Global Leadership Development

Baptist Theological Seminary

El Salvador

Brief History

El Salvador is the smallest countries in Central America. With a population of just over 6 million, this country has undergone severe sociopolitical struggles in recent decades. While these struggles have brought suffering upon the population, they have in a way led many of the inhabitants to turn to the Lord. Today 36% of the population of El Salvador is Evangelical/Protestant. This inspiring receptivity to the evangelical message has motivated Salvadorian Baptist pastors to re-open the Salvadorian Baptist Theological Seminary. Two decades ago, when the missionaries who were serving as professors were reassigned elsewhere by their mission board, the Salvadorian Seminary had no other recourse but to close its doors. Four years ago, the Salvadorian Seminary contacted the Baptist Theological Seminary in Guatemala and petitioned to come under its wing academically so its professors could upgrade their theological training and the Salvadorian Seminary, now functioning as an Institute could once again become a seminary. During these years the Salvadorian Institute has been encouraging its professors to take courses offered by the Guatemalan Seminary. With the help of a Champion
Church, this Institute could once again become a Seminary in a few short years.

Projects Involving a Champion Church/Partner

E

The pastors of Champion Churches could be involved in teaching intensive (week-long) courses and/or workshops for the students as well as pastors

E

Teams from the Champion Church could be involved in evangelism, disciplesip and ministry activities along with seminary students

E

Work teams from the Champion Church could be involved in renovation of classrooms and improvement of the classrooms

E

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

E

The Champion Church could provide financial resources for the seminary to hold workshops for the seminary professors and staff

Projects Related to the Facult

E

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.

E

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

E

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 Guatemalan Seminary

E

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 El Salvador

Projects Related to the Campus

E

Expand their very limited library (for printed as well as digital books)

E

Set up a computer lab (with 6 computers) so students can do their research and writing

E

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 is now receiving classes from Guatemalan professors who travel to El Salvador
Funds to help the seminary professors travel to and from the extensions could be very helpful

Gabriel Antonio Martinez

President

Email: gabrielantoniomartinez@yahoo.es