A few weeks ago, we introduced you to Dr. Mariel Deluca Voth, particularly through her involvement with Global Associates for Transformational Education (GATE). Mariel is also reSource’s primary liaison with Conrad Grebel Theological Seminary (CGTS) in Holguín, Cuba. reSource donors have been key partners for CGTS since its 2011 inception.
Conrad Grebel Theological Seminary offers an academic program to pastors, ministers, deacons, leaders and believers-in-general from the churches in the southwest region of Cuba. Part of CGTS’ unique mission is to train students in developing contextual theological reflection founded on the Bible in Cuba for Cuba. reSource and Overseas Council reps wrote that CGTS’ approach “…opens the door for the development of a contextual reflection that will eventually build leaders that would help the church to be more relevant in its context, responding in a transformative way to the challenges posed by society.”
Conrad Grebel Theological Seminary opened its doors in Holguín, Cuba in 2011.
Ernesto Caceres, Professor of Ethics and New Testament and Pentecostal pastor of the Assemblies of God, notes another unique aspect: “…CGTS has been able to bring together students from different Christian denominations in its classrooms. Methodist, Pentecostal, Adventist, Catholic students, among many others, have lived together in the experience of thinking about the faith in our Cuban context to seek solutions to the challenges that society imposes on the Church today in our beautiful country. At CGTS, through its study programs, we live a spirituality that goes beyond an ‘interdenominational’ definition, because we see all of us as Christians committed to evangelization in our country.”
Led by Gonzalo Grimal, CGTS President, the seminary is designed to serve the 400 Christian churches in the Holguín area, most of whose pastors have no formal theological training. Currently, the student population totals 98 in the following programs:
- 22 students in the Bachelor’s degree
- 34 students in the Diploma of Theology
- 17 students in the Diploma in Christian Leadership and Education
- 14 students in the Diploma in Theology of the Old Testament
- 11 students in the Diploma in History of Protestantism in Cuba
“Not to be counted here are those who participate in the different workshops we give during the year,” Gonzalo explained.
Dr. Mariel de Luca Voth (Regional Consultant for Latin America and the Caribbean), Peter DenHaan (reSource President), and Gonzalo Grimal (CGTS President) addressing the attendees of a workshop hosted by CGTS in 2014.
Pastor Emma Tamayo shared about her experience from studying at CGTS: “I am a graduate of Conrad Grebel Theological Seminary and studying here has meant a lot to me personally and ministerially. What I have learned in the seminary has allowed me to effectively organize the different ministries that we develop in our Church. Today, several of our leaders study at CGTS and are thus preparing to face the challenges we face as a Church today.”
One of those challenges for CGTS is that since all education in Cuba is free, students are not charged tuition. The situation in Cuba is different than in Canada or the US, for example, because it is impossible for a school to raise its own support inside the country. CGTS depends on external support for operations and growth.
Another challenge, as Mariel shares, is that “…many people and leaders are leaving the island. Some of the people that were trained in different areas—many trained in theological education—have gone. Mostly they’re in Europe, México, or the US. A current challenge is finding ways to start again in training new people.”
Would you take a moment to pray for Conrad Grebel Theological Seminary in Holguín, for its leadership and students, for donors to continue supporting it, for its unique and contextual ministry, and for the challenging economic and political reality that it’s situated in? We are grateful for your partnership.
If you would like to learn more, Nicole, our VP of Operations would love to hear from you. You can reach her at nicole@resourceleadership.com .
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