Asbury Theological Seminary

Asbury Theological Seminary
MottoThe Whole Bible for the Whole World.
TypeSeminary
Established1923 (1923)
Endowment$217.3 million (2025)[1]
PresidentDavid F. Watson
Students1,708
Location
Wilmore
,
Kentucky
,
United States
Campus
  • Exurban (Kentucky), Multiple Extension Sites, Online
Websitewww.asburyseminary.edu

Asbury Theological Seminary is a Christian seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky based in the historical Wesleyan Methodist tradition. It is the largest seminary of the Wesleyan-Holiness movement.[2] It is known for its advocacy of egalitarianism, giving equal status for men and women in ministerial roles and for ordination. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools[3] and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS).[4]

History

Statue of John Wesley at ATS - Wilmore Campus

Asbury Theological Seminary was founded in Wilmore, Kentucky, in 1923 by its first president, Holiness Methodist evangelist Henry Clay Morrison, who was at the time the president of Asbury College. In 1940, Asbury Seminary separated from the college in order to satisfy accreditation requirements. Because of the proximity of the two schools (across the street), similar names, and common theological heritage, many people confuse the relationship between the college and the seminary. While they are separate institutions, the schools maintain a collegial relationship.

Asbury Seminary has had nine presidents since its founding.[5] In December 2023, the seminary announced that Timothy C. Tennent, the eighth president, would transition out of the presidency to be a Professor of World Christianity.[6] In May 2024, the seminary's board of trustees named David J. Gyertson interim president starting July 1, 2024.[7] The following year, the board elected David F. Watson as the next president effective July 1, 2025.[8]

Presidents

Presidents of Asbury Theological Seminary[9]
No. Name Term
1 Henry Clay Morrison 1923–1942
2 J.C. McPheeters 1942–1962
3 Frank Stanger 1962–1982
4 David McKenna 1982–1994
5 Maxie Dunnam 1994–2004
6 Jeff Greenway 2004–2006
7 Ellsworth Kalas 2006–2009
8 Timothy Tennent 2009–June 2024
– David Gyertson[a] July 2024–June 2025
9 David F. Watson July 2025–present
  1. ↑ Gyerston served as interim president for one year during the presidential search that resulted in Watson's selection.

Academics

The seminary is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award master's and doctoral degrees. It is also accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and a member of Association for Biblical Higher Education.[10]

Asbury Theological Seminary has four academic schools:

  • School of Biblical Interpretation
  • E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism
  • School of Theology & Formation
  • School of Counseling

In addition to the main campus in Wilmore, the seminary also offers courses through online learning and extension sites in Memphis, Tennessee, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tampa, Florida, and Orlando, Florida.

Notable faculty

Notable alumni

References

  1. ↑ "U.S. and Canadian 2025 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2025 Endowment Market Value" (XLSX). National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  2. ↑ Winn, Christian T. Collins (2007). From the Margins: A Celebration of the Theological Work of Donald W. Dayton. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 115. ISBN 9781630878320. In addition to these separate denominational groupings, one needs to give attention to the large pockets of the Holiness movement that have remained within the United Methodist Church. The most influential of these would be the circles dominated by Asbury College and Asbury Theological Seminary (both in Wilmore, KY), but one could speak of other colleges, innumerable local campmeetings, the vestiges of various local Holiness associations, independent Holiness oriented missionary societies and the like that have had great impact within United Methodism. A similar pattern would exist in England with the role of Cliff College within Methodism in that context.
  3. ↑ "SACS Institutions - Asbury Theological Seminary".
  4. ↑ "ATS Member Schools - Asbury Theological Seminary". www.ats.edu.
  5. ↑ "About Asbury Theological Seminary". asburyseminary.edu. Asbury Theological Seminary.
  6. ↑ "Asbury Theological Seminary's President Transitions to Professor of World Christianity". asburyseminary.edu. Asbury Theological Seminary.
  7. ↑ "Asbury Theological Seminary Names Dr. David J. Gyertson Interim President". asburyseminary.edu. Asbury Theological Seminary.
  8. ↑ "Asbury Seminary Welcomes Next President". asburyseminary.edu. Asbury Theological Seminary.
  9. ↑ "asburyseminary.edu/about".
  10. ↑ "Member Directory". abhe-dir.weaveaccreditation.com. Retrieved 2025-09-22.

37°51′44.34″N 84°39′39.56″W / 37.8623167°N 84.6609889°W / 37.8623167; -84.6609889

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