The Master's Seminary

Grace Church of the Valley hosts the Central Valley Distance Location of The Master's Seminary. Since 1986, The Master's Seminary has trained men for pastoral ministry—to preach the Word of God, reach the world for Christ, and teach others to do the same. Our distance location is conducted in close association with the pastoral staff and leadership of Grace Church of the Valley. Our church has been thoroughly vetted to ensure total theological compatibility with The Master's Seminary and a precise philosophy of ministry in line with Grace Community Church in Southern California. If you are interested in learning more or applying, click the button below to get in touch with Brendan Tomassian, our Distance Location Director.

98

Units

$550

Per Unit

(Before Scholarships)

3-4

Years

Two-Way Livestream

This teaching style connects students with the L.A. campus and professors for live interactive courses.

Onsite Classes

In-person interaction from professors enhances teaching on topics such as pastoral ministry.

Online Lectures

Lectures are taught via pre-recorded teaching along with regular communication and feedback.

Seminary Experience

Events, accountability, discipleship, and a cohort of fellow classmates, all within the local church.

Scott Ardavanis | Dean and Professor

Scott Ardavanis is the Senior Pastor of Grace Church of the Valley. Scott began his pastoral ministry at Grace Community Church with John MacArthur and also spent seventeen years as a senior pastor in Chicago and California before coming to Grace Church of the Valley in 2012. He is an adjunct professor at The Master’s Seminary in the area of Pastoral Ministry and Homiletics and is the Dean of The Master’s Seminary Central Valley distance location campus in Kingsburg, CA. Scott is a featured speaker at Bible and Pastors Conferences around the world. He also serves as a board member at The Master’s University/Seminary and for Sufficiency of Scripture Ministries (SOS), which impacts lives in Uganda with sound Biblical teaching. Scott has earned his degrees at Los Angeles Baptist College (now The Master’s University), B.A., The Master’s Seminary, M.Div., and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, D.Min. Scott and his wife, Patty, have been married 37 years and have 7 children and 11 grandchildren.

Brendan Tomassian | Pastor and Director

Brendan Tomassian serves as the Pastor of Counseling and Seminary Education at Grace Church of the Valley in Kingsburg, CA, the Director of Central Valley Biblical Counseling, and the Director of The Master's Seminary Central Valley Distance Location. He is a Level 2 Certified Counselor with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and has also served as a pastor in children’s ministry, youth ministry, and adult discipleship. Brendan graduated from UCLA with a BA in The Study of Religion and Middle Eastern Studies, and from The Master’s Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He is currently concluding a Doctor of Ministry in Biblical Counseling at The Master's University. He is married to Rachel, and they have a son, James. Brendan's heart is to shepherd the local church to a greater biblical depth of discipleship and ministry.

Andy Woodfield | Instructor

Andy Woodfield came to the US from New Zealand with his family  in 2003. After graduating from The Master’s Seminary in 2007, Andy served at Hickman Community Church as their Lead Pastor until the end of 2022. He new serves on staff at Grace Church of the Valley as the Pastor of Discipleshp. In this role, he oversees men's and women's ministries, biblical counseling, Spiritual Leadership Training, Marriage Builders, equipping classes, and other ministries. Andy's greatest joy is serving the Lord Jesus Christ through preaching and teaching, discipleship, counseling, and hospitality. 

Sam Musgrave | Instructor

Sam Musgrave serves as the Pastor for Teaching, Equipping, & College Ministries at Trinity Community Church in Clovis, CA. He studied at Fresno Pacific University, B.A. (Philosophy and the Classics), Western Seminary, M.Div., The Master's Seminary, D.Min., and currently studies part-time at The University of Edinburgh in Scotland, Ph.D.