June 9, 2026 (Orlando) — Gateway Seminary President Adam Groza thanked Southern Baptists for supporting the seminary’s efforts in achieving historic enrollment growth and greatly expanding partnerships at the 2026 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Orlando, June 9-10.
“Thank you for the generous support you give, thank you for the amazing students that you send, and thank you for the faithful prayers that you pray,” Groza said.
This past academic year, Groza’s second as president, the seminary’s headcount enrollment reached a record high across its 82-year history.
“By God’s grace, more students are being trained at Gateway Seminary than ever before,” he said.
A portion of the growth was due to a series of new teaching sites that offer hybrid education opportunities in contextualized, local settings, including San Diego, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Salt Lake City.
“Through partnerships with state conventions, local associations, and local churches, Gateway is offering in-person seminary education in the places that need it most and where it otherwise wouldn’t exist,” Groza said.
“God’s Word doesn’t change, but the ministry challenges of the urban and rural locations we serve require professors who possess not only academic qualifications but also practical ministry experience.”
Groza reported to attendees that trustees approved the creation of a new full campus in Hawaii, the first new Gateway campus in 30 years. Developed in partnership with the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, this campus will serve churches across the Hawaiian Islands, as well as congregations in American Samoa, Guam, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. Classes will begin in fall 2026.
“At Gateway Seminary students can get the biblical training they need without having to leave their mission field and their vital ministry role in their local church,” he said.
Another major partnership has been established with California Baptist University (CBU). In an expansion to the existing 4+1 program, which allows qualified CBU graduates to earn a master’s in one year, now two master’s degrees are available: The master of biblical and theological studies and the master of missiological essentials.
“This partnership creates a pipeline of ministry leaders for the west and from the west to the world,” he said.
In another sign of program growth, Gateway’s Beyond Program, a short-term mission trip project that provides fully-funded opportunities for all qualified students, sent more people overseas to more locations than ever before. This spring and summer, 70 students went to ten locations around the world to share the gospel.
“When students return from Beyond Trips, some come home with a clear sense of calling to overseas mission’s service, but all return home better equipped to advocate for our cooperative missionary efforts in their local church”
Additionally, Groza shared how Gateway prepares students to serve people with disabilities. Through the course “Principles and Approaches to Bible Teaching,” students are exposed to disability categories and strategies for accommodation “to better show the love of Christ and to foster Christian hospitality for the sake of discipleship,” he said.
Groza concluded with a message of thankfulness.
“We give glory to God for his goodness to Gateway Seminary and once again, we say thank you, Southern Baptists.”
Groza recognized Daniel L. Akin for his contributions to Baptist life as a leader and educator, highlighting his service at Southeastern Seminary (SEBTS). He also welcomed new entity leaders Scott Pace, president of SEBTS, Evan Lenow, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, and Gateway alum Ryan Blackwell, president of Lifeway.
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