FBC Melbourne seeks to be a 2 Timothy 2:2 church, making disciples who can make disciples who can make disciples! Our Aspire program is an important part of seeking pursuing that biblical aim. We seek through Aspire to provide theological education and ministry opportunities in the context of the local church which will prepare and equip future church planters, missionaries, and pastors.

In partnership with Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Judson College, our Aspire students will be able to earn master’s or bachelor’s level credit for courses and internships taken at First Baptist Church.* Through additional online courses and/or on-campus courses at Southeastern/Judson College, Aspire students will be able to complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Those who do not wish to take the courses for credit may still be approved as Aspire students and invited to audit the courses, as space allows.

Below is a breakdown of this 2-year training process. Aspire interns who wish to take the courses for credit must be approved by Southeastern Seminary/Judson College. All Aspire program participants must be members in good standing of FBC, Melbourne or another Gospel-proclaiming church of like faith and practice, and must be approved by the pastors of FBC Melbourne for acceptance into the Aspire program. While the courses are laid out below in the order that they were originally offered, they are not sequential. Aspire students can join the two-year program at any point and complete the cycle.  Currently we offer 6 courses across 4 semesters that Aspire students may select from, which means that during some semesters, we will offer multiple tracks of study (“ministry track” and “missions track”). To graduate our Aspire program, and receive a certificate of completion from the church, students must complete any 4 of the 6 courses offered (*however students may elect to continue and take all 6 of the courses if desired).

*Aspire courses are offered for credit as a part of Southeastern’s EQUIP Center. To find out more about the courses below, other courses offered through EQUIP, and degree programs visit: www.sebts.edu/academics/the-equip-network/

Year One, Semester One | Spring 2026

Christian Growth and Discipleship Practicum

Year Two, Semester One | Spring 2027

Christian Leadership Practicum