Southwestern’s 50,000th graduate grateful to share in seminary’s legacy
When Christopher Gardner heard that he was the 50,000th graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he first thought the news was a joke. But his reaction quickly turned to one of humility and honor, recognizing the milestone when he earned his Master of Divinity in December 2024 is now another part of the Southwestern legacy.
“This accomplishment has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the legacy of Southwestern Seminary—I just happened to be the 50,000th graduate,” Gardner said. “The fact that this institution has equipped and sent out over 50,000 men and women to impact the world with the Gospel is a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness. … I think only when we’re in heaven, will we see that impact of how many people have come to Christ through God using Southwesterners.”
President David S. Dockery offered his congratulations to Gardner and to the institution on the milestone.
“While we certainly want to congratulate Mr. Gardner, we also want to congratulate the entire Southwestern Seminary family—both past and present—who have been used by the Lord to prepare these graduates over the past 117 years for service all around the globe,” he said. “There are very few seminaries in the history of theological education who are able to point to 50,000 graduates. It is a remarkable milestone for the Southwestern community and one for which we offer heartfelt thanks to God.”
Dockery highlighted the achievement of the seminary’s 50,000th graduate during his report to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Dallas, June 11.
Gardner grew up in Huntsville, Texas, in a believing home, attending the church his grandfather, a pastor for 50 years, who pastored him until he was 13 years old. He became a follower of Christ at about 12 years old, but recalled reaching a time in high school when he had to examine whether his faith was his own or a product of his family. During that time of reflection, he started a Bible study with other students at his school who had also been asking questions about faith.
“Doing that gave me a great hunger for serving the Lord and knowing His Word, being able to communicate it, share it, evangelize,” Gardner said of that first ministry experience. “And so, I think it was always in the back of my mind, but it never really expressed itself fully until I was in college.”
Upon his graduation, Gardner enrolled at Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in Huntsville to study history, which had long been an interest of his. But he continued to struggle with the Lord’s calling to serve Him in ministry, even though Gardner did not know what that would look like.
During that time, Gardner said he experienced an “inner sense of wrestling,” as he felt God pushing him in a different direction even as he tried to pursue his own plans and agendas.
“Trying to negotiate with God, that never works,” Gardner said. “In His mercy, He was very patient with me. He made it abundantly clear, ‘This is what you need to do.’”
After a brief time at SHSU, Gardner did a Google search for Texas seminaries, with the results directing him to Southwestern and the discovery that undergraduate courses were offered at what’s now Texas Baptist College at the Fort Worth campus. Leaving the town he had grown up in as a step of faith, Gardner moved to Fort Worth in 2019 and began his Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies, completing it in 2021. Gardner said that time of undergraduate studies grounded him in his faith.
“It was through professors that were here at that time that really helped solidify my faith and ground my faith and grow it and stretch it in a way that it had never been stretched before,” Gardner said of that first degree.
While some students come to Southwestern already knowing what ministry they want to be equipped for, Gardner said his realization of that calling came much more gradually over the years and through the investment of professors and the encouragement of his wife, Sierra.
Still trying to determine what area of ministry the Lord wanted him to serve in, Gardner was encouraged by faculty to pursue a Master of Divinity, which Gardner sees as another door God was slowly opening to show His will.
“I’m glad I did, because just in that I was able to discern that pastoral ministry is what I think God wants me to do, and it’s something that I’ve been counseled in and sought counsel for and it’s the path God wants me to pursue,” Gardner said.
That calling was further confirmed when Gardner had the opportunity to gain experience in ministry over the past two years as the adult and family minister at Gambrell Street Baptist Church, which he had joined upon moving to Fort Worth. It was senior pastor Jim Spivey who encouraged Gardner to continue pursue the Doctor of Philosophy after completing his MDiv, even though he does not see himself as a professor.
“Pastors need to be the best researchers and scholars out there,” Gardner said of what Spivey told him. “So, he encouraged me, along with other people.”
In the spring 2025 semester, he started his Doctor of Philosophy in systematic theology with a minor in church history. While the seminar was difficult and left him feeling humbled, Gardner said it also led to him wanting more. Despite the challenging nature of the seminar, Gardner received the Albert Venting, Jr. Memorial Award from the School of Theology for his academic achievements during the academic year.
Michael Wilkinson, one of the first faculty members Gardner met as an undergraduate, is now his supervisor in the PhD program and his direct supervisor in the director of professional doctoral studies’ office.
Wilkinson, professor of theology, said he had Gardner in class during his first semester in the college, and quickly recognized that he was an “outstanding student.” He stayed in touch with Gardner through his MDiv and hired him as his assistant when Wilkinson became the PDS director.
“He is a rare one, with great academic skills, but with a heart for the church,” Wilkinson said. “Chris has a pastor’s heart, is an outstanding preacher, and has the abilities of a scholar. On top of that, he is one of the finest young men I’ve ever known; he possesses great integrity and excellent people skills.”
Gardner said Wilkinson and many other faculty have had an impact on him through their example and friendship.
“All of our faculty here are scholars, but the fact that so many of them served on staff at churches in the past, I think that keeps what I call ‘getting in the trenches’ at the forefront of their mind,” Gardner said. “They’re not in an ivory tower. They’re scholars in their field, but they have the church in mind.”
Gardner said he has especially appreciated the practical nature of what he has learned in the classrooms of Southwestern, where he has not just gained theoretical knowledge but practical wisdom in how to lead and serve in the church.
“It’s given me a greater love for not just God, but His people, serving His people and shepherding them,” Gardner said. “… The seminary has, I think, gone above and beyond in helping me be equipped for ministry, for sure.”
Because of the common ground found at Southwestern, Gardner said he has also been able to build relationships with fellow students that he believes will last long after they leave the campus. He added that the seminary family has been a blessing when he and his wife experienced dark seasons of life.
“As a two-time graduate here, my wife and I have been deeply blessed by this place,” Gardner said, adding he knows it will be a difficult moment when the time comes for them to leave the campus that has been home for the past six years. “It is my prayer that I will be a faithful representative to our Lord and to Southwestern.”
Wilkinson called Gardner an asset to the PDS program, the PhD program, and to Southwestern overall.
“I love working with him and think he is the perfect 50,000th graduate—a milestone for the seminary with a very worthy representative.”
