In honor of Pastor Appreciation Month, the deans of Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College have a few words of gratitude and appreciation for the pastors serving in their own churches:
“In any church, the role of the spiritual leader is paramount for the community’s vitality. The Bible clearly outlines the qualifications of those who fill these roles (1 Timothy 3:1–7; Titus 1:6–9), as they serve as examples for the congregation’s Christian life. Their leadership ensures that the congregation is diligently pursuing its worship, fellowship, teaching, prayer, and fulfillment of the Great Commission (Acts 2:41–47; Matthew 28:16-20).
“At Christ Church Fellowship in Mansfield, Texas (CFC), we are fortunate to have a pastor who embodies this exemplar role and leads our congregation in these essential biblical activities. Dr. Spencer Plumlee provides weekly theological depth and clear pastoral communication. Discipleship is at the core of Dr. Plumlee’s vision for the church, and it is evident in the core initiatives that CFC engages in weekly. In a world grappling with spiritual, theological, and ethical challenges, it is encouraging to have a pastor who boldly addresses these issues, guiding us all to follow after Christ with conviction and compassion.”
– Madison W. Grace II, Provost and Dean of the School of Theology
“My family has the honor and joy of attending First Baptist Church Benbrook (FBCB), Texas. Our pastor is Dr. Todd Pylant, who has served as the senior pastor of FBC Benbrook for over 20 years. I’m grateful for his ministry because of his humility, his care for our church members, his love for the Word of God, and his passionate commitment to prayer. He is remarkably consistent in his Christ-like demeanor and gentle spirit. Pastor Todd’s preaching is the best and (again) most consistent we’ve ever heard. He continually points our church to the ‘beauty and greatness of the gospel,’ and it is wonderfully evident that his sermons are wrought in the crucible of deep study and fervent prayer.
“We are also grateful that his faithful and effective ministry at FBCB is never about him. Our church’s appreciation for Pastor Todd is expressed in a most appropriate way by the Apostle Paul toward Philemon, ‘…we have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother’ (Phn 1:7). May the Lord continue to bless, guide, and protect Pastor Todd for God’s glory!”
– Joseph R. Crider, Dean of the School of Church Music & Worship
“My pastor is Wes Hamilton at Hulen Street Church. I am grateful for his ministry for the following reasons: He keeps a continual focus on reaching the lost in our community and around the world. The way he leads, preaches, and designs events invites lost people into a relationship with Jesus. I am grateful for his commitment to preaching all the Bible even when this may go against cultural trends and opinions. I am grateful for his spirit of collaboration so that others are drawn into ministry and empowered to use their gifts. I am grateful that he doesn’t live apart from the people but connects on a personal level so that anyone has access to a conversation with him. I am grateful that he is transparent in trying to live out what he preaches – he is the same person in and out of the pulpit. It is a blessing to have SWBTS graduates like Wes serving in our churches.”
– Dean F. Sieberhagen, Dean of the Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism & Missions
“At the present time, Dr. Jonathan Williams is the interim pastor at Wedgwood Baptist Church. Although he is serving in an interim position, I appreciate the way that Dr. Williams is not simply preaching on Sunday morning, but he is shepherding our church during this transitional period. His gentle spirit and concern for the flock is evident in everything he does. Dr. Williams has gone above and beyond the traditional interim role and is making a real difference in our church during this ‘year of great expectations.’ He has an amazing ability to multi-task among all his jobs and ministry commitments at Southwestern and with his own organization, Gospel Family. Our church will be healthier and stronger for the new pastor because of Dr. Williams’ faithfulness during this transition period.”
– N. Chris Shirley, Dean of the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries
“My pastor, John Meador, faithfully serves at Cross City Church in Euless. I am deeply grateful for Pastor John’s ministry because he lives and leads with the conviction that Jesus changes everything. His commitment to preaching the Word of God is evident week after week, always staying true to the text. This passion shines not only in his regular sermons but also in the annual ‘Cross Service’ at Easter, which has become a powerful moment where the Word of God is proclaimed, demonstrated, and then lives are drawn to Jesus. Pastor John’s heart is focused on reaching people—whether through our multiple campuses across the metroplex, our vibrant language ministries, our many age-graded groups, or our unique outreach efforts that meet people where they are. His leadership consistently points us back to the mission of helping real people find real hope and experience real life in Christ. I thank God for Pastor John’s vision, his steadfastness, and his example of what it means to love Christ and shepherd His church.”
– Terri H. Stovall, Dean of Women
“My pastor is Spencer Plumlee, and he serves faithfully at Christ Fellowship Mansfield in Mansfield, Texas. From the very beginning of his ministry, it has been clear that his heart beats for the mission of making disciples. He not only teaches the importance of following Christ but also models it in his own daily walk, providing a tangible example for the church to follow. His commitment goes beyond the pulpit; he invests in people’s lives, encouraging them to grow in their faith and to share the gospel with others.
“What I deeply appreciate about Pastor Spencer is his authenticity. In a world where leaders can often feel distant or disconnected, he chooses to live transparently before both the congregation and the community. His life reflects a genuine love for Christ and a consistent pursuit of holiness, not just in words but in action. This integrity builds trust and inspires confidence among the congregation.
“Another quality that stands out about Pastor Spencer is his love for his family. He prioritizes his family with intentionality and care. In a world where ministry can sometimes overshadow family relationships, Pastor Spencer demonstrates what it looks like to lead a church while still being a devoted husband and father.”
– Carl J. Bradford, Dean of Texas Baptist College
