The 2025–2026 academic year has been a meaningful season for Stark College & Seminary, marked by milestones in accreditation, leadership, partnerships, ministry, and student achievement. Through it all, we’ve witnessed God’s faithfulness as He continues “to equip educationally underserved followers of Christ for service in the church and community.” The highlights below offer just a glimpse of how that mission is being lived out across our institution.

A New Chapter for Stark

One of the most significant milestones of the 2025–2026 academic year was Stark College & Seminary’s official accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). After months of preparation and a comprehensive self-study, Stark welcomed the ATS site visit in March and celebrated the official announcement of accreditation in July. This achievement reflects years of faithful work and a shared commitment to providing a strong theological education for those called to serve the church and community. We are grateful for the faculty, staff, students, churches, and generous supporters who have helped make this milestone possible as Stark continues to grow and look toward the future. 

Equipping Students For Ministry

At the heart of every milestone at Stark are the students we have the privilege of serving. Throughout the 2025–2026 academic year, we celebrated students reaching important milestones in both their education and ministry callings. At our May commencement, we honored our graduates and sent them forward with the knowledge, preparation, and confidence to serve the church and their communities.

We also celebrated the ordinations and pastoral licenses of Rebecca Rempel, Curtis Jones, Benita Loyd Davidson, Adrian Rodas, and Jake Warren. Each of these milestones represents a step forward in their individual callings and a meaningful reminder of the purpose behind the work we do at Stark: equipping educationally underserved followers of Christ for service in the church and community.

We are grateful to walk alongside our students as they pursue God’s calling and look forward to seeing how He continues to use them in ministry.

 

Beyond The Classroom

Throughout the year, Stark provided opportunities for students to grow not only in the classroom, but also in their ministry skills, academic preparation, and service to others. At the Art of Preaching Lab, pastors and ministry leaders gathered at the McAllen campus to sharpen their preaching skills and gain practical tools for pulpit ministry.

Students also had the opportunity to connect with theological librarian Krissy Nichols during a McAllen campus meet and greet, where they could learn more about library resources, research tools, and ways to strengthen their academic work. These opportunities created space for learning, fellowship, and encouragement within the Stark community.

Stark students and alumni also put their faith into action through a volunteer opportunity with Buckner International in the Rio Grande Valley. Serving alongside Buckner staff and volunteers, they helped distribute backpacks and school supplies to local children and families preparing for the new school year. Through opportunities like these, our students continue to live out Stark’s mission through meaningful service to their communities.

 

Celebrating Hearts Called to Lead and Serve

The 2025 Hand & Dove Scholarship Banquet was an evening centered on faithfulness, leadership, and the call to serve. Together, we celebrated the ministry and community leadership of Dr. Derrick and Denise Reaves while hearing powerful stories of Stark students who are already serving in their churches and communities.

As a scholarship banquet, the evening also reminded us of what it means to invest in those God is calling to ministry. Every gift given through Hand & Dove helps provide scholarships that equip students to pursue their education and prepare for lives of faithful service. The generosity of Stark’s supporters is part of what makes that preparation possible.

The evening also gave us a special opportunity to celebrate Dr. Tony Celelli’s 20 years of leadership as president of Stark College & Seminary. His two decades of service represent a lasting commitment to Stark’s mission and to equipping educationally underserved followers of Christ for service in the church and community.

From honoring leaders who have faithfully served to investing in those who are preparing to lead, the evening reflected something at the heart of Stark: we are called to serve, and we are called to help equip others to serve. We are deeply grateful to everyone who gave, participated, and continues to invest in the students and leaders God is raising up through Stark.

 

Investing In The Future

As we look toward the future, Stark College & Seminary is committed to growing, learning, and seeking new ways to serve the students God has called us to equip. Our participation in the Vocatia Collaborative is one example of that commitment.

Through this five year, $10 million collaborative, Stark is partnering with other theological schools across North America to explore new approaches to ministry preparation, including support for co vocational pastors and students who learn through discussion, storytelling, and other oral methods. These efforts reflect our desire to make biblical and theological education accessible to a broader range of students.

At the heart of this work is Stark’s mission “to equip educationally underserved followers of Christ for service in the church and community.” As we move forward, we are grateful for everyone who continues to invest in this mission and in the students God is preparing to serve.