Baptist University of the Américas soon will offer a Spanish-language online undergraduate degree in biblical theological studies.
The new degree program—announced at the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas annual meeting in Dallas—launches in August and is fully accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education.
“We know it’s offered nowhere else in Texas. We think it may be the first online undergraduate biblical theology degree offered in Spanish anywhere,” said Sam Garcia, dean of academic affairs at BUA.
The four-year program includes the basic core curriculum for a bachelor’s degree, including courses in leadership and management, and students can choose from among more than 15 courses in Bible and theology.
Students will be able to view recorded lectures online and communicate with instructors and fellow students through electronic discussion boards.
“There is a need for this kind of program for Spanish-language pastors in Texas. We also believe there’s an open door throughout Latin America,” Garcia said.
BUA wants to equip ministers for Hispanic Texas Baptist churches, but it also has a global audience and a kingdom purpose in mind, President Abe Jaquez said.
“This fits our mission as an institution of higher education that forms cross-cultural Christian leaders in the Hispanic context. We want to equip students for the marketplace, but primarily we are here to educate students for Christian ministry and missions,” Jaquez said.
The new degree program helps equip future church leaders while allowing them to live and minister in their own culture, without requiring them to relocate to San Antonio, he noted.
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“They are able to continue doing ministry within their own context where they are, but they receive the educational benefits of an education from BUA,” he said. “It’s a great tool from a kingdom perspective.”
The deadline to apply for the fall semester is Aug. 16. For more information, contact the office of admissions at (800) 721-1396 or [email protected].
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