Baptist Theological Seminary
Costa Rica
Brief History
For many decades the Baptist Theological Seminary of Costa Rica trained people from its own country and surrounding countries to serve in Christian ministry. International Mission Board missionary Dr. Bob Fricke was instrumental in guiding this ministry from the status of an Institute to that of a recognized Theological Seminary. Upon his retirement he was succeeded by Dr. Roy Cooper who kept up the quality of training as it trained numerous pastors including some who are the top leaders of the Costa Rican Baptist Federation. Unfortunately when the International Mission Board reassigned its missionaries from their teaching positions, this seminary had no option but to close its doors especially since the seminary campus was sold. In recent years Costa Rican pastors have made efforts to revive theological education in a country that is showing great receptivity to the Gospel message with over 25% of its population now identifying itself as Evangelical/Protestant. With over 5 million inhabitants, this Central American is in desperate need of well-trained persons for Christian Ministry. Pastor Adolfo Garcia has established a Baptist Theological Institute in his church. Some of the projects listed below can contribute toward training professors for this institute and enabling it to grow until it becomes a full-fledged seminary.
Projects Involving a Champion Church/Partner
The pastors of Champion Churches could be involved in teaching intensive (week-long) courses and/or workshops for the students as well as pastors
Teams from the Champion Church could be involved in evangelism, disciplesip and ministry activities along with seminary students
Work teams from the Champion Church could be involved in renovation of classrooms and improvement of the classrooms
The Champion Church could provide scholarships for the professors of this seminary to enroll in online and virtual Masters and Doctoral programs that enable them to continue to teach while elevating their academic level
The Champion Church could provide financial resources for the seminary to hold workshops for the seminary professors and staff
Projects Related to Faculty Development
Professors — There is a need to train professors so they can teach at the Licenciatura (BA) level in the central campus and in the extensions.
Scholarships of $1 ,600 each would cover the tuition costs for the entire Masters in Theological Studies (MTS) offered at Southwestern Seminary totally on line and totally in Spanish
Projects Related to Students
Due to economic limitations of students who come from areas of extremely limited resources a minimum of 10 students who could greatly benefit from scholarships to take courses in the Costa Rican Seminary
In light of the fact that many of the students in the outlying areas speak indigenous languages instead of Spanish and live in agricultural areas that are economically depressed, financial assistance for these students could greatly enhance theological education in Costa Rica
Projects Related to the Campus
Expand their very limited library (for printed as well as digital books)
Set up a computer lab (with 6 computers) so students can do their research and writing
In collaboration with Southwestern Seminary, Trinity Academic can make available to this Seminary an electronic portal that will enable the seminary to offer online courses, virtual courses and an untold number of library resources to the students. A Champion Church can assist by providing the initial cost of installing this system and the very affordable cost to maintain thus saving the Seminary thousands of dollars in equipment and local personnel to maintain it
Projects Related to the Seminary Extensions
This seminary now has 2 extensions which they are using to train people who cannot travel to the central campus to be trained.
Funds to help the seminary professors travel to and from the extensions could be very helpful.
Adolfo Garcia
President
Email: Agarciavillas@gmail.com