Matanzas Evangelical Theological Seminary (SET) — March 2023 Update
Cuba
As this year began for SET, one of our partners in Cuba, there were many challenges presented by the severe economic crisis on the island: shortages of food, unavailability of even basic educational supplies like paper and thumb drives, fuel shortages, and power cuts. Yet despite those hardships, the seminary began the new year with energy, vision, and a renewed commitment to providing ecumenical theological and pastoral training across the island, with comprehensive remote learning opportunities as well as classes on campus in Matanzas.
One of the distance learning programs is the bachelor’s degree in Biblical-Theological Studies. A new class began the five-year study in late January with a week-long session on campus. It was developed at the request of local churches for lay leaders who wished to serve in pastoral ministry or in other ecclesiastical ministries through a teaching-learning process that combines academics and ministerial practice. It is a program of theological and academic “heft” that would allow students to qualify for graduate studies following its completion.
The new class is composed of twenty students, eight men and twelve women, who received this first round of classes: Philosophy and Introduction to the Bible. These eager learners come from a variety of denominations including Presbyterian, Baptist, Church of Christ, and Roman Catholic.
Emilia Elisa Ojeda Acuña, one of the students who has been in this program for a while, lives in Santiago de Cuba, on the far eastern side of the country. Emilia shares this about the impact of her studies:
When I was in the School of Diakonia program [of the seminary], I learned about the Bachelor of Biblical Theological Studies program. Thanks to God, I was able to access the baccalaureate because studying theology was something I had dreamed of. The learning, experiences, and difficulties during these three years of studies are many and are difficult to summarize in a few lines. I am grateful for the quality of the teaching staff; the welcome of all the SET staff; the diversity of our group, the sharing that enriches the lives and faith of each of us, and the feeling of being part of a family. This will continue to be well-kept among us. I am also impressed with the method of teaching because it not only fills us with knowledge but puts it into practice in our context. This was the invitation: theology is lived in the day-to-day and with the neediest ones.
With our family of faith in Cuba, we continue on the journey of Lent, as they daily walk a tough road towards the cross. With them, we are confident in the resurrection that awaits us all on Easter, reminded as we are that, through His sacrifice, we are more than conquerors…
Read more about Matanzas Evangelical Theological Seminary HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of the Matanzas Evangelical Theological Seminary. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help their programs and to help provide scholarships for students. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.
The new class of the distance-learning bachelor’s program