Inter-American Boards report on progress, challenges and strategies
May 20, 2014 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD
Administrators of Inter-America’s institutional boards reported on growth, challenges, financial stability and future plans to the dozens of Seventh-day Adventist board members from across Inter-America who gathered yesterday in Miami, Florida.
Montemorelos University
Montemorelos University President Ismael Castillo, said that leaders must consider what institutions offer and the role it plays within the context of the current times. Images by Libna Stevens/IAD
As one institution operated directly by the Inter-American Division, Montemorelos University, located in Montemorelos, Mexico, reported on its progress and challenges during the past year.
Montemorelos University President Ismael Castillo said the team of professionals and faculty at the institution is guided by a set of values that includes a vision to transform lives, to foster an entrepreneurial spirit, to commit to continual quality performance, and to promote a passion for service.
Castillo boasted about the accredited university being one of the most affordable in the Adventist educational system, with an approximate $13,000 annual tuition cost, including dormitory fees. He also said the university awards about 3 million dollars in scholarships.
“We have students from 52 countries and from throughout all of the states in Mexico and are working on reaching out to more students through our online programs,” said Castillo.
A 36 percent of half of academic programs have been accredited by national organizations, said Castillo. The school’s hospital has been remodeled, and additional meeting rooms have been built in the administration building and the library.
More and more Seventh-day Adventists will be studying at non-Adventist institutions in the coming year, so the challenge is to provide more available resources and spiritual environment through chaplaincy attention.
“We look to taking the Adventist worldview to those students who will not be studying in Adventist institutions,” said Castillo, “We must consider what we offer as institutions and our role within the context of our times.”
University leaders reported on the financial stability of the institution and presented upcoming developing plans and strategies for the coming years. For more on Montemorelos University, visit um.edu.mx
Inter-American Theological Seminary
IATS President Dr. Jaime Castrejon publicly thanked IAD administrators and union leaders for committing to the vision of supporting so that ministers can complete graduate degrees the seminary offers.
Administrators of the Inter-American Theological Seminary (IATS), which offers masters and doctoral degrees to its ministers across its ten sites, reported on the growing number of ministers who have graduated from the Master of Arts in Religion, Masters in Pastoral Ministry, and Doctorate of Ministry programs.
In 2013, IATS had some 530 ministers complete graduate degrees, compared to the 446 graduates in 2012, 373 in 2011, 360 in 2010, 324 in 2009, and 328 in 2008.
Dr. Jaime Castrejon, IATS president, voiced his gratitude to the IAD administration and union administrators who have channeled funds to ensure that pastors across Adventist churches are better trained to share the Word of God in the territory.
“IAD is the division most blessed thanks to the faithfulness of the members and leadership of administrators who believe in the vision of equipping our ministers to better address the needs of our membership,” said Dr. Castrejon.
IATS presented the curriculum, strategies and operative plans scheduled for the coming years as well as the maximum enrollment requirements for the program classes.
For more information on IATS, go to iats.interamerica.org
Board of Higher Education
Dr. Gamaliel Florez, education director for the church in Inter-America announced that more than 4 million dollars have been invested in textbooks for Adventist schools throughout Inter-America.
The Board of Higher Education (BHE) reported that more than 4 million dollars have been invested in obtaining the rights of school textbooks to be used across Adventist schools in the territory.
First and second grade social sciences and English-as-a-second-language textbooks for Mexico and Guatemala are scheduled to be ready for the 2015 school year, according to Dr. Gamaliel Florez, education director for the church in Inter-America.
In addition, the board announced that Montemorelos University has completed the first secondary bible textbook in Spanish available for distribution. The university will continue to produce, translate and distribute the Bible textbooks.
The BHE also approved a document with the basic criteria for operating extensions as more needs arise to provide Adventist education in regions and countries where there is no Adventist college or university. The criteria will apply to existing extensions throughout Mexico, Jamaica, and Dominican Republic, educators said.
Board members voted to schedule March 7 as the day of prayer across Seventh-day schools and universities in Inter-America for next year. In addition, an online council is planned for March 27-29, 2015.