EEAA
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Greek Bible College (Pikermi)
Greece at the present time is a desert. The nation’s economy is dying: it is now in its fifth straight year of recession. Moreover, there is no sign of any imminent improvement. Behind the statistics are the personal stories of family breakdown, suicide and homelessness, which are all increasing dramatically. More ominously, the seeds of ethnic conflict are being sown, refugees from the middle-east abound, and are too frequently finding only hostile response from the population. Support for parties on the far right is on the rise. But this is not the whole story, or, perhaps, even the most important story… (click here to read the rest of the story)
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Bethlehem Bible College (Palestine)
We offer a unique opportunity for students to study in the land of the Bible, in an accredited program of academic excellence, linking the ancient history of the Bible and Christianity to the present. In a relevant context, with the experience of on site field trips and interaction with Palestinian Christians, students gain deeper insight into the Scriptures and their understanding of the Middle East. Topics include the following: In the Footsteps of Jesus, Introduction to Palestinian Christian Theology, Introduction to Islam, Judaism, Messianic Jews, The Israeli – Palestinian Conflict, Theology of the Land, Zionism and its Alternatives, A Christian Response to Radical Islam, Reading the Old Testament in Palestine, Pastoring in Palestine, Pathways to Reconciliation, Peace, Justice and Non-violence in the Palestinian Context
Students may also audit the course. Visitors to the Holy Land may also participate in non credited lectures and field trips. Instruction for all of the above options is in English. Please contact us for further details at . Course descriptions and application forms are available at our website: http://www.bethbc.org/academics/international-students
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Colloquium of European Evangelical Theologians from Neo-latin countries (Italy)
A group of 12 men from various European countries (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Romania) met at IFED in Padova, Italy, June 2-4, 2011. The colloquium discussed issues impacting theology in southern Europe and neo-latin countries. The conversation was characterized by the firm confidence in the power of the gospel to save people and transform society. The major areas that were discussed are as follows:
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1. Theological Leaders
- Most people working in this area are multi-vocational theologians. Many are involved in pastoral ministries along with training.
- Many need to continue developing their entrepreneurial skills so to develop their programs.
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2. Contextual Tendencies
- Many theological works are designed and published outside of their host countries. For example Brazil publishes many American books for the Portuguese market. This produces a situation where few resources are presented and they are usually written for contexts outside of Europe.
- Churches are between two polarizing forces (Established religious institutions , i.e. Roman Catholicism or Eastern Orthodoxy —– Secularism). Many evangelical churches are presenting a third way.
- Paul Wells mentioned a book by S. Moscovici that focused on how minorities act greatly influence the force of their impact in society.
- Many churches are being impacted by multicultural evangelicalism. There are immigrants moving into their countries and cities. These churches are presenting new opportunities and challenges in the area of theological training and leadership.
- Countries in southern Europe generally do not have a “golden age” of revival (or reformation) to look back to like the northern European countries might have. While having some negative aspects (e.g. a lack of appreciation for the historical identity of evangelicalism), the absence of a “golden age” frees our theological reflection from the danger of nostalgia and makes us aware of the problems around the notion of a “Christian nation”.
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3. Theological Education
- There is a shift from residential programs to extension and distance education formats.
- There is a shift from pastoral training to a more general Christian formation.
- There is an ongoing need for the training of church planters.
- There is a need for developing a “map” detailing the existing the theological colleges along various categories such as denomination, level, number of students and accreditation.
We will explore the possibility of expanding the colloquium for further development and participation. The group will be pleased to continue this discussion with collaboration with FEET that was represented at the colloquium by its President, Pierre Berthoud.
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Seminario Evangélico Unido de Teología (Spain)
Historic things are happening in Spain. For reasons unknown, someone at a very high level in the government has decided it is time to do something for Protestants. To make a long story short, in September of this year the Prime Minister’s Cabinet is to approve a Royal Decree (Real Decreto) that will enable the recognition of the university equivalence of the degrees of five Protestant theological institutions. Although theology is not an official degree in Spain, the new law will recognize that these five institutions’ degrees meet university level standards.
In the past months we have been feverishly preparing the requisite documentation for the Spanish quality assurance agency (ANECA—Agencia Nacional de Evaluación de Calidad Académica) that certifies all university degrees. Five institutions have presented their documentation: Adventists, Assemblies of God, Baptists, SEUT and Independent. These institutions will now be officially called “Faculties”, so our official name is now Facultad de Teología SEUT.
Of the five institutions SEUT has presented a degree program that is totally flexible between residential and distance learning modes of study. In the coming months we will be working to adopt the new regulations and other procedures required by this change. While it is quite a challenge, at the same time it is exhilarating. This is truly a milestone in the history of Spanish Protestantism.
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The International Baptist Theological Seminary (Czech Republic)
The International Baptist Theological Seminary (www.ibts.eu) is still accepting candidates for its Research Degree programme for the 2011-2012 academic year. IBTS offers qualified candidates the possibility to pursue doctoral studies in a range of theological disciplines. The programme, validated by the University of Wales, may be taken full-time residentially over a period of up to five years or (more usually) part-time non-residentially over a period of up to nine years. The latter option is particularly fitting for teachers, missionaries, or leaders as an in-service academic training.
For more information and inquiries contact: . See also attached IBTS 2011 Flier.
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Israel College of the Bible (Israel)
“Israel College of the Bible has been blessed to purchase and renovate a new, expanded campus. The new campus contains smart classrooms,a large auditorium, cafeteria, counseling center, library, and media center. Many national functions are taking place in the new facility. ICB enrollment has increased significantly this past school year, containing both Messianic-Jewish and Christian-Arab students.”
