Certificate in


Ministerial Training

Graduate School of Theology

The Certificate in Ministerial Training is designed to equip you for competent leadership in Latino-Hispanic ministerial fields. This flexible online degree program is fully taught in Spanish.
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The Certificate in Ministerial Training is designed to equip you for competent leadership in Latino-Hispanic ministerial fields. This flexible online degree program is fully taught in Spanish.

Main Content

Ministerial Training Is Important

We at Abilene Christian University recognize the church’s need for opportunities to continue training, growing and learning so that all of us can be better equipped for and available to the broader community.

The ACU Graduate School of Theology offers a Certificate in Ministerial Training for ministers who wish to empower themselves and their ministry. The foundations of the program encourage you on a path of continuous academic, spiritual, community and personal commitment.

About the Program

Why ACU?

This certificate program allows you to complete half of the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry. It is ideal if you are looking to deepen your theological knowledge while serving contextually in ministry. With the flexibility of online learning and the comfort of being taught entirely in Spanish, this program is a great way to pursue your passions in ministry. There is no English requirement to be in this program.

“Higher learning is indispensable, because it allows us to teach the church at a better level of knowledge and with strategies for better performance. We know that Latinos and Hispanics have lacked these opportunities. Now, ACU is making a difference, and its graduates will be able to set a new path.”   

— Argentina Morales,  program graduate

What To Expect of Program

  • Entirely online
  • Entirely in Spanish
  • Faculty mentorship
  • Training in spiritual formation, intergenerational learning and social justice
  • Complete a community project on social justice and generational integration
  • Generous resources

Student Spotlights

Argentina Morales

Managua, Nicaragua

Argentina is a minister and missionary preaching the gospel, leading home bible studies, training sisters for ministry and teaching children and women.

Why did you seek the certificate in ministry education?
The professional preparation offered by ACU is necessary for our ministries. ACU teaches the truths of Christ, has prestige and offers opportunities to Latinos and Hispanics alike in the U.S. and outside the U.S.

How is ACU training you to make that difference?
The tools with which they are equipping us, the professionalism of their professors and the use of technology are the perfect combination to face the challenges of the Hispanic church and to begin strengthening our presence in Latin America.

Luis David Alvarez Matos

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Luis is a vocational engineer who ministers in the church as an evangelist, preacher and teacher.

Lee Mason

Why did you seek the certificate in ministry education?
I firmly believe that each minister must be in constant search of theological and ministerial formation and must seek to renew their skills to serve the church. When I saw the scope of the certificate in ministry, I saw a good balance between theological knowledge and ministerial preparation which is urgent to have in our churches.

How do you hope this certificate will make a difference to your ministry?
Through this certificate, I hope to reach the next level, strengthening my ministerial skills and learning new tools that allow me to serve the church in a more effective way in my Latino context.

How is ACU training you to make that difference?
When looking for a theological training program, I thought of one that combined biblical depth and deep devotion. Over the years, I have seen that ACU is a university that cares about formation with biblical depth and great spirituality.

Total Program cost

$13,680

  • $760/credit hour
  • Each class is 3 credit hours ($2,280/class)

Scholarships

  • 100%  – $13,680
  • 90% – $12,312
  • 50% – $6,840
  • 0%

Citizens of the United States and North America are able to get help for students in the U.S.

Once you have been accepted into the certificate program, you may apply for financial aid and scholarships.

Effective Ministry Practice
Biblical theology to meet the needs of contemporary ministers

Theological Explorations
An in-depth look at one of the major Latino Christian doctrines

History of the Latin American Church
Over 500 years of history have shaped the Latino expression of faith

Biblical Exegesis
The theory and practice of biblical interpretation

New Testament Hermeneutics
History and principles of New Testament interpretation

Readings on Christian Spirituality
Surveys the historical development of Christian spiritual reflection as expressed by Latino key writers

Please submit all the following documents in order to complete your application to the program:

  1. Email your name and curriculum vitae to comhis3@acu.edu to begin enrollment
  2. A completed application
  3. Two letters of recommendation from ministry and staff
  4. One essay that samples your academic writing
  5. One essay reflecting why you want to be in the certification program

Questions about the Certificate Program

Yes! Once you have been accepted into the certificate program, you may apply for financial aid and scholarships.

The program requires two years to complete, with a new cohort starting each fall.

As a participant, you will join a cohort learning group. This cohort journeys through the program, taking all courses together and having opportunities to learn with and from each other over the two years. Every student should expect to spend between 10 and 15 hours studying each week. Due to the online format, students can manage their own time and commitments

Join us on social media

@comhis3

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Contact Us

1201 E. Ambler Rd
ACU 29441
Abilene, TX 79601

Email us: comhis3@acu.edu

Meet the Director

Omar Palafox, Ph.D.

At ACU, Professor Omar Palafox is a Mexican missionary. He holds a Bachelor of Bible and Master of Ministry from Lubbock Christian University and a Master of Divinity degree from Abilene Christian University. His postgraduate studies were in intercultural studies, culminating in a doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary in California. Being bilingual, he has extensive experience in Latin America and the United States as a mentor, teacher, coach and disciple-maker. He has been married to his wife Tana for more than 25 years, and the couple has two children, Emma and Maicah. Dr. Palafox loves watching soccer and reading Hulk comics.

 

Professors and Partners

Annie Escobar
Bilingual assistant to the program 

Dr. Ron Morgan
Professor of History and Global Studies

Dr. Esteban Austin
N.T. Professor and Director of the Texas International Bible Institute

 

Dr. James Henderson
Director of Ashrei: Spiritual Formation Center

Alejandro Ezquerra
Orientation Instructor