Asbury Theological Seminary celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month this October with a variety of events on the Florida Dunnam Campus. Throughout the month, Asbury Seminary, in partnership with the Justo and Catherine Gonzalez Resource Center, recognized the contributions of Hispanic and Latino/a individuals and leaders to the Seminary and the larger culture. Events included chapel services, the Latino/a Theological Heritage Celebration Dinner, and a service renewing its partnership with the Asociación para La Educación Teológica Hispana (AETH).

On Oct. 17, the Seminary hosted its first annual Latino/a Theological Heritage Celebration Dinner from 6:00-8:30 p.m. for Latino/a pastors, Christian leaders and students. Special guest Dr. Justo Gonzalez joined via Zoom to host a conversation on what “the Priesthood of all believers” means for Latino/a leaders in the 21st Century.

On October 18 at 11:30 a.m. in the Florida Dunnam Chapel, the Seminary renewed its partnership with AETH and honored previous Latino/a leaders who positively influenced Hispanic ministry globally and at the Seminary. The Chapel speaker was Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frasier, Coordinator of Relations with Entities of Theological Education at AETH.

“As part of our 2023 Strategic Plan, Asbury Seminary is committed to equipping pastors and serving emerging ethnic churches,” Dr. Tennent said. “This renewed partnership and friendship with the Association for Hispanic Theological Education allows us to continue developing degree and non-degree programs to serve our Hispanic brothers and sisters as they spread scriptural holiness throughout the world.”

This partnership reaffirms AETH’s certification of the Latino Ministry Formation Program (LMFP). This 60-credit hour certificate program deepens students’ knowledge of theology, biblical studies and counseling. As a certified program, LMFP offers its students the opportunity to continue with graduate studies at Asbury Seminary or any seminary accredited by The Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. or Canada. The Seminary also welcomes applications of graduates from other AETH certified institutions.

The Orlando School of Ministry through the Asbury Latino Center currently offers the master’s degree core courses and a 15-credit hour graduate certificate in Hispanic Ministry Formation bilingually. These bilingually delivered courses are part of the curriculum for several of the Seminary’s master’s programs, providing a solid foundation for those who wish to continue their degree. Classes are being offered via the hybrid model, allowing students to study online with short campus visits.

AETH is a network of people and institutions that since 1992, works in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and more recently in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and improvement of theological education and its impact on the lives of people, churches and communities. Through the Justo and Catherine Gonzalez Resource Center, AETH provides services related to the development of theological curriculum and theological pedagogy for instructors of Bible institutes, seminaries, denominational leaders and pastors in local churches.