February 25, 2021 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division News
The Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary will hold an online graduation ceremony program on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, for the dozens of ministers across the Inter-American Division (IAD) church territory who completed their degrees in 2020. The special program will celebrate the hard work of nearly 100 pastors, who, through the course of four or six summer semesters, studied for their master’s degree or doctorate degree to better serve their congregations.
“We are overjoyed that so many have successfully completed their studies even in the midst of many challenges that the pandemic brought last year,” said Dr. Efraín Velázquez. The ceremony was scheduled for late last year but due to connectivity in several countries, it was postponed until this weekend, he said.
IATS will hand out diplomas for graduates from Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Trinidad and Tobago, who completed the master’s in pastoral ministry, master’s in biblical studies and a doctorate in ministry.
“It’s important that pastors are taught by experts with the right tools to reach the generations facing theological challenges and apply counseling techniques in their ministerial leadership work,” said Dr. Velázquez.
In spite of the transition adjustments from on campus teaching to online classes remotely, the year proved to be like no other, said Dr. Velázquez. Before the pandemic, professors traveled for weeks of classes on the campus of the 10 Adventist University sites to students enrolled in the graduate programs, but last year, students in the three programs connected online from other countries to study together. “That proved to be a wonderful opportunity for friendships and ministry exchange that saw many pastors preaching at different congregations via online throughout the year,” he said.
The online program will show messages from IAT administration as well as messages from students, their families and friends.
To watch IATS celebration program on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. (Miami Time), in Spanish and English, click HERE