Baptist Theological Seminary
Juarez Mexico
Brief History
Efforts to train people for ministry date back to 1973 when a group of pastors from the state of Chihuahua formed Bible Institute. These pastors carried out their work in the city of Juarez. In 1986 the Institute took on the functions of a Seminary. Not having its own campus, this seminary meet in the educational building of a church which it does until this day. This became known as the Seminario Teolόgico Bautista Fronterizo. In 1986 the first graduation took place with 14 graduates.
Arturo Garcia is the current president of the seminary and he is enrolled in the Master of Theological Studies at Southwestern Seminary with a view to continue on to a Doctorate. Pastor Garcia has a very clear and challenging vision related to the work of the seminary. He is aware that being located in northern border of Mexico, this seminary has the opportunity to train Spanish-speaking pastors on both sides of the border. Already the president as well as the professors of the seminary are working sacrificially to train the largest number of students both in Juarez and through extensions that they have started in other surrounding cities. The Mission Statement of this Seminary is that “It will provide theological training to the members of the churches in the Regional Convention and of other Baptist churches who are called by God to serve as ministers of the Gospel.”
Projects Involving a Champion Church/Partner
The pastors of Champion Churches could be involved in teaching intensive (weeklong) 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 church where the seminary has its classes
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 Students
In light of the fact that the economy in Mexico is in such a dire state, students have a very difficult time coming up with the funds for the tuition which is held at the lowest possible point by the seminary. Scholarships or even partial scholarships could make it possible for students to get their theological education.
Some of the scholarships to students can be connected with church planting efforts thus benefitting the students as well as the National Convention
Projects Related to the Campus
This seminary meets in the classrooms of an existing Baptist Church. Work teams from the Champion Church could go and renovate some of those classrooms (painting, table and desks, white boards — all of this would help and make it more conducive for teaching.
Funds that enable the seminary to purchase laptop computers, data projectors, video cameras could make it possible for the seminary to offer online and virtual courses thus reaching many more students with their training
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 Juarez Seminary thousands of dollars in equipment and local personnel to maintain it.
Projects Related to the Seminary Extensions
This seminary now has 4 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
Laptop computers and data projectors could be very helpful in these extensions
Arturo García Rodríguez (hno. Cala)
President
Email: cala1631@yahoo.com.mx
Phone Number: 52-656-2150751