Cuba: Church reaches milestone of first generation of pastors with a master’s degree
February 5, 2009 – Havana, Cuba….[Libna Stevens/IAD]
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cuba celebrated yet another milestone with the graduation of 15 of its ministers to complete master’s degree in Pastoral Theology during a special ceremony, Jan. 17, 2009. The degree, granted by the Inter-American Division’s Theological Seminary (IATS) through its Cuba site, marks a significant pinnacle for the church on the island, church leaders said.
“This is a victory for the church, a victory for our division,” said Jaime Castrejon, Ph.D., president of IATS. “Never before had we graduated at the graduate level in Pastoral Theology in Cuba and we are just so delighted that the Lord saw it through for our pastors there.”
It took committed efforts from IATS and IAD administration to support the type of curriculum for graduate level for pastors in the case of Cuba, said Dr. Castrejon. “There were some difficult times to get teachers who could travel to the island and not be affected by the situation, but we praise God for having succeeded in securing the necessary teachers to fill the requirements of the curriculum.”
“There were some difficult times to get teachers who could travel to the island and not be affected by the situation, but we praise God for having succeeded in securing the necessary teachers to fill the requirements of the curriculum.”
The Adventist Theological Seminary in Cuba, which received full accreditation from the Adventist Accrediting Association to grant bachelor’s degrees last year, becomes the 9th IATS site to have specially train pastors with master’s degrees to cater to the growing membership on the island.
“This victory for the church in Cuba means that our Cuban brothers and sisters have up-to-date pastors just like the rest of our territory,” added Dr. Castrejon.
Not only is the aim of IATS to have up-to-date pastors but its goal is to provide super pastors, he added.
“The aim of the board and the Division is to provide super pastors for special challenges in the ministry in serving a sophisticated membership as well ministering in institutions like universities and college churches were there are high number of professionals,” explained Dr. Castrejon.
That aim and commitment is allowing pastors throughout Cuba the opportunity to further their studies and benefit the thousands of church members who worship in 273 churches and congregations on the island.
Already there are 35 pastors enrolled in the master’s degree program at the Seminary in Cuba, which began the four-summer-semesters program towards the degree.
For more information on Inter-America’s Theological Seminary, visit www.interamerica.org
