• Mantuvimos nuestros servicios básicos de atención a nuestros miembros, y terminamos el año con un número mayor de miembros activos que los que tuvimos hace un año.
• La Junta Directiva y los Comités de Trabajo (Certificación, Publicaciones, Tercer Encuentro Latino de Educación Teológica) continuaron con sus tareas y realizaron sus reuniones de trabajo de manera regular.
• Logramos un subsidio que nos permitió iniciar en mayo la implementación del Proyecto de Cambio Primera Oleada que nos convertirá en una organización más relevante y efectiva en los próximos diez años.
• Cientos de pastores y líderes de educación teológica de todas partes del continente participaron en la decena de conversatorios en línea que realizamos a lo largo del año en respuesta a necesidades concretas de las iglesias e instituciones teológicas surgidas por causa de la pandemia.
• Cientos de líderes de educación teológica participaron en los conversatorios en línea realizados como parte de las actividades previas al Tercer Encuentro Latino de Educación Teológica a realizarse en junio 2021.
• Realizamos con éxito, y por primera vez de manera virtual, la 15ª Asamblea Bienal en la que se nombraron cuatro nuevos miembros de la JD, y se reafirmó el papel de AETH como un movimiento de educación teológica hispana cada vez más reconocido y relevante dentro y fuera de los Estados Unidos.
• Igualmente, de manera virtual, se realizó con éxito el segundo encuentro de personas e instituciones miembros de ReDET (Red de Entidades Teológicas), en donde se confirmó el Comité Timón que ayudará a consolidar el trabajo de colaboración en la solución de necesidades comunes de los institutos bíblicos y otros programas de formación ministerial.
• Tres de los primeros programas certificados por AETH fueron recertificados este año (en CA, TN, FL). Además, se realizaron en formato híbrido (presencial y virtual) cinco visitas de verificación a instituciones que se encontraban en su última etapa del proceso de Certificación (en CA, TX, FL, PR). Dos de ellas ya recibieron la Certificación. Así, cerramos el año 2020 con 7 programas debidamente certificado por AETH, y tres en su última etapa de Certificación.
• Dimos seguimiento a relaciones de compañerismo con una variedad de organizaciones teológicas que permitieron la integración de una mayor cantidad de jóvenes adultos al trabajo de AETH, así como la consolidación de proyectos que posibilitarán a corto plazo el desarrollo de la capacidad organizativa y educativa de la mayoría de los institutos bíblicos y programas de formación miembros de AETH.
• Varios líderes de AETH contribuyeron como conferencistas en una decena de eventos virtuales organizados por iglesias e instituciones en varios países de América Latina, lo cual nos ha abierto nuevos espacios de colaboración y servicio en un momento en que las barreras geográficas no son impedimento para ello.
• Realizamos reuniones con presidentes, decanos, profesores y personal administrativo de varios seminarios miembros de la ATS interesados en establecer convenios de colaboración en los que, entre otras cosas, buscamos el reconocimiento oficial de los programas certificados por AETH.

We are about to end an unprecedented year. The Covid-19 pandemic altered everything and everyone. No one was excused from its impact.

As families and as a church we have had to learn, and we continue to learn, to rethink from our faith in Jesus Christ what it means to be a healing and consoling community in the face of the loss of loved ones, in the face of anxieties that arise from the increase in unemployment, the little or limited access to health services, and in view of the social distancing that has affected so many fundamental activities of our human coexistence (education, communion, recreation).

We have also had to learn, and we continue to learn, what it means to be a solidary and prophetic community of faith in the face of the political, social, and religious conflicts that have re-emerged, and which are suffered most by those who have the least resources and those who remain on the margins of society (because of their race, immigration status, and other forms of discrimination).

