Ecuadorian seminary reaches out through online programs and community ministries
Originally located in Buenos Aires, Argentina, South American Ministerial Seminary (SEMISUD) in Quito, Ecuador, was founded in 1986. Focusing on the mission of the Church, the interdenominational seminary emphasizes church planting, urban mission and world mission. SEMISUD seeks to develop ministries through a holistic, contextual and church-based approach in response to the realistic demands of Latin America and the world. Today, approximately 90 percent of SEMISUD’s 790 graduates serve in ministry in 22 countries, many in the Latin American context.
SEMISUD has led the way in online programs and offers Internet-based training to students across the region. The seminary offers Licentiate, Bachelor and Master’s degrees in theology, pastoral theology, ministry and Scripture interpretation. Recent additions include a Bachelor’s in Intercultural Studies and a Master’s in Holistic Child Development. Because SEMISUD has full partnership with a state university, its degrees are a part of the state university of Ecuador.
SEMISUD offers many community ministries: a social project focused on the relationship between parents and children; biblical basic courses for the evangelical community; intensive courses on ministerial development to help pastors and leaders in church growth and leadership development; communication tools to families through its educational development program; and an annual two-day intensive training program for Quito pastors to develop their ministry.
Pastoral Theology student Israel Algarañaz Arancibia says his studies and coursework have been a great blessing for him as he prepares for service as a missionary in Mozambique. “I want to work with adolescents who are in danger, teach them to read and write, and help plant a church with the vision of serving, helping and restoring children and adolescents into society,” he says. “I also want to go back to Santa Cruz, Bolivia…to plant churches…and open good level schools, so poor communities can have good education based on biblical principles.
