October 28, 2002
Truett offers language study
___WACO--Truett Theological Seminary will partner with Vietnamese, Laotian and Korean theological schools to offer a certificate of ministry program in those languages.
___The 32-hour program, which began this fall, provides basic non-accredited training to the ethnic groups while establishing ties to Truett. Professors will visit the campuses of the language schools to meet the students on occasion. The students also will travel to Waco to meet seminary students and professors.
___The theological education office of the Baptist General Convention of Texas helps the seminary cover administrative costs associated with the program. It also provides resources to help fund the students' education.
___The recent partnership expands minister education in the state and helps to further include the schools in Texas Baptist activities, said Royce Rose, director of the BGCT office of theological education. "It gives them an identity with Texas Baptists. It gives them an identity with the seminary."
___Many first-generation Americans find it difficult to enroll in accredited upper-level theological education because classes must be conducted in English, Rose said. The partnership allows the Asian-American students to dialogue with professors from an accredited institution while studying in their native language.
___"I want my people to have education, and I want my laypeople to become leaders," said Houmphanh Vongsurith, pastor of First Laotian Baptist Church in Dallas and leader of the Laotian School of Theology.
___Truett Dean Paul Powell said he hopes the schools' ties with the seminary elevates their work in the minds of their people. The venture is a part of the seminary's effort to "build relationships for the future" and "advance God's work" across the state, he said.
___"We at Truett and the BGCT are striving to be more inclusive, not exclusive," Powell said. "We are striving to partner with anyone who has an interest in traditional Baptist theological education."
___
Get printer-friendly version of this story
Send this story to a friend
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook