Wesley House of Studies

"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon Earth.” —John Wesley

The Wesley House of Studies at Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary seeks to form and equip Christ-centered, Spirit-led students to serve churches and other institutions in the Wesleyan tradition.

What does it mean to be in the Wesley House of Studies?

The Wesley House of Studies is a caring community of Wesleyan students, scholars, and ministry leaders at Baylor’s Truett Seminary. As a part of Truett Seminary’s Wesley House of Studies, students may receive and experience:

1. Academic Certification – Through enrollment in approved courses in Wesleyan theology, history, polity, and practice, students can receive masters-level certification in Wesleyan-affiliated contexts.
2. Denominational Affiliation – Students have access to join and partner with a Wesleyan denomination and/or congregation.
3. Scholarship Recognition – As a partner of Wesley House of Studies, students receive additional scholarship support, ranging from $100.00-$150.00 per semester hour.
4. Ministry Connection – The Wesley House of Studies offers students a network of colleagues from Wesleyan traditions who can provide support, direction, and help with placement as they pursue a call to ministry in helping make disciples of Jesus Christ and growing God’s Kingdom.

What to Expect:

• A network of Wesleyan brothers and sisters in connectional ministry settings
• A center for academic research, resource, and renewal
• A nurturing community providing accountability and spiritual formation
• A deep theological grounding in the practice and works of John Wesley and the history and theology of the Methodist Church
• A developing sense of practical theology of mission and evangelism while serving alongside fellow students in opportunities both locally and abroad
• A preparedness for ordination in the Methodist or Wesleyan denominations by meeting acceptable requirements of the local Annual Conference Board of Ordained Ministry
• A community of people, ideas, and practices for fruitful and relevant ministry
• A deeper sense of calling and connection within the global Wesley faith family

Scholarship Opportunities:

Truett Seminary is pleased to offer scholarship opportunities specifically for Methodist/Wesleyan students ranging up to full tuition. Click here to learn more about our competitive scholarship opportunities and to apply.

In addition, active members of Methodist/Wesleyan churches are eligible to receive the following scholarships upon the completion and submission of the Methodist/Wesleyan Church Certification Form:

Wesley House Team:

JASON VICKERS, PhD

Professor of Christian Theology and the Inaugural William J. Abraham Chair of Wesleyan Studies

Beginning July 1, 2023, the Truett Seminary Wesley House is thrilled to welcome Dr. Jason Vickers as the inaugural William J. Abraham Chair of Wesleyan Studies. A popular teacher, prolific author, and ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, Vickers holds a PhD from Southern Methodist University. Prior to joining Truett Seminary, Vickers is completing his role as Professor of Theology at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He also has taught at Austin College in Sherman, Texas, Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina, and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

RUSTY FREEMAN, DMIN

Program Director of the Wesley House of Studies

As a 7th generation Methodist and ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church, Dr. Freeman has expertise in developing, implementing, and maintaining, youth and young persons ministries, men's ministries, spiritual formation, retreats, and camps. He has served as a consultant, senior pastor, associate pastor, conference speaker, event planner, and youth pastor, and founded Movement Ministries and Revive Ministries. Freeman serves as the Coordinator for Recruitment and Connection at the Wesley House of Studies.

OLIVIA CROSBY, MDIV STUDENT

Wesley House Student Associate

Olivia is a Master of Divinity student with plans to graduate in 2024. She received her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in industrial and systems engineering but felt a call to vocational ministry early on in her schooling. She grew up in the Methodist church and has served in churches since the fall of her sophomore year of college with duties ranging from a volunteer to full-time staff member. Olivia knew she was being called to higher theological education but was unfamiliar with the seminary path. Through the Lord’s provision, Olivia was directed by great people in her life who guided her and eventually helped her find her way home to Truett and the Wesley House of Studies program. She is married to a wonderful Aggie and looks forward to serving the Wesley House.

JACOB PALMER, MDIV STUDENT

Wesley House Student Associate

Jacob is a Master of Divinity student with plans to graduate in 2025. He grew up in a Methodist family and began discerning a call to ministry while a member of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Texas. Prior to Truett, Jacob served in campus ministry and youth ministry. Currently, he serves on staff at First Methodist Waco in the college ministry. He is excited to be a part of the Wesley House.

In Remembrance

WILLIAM J. ABRAHAM, DPHIL

Inaugural Director

A gifted teacher, sought-after lecturer, prolific author, and ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, Dr. Billy Abraham was named the inaugural director of the Wesley House of Studies at Baylor's Truett Seminary in 2020 and unexpectedly passed away in October 2021. Read more about Dr. Abraham's life and legacy here.