At AETH, as an organization that promotes the theological formation of people who serve the church and the Hispanic-Latino community, this year we have had to learn, and continue to learn, to adapt to new ways and places to do our work. In addition, in response to the various crises that affect us, trusting in the presence of the God of history who accompanies, sustains, and guides his people, we decided to rethink our work priorities and look for ways to solve the financial and operational challenges to maintain and even to increase the services most needed by the people and institutions we serve.

Therefore, the work of AETH did not stop. Proof of this is that:

• We maintained our core member care services and ended the year with a greater number of active members than we had a year ago.
• The Board of Directors and the Working Committees (Certification, Publications, Third Encuentro on Latino/a Theological Education) continued their tasks and held their working meetings on a regular basis.
• We obtained a subsidy that allowed us to start in May the implementation of the Project of Change First Wave, which will make us a more relevant and effective organization in the next ten years.
• Hundreds of pastors and theological education leaders from all over the continent participated in the ten online conversations that we held throughout the year in response to the specific needs of the churches and theological institutions arising from the pandemic.
• Hundreds of theological education leaders participated in the online conversations held as part of the activities prior to the Third Encuentro on Latino/a Theological Education to be held in June 2021.
• We carried out successfully, and for the first time in a virtual way, the 15th Biennial Assembly in which four new members of the BD were appointed, and the role of AETH as an increasingly recognized and relevant Hispanic theological education movement within and outside the United States was reaffirmed.
• Likewise, in a virtual way, the Second Encounter of individual and member institutions of ReDET (Network of Theological Entities) was successfully held, and its Steering Committee was confirmed to help consolidate the collaborative work in solving common needs of Bible institutes and other ministerial training programs.
• Three of the first AETH certified programs were recertified this year (in CA, TN, FL). In addition, five verification visits were made in a hybrid format (face-to-face and virtual) to institutions that were in their last stage of the Certification process (in CA, TX, FL, PR). Two of them have already received the Certification. Thus, we close the year 2020 with 7 programs duly certified by AETH, and three in their last stage of Certification.
• We maintained collaborations with a variety of theological organizations that allowed the integration of a greater number of young adults to the work of AETH, as well as the consolidation of projects that, in the short term, will make possible the development of the organizational and educational capacity of the AETH member Bible institutes and training programs.
• Several AETH leaders contributed as lecturers in a dozen virtual events organized by churches and institutions in various Latin American countries, which has opened up new spaces for collaboration and service at a time when geographic barriers are not an impediment to this.
• We held meetings with presidents, deans, professors, and administrative staff of various ATS member seminars interested in establishing collaboration agreements through which, among other things, we seek official recognition of AETH-certified programs.

The work of AETH did not stop in 2020 because, in the midst of the crises generated by Covid-19, “old” and new members decided to support the ministry of AETH with their time, enthusiasm, resources, and prayer.

And it is for all this that we know that the work of AETH will not stop in 2021 either. In the words of one of our members of the Board of Directors:

"Our cause remains alive, valid, and viable in times of change and in changing times ... This movement of community and alliances will continue its mission because the Spirit of Life, who intercedes for creation, humanity, the church, and the poor of the earth, and the Spirit of Pentecost who has anointed and commissioned us, continues to do new things and announce new tomorrows."

It is our wish and prayer that in the New Year our faith will increase, our hope will be enlivened, and will move us in all love, for the glory of God and his kingdom here on earth.

Peace,

Fernando

Executive Director, AETH

You can contribute to advance AETH's mission by making your End of the Year Donation.

Recently AETH certified our Bachelor of Ministry and Biblical Studies degree, at the Texas International Bible Institute. We are content and excited; content because this marks the successful end of the certification process, and excited for the advantages and opportunities this affords us.

With our official announcement of this two weeks ago, we have seen an immediate and striking increase in the number of people who are asking about this program, and how and when they may begin to study with us. This fall we have had the highest enrollment of our 17-year history, and it continues to increase. We have students from 10 Latin American countries in our live Zoom classes, and students from a total of 76 countries studying with us online. We believe this will only increase.

