CHICAGO and ORLANDO, Florida (PNS) — La Asociación Para La Educación Teológica Hispana (AETH) and McCormick Theological Seminary have entered into a memorandum of understanding to collaborate in advancing theological education opportunities in Latinx communities.
The effort is designed to create pathways for students at AETH-certified Bible institutes across the country to pursue advanced graduate-level degrees and continuing theological education at McCormick and to increase cooperation and opportunities for learning among the faculty, staff and students at both McCormick and the AETH-certified Bible institutes. According to a news release issued by both institutions, McCormick becomes the first educational institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools of North America to enter into such an understanding with AETH.
“This is an extremely important moment for AETH, students at AETH-certified Bible institutes across the country, and for the growing Latinx churches and faith-communities they serve,” said Dr. Fernando Cascante, Executive Director of AETH. “McCormick has long been a leader in serving and supporting Latinx ministers and congregations and we are both excited and grateful for this opportunity to work more closely with McCormick.”
McCormick President David Crawford said: “We are blessed to have this opportunity to collaborate with our good friends and colleagues at AETH in expanding accessibility to theological education and building mutually-supportive relationships with AETH-certified Bible institutes and the Latinx communities they serve.” McCormick’s Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Steed Davidson added, “We are eager to work with students who graduate from AETH-certified Bible institutes since they reflect the type of preparation needed for theological education today. Prior knowledge of basic theological disciplines in a focused way as takes place in these institutes prepares those students for the deeper dive into degree-level work. This is an exciting development for theological education.”
This collaborative effort seeks to encourage sharing of resources, creation of pathways from Bible institutes into graduate-level theological education, joint grant and fundraising opportunities, and relationship building between AETH and the diverse communities served by McCormick. The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, AETH’s Coordinator of Relations with Theological Entities, said: “This is collaboration as initiative that opens the space for co-creation which enhances the capacity of both institutions to enrich their work and to imagine beyond themselves.” A critical element in this collaboration will be McCormick’s Center for the Study of Latinx Theology and Ministry led by the Rev. Dr. Leslie Diaz-Perez, who said, “We look forward to finding new ways to nurture our long-standing partnerships with AETH and Bible institutes. This collaboration is our collective expression of the level of commitment needed to foster theological education and opportunities in Latinx communities.”
by McCormick Theological Seminary and AETH, special to Presbyterian News Service
