Matanzas Theological Evangelical Seminary - June 2020 Update
Cuba
The Matanzas Evangelical Theological Seminary (SET) provides a high quality, diversified theological education program that prepares young church leaders to meet the challenges of growth in existing local congregations, including those of the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba, and pursuing new church developments throughout Cuba. We recently received this note from the Rev. Dr. Carlos Emilio Ham, president of the seminary:
Undoubtedly, the world is undergoing one of the most difficult moments in its history with the COVID-19 pandemic, a disease that does not distinguish social classes nor geographical locations. Many countries have been affected in a bigger or lesser magnitude in a surprising way since this disease causes severe damage to human beings’ health. Cuba has not been free from it, which is why our Council of Ministers, together with the highest leadership of our country, determined to take a series of measures corresponding with the different epidemiological stages that our country could go through. Educational centers at all levels have closed their premises; sometimes these places have become isolation facilities for patients who were suspected to carry the disease or were positive for the virus. However, alternatives have emerged by using the media to continue teaching students.
Being a religious institution whose social objective is the theological ecumenical training of church leaders and laypeople, Matanzas closed its doors on March 25 to comply with the measures established by the health authorities and the government. However, professors continued their courses with students via email, smartphone, WhatsApp, or other electronic means (distance learning). Those that could not do it this way will finish their courses intensively in September. Academic courses will recommence on the Matanzas campus on Monday, August 31.
The faculty is working on proposals to change class procedures and methodologies for our subjects. We need to reorganize our curricula and programs in light of the new digital opportunities in our countries – aware of the yet limited access – so that non-residential students will physically attend fewer courses, classes, or meetings. Moreover, we will have to do more with less, since some of the partners that support us have announced a reduction of funding.
The seminary has continued to serve the community, offering clean water and produce from our campus garden (as well as other food in some cases), and internet access. The rector`s offices, the economic department, and administrative personnel have remained actively working; transportation has been used sparingly. The historical archive office has done different activities during this period of inactivity; the public relations department has coordinated, among other things, repairing the purified water systems; the publications department has continued working, too, as well as security and gardening.
The seminary students have shown their gratitude to the School Board for the support they and their families have been offered. One example:
SET student Pedro Luis Laza, is from San Nicolas de Bari, a small city about 50 miles southeast of Havana
“I have been able to maintain emotional balance during this time by personal prayer and daily devotional and by reading the Scriptures. Great hopeful texts that bring the word of God are a gift, and they have sustained my faith and filled me with hope. Contact via electronic means or the telephone with the community where I do my pastoral practices and with its pastors has made us become a real church within the people and not just within the church walls. The challenge has been thinking and creating dynamics of unity and relationship through the social network, such as the creation of a WhatsApp group with the young people of the church who I have taught and accompanied for over a year. Even from my home, God continues using my life and I pray that he continues to do so. My family and I are grateful for the assistance and the efforts made by SET for the well-being of all its students.”
It is a pleasure for the seminary to know about the gratitude of students, which, at the same time makes us strive, much more, to give them a better quality of life despite the economic limitations. Likewise, we appreciate all the support and prayers our churches and partner organizations have given us.
We pray that the God of life continues guiding us and blessing us all so that we can also be a blessing for others.
Rev. Ham
Read more about the Matanzas Evangelical Theological Seminary HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts totaling $40,000 for programs and scholarships SET. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.