The Theological Seminary of Andrews University, United States, and the Romanian Adventist Theological Institute (RATI) in Bucharest-Cernica, have teamed up to provide Seventh-day Adventist pastors in Romania with new opportunities for further training. Eighteen young pastors have enrolled in the first-ever Master of Arts in Theology Extension to be offered on the RATI campus.

This new program is designed to enhance the biblical and theological understanding of pastors and administrators, so that they are better equipped to meet the challenges both of a growing church and a society in rapid transition, say local church leaders. They hope the program will also allow graduates to better contribute to the world church with their work experience and research.

The Theological Seminary at Andrews University currently conducts similar programs in 10 countries outside the United States, with approximately 300 pastors participating. Atilio Dupertuis, Ph.D., director of these programs for Andrews, comments: “The seminary’s mission has always been to serve the world church. Since it is virtually impossible for the church in other parts of the world to send their pastors to Andrews for training, the seminary goes to different fields and offers the same degrees the students can obtain here on campus.”

RATI is situated on a 15 acres property 10 miles out of Bucharest, and offers nationally recognized bachelor degrees in pastoral theology, Romanian language and literature, and social work. The school has a combined enrollment of 350 students.