The practical design of the seminary program reflects some of the personal experiences of the its founder and president, Dr. Carl Herbster. After working in the business world for seven years, Dr. Herbster began serving as an assistant pastor and, at the same time, began seminary studies. This experience gave him the opportunity of getting a quality academic education and practical experience in ministry at the same time. Heart of America Theological Seminary has been designed to provide that powerful blend of theory and practice. Every student at Heart of America is part of the on-going ministries of Tri-City Baptist Church and Tri-City Christian School. In this way students deepen their academic understanding of biblical principles of ministry at the same time that they apply those principles to actual ministry work. Theory and practice are not separated but synergistically blended. This eliminates the necessity of getting practical experience as an assistant pastor after graduation from seminary. Many Heart of America graduates have gone directly into the senior pastorate after completing the Master of Divinity degree here.

Dr. Herbster also saw that the experience he had in secular work helped him to relate to the people in the pew who are in the secular work world on a daily basis. Sometimes a pastor who graduated from Bible college without any time in secular work has a hard time fully understanding what many members of his congregation have to deal with. Therefore, Heart of America requires its graduates to have at least two years of secular work experience. The evening and weekend class schedule makes this possible for all students. It also allows men the opportunity to earn good salaries to support their families while attending seminary. Dr. Herbster has proved through his twenty-seven years of effective ministry that this formula of practical experience simultaneous with academic training is effective in producing quality leaders for Christian ministries. Heart of America has many successful graduates who are ministers throughout the world for the glory of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.