This is a very special year for the Adventist Faculty of Theology (FAT) in Spain as it celebrates its 80th anniversary.
The administration is planning to celebrate the anniversary through visits to churches, online talks, publication of articles, a spectacular congress, and the start of new online courses at all levels (certificates and postgraduate studies).
The Beginnings
The beginnings of the institution date back to 1942, shortly after the Spanish Civil War, due to the need to organize theological training for Adventist pastors. From those beginning through the present day, the clear mission has been to train men and women in pastoral ministry. Throughout its 80 years of existence, the FAT has had its headquarters in the cities of Madrid (1942–1967), Valencia (1967–1974), and Sagunto (1974–present).
Spanish Adventist Seminary (SAE)
During its time in Madrid, the then Excelsior Academy went through various misfortunes, being closed on two occasions due to the lack of religious freedom in Spain at that time. In 1967, it moved to Valencia under the name of the Spanish Adventist Seminary (SAE). Its facilities were meager and inadequate, but the enthusiasm and spirit of sacrifice and self-improvement, together with the love, understanding, and excellent disposition of the Valencia-Vives Church, made it possible to overcome all the difficulties for several years.
Finally, in 1974, the project became a reality, and SAE was able to continue its educational work at Sagunto Adventist College (now Sagunto Adventist Campus).
Sagunto Adventist College
Sagunto Adventist College (CAS) was established in Sagunto, Valencia, Spain, on a property of 8 hectares acquired in 1969 (in 1981, it would reach the current 23 hectares).
The aim of CAS was to meet the educational needs of the young people of the church and all those who freely wished to share its pedagogical ideology. It began with just 25 secondary school students who were preparing for their graduation certificate or studying for the fifth year of Bachillerato (the penultimate year before entering college).
Escuela Superior de Español
Escuela Superior de Español (ESDES) began as the Department of Spanish for Foreigners in 1968, as part of the Seminary in Valencia. In 1970, the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists created the Adventist College Consortium, known as Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA), and began officially sending university students to Valencia.
In 1974, the department moved to the current campus location under the name Hispanic Language and Culture (LCH) and, together with the Theology Seminary, began the current campus location.
Primary and Secondary School
In 1975, the college started the first year of secondary school (Bachillerato Unificado Polivalente [BUP]) with a total of 13 students, adding one higher level each year until 1978, when the course received its definitive qualification as an approved center.
In June 1976, a home school was started with seven children between the ages of two and five—children of pupils and teachers. This was the beginning of the primary school, and the implementation and recognition of all the educational stages were gradual over time.
Secondary School
Subsequently, in June 1980, authorization was received to begin the University Orientation Course (COU), a course prior to entry into college, which culminated in the introduction of all stages of secondary education.
In 1983, the facilities were extended with the inauguration of the Ladies' Boarding School, and the central Administration and Secondary School building was remodeled. In November 1984, the first of the three modules that would form the General Basic Education (EGB) school was inaugurated.
Accreditations from the GC and the Government
In 1984, the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists conferred Junior College accreditation. Neal C. Wilson, GC president at the time, visited CAS in June 1986.
On June 23, 1987, the Department of Culture, Education and Science of the Generalitat Valenciana gave final authorization for the operation of the school for general basic education. On December 29, 1993, the same entity granted the authorization to teach infant education, thus achieving the implementation of all levels of education.
In 1998, it gradually began to offer primary and secondary education, which was fully completed in 2008.
The School of Music
Between 2000 and 2001, the School of Music received official authorization and eventually its first government grant. At the same time, the process of converting the school into a legal center began. During these years, the school was authorized by the government to primarily become a music school and later a J. S. Bach professional center for elementary and professional education. From 2006 onward, the official journey and diversification of specialities began, giving way to a new stage in which the teaching staff, methodologies, subjects, and official format were formalized. The center has three choirs (primary, secondary, and campus) and two orchestras (children's and campus). There are also four group introductory music courses for students three-to-seven years old.
New Institutions
In March 2002, following the 17th Assembly of the Spanish Union, two independent institutions were created: CAS and the new Spanish Adventist Seminary (SAE).
CAS became responsible for the Primary, Secondary, and Music departments, and SAE was to include the Theology Department, the Master's in Education, and the Spanish Language School (ESDE, the new name for the former LCH Department).
In April 2004, SAE was recognized by the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) of the General Conference as a senior college, allowing them to offer the Bachelor’s in Theology.
In 2008, all areas of the school (from preschool to baccalaureate) were accredited.
Agreement with Collonges and Andrews University
In November 2009, agreements were signed with the Faculté Adventiste de Théologie de Collonges - sous - Salève (France) to jointly offer the Master's in Pastoral Theology starting in 2010-2011 the academic year—an agreement that has been recognized by the Adventist University of Friedensau (Germany).
In June 2010, FAT signed agreements with the Theological Seminary of Andrews University (USA) for the latter institution to carry out in Sagunto, on an extension basis, the Spanish Doctor of Ministry (DMin) program of Andrews University, which began in July 2012 and was accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Recognition from the Spanish Government
On November 11, 2011, the Ministry of Education of the Government of Spain officially recognised the Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Theology, putting the university level of the Faculty of Theology on par with that of any faculty in the Spanish state.
In January 2021, ESDES received the distinction of being an accredited center of the Cervantes Institute. This is the most prestigious accreditation for centers teaching Spanish as a foreign language.
General Information About Sagunto
Sagunto Adventist Campus is a Christian educational institution committed to responding to the challenges that current education represents and offering a comprehensive training in values to its students and their families. It currently offers education at infant, primary, secondary, and baccalaureate levels, as well as the Music School, Art Academy, Spanish School, and Faculty of Theology.
CAS belongs to both the Spanish Adventist Union and educational system of the Adventist Church worldwide and has been located on the current Sagunto campus since 1974, although its origins go back even further.
To find more information, please go here.
The original article was published on the Inter-European Division news site.