Also, because of our association with AETH, the Duke Leadership Education has invited us to apply for a grant, to increase our capacity to train leaders, and build the capacity of the leaders themselves. This, combined with the growing network of contacts with leaders of institutes, programs, and churches through ReDET, provides us with more resources to face the challenges of Hispanic theological education.

We are grateful to the leadership of AETH for these blessings, and we hope God continues to guide and bless this relationship.

Blessings,

Stephen Austin

• Grupos de lectura, incluyendo un libro de Justo Gonzalez. Para información haga clic en el siguiente enlace: https://worship.calvin.edu/news-events/events/host-a-2020-fall-book-group/
• Becas de investigación para académicos/as. Para más detalles, use el siguiente enlace: https://worship.calvin.edu/grants/teacher-scholars/

AETH is pleased to share with you two great opportunities this fall (for group study and academic research) that the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship (CICW) wants to extend to AETH members.

CICW is an institutional member of AETH and is one of the organizations that for several years has supported the work of our organization in many ways. Visit the links below to find more information on how to take advantage of one or both opportunities.

• Reading groups, including a book by Justo Gonzalez. For information click on the following link: https://worship.calvin.edu/news-events/events/host-a-2020-fall-book-group/
• Research grants for academics. For more details, use the following link: https://worship.calvin.edu/grants/teacher-scholars/

Sábado octubre 3, 12pm -3pm (tiempo del Este)

Saturday October 3, 12pm -3pm (Eastern Time)

We feel great enthusiasm and anticipation for what it means to hold our biennial assembly, for the first time virtually this year. On this occasion, we will unite with the common commitment to discovering "Opportunities for our mission in times of crisis." We will do so with the conviction that in these times of crisis and uncertain future, the God who has guided and sustained his people throughout history is and will be with us. (Psalm 23.4).

This year registration is already included in your membership fee, so sign up now here: Biennial Assembly 2020.

John R. Wimmer, 63, program director in religion at Lilly Endowment, Inc., died on June 24, 2020, after he courageously fought a battle against a rare form of prostate cancer, and exceeded his life expectancy by almost two years.

Wimmer joined the Lilly Endowment staff in 2002, and in his role as program officer in the religion division, Wimmer was responsible for nearly $550,000 million in grants that supported religious institutions across the wide spectrum of Christian traditions. These grants strategically helped congregations and pastors, denominations, and theological schools, as well as church-related agencies and other religious non-profits, strengthen their capacities to serve their communities and the world.” (from his obituary).

John was very instrumental in helping AETH to develop, submit and obtain grants from the Religion Program at Lilly Endowments, all of which have impacted the work of AETH in the last decade. In 2016, during our 25th Anniversary Biennial Meeting, he sat with leaders of Bible Institutes and other theological institutions to eat with us and listen to us. His advice and support were critical for AETH to received in 2017 the grant “Hispanic Bible Institutes Network: a collaborative effort for improving the quality of programs and for increasing the number of students and graduates”. Even, last February, he still took time to participate with other officers from the Program Religion to talk with us as we were ready to submit another grant focusing on AETH’s capacity building to better serve into the next decade.

Saddened for his passing but grateful to God for his life, our condolences and prayers go out to his wife Jan and their son David.

Happy are those who from now on die in the service of the Lord!” “Yes indeed!” answers the Spirit. “They will enjoy rest from their hard work, because the results of their service go with them.” (Rev.14.13).

Englsih text below.

¿A qué nos llama el Espíritu de Dios y el mensaje de Jesucristo en estos días de conflicto social? (12 de junio, 2020).

Para quienes servimos y somos parte de AETH, los cambios y conflictos que se dan en el mundo nos desafían a discernir cómo actuar en medio de ellos, movidos por el Espíritu de Dios y guiados por el mensaje de fe y esperanza de Jesús. Seguir a Jesús implica seguir su llamado de trabajar en la creación del futuro que desde siempre Dios ha deseado para todo ser humano y para toda la creación: plenitud de vida caracterizada por la justicia, el amor, el gozo y la paz, valores centrales del reino de Dios.

