April 23, 2026 (Ontario, Calif.) -- Gateway Seminary President Adam Groza reported historic enrollment growth during the spring board meeting April 20-21, 2026, in Ontario, California.

“Through strategic partnerships, new teaching sites, and increases in both new student enrollment and giving, your Seminary is growing,” said Groza.

Groza shared with trustees enrollment by headcount is up 11.31% and credit hours sold is up 11.93% over Spring 2025. For new students in the same reporting period, enrollment is up 80.43% and credit hours sold is up 78.13%. Each campus of the Seminary has experienced growth in the new student category. Early reporting for fall 2026 enrollment indicates this growth trend will continue through the next academic year.

“This year marks our highest enrollment across our 82-year history,” he said.

The 4+1 partnership with California Baptist University is a significant contributor to enrollment growth at the Seminary. The partner program allows college graduates from particular programs to earn a master’s at Gateway in one year. Students in the first class of this program are currently wrapping up their second semester at Gateway and are preparing to go overseas on a short-term mission trip this summer.

Students in the 4+1 program primarily meet on campus in Ontario, California. This program has contributed to a shift in class delivery overall at the seminary. This year, more than half of the total credit hours were taken by students in-person, a change from last year in which a little over one-third of classes were face-to-face

“This trend is good for Gateway, and it is good for the local churches in Southern California,” Groza said.

“Many of these younger students are taking full course loads, they are serious about their studies, and they are involved in church ministry.”

At the most recent fall trustee meeting, Groza announced the launch of a new campus in Hawaii in partnership with the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention. At the spring meeting, Groza reported the campus is on track to launch in fall 2026. Dr. Paul Kelly was selected to lead the new campus and he and Groza have begun recruiting efforts throughout the Hawaiian Islands and in Okinawa.

Groza also shared with trustees an update on the fully funded Beyond Program. This academic year, ten short-term mission trips are scheduled or have already been completed. Destinations include Central America, South Africa, Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, South Asia, and more. 

Trustees approved a $14,540,000 budget for the 2026-2027 academic year. This budget increase of 7.22% over the previous year reflects both rising costs as well as significant growth in enrollment and giving. In the past year, the Seminary’s revenue has exceeded its budget by $1.15 million. 

Trustees approved the election of Josh Hutchens as associate professor of New Testament studies. Additionally, Hutchens will serve as the director of the Rocky Mountain Campus. Hutchens earned the Ph.D. in Biblical Theology from Southern Seminary and has both led a Seminary teaching site in Fort Collins, Colorado, and taught as an adjunct. Before joining Overland Church as associate pastor of discipleship and missions, Hutchens served as a missionary with his family in Malawi. Steve Veteto will retire at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year having served as the Rocky Mountain Campus director and professor of New Testament Studies for 25 years.

“At Gateway, we have been blessed by the faithful service of trustees, faculty, and staff who are aligned in our shared mission of shaping leaders who expand God’s kingdom around the world,” Groza said.

“We are thankful for their service and pray for the next generation of leaders who will likewise define the Seminary for the future.”

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