Orlando Campus – More Info
In November 1997 the Asbury Theological Seminary Board of Trustees announced plans to establish a full-service campus in central Florida, with a target date of September 1999 for the initial class of students. It was determined that Asbury Seminary will function as one seminary with one president and a unified faculty, delivering theological education and the Asbury experience in two specific locations. The campus is now thriving with over 200 students, an expanding faculty base, and additional degree plan options.
Numerous factors influenced the decision to develop a Florida campus, including the need to address more effectively urban, ethnic and intercultural concerns, the opportunity to take theological education into a highly accessible and growing market, the chance to communicate the message of historic Wesleyan Christianity to a broader audience and the challenge of current space limitations in Wilmore. The Seminary’s extensive technological resources play a key role in linking the two campuses.
Asbury Theological Seminary—Florida is accredited to offer the Master of Divinity degree and the Master of Arts in Christian Ministries. Dr. J. Steven Harper, who served as an Asbury Seminary faculty member from 1980-93, is vice president of the Florida campus.
General Campus Information
Florida is taking its place as one of the major states in the nation. It is now the third largest state, and it currently leads the nation in African American population growth. Since the beginning of the third millennium, the Latin community has grown more quickly than any other racial group in Florida. Orlando has become a major city, with leaders in the entertainment, business, aerospace and communications industries. The area also has the third largest number of Christian organizations, behind Wheaton and Colorado Springs. In addition to its place in the United States, Orlando is a gateway city to the world.
The Florida campus of Asbury Theological Seminary is located at 8401 Valencia College Lane. The building is a 38,000 square-foot, two-story facility, with 300 lighted parking places. The campus is accessible from two major transportation arteries: 408 (East-West Expressway) and 417 (GreeneWay). It is located about 15 minutes from Orlando International Airport.
In addition to its geographic location, the campus is also situated in a missional area. At least six multi-racial, multi-cultural congregations are located within two miles of the campus — to say nothing of a number of Anglo churches. The campus is also near Valencia Community College and the University of Central Florida.