Southern Baptist Theological Seminary now offers a fully Spanish online D.Min. degree with cohorts starting once a year, seminary leaders say.
Provost Paul Akin noted the new degree will build upon the success of Southern’s online Hispanic program, which has equipped ministers across the Spanish-speaking world since 2016.
“The Spanish D.Min. is held to the highest standard of academic rigor,” Akin said. “At the same time, it is tailored for pastors and church leaders. The online format gives Hispanic pastors and church leaders an opportunity to immediately apply what they are learning in their local context.”
The seminary has a history of leading efforts in Spanish theological education and is one of the few institutions accredited by the Association of Theological Schools approved to offer MA and MDiv degrees fully in Spanish. As OHP enrollment increased, so did the demand for post-graduate education.
Responding to a need
Roberto Carrera, director of the online Hispanic program since 2021, and Felipe Castro, director of Hispanic initiatives, saw the need to offer the D.Min.
“For years many of our graduates expressed a desire to continue furthering their studies,” Carrera said.
“Many asked quite pointedly if we’d ever offer a doctorate’s degree,” he said. “We saw a need for more pastors and church leaders to become the thought leaders and expert practitioners in their sphere of influence, and the D.Min. at Southern is uniquely suited to meet this need.”
Akin preached Feb. 15 at Iglesia Bautista Internacional, the church of pastor and Southern professor Miguel Núñez, who has served on the SBTS faculty since 2016 and will host seminars in the Dominican Republic.
“He is integral to our Spanish MDiv and will be an anchor to the Spanish D.Min.,” Akin said. “Each cohort will have its first semester in the Dominican Republic at the Instituto Integridad y Sabiduría — giving fellow students and our professors the opportunity to connect.”
‘Natural’ step forward
Akin said the new degree is a natural next step in fulfilling the Great Commission and will prepare Spanish pastors and church leaders with the best of theological education.
“I am convinced that there is a great opportunity for Southern Seminary to help train and equip a rising generation of pastors and church leaders across Latin and South America,” Akin said. “This initiative is a natural outflow of our commitment to the Great Commission and a desire to see Spanish-speaking pastors, missionaries and church leaders equipped to serve the Lord in the years ahead.”
For more information on Spanish degree programs and admissions, click here.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Travis Hearne and originally published by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
