Pentecostal Theological Seminary Inaugurates the Center for Latino Studies
The Pentecostal Theological Seminary (PTS) in Cleveland, TN welcomed over 200 Hispanic leaders and educators from all regions of the United States and Puerto Rico to celebrate the first Latino Pentecostal Theological Summit and, in a historic event, inaugurate the Center for Latino Studies of the Seminary. The event took place October 8-9, 2013, after many months of planning and preparations.
The Center has been developed under the leadership of Dr. Steven J. Land, PTS President, and the direction of Dr. Wilfredo Estrada Adorno, who has the distinction of serving as the first Director of the Center and Professor of Practical Theology and Latino Studies at PTS.
“The event celebrated a new effort of the church to organize an accredited ministerial education project for Hispanics in the USA,” Dr. Estrada stated.
The Summit included challenging presentations, and a constructive analysis of Wesleyan Pentecostal Theology from the reality of Latinos/as in the USA as seen through the eyes of a group of Latino theologians, a Korean-American theologian and an Anglo-Saxon theologian. Dr. Sang-Ehil Han, Vice President for Academics at PTS shared a scholarly presentation about the “Fundamentals and Distinctives of Wesleyan Pentecostal Theology” which provided the theological framework for the dialogue.
The highlight of the event was the worship service celebration that took place on Tuesday evening at the International Worship Center / Centro Internacional de Adoración in Cleveland, Tenn. In a packed sanctuary, and after fervent and anointed bilingual praise and worship, Dr. Mark Williams, General Overseer of the Church of God, challenged the multiethnic crowd with a powerful message based on Mathew 28:18-20. He affirmed the significant role that the Center for Latino Studies will have in the mission of the church and the fulfillment of the great commission as we face new challenges in the 21st Century.
Among those present in this historic celebration were some of the highest leaders of the Church of God, who shared with Dr. Estrada, and the congregation, enthusiastic words of appreciation and support as they described what God is doing within, and through, the Hispanic church in the Church of God. Dr. Wallace J. Sibley, Third Assistant General Overseer, and Dr. M. Thomas Propes, Secretary General, as well as Dr. Tim Hill, General Director of World Missions were some of the special guests to this multicultural worship experience.
The ribbon cutting ceremony of the property that will serve as the home for the Center for Latino/a Studies served as the closure for the event. Dr. J. David Stephens, Second Assistant General Overseer, and Executive Director of the Division of Education, with Dr. Land and Dr. Estrada did the honors, while a grateful and joyful crowd of believers praised God in this memorable occasion.
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–Submitted by, José Daniel Montañez, D.Min. Montañez is Senior Pastor of Central Church of God in San Antonio, Texas.