En días recientes hemos sido testigos, una vez más, de los efectos de una pandemia que ha estado entre nosotros casi desde la fundación de este país: la pandemia del racismo. Los actos de injustica racial, manifestados en la reciente e injustificable muerte de George Floyd nos recuerdan una de las tantas formas de discriminación racial que siguen arraigadas en las instituciones que dominan la vida política, social y, sí, también religiosa en nuestra sociedad. La respuesta indiferente y violenta de parte de líderes del gobierno al sufrimiento y dolor de los grupos humanos que claman por justicia racial se contraponen al mensaje central de Jesucristo de “buscar primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia” (Mt. 6.33).

Todo esto nos llama tanto a la oración como a la acción. Por eso debemos preguntarnos: ¿a qué nos mueve el Espíritu de Dios en medio de estos cambios y conflictos sociales, que tienen en su raíz una crisis espiritual?

• Como padres y madres ¿qué conversaciones debemos tener con nuestros hijos e hijas en el seno de nuestro hogar sobre el pecado del racismo y la buena noticia de que Dios creó solo una raza, la raza humana, a la cual ama por igual?

•Como líderes de iglesia ¿qué ejemplos de dolor y qué actos de solidaridad debemos dar a las nuevas generaciones de jóvenes que están dispuestas a protestar pacíficamente movidos por una urgencia de justicia y por una consciencia social que no encuentran en sus congregaciones?

• Como ministros y ministras de la Palabra ¿cuáles deben ser hoy los temas bíblicos y teológicos que nutren nuestra predicación y enseñanza en la iglesia ante una sociedad que “tiene hambre y sed de justicia”?

• Como líderes de programas de formación teológica ¿qué revisiones debemos realizar a un currículo teológico que generalmente promueve una separación entre fe y justicia, salvación y vida humana plena, iglesia y mundo?

• Como discípulos y discípulas de Jesús ¿cómo podemos demostrar nuestro amor y solidaridad con quienes lloran, tienen hambre y sufren injusticia entre nosotros? ¿Cómo llenar los medios de comunicación social con mensajes de paz y no de violencia, de amor y no de odio, de igualdad y no de discriminación? ¿A qué organizaciones y movimientos debemos unirnos en su lucha por cambiar leyes y estructuras institucionales que mantienen políticas y prácticas racistas en detrimento del bienestar integral de las comunidades negras e hispanas-latinas?

El profeta Miqueas nos recuerda lo que el Señor requiere de su pueblo: Solamente hacer justicia, amar misericordia y caminar humildemente con tu Dios. (Miqueas 6.8). El apóstol Pablo nos recuerda que la fe verdadera en Jesucristo es la fe que actúa por medio del amor. (Gálatas 5.6). ¿A qué nos llama el Espíritu de Dios y el mensaje de Jesucristo hoy? A hacer justicia y a actuar movidos por el amor.

A nombre de la Junta Directiva,

Dr. Fernando A. Cascante

Director Ejecutivo.

What does the Spirit of God and the message of Jesus Christ call us to in these days of social conflict? (June 12, 2020)

For those of us who serve and are part of AETH, the changes and conflicts that occur in the world challenge us to discern how to act in their midst, moved by the Spirit of God and guided by the message of faith and hope of Jesus. Following Jesus implies following his call to work in the creation of the future that God has always desired for every human being and for all creation: fullness of life characterized by justice, love, joy and peace, central values of God's Kingdom.

