The Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary held an online graduation ceremony program on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, for the dozens of ministers across the Inter-American Division (IAD) church territory who completed their degrees in 2020. The special program celebrated the hard work of nearly 100 pastors, who, through the course of four or six summer semesters, studied for their master’s or doctorate degree to better serve their congregations.
“We are overjoyed that so many have successfully completed their studies even in the midst of many challenges which the pandemic brought last year,” says Dr. Efraín Velázquez. The ceremony was scheduled for late last year but due to connectivity in several countries, it was postponed until this time, he says.
IATS will hand out diplomas for graduates from Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad and Tobago who completed the master’s in pastoral ministry, master’s in biblical studies, or a doctorate in ministry.
“It’s important that pastors are taught by experts with the right tools to reach the generations facing theological challenges and apply counseling techniques in their ministerial leadership work,” says Velázquez.
Despite the transition adjustments from on-campus teaching to online classes remotely, the year proved to be like no other, says Velázquez. Before the pandemic, professors traveled for weeks of classes on the campus of the ten Adventist University sites to students enrolled in the graduate programs, but last year, students in the three programs connected online from other countries were able to study together.
“That proved to be a wonderful opportunity for friendships and ministry exchange that saw many pastors preaching at different congregations online throughout the year,” he says.
The online program showed messages from IAT administration as well as messages from students, their families, and friends.
To watch the IATS celebration program in Spanish and English, click HERE.
This article was originally published on the Inter-America Division’s website