by Tony van der Hiele

There’s something special about the start of a new academic year—the energy, the anticipation, and a good measure of God-given purpose. What a joy it is for CBT to welcome and celebrate the new students who have a desire to serve the Lord with all their hearts. As they have decided to pursue training for the unique assignment He has for them, CBT looks forward to walking alongside them, being a part of their experiences and growth, and seeing how they bring a unique perspective to the classes and the community!  

The testimonies at the end of the two-day New Student Orientation are a favourite among staff and faculty. God leads students from different places and backgrounds to study at the Canadian Baptist Theological Seminary and College. The incoming class of 15 new students represents the Canadian provinces Ontario, Alberta, and BC, and one international student has come from Brazil. Some come from families where believers are rare or even non-existent, while others come from a long line of faithful believers. Among many interesting stories from this year’s new students are the four whose parents and families are deeply rooted in the DNA of our school and the CNBC. We’re thankful for their desire to carry on that legacy of faith and ministry into the future.  

Sophie Nelson 

Sophie Nelson is starting her Bachelor of Christian Studies program. Both her parents are familiar faces at CBT. Mom Debbie Nelson graduated in 2024 with a Master of Christian Studies and works as the Children’s Minister at Bow Valley Baptist Church in Cochrane. Barry Nelson, Sophie’s dad, graduated with an MDiv in 2007. He has worked at the school for over 20 years and serves as the Vice-President of Institutional Advancement. Being no stranger to ministry and encouraged by her brothers, Sophie travelled to Albania to spend a gap year studying and on mission after high school. There, God laid it on her heart to work with high school-age girls, and she decided to enroll in CBT to back her passion up with solid Bible education. Sophie smiles as she shares during new student testimonies, “The seminary is such an incredible place, I’ve grown up knowing a lot of the people in this community, and it will be a great place to grow and see more of where God wants to take me!” 

Caleb Spannagel 

Caleb Spannagel returned earlier this year from serving a two-year term in the Amazon region as a journeyman with the International Mission Board. Caleb’s missionary and ministry roots go back to both sets of grandparents. Roy and Weida Spannagel spent decades in ministry, with Roy pastoring several churches and serving as a denominational leader in both Canada and the States. Caleb’s mom’s parents, Drs. David and Barbara Wyman, both served on the CBT faculty after serving in Mexico as missionaries. Barbara has since passed on to glory in 2023, and is dearly missed. Caleb’s parents are Shane and Marisa Spannagel, who have also had a major role in the CNBC, particularly in Alberta, where Shane pastored Richmond Hill Baptist Church in Calgary for two decades. He recently took on the role of CNBC’s Regional Ministry Leader for Alberta and has also served as an adjunct professor for evangelism at CBT. While his dad is a local leader, Caleb feels the call to return to the mission field. “When I was there, I realized that I wasn’t fully equipped or qualified for the work that I was doing. I applied for seminary and got accepted…I’m super excited to be here and to share and learn with you all!”  

Joshua Smith 

Joshua Smith is another student who is already actively involved in ministry but feels a further calling to be further equipped. He grew up with parents who were deeply involved in ministry and raised him to love God above all. He graduated from our school with a Bachelor of Christian Studies in 2023. His mom, Sue, served CBT first as a Student Services Assistant and later as the Registrar from 2018 to 2022. During that time, dad Gary Smith was the North American Mission Board’s Church Planting Catalyst in Southern Alberta and later became the lead pastor of Bow Valley Baptist Church. He was also a member of the school’s Board of Trustees. With his parents’ DNA knitted into the school’s fabric and both his brothers being alumni as well, Joshua Smith is back as a student to pursue his Master of Divinity in the fast-track program. This time online! 

Charis Vedoya 

After a couple of years studying in Edmonton, Charis Vedoya clearly discerned God’s call to full-time ministry and decided to transfer to CBT. She has been exposed to ministry her entire life, and with her enrollment in the Bachelor of Christian Ministry Program, she is a third-generation CBT student! Her paternal grandparents, Bon and Vangie Vedoya graduated from the school in 1997 and 2001, and Charis has come full circle as she was born on campus while her dad, Nathan, studied for his MDiv degree. He graduated together with her uncle Jay Vedoya in 2012. He now works as a Send City Missionary and church planter in Edmonton. Mom Deen-Deen serves as the interim Team Leader for CNBC Women and is also studying at CBT in the Master of Christian Ministry program. What a rich CBT heritage! 

These young men and women, through the faithful example of family members who are deeply woven into the school’s tapestry, have come to CBT to sharpen their tools and draw closer to the Lord. Together with new and returning students who are eager to serve the Lord, their training has begun in earnest. All of them are confident that God wants them to be trained to live a life for His glory and sharing the life-changing power of the Gospel. We thank God for bringing them to us and ask for your ongoing prayers for all of our students, staff, and faculty as they begin a new academic year. We are excited to see what God will accomplish in our midst!  

Pray for our new students: 

 Jessica Kratko – Samuel Program Certificate 

Grey Roney – Samuel Program Certificate 

Sophie Nelson – Bachelor of Christian Studies 

SerPleeNaLay Kae – Bachelor of Christian Studies 

David Sturz – Bachelor of Christian Studies 

William Da Silva – Bachelor of Christian Studies 

Charis Vedoya – Bachelor of Christian Ministry 

Susan Turner – Master of Christian Studies 

Charles da Silva – Master of Biblical Studies 

Caleb Spannagel – Master of Christian Ministry – Church Planting 

Travis Koop – Master of Christian Ministry – Pastoral Leadership 

Dyllon Wong – Master of Divinity 

Eric Yuzwa – Master of Divinity 

Joshua Smith – Master of Divinity – Fast Track 

Jacob Enns – Master of Divinity – Fast Track