One Family, One Mission

In 2006, three Americans surveyed a one-hundred-acre landscape of wild, uncultivated, isolated jungle in the middle of Uganda.

“Well,” the father started, “looks like a lot of work.”

For many, this could be discouraging. For a visionary with a clear calling like Shannon Hurley, his father-in-law’s words were motivating. Yes, it’s a lot of work—but even more, it’s opportunity.

Two decades of faithful, unseen labor would follow before that vision came to fruition.

“Through the decades of development and growth of SOS, Shannon knew that a seminary was always his first goal, and a vital need in Uganda.”

Today, with roads, buildings, a football field, and nearly 200 students and their families living on site, those 100 acres are home to Sufficiency of Scripture (SOS) Ministries and its seminary, Shepherd’s Training College (STC).

Through the decades of development and growth of SOS, Shannon knew that a seminary was always his first goal, and a vital need in Uganda.

“It was my desire from the very beginning when I left America to establish a training center,” Shannon confirms. “I recognized that this country was lacking strong churches—the only way to establish churches was to see pastors trained.”

Uganda is an East African nation with a hunger for the gospel, but very little gospel clarity. The door is wide open—not only to evangelism, but to every false doctrine and cult to rush in. In a culture where the people are excited about spiritual realities but are without biblical substance, a foundation of sound doctrine must be laid.

To preach sound doctrine, men must first be taught, equipped, discipled, and trained.

“TMAI and STC’s partnership makes sense because we’re united together in theology, passion in discipleship of the nations, and philosophy of ministry.”

So, Shannon built infrastructure not for expansion’s sake, but for one purpose: to train men in sound doctrine and expository preaching—one day partnering with TMAI.

This was his hope from day one of moving dirt in Uganda. “TMAI and STC’s partnership makes sense because we’re united together in theology, passion in discipleship of the nations, and philosophy of ministry.”

We’re a part of the same family,” shares Shannon. As a two-time alumnus of The Master’s Seminary, his confidence in TMAI rests in its fidelity to the Word. “We share the same fear of Scripture and desire to get it right. We also share a high view of God, the pulpit, and the responsibility of entrusting men with truth.”

This responsibility before the Lord shapes how STC has developed its culture and curriculum. Whole families move to SOS to be discipled, served, and learn together. Men undergo a rigorous curriculum to strengthen their convictions, deepen their understanding, and sharpen their ability to rightly divide the Word. All are immersed in church life and prepared to shepherd and serve Christ’s church faithfully.

And at the conclusion of 2025, STC became a new candidate school, and is expected to join as a TMAI member school in 2026.

The story of STC reflects a pattern seen across TMAI training centers. Growth does not appear from chasing opportunities but is a natural result of faithfulness to Scripture. As men are trained to preach Scripture and churches throughout Uganda are rooted in sound doctrine, God brings the fruit in His time—preparing His people for every good work through the faithful labor of men willing to move dirt and trust the Word.

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