WBS Sees Record Enrollment for Fall 2026 Semester

Continued growth helps to address national pastor shortage

Once again this semester, Wesley Biblical Seminary has enrolled students in a record number of courses, with total credit hours increasing by 6% over last fall to 2,821. The total number of students is now 675, continuing a positive trend of growing enrollment for the seminary that has extended for several years.

Enrollment in our core Master’s degree programs rose by 35% to 221 students. This significant increase was largely due to Global Methodist Course of Study students taking advantage of the ability to convert their studies to a degree program. “Unlike some Course of Study programs, GMC students at WBS receive the same content as our Master’s degree students,” explained Academic Dean Chris Lohrstorfer. “This enables those who so desire to upgrade to full degree credit. We’ve seen an increasing number of students take advantage of this option, especially as key donors have recognized this opportunity and begun offering financial support for those seeking a degree.”

The Course of Study itself remains strong with 326 students, as WBS remains a key partner with the Global Methodist Church, having served almost 700 pastors in the emerging denomination. As an independent seminary, WBS serves a wide variety of denominations and networks that share a commitment to the authority of the Bible and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

The College at WBS also saw significant gains, with our Bachelor of Arts in Ministry program almost doubling from 26 to 47 students. This trend was largely due to the Fallow Ground Initiative, a grant-supported investment in expanding services to Spanish-speaking students. “Piloting this ground-breaking program has enabled us to enroll students from 11 countries across Latin America,” reported Assistant Dean Miguel Morales. “We also praise God for donors who answered a need to provide scholarships for students in Bolivia, which has experienced a major financial collapse. These pastors are hungry for biblical and theological education, but would not have been able to access these new programs without the generosity of our friends.”

Rounding out the numbers were 16 Doctor of Ministry students—a number that could increase further as registration for the winter term of that program does not close until later in the fall. The DMin is an advanced degree with a practical ministry focus, enabling pastors to reflect, retool, and renew their work for greater effectiveness in today’s world.

“This growth is not just a numeric ‘win’ for WBS, it is a spiritual victory for the Church,” said President Andy Miller III. “Across the U.S., we face a critical shortage of pastors. The median age of pastors is rising, and more are retiring than are entering ministry. We constantly hear from denominational leaders that they need more pastors for existing congregations, and to answer the call to new church plants. We praise God for these students who are stepping into the gap and responding to God’s call to serve the local church. Moreover, we’re thankful for the generous donors who are rallying behind them to remove financial barriers to answering God’s call.”

WBS is looking to expand even further in the future. In addition to the Fallow Ground Initiative, the seminary is also leading Vocatia Collaborative, an effort to reach non-traditional learners and new voices in the Church. “Rather than serve only a narrow niche, we want to become known as the seminary for all who share our commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture and the message of Spirit-empowered holiness,” Miller noted. “As we raise up trusted leaders for faithful churches, we are confident we will see a new work of God to spread Scriptural holiness across our land and around the world.”

To learn more about enrollment at WBS or to donate in support of pastoral ministry students, visit http://wbs.edu.