Through the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptists pool their resources to support the work of the six theological seminaries. The Convention operates these seminaries to train its ministers and Christian workers. The six are:
- Gateway Seminary of the Southern Baptist Convention in Ontario, California
- Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri
- New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana
- The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina
- The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky
- The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas
Collectively the six seminaries have been given a challenging mission: “to prepare God-called men and women for vocational service in Baptist churches and in other Christian ministries throughout the world through programs of spiritual development, theological studies, and practical preparation in ministry.”
Seminary-trained students are trained to go and evangelize, baptize, disciple, and teach individuals across the nation and around the world (Matthew 28:18-20). The Convention has committed itself to provide seminary education and training at the lowest cost possible so graduates are not burdened with debt as they embark on this noble quest.
The six seminaries are funded in part by the Cooperative Program. The Cooperative Program helps fund ministries and missions through cooperating state conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention. About 22 percent of all Cooperative Program contributions received by the SBC are directed to the six theological seminaries and the SBC Historical Library and Archives. In addition, the seminaries are supported by endowments, donations, tuition, and fees.