The Nazarene theological institutions of Latin America have formed an alliance to provide online theological education.
Virtual seminary finds success in Latin America
Mexico and Central America Region
By Ruben Fernandez, president of Seminario Nazareno de las Americas
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
The Nazarene theological institutions of Latin America have been pioneers for decades within the denomination in providing nontraditional forms of education.
These forms of education created such terms as "decentralized", "without walls", and "multi-sites", among others.
In response to the advances in educational technology in the last few years, and the opportunities this offers for theological and ministerial training, an agreement was reached in February 2010 between Seminario Nazareno de las Americas in San Jose, Costa Rica, and Seminario Teologico Nazareno del Cono Sur in Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina, to become "hub seminaries" in a joint project for the development of online theological education with excellence in Latin America.
Through this project, a large network of affiliated theological institutions has been added to the alliance, including the following:
Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, at a symbolic cost, extended the use of the "Angel" learning platform, which has provided the alliance a powerful tool for online education.
During 2010, only at the ordination's track level, nine courses were offered for the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, and South America regions by a highly qualified faculty from five different nations.
In 2011, 14 courses will be offered with professors from nine countries. The hub seminaries will offer other online programs - bachelor and license degrees - in theology, youth ministry, child and adolescent development, pastoral theology, and ministry and theology teaching methodology.
Currently, the program has more than 200 students, representing 15 countries.
"I want to thank the seminary for being open to the online education," said Fernandez Vivas, an online student in Jubany Base, Argentinean Antarctica. "In my case, I am away (from) many things, not only here in the Antarctica, but also living in Argentina, due to my profession ... Thanks to everyone for all the support showed to me, coming along side as partners, which will result in multiple benefits for the body of Christ."
"This is the only way that I can study; there is no other way for me," said Chris Mesen Juanta, an online student in Tibas, San Jose, Costa Rica. "When my two little children go to sleep at nine in the evening, I begin studying on my computer, doing my homework. My husband is also taking a course. He works during the day and studies at night at home. It would be difficult for him to study at an educational center since when he is available all the centers are ending their classes for the day."
In addition to having the flexibility to study according to the students' schedules and not being required to travel to an educational center, there are other advantages to receiving classes online. Students have the opportunity to interact with other students from various countries in Latin America. Also, the program has reasonable costs and all materials are online; it is not necessary to buy books.
Recently Seminario Teologico Nazareno do Brazil in Campinas, Brazil, has asked to be a part of the alliance, which will add the Portuguese language to the services offered.
To learn more about Nazarene online education in the Spanish/Portuguese world, visit www.nazarenovirtual.net.
These forms of education created such terms as "decentralized", "without walls", and "multi-sites", among others.
In response to the advances in educational technology in the last few years, and the opportunities this offers for theological and ministerial training, an agreement was reached in February 2010 between Seminario Nazareno de las Americas in San Jose, Costa Rica, and Seminario Teologico Nazareno del Cono Sur in Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina, to become "hub seminaries" in a joint project for the development of online theological education with excellence in Latin America.
Through this project, a large network of affiliated theological institutions has been added to the alliance, including the following:
- Asociacion Instituto Bíblico Nazareno (Coban, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala)
- Asociacion Seminario Teológico Nazareno (Guatemala City, Guatemala)
- Centro Nazareno de Estudios Teológicos (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
- Instituto Biblico Nazareno (Bagua Chica, Amazonas, Peru)
- Seminario Biblico Nazareno (Santiago, Chile)
- Seminario Nazareno del Area Central (La Paz, Bolivia)
- Seminario Nazareno Mexicano / Sede Central (Mexico City, México)
- Seminario Nazareno Dominicano (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)
- Seminario Teologico Nazareno de Peru (Chiclayo, Lambayeque, Peru)
Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, at a symbolic cost, extended the use of the "Angel" learning platform, which has provided the alliance a powerful tool for online education.
During 2010, only at the ordination's track level, nine courses were offered for the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, and South America regions by a highly qualified faculty from five different nations.
In 2011, 14 courses will be offered with professors from nine countries. The hub seminaries will offer other online programs - bachelor and license degrees - in theology, youth ministry, child and adolescent development, pastoral theology, and ministry and theology teaching methodology.
Currently, the program has more than 200 students, representing 15 countries.
"I want to thank the seminary for being open to the online education," said Fernandez Vivas, an online student in Jubany Base, Argentinean Antarctica. "In my case, I am away (from) many things, not only here in the Antarctica, but also living in Argentina, due to my profession ... Thanks to everyone for all the support showed to me, coming along side as partners, which will result in multiple benefits for the body of Christ."
"This is the only way that I can study; there is no other way for me," said Chris Mesen Juanta, an online student in Tibas, San Jose, Costa Rica. "When my two little children go to sleep at nine in the evening, I begin studying on my computer, doing my homework. My husband is also taking a course. He works during the day and studies at night at home. It would be difficult for him to study at an educational center since when he is available all the centers are ending their classes for the day."
In addition to having the flexibility to study according to the students' schedules and not being required to travel to an educational center, there are other advantages to receiving classes online. Students have the opportunity to interact with other students from various countries in Latin America. Also, the program has reasonable costs and all materials are online; it is not necessary to buy books.
Recently Seminario Teologico Nazareno do Brazil in Campinas, Brazil, has asked to be a part of the alliance, which will add the Portuguese language to the services offered.
To learn more about Nazarene online education in the Spanish/Portuguese world, visit www.nazarenovirtual.net.