When Jacob and Tori Myrick first began seminary, life circumstances made online education the right choice. Newly married and fresh out of undergraduate programs, the Myricks found that distance learning through The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary allowed them to begin theological training right away while remaining rooted in their home and work in Alabama. They loved the classes, the faculty, and the heart of Southern so much that they eventually decided to take the next step. The Myrick’s moved their young family to Louisville to continue their studies in person.
Today, Jacob is a residential Master of Divinity student, set to graduate in May 2026 with graduate certificates in Greek Exegesis, Hebrew Exegesis, and Biblical Theology. He also serves as Assistant Director of Southern’s Research Doctoral Studies office, supporting students in Southern’s advanced degree programs. Looking back, Jacob reflects with gratitude on both phases of his education—online and now residential.
“We really enjoyed our time online,” Myrick said. “It gave us a way to begin seminary as soon as possible. But the more we experienced Southern, the more we wanted to come here in person.”
That desire eventually led Jacob and Tori to relocate to Louisville in 2023, shortly before welcoming their daughter, Lacey. One of the main factors behind that move was Jacob’s desire to study the biblical languages deeply.
“If God grants me fifty years to preach his word, I want to be able to engage directly with Scripture in Greek and Hebrew,” Myrick said. “Such a skill would then grant me the opportunity to engage directly with the world’s best commentaries. Obtaining this level of proficiency in Greek and Hebrew is easier said than done online.”
His pastors also encouraged a season of focused preparation for lifelong ministry. When Jacob pictured that season, it involved sitting in classes, studying across the table from friends, and worshiping alongside classmates and faculty at church.
“I wanted consistent interaction that would sharpen me not only academically, but spiritually,” Myrick said.
Now, having spent time both online and on campus, Jacob expresses how those in-person relationships have shaped his experience.
“Southern doesn’t just inform students,” he said. “It forms ministers of the gospel. We see the same people in class, in church, and in everyday life. That overlap has been a gift.”
Academically, the benefits have been equally significant. Through face-to-face mentorship, ongoing feedback, and regular dialogue, Jacob has grown in his ability to study, teach, and write.
“God has used this season to sharpen the tools I need for preaching and shepherding,” he said. “Without moving here, I don’t think I would have developed these skills to the same extent.”
Is Moving to Campus Worth It?
Of course, not everyone feels free to relocate. When prospective students have hesitations about relocating to campus, Myrick often hears three main concerns: financial, ministry-related, and academic. Each one, he said, deserves thoughtful consideration.
Finances matter. Moving requires adjustment and sacrifice. But Jacob has seen again and again how God provides through jobs, scholarships, and the support of the seminary community. Ministry concerns also weigh heavily. Leaving a church family or stepping away from a ministry role is no small thing. Yet, Jacob has found the local church landscape in Louisville to be rich and spiritually grounding, providing both pastoral care and training opportunities.
Online education at Southern remains a strong and faithful option.
“If you’re going to study online, study at Southern,” Jacob said.
But he also encourages students to consider the difference that being on campus can make.
“The work of preaching and teaching God’s word is the most important work in the world,” Myrick said. “It’s worth asking what kind of preparation will best form you for a lifetime of ministry.”
For the Myricks, that answer eventually meant packing boxes, trusting the Lord’s provision, and planting their lives in Louisville. But their story is not one of choosing between “better” and “worse.” Rather, it is a story of how both online and residential learning can serve God’s people. The residential experience, for some, offers a uniquely rich season of formation, fellowship, and growth.
And for Jacob, Tori, and Lacey, that season is something they thank God for every day.