Advanced Graduate Spotlight: Jimmy Steele
SEBTS Staff | May 12, 2026
When Jimmy Steele first learned about Southeastern Seminary, the school’s Great Commission DNA resonated deeply with what God was already doing in his heart. Now as a three-time alum, Jimmy is using his training to make disciples as a pastor in La Mesa, California. In the following Q&A, Jimmy takes the time to share about his Southeastern experience.
Why did you choose Southeastern Seminary?
My time at Southeastern began in 2010. A few years prior, Christ had changed my life and direction. The clarity of the school’s ethos, “Every classroom a Great Commission classroom,” arrested my heart. A year later, my wife and I and our two kids moved to Southeastern, where we would spend the next seven years being poured into by professors, students, and a wonderful local church. In 2017 we were sent to San Diego to plant a church motivated by that same ethos that originally drew us in. In 2022, while pastoring, I began exploring the possibility of doing doctoral work. Wanting to diversify my education, I considered many great schools on the West Coast. By God’s kind providence, today I graduate for the third time (BA in 2014, MDiv in 2017, DMin in 2026) from this excellent institution.
What aspects of your time at Southeastern were particularly formative or encouraging to you?
When I arrived at Southeastern, I was far from a student. I enrolled in my first English 101 class as a 27-year-old father of two, who three months prior had a blue-collar career. And the red ink on my first paper, graded by Dr. Travers, proved it. I was already embarrassed and wanting to quit when Dr. Travers asked me to stay after class. After explaining all the red ink, Dr. Travers said something that changed the trajectory of my life: “You are not a good writer now, but you can think. Learning how to write is easy; thinking well is a gift.” Over the next two years, I was blessed to take multiple classes with Dr. Travers, even one on C.S. Lewis, that were nothing short of life-changing. Though Dr. Travers would lose his battle with cancer a few years later, he was mentoring me by way of email just weeks before he passed.
Dr. Travers said something that changed the trajectory of my life: ‘You are not a good writer now, but you can think. Learning how to write is easy; thinking well is a gift.’
How did your education at Southeastern shape your view of the Great Commission?
In every way! I was profoundly impacted by the framework that theology is the driving force for proper missiology. And missiology is what shaped and motivated Paul’s proclamation of the word. Thinking right about God must move us to make disciples among all peoples. And making disciples begins and ends with the clear and compelling proclamation of God’s word.
Which classes, professors, or memories stand out from your time here?
Dr. McKenzie’s Old Testament survey broadened my horizon to the person and work of Christ across the entire canon of Scripture. Dr. Merida’s encouragement in Biblical Exposition was key in my development in preaching. Dr. Milioni helped shape my understanding of preaching as a pastoral task, necessary in leading a congregation. Dr. Shaddix infused in me the necessity of godliness and dependence upon the Holy Spirit in my preaching.
How have you seen theological education go hand in hand with ministry preparation during your time as a student?
Planting a church is really the task of seeing the Lord build something from nothing. The theological framework I received at Southeastern has informed everything from evangelism, discipleship, meaningful membership, preaching, training leaders, building partnerships, and even writing by-laws. Every aspect of my theological education has found expression in the local church. Currently, I’m blessed to serve as the lead pastor of the Hill Church in La Mesa, California — in San Diego County.
Every aspect of my theological education has found expression in the local church.
How can your Southeastern family be praying for you?
Pray that the Lord will continue to keep me and that I will yield to his Spirit in my life. Pray for my marriage to Julie to be continually strengthened and that our kids will faithfully follow Jesus. Pray for the saints at Hill Church that they will continue to be marked by the gospel. Pray that my life and ministry will follow Paul’s great confession: “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Col 1:28 ESV).