Ecuadorian seminary continually makes changes to meet needs

Alliance Biblical Seminary (ABSE) in Ecuador began in 1928 as the vision of two missionaries. Today, the longtime OC partner school has national and international recognition for the quality and integrity of its training programs.

The seminary of 771 graduates offers Diploma and Bachelor’s degrees and is working to offer a Master’s degree. In the next five years, ABSE is looking at other changes and opportunities, such as providing courses on the Internet, modernizing the computer lab and appointing several key people to promote growth and help administer the seminary better. The seminary is also looking into establishing extension centers to improve its ability to train leaders in Ecuador.

ABSE has an excellent working relationship with the local churches and has made various changes to the curriculum to meet church needs. While there is official freedom of religion, many cling to tradition and are resistant to change. The seminary is training evangelical leaders to reach out to the country’s poor and also to renew churches that have become “bogged down in the way it’s always been.”

Graduate and OC scholarship student Sandra-Jacqueline Buri is currently involved in practical ministry with children, youth and women in her church. She says, “In my courses, I have learned to correctly interpret the Word of God and have discovered new truths. There has been such growth in my spiritual life that my family, church and friends all have noticed. Scripture and some courses have helped me change wrong beliefs, and now I can teach the Bible correctly when I minister.”