In recent days we have witnessed, once again, the effects of a pandemic that has been with us almost since the founding of this country: the pandemic of racism. The acts of racial injustice, manifested in the recent and unjustifiable death of George Floyd remind us of one of the many forms of racial discrimination that continue to be rooted in the institutions that dominate political, social and, yes, also religious life in our society. The indifferent and violent response by government leaders to the suffering and pain of human groups crying out for racial justice are opposed to the central message of Jesus Christ to "seek first the kingdom of God and his justice" (Mt. 6.33).

All this calls us both to prayer and to action. That is why we must ask ourselves: what is the Spirit of God moving us in the midst of these social changes and conflicts, which have at their root a spiritual crisis?

•As fathers and mothers, what conversations should we have with our sons and daughters in our home about the sin of racism and the good news that God created only one race, the human race, which he loves equally?

• As church leaders, what examples of pain and what acts of solidarity should we give to the new generations of young people who are willing to protest peacefully out of an urgency for justice and a social conscience that they do not find in their congregations?

•As ministers of the Word, what should be the biblical and theological themes today that nourish our preaching and teaching in the church before a society that “is hungry and thirsty for justice”?

•As leaders of theological formation programs, what revisions should we make to a theological curriculum that generally promotes a separation between faith and justice, salvation and full human life, church and world?

•As disciples of Jesus, how can we demonstrate our love and solidarity with those who cry, are hungry and suffer injustice among us? How to fill the media with messages of peace and not of violence, of love and not of hate, of equality and not of discrimination? What organizations and movements should we join in their fight to change laws and institutional structures that maintain racist policies and practices to the detriment of the whole well-being of Black and Hispanic-Latino communities?

The prophet Micah reminds us of what the Lord requires of his people: Only to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6.8). The apostle Paul reminds us that true faith in Jesus Christ is faith that works through love. (Galatians 5.6). To what does the Spirit of God and the message of Jesus Christ call us today? To do justice and to act moved by love.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Dr. Fernando A. Cascante

Executive Director

We are proud to announce that Luz Zenaida Ortiz, a member of the AETH team, received the Dulos Award, in recognition of her dedication to excellence and for modeling Jesus in everything she does.

The Asbury Theological Seminary, Latino Formation Ministry Program, member and collaborator of AETH, honored Mrs. Ortiz in a virtual award ceremony.

Luz has been a student of the program for the last years and has shown a great commitment balancing her studies, family, work at AETH and her local church.

This is a well-deserved award.

Congratulations!

The ReDET team is ready to launch its official site on Friday, May 8. For six months a group of professionals has been designing, producing, and preparing all the content that ReDET will offer to its members.

ReDET has become a fundamental part of AETH (Association for Hispanic Theological Education), as a community of individuals and entities created for mutual support, collaboration, and the solution for common obstacles in theological education.

This website will provide us with a space to develop communities of practice among all those leaders and students of theological studies who wish to share experiences and challenges in their studies

Please visit us starting Friday, May 8 at www.redet.us. You can also check out our social networks on Facebook.

Dear AETH,

We want to share a significant accomplishment that would not have been made possible without the contribution of AETH. Since the time that HGCC has held a membership with AETH and has navigated through the certification process, HGCC has made a substantial improvement in all areas from institutional to educational standards to finances.

These improvements have not gone unnoticed by local accredited educational institutions in California. As a result, HGCC was able to secure the first formal undergraduate level articulation agreement with Hope International University, a regionally accredited institution. According to the Pew Research Center, "about six-in-ten U.S. adult Hispanics (62%) speak English or are bilingual."

This opportunity will allow for bilingual Hispanic students to transfer over half their credits to earn regionally accredited bachelor degrees plus provisional acceptance to the master of ministry program for those who decide to receive their bachelor's degree from HGCC.

This accomplishment is unique as it is not just one that allows students to pursue a masters but rather expands to opportunities at the undergraduate level. This is very uncommon for most Bible institutes.

We continue to look forward to working with AETH and in making education accessible to our Latino/Hispanic communities.

Jeffry Caballero, M.R.E., M.L.S.

President, Harbor Genesis Christian College