Passing the Baton: Ongoing Ministerial Training in Latin America

Posted by deangonzales on September 2, 2010
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In June 2006 twenty-three Dominican pastors and ministerial students completed the “Marrow of Theology” program and graduated with a Certificate of Theological Studies (C.T.S.) from Reformed Baptist Seminary.  In 2009 three of the honors students from that first class of graduates – all members of Iglesia Bautista de Gracia (Grace Baptist Church) in Santiago, DR, where the program had been hosted – took what they had learned in the Marrow program and together with Pastor Oscar Arocha launched La Academia Ministerial de la Gracia (Grace Ministerial Academy, AMG). They desired to carry out Phase 2 of the vision of the Marrow of Theology program, which is to see the outworking of Paul’s exhortation to Timothy:

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV).

Passing the Baton

These gifted brothers, having developed a program to pass on the sound doctrinal teaching they had learned, invited pastors and ministerial aspirants from Latin America to apply for enrollment in a streamlined, intensive training program hosted at Iglesia Bautista de Gracia in Santiago.  Grace Ministerial Academy (AMG) graduated its first class of eight students in 2009 and its second class of twelve students in 2010. Moreover, three of the instructors of AMG completed their Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) degree from Reformed Baptist Seminary in 2010. The AMG graduates came from Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. They are returning to their home churches where they will engage in or support pastoral ministry.  In a few cases some will teach in local theological training programs, passing on what they have learned to others.

2010 Graduation Ceremony

It was a tremendous blessing to participate in the July 25 graduation service. Pastor Lou Sloger of Grace Baptist Church, Papillion, Nebraska, was the keynote speaker. He exhorted the graduates not to boast in their acquired theological knowledge as an end in itself, but rather in their vital relationship with the living God. In short, they must endeavor to keep sound doctrine wedded to passionate devotion.  I was also encouraged by the testimonies of the students who expressed profound gratitude for the solid education they had received and the pattern of godliness they had observed in the life of the professors and the church.  For a brief slide show of the graduation, click the link below.

2010 DR Graduation

Support Ministerial Training in Latin America

God willing, AMG is preparing to enroll a third class of students from Latin America. Iglesia Bautista de Gracia is funding a goodly portion of this program.  A significant amount of the remaining funds has already been pledged.  However, some additional funds are still needed to cover all the expenses which include lodging, food and travel expenses for the students and a moderate compensation for the professors.

As someone who has been involved in training the AMG professors and who knows they are men of God competent to teach not only by lip, but by life, I can heartily recommend this program. It’s church-based, theologically sound and cost-effective.

If you would like more information about the program or if you are interested in helping fund this third class of students, let me encourage you to contact Pastor Luis Arocha (luis@ibracia.org) or Oskar Arocha Jr (oskararocha@gmail.com). Contributions for AMG can also be made to Grace Baptist Church, 205 E Halleck Street, Papillion, NE 68046, which is a ministry partner in this endeavor.  Pastor Lou Sloger of Grace Baptist Church, Papillion can be contacted for more information (ldsloger@cox.net; 402-331-5984).

Your servant,
Bob Gonzales, Dean
Reformed Baptist Seminary

How Does Ministerial Training Need to Change?

Posted by deangonzales on August 13, 2010
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The Gospel Coalition (TGC) asks three veteran seminary professors and one seminary professor what they would (if they could) change about ministerial training. Drs. Albert Mohler, Donald Carson, Jeff Louie, and Richard Pratt each weigh in with their perspectives on the direction where theological training needs to head for the future. As a good friend of mine put it, “From an educator’s standpoint, Carson is spot-on. From a theological standpoint, Mohler is spot-on. And from a practical standpoint, Pratt is spot-on.” I especially appreciated some of Dr. Pratt’s thoughts. Let me encourage you to read their concisely worded responses to the question,

“What One Thing Would You Change About Seminary?”

Your servant,
Bob Gonzales

Thinking About the Future: A Virtual Classroom to Bring Live Lectures to the Student

Posted by deangonzales on June 10, 2010
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Reformed Baptist Seminary recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. Since May 2005, we’ve grown from nine students to over seventy-five. With the increase of students, we not only remain committed to providing a theological education that’s sound, flexible, and affordable, but we also want to improve our product and expand our options. In addition to building a “Virtual Campus” website, where students can login, download lectures, access course information, and take exams, we’re also looking into the possibilities of constructing a “Virtual Classroom.” This would be a physical classroom where live modules would be not only recorded in audio and video format but also offered live streaming to students around the globe who wish to participate in the classroom from a distance. With the proper video, audio, and computer equipment together with high-speed Internet and conferencing service, we could connect students from around the country to the class as its being taught. To see a floor plan and proposed layout of the classroom, click here: Reformed Baptist Seminary seating.

Of course, the “Virtual Classroom” is still in the planning and praying stage. The project will cost an estimated $20k to $25k to build. But we believe online education and virtual classrooms will play an important part in the theological education of the future. If done well, distance and virtual education can be just as effective as a traditional, residential education. But it allows the student to remain in his local church and the local church to be more involved in the student’s training. It’s also more flexible and affordable. Please pray with us that the Lord might provide the funds necessary to bring such plans to realization if it might advance the cause of preparing laborers for his harvest.

Your servant,
Bob Gonzales, Dean
Reformed Baptist Seminary