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FTH Giessen (Germany)
Back in 2008 FTH Giessen (Freie Theologische Hochschule / Giessen School of Theology) became a State recognized School of Theology on university level authorized to grant academic degrees. In October 2011 the first cohort of 15 Bachelor-students will receive their B.A. degrees after three years of study. For students with a recognized B.A. in Theology the FTH offers a two-year M.A. program, including one semester of study in a foreign country and culture. – So far M.A. degrees of the University of Gloucestershire could be attained at the FTH within the framework of a cooperation between the university and FTH Giessen. This October the last cohort of nearly 40 students will receive this joint M.A. degree. Since FTH now can offer its own State-accredited M.A.-program this successful cooperation will come to a completion after eleven years. But the international character of FTH will be retained as well as its high academic level and its strong evangelical profile.
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Eastern European Bible College (Romania)
1. In June 2011, we graduated 23 students at EEBC
2. For the second time, this summer EEBC had organized a summer school GO MEDIA CBEE, for the people interested in communication, radio, sound, photography and video production. The students from other European schools interested are welcome to participate next summer school organized at the middle of July 2012. We are also available to travel for short media seminars at the invitation of other schools from Europe.
3. There were two mission trips in the Muslim context, in Albania, for students at theology and in Turkey for students in Media.
4. After the four years having the media study program we have noted that more students apply for Media than for Theology.
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Redcliffe College (UK)
Redcliffe College’s completely redesigned undergraduate courses in Applied Theology in Intercultural Contexts have been successfully revalidated by the University of Gloucestershire, who commended the college on ‘the genuine intercultural emphasis that runs throughout the teaching’, as well as the opportunity for students to reflect on and put into practice what they are learning. We are also delighted to announce a new MA in Member Care, giving member care personnel a conceptual framework to effectively care for missionaries in a fast changing global environment. It is available in flexible learning mode, combining distance-learning with residential summer schools. Finally, our new Head of Mission Studies, Dr Hugh Kemp, joined us from New Zealand earlier this year. Dr Kemp has mission experience in Asia, and previously taught at Laidlaw College and Massey University in New Zealand. His research and teaching interests include Buddhism in the West, mission to Buddhists and Central Asian mission history. See www.redcliffe.org
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Bibelschule Kirchberg
Since 1st of September 2011 Bibelschule Kirchberg has a new director, Jörg Ehlerding, former vice director of the German WEC international branch. Since some years the school has reached its maximum capacity of 50 students. A building project has begun to provide the school with a better heating system and more living room for the students. We are waiting for a reply from the German government for state recognition as an official school which might give our students new possibilities of financial aid/ state support. See http://www.bsk.org/
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Columbia International University, German Branch at Academy for World Missions (Germany)
Implementation of a new undergraduate degree with a focus in Intercultural Studies is underway. See http://www.awm-korntal.de/download/bachelor_of_arts_catalog_-_intro_text_2011-12.pdf . While the program is accredited by ABHE and SACS from the United States, we are also seeking accreditation from the EEAA. This will help us to contextualize an American degree offered in Europe for people living cross-culturally around the world.
Our new Master of Arts degree in Intercultural Leadership starts with the 2011/12 academic year. A Doctor of Ministry degree starting in January of 2012 will complement our Doctor in Educational Leadership Degree. The course on “Spiritual Mentoring” is the one required course for both concentrations (Leadership/International Theological Education).
All programs are offered in a modular, flexible format and are designed for people in ministry, unable to leave their host country or ministry assignment for long periods. The on-campus periods are rich in professional as well as personal exchange and provide a context for reflecting one’s experience by integrating theory and praxis. Contact Carmen Crouse, Director of Academic Services for more information at
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Evangelical Theological Faculty (Croatia)
The last several months at the Evangelical Theological Faculty have been busy, overwhelming, but as well uplifting, encouraging and a bonding experience. Before the graduation and sending off yet another group of students to their home churches and ministries we’ve had an excellent time of workshops and lectures on academic administration and teaching in higher education, with a specialist working with Langahm International. We’ve had an opportunity to consider how what we do fits into the life-long plan that God has for the growth and equipping of each one of our students, which led into a general discussion of the nature of curriculum and the talk that we should design training that responds to the realities of our students and their contexts.
At the end of the academic year we launched the ETF Annual Lectures with prof. dr. Miroslav Volf delivering the inaugural lectures on ‘Globalization and Religions,’ allowing time for discussion and individual talks with prof. Volf. Many attendees had opportunity to hear what is the promise and the peril of religion, and what challenges and opportunities does it present for globalization. The graduation ceremony was enriched with the presentation of the book ‘First the Kingdom of God: A Festschrift in Honor of Prof. Dr. Peter Kuzmič.’ It was a nice surprise for the rector’s 65th birthday. Pictures of the event can be seen/downloaded: http://www.evtos.hr/photo/thumbnails.php?album=14
We’re looking forward to a new generation of ETF students in October. We’re proudly announcing the launching of our new Masters program in Counseling to begin Autumn 2011. This unique program will integrate insights gained from the field of counseling, as well as related areas, with a Christian worldview. This perspective encourages a holistic view of the individual, and the individual within community. Lectures and practice will move the student from theory to skill development. All practice will take place under qualified supervision. The knowledge and skills developed will prepare graduates to serve along with other professionals in the field. More about it can be found at: http://www.evtos.hr/en/academics/graduate_studies/masters_in_counselling/
Please pray with us for wisdom, new vision, our new students, our professors, that all we do reflects who God is and what is He doing.
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