Hispaniola Institute of Theology
Posted by admin on June 12, 2014
We are very excited to officially announce that we have started a bible college/ seminary here on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. It has always been our practice to equip Haitian pastors. Over the years we have done small theological conferences, written and translated books, and engaged in theological discipleship, all with the focus of encouraging Haitian pastors. We have often realized that what we were doing was not near what these pastors need or deserve as men called to lead the church.
So last year we began research and development for a project to establish a theological institute in the DR, primarily for Haitians, taught in Haitian Creole. We spoke to indigenous church leaders and long term missionaries here in the DR and they confirmed that there was a need for more formal, affordable, excellent, and accessible theological education for Haitians. We also consulted with some of our American partners, many of whom have worked cross culturally in theological education. We received a lot of encouragement to move forward.
So with a need established, we began researching what we would teach our students. Having produced material from the ground up, the prospect of producing a well rounded curriculum (in a helpful language) was daunting. We began to pray and look. Within a month (this was all of grace) we had identified a 10 book series in French (not best, but helpful) that would offer a good foundational education to our students.
The series is called “The Bible Training Center for Pastor” (though it is not only for pastors) and it covers Bible Study Methods and Interpretation, Old and New Testament Survey, Biblical Doctrine, Personal Spiritual Life, Pastoral Ministry, Survey of Church History, Evangelism, Discipleship, and Missions; among other topics. It is similar to an Associates in Divinity in the U.S. We were very happy to find this curriculum and are looking forward to working through it. It will take 2 and a half years to get through all 10 books, meeting once a week. It is a certificate program, but we plan to add an advance studies section that will build on the BTCP foundation. We hope to be able to offer a diploma at the end of the program that will take another 2 years. (Pray that we can navigate the accreditation process here wisely.)
With an identified need and a helpful curriculum we began looking for potential students. During our time back in the U.S. last winter, Pastor Clebert was here talking with other pastors about our project. Many of them expressed a desire to attend the institute, so we began looking for a space to hold classes and have an office. Within days we found a space directly beside our house here with space for classes and an office. Knowing that we would need some funds to get things rolling, we asked our church (North Wake Church) to invest in our project. They responded generously with enough funding to get us through the first 6-8 months.
When we returned here in early May, we had potential students, meeting space, teaching material, and some funding for the institute. We were still in need of an administrator and a translator for the institute. I was able to hire Pastor Clebert as an administrator and Edmon as a translator during our first week back. We got to work immediately, meeting one on one, interviewing potential students, starting translation of material into Haitian Creole, and preparing the meeting space. We built tables and bought chairs, made chalk boards and desks. We cleaned. But most of all we have spent a lot of time talking about the future.
We want to establish an institution (The Hispaniola Institute of Theology) that endures. One that can be run by indigenous leaders for generations to come. Casting vision of what could be is essential for the success of this institute. Our staff and students have to be able to see and taste and feel what might be the outcome of this modest school. They need a photo in their mind of a pastor of little means receiving an education of heart and mind and soul that propels him forward in the care and skillful shepherding of God’s people. One who handles God’s word as a tool of sanctification and joy and hope. One who equips the saints for the work of ministry. A pastor who really is like the good shepherd, not a hired hand. A pastor that leads along side other men, experiencing the transformation of himself, his church, his family, his community, and his country. We believe that this is the promise of the Gospel. In it, we get God. When we are had by him, we will be transformed, and through discipleship, others will be transformed, to the ends of the earth.The mission of The Hispaniola Institute of Theology is to advance God’s global mission by offering excellent, affordable, and accessible theological education to Hispaniola’s current and future church leaders. It is our goal to direct the church to health, vitality, and purity by investing in her leaders.
So with this objective we had our first student orientation this past Saturday. We hosted 7 pastors and 1 leader in a meeting designed to welcome them into the institute and help them count the cost of committing to the work ahead. Our administrator open our time by praying and then our students sang a hymn together. Everyone introduced themselves and then I addressed them as a group. We explained the program and set expectations. We agreed on a meeting time and answered questions. Then we had coffee together. It was a great start to what we hope will be an enduring institution of pastoral equipping and encouragement. We have our first official class this Saturday at 9 am. We will begin our studies in Bible Study Methods and Interpretation. We are expecting 11 students (after our orientation some of the pastors wanted to bring other people with them).
Please pray…
1. Against the evil one. he desires to bring division and confusion. (This past Saturday the whole Joyner family had the vomit extravaganza. I had to take some prescription anti-vomit meds (Thanks Jenni Miles) so that I would not desecrate pastors on our front row. It was awful. No really!) Similar attempts at theological education here have suffered a lot of division and have not endured. Pray for unity and clarity.
2. For our student. That humility would be the spirit of our class times. That punctuality would be a value (Trying to make this a gospel issue, Joey Craft). That they would all be able to come take part in class. That they would learn how to better study and interpret God’s word.
3. For our staff. That Clebert, Edmon and myself (Noah) would communicate clearly (in Haitian Creole) the greatness of God in his word. That we would truly encourage our students to know God and love his church.
4. That our first class would be one of many to come. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. We could not do our work without your investment.
If you would like to learn more about how to invest in the work we do please contact me at noahj@northwake.com. Thanks to all of you who continue to invest in our work. This is the fruit of your investment.
For the glory of God, among Haitians…