in the Northside Independent School District. Before his move to San Antonio, he completed an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in Substance Abuse Counseling. He served as a case manager for chemically dependent homeless men at Wayside Christian Mission in Louisville, Kentucky. While there, he also graduated from Boyce Bible College of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Fletcher Seminary’s online graduation ceremony was held during the Board Retreat. Seminary President Dan Stiver, PhD, introduced each graduate, announced their successful completion of all degree requirements, and recognized their graduation. As each was introduced, Dr. Stiver read excerpts from their latest papers.
In addition to the graduation ceremony, the Fletcher board welcomed Rev. Jacob Snowden as a new board member. Snowden serves as the Senior Pastor of Gethsemane Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth, Texas, a congregation affiliated with the Post-Evangelical Collective.
Rev. Snowden is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University (Bachelor of Business Studies, BBS), Boston University (Master of Sacred Theology, MST), and Logsdon Seminary (MDiv). He has previously served as an adjunct faculty member at McMurry University.
In addition to the graduation ceremony and recognition of a new board member, Fletcher welcomed several guests. Scott Fletcher, son of the late Dr. Jesse C. Fletcher for whom the seminary is named, was the speaker for the evening dinner. He spoke about his father’s legacy as a visionary university president, educator and trainer of foreign missionaries.
Heidi Baxter, PhD, adjunct professor of Hebrew, spoke with the board about the commitment and passion of Fletcher students and the joy of teaching cross-culturally in a fully inclusive, genuinely ecumenical, and deeply theological environment.
Other friends of Fletcher who visited at various times during the retreat were Scott and Jennifer Davis, Broadway Baptist Church, Fort Worth; Jud and Martha Powell, First Baptist Church, Abilene; and Rev. Dr. George Mason, Founder and President, Faith Commons, a Dallas-based, inclusive-faith organization committed to promoting the common good.
Now in its fourth year, Texas-based Fletcher Seminary is online-only, offering both 12-week classes for the Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Divinity (MDiv) degrees, as well as 8-week Certificate courses. Students benefit from small classes and significantly lower expenses.
Fletcher is fully inclusive and genuinely ecumenical, with educators from a variety of Christian denominations serving as faculty, staff and trustees. Students are attracted by the quality of the faculty, coupled with online accessibility rarely available through brick-and-mortar seminaries and theological schools.
For more information, visit www.fletcherseminary.org or contact Dr. Dan Stiver, President, d.stiver@fletcherseminary.org.
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