GBHEM’s Division of Ordained Ministry provides specialized theological education programs that train pastors who serve The United Methodist Church in specific environments and Laity who are leaders in their congregations. These programs are designed to help foster diversity within the church and to equip pastors and laity to best serve the communities around them.
Training Opportunities for Ethnic Pastors
National Spanish Licensing School
Conducted in Spanish, this training is designed for people who have completed candidacy and wish to pursue further certification. This is 80 hour will equip candidates for ministry and activate their call to serve the community that God has given them.
Escuela de Curso de Estudios (ECE)/ Course of Study (COS)
Three training centers are available to Hispanic and Latino pastors in the United States:
- Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois,
- Perkins School of Theology in Dallas and
- the GBHEM COS Online Program.
Through these sites, resources are concentrated to prepare, equip and form clergy to work with a diverse community. Both schools offer English-language as well as Spanish-language licensing schools. Portuguese and Hmong programs are available on demand.
GBHEM also provides training in Latin America for the formation of clergy. GBHEM collaborates with the General Board of Global Ministries and Seminario Wesley del San Salvador to offer the Course of Study at Ahuachapan, San Salvador.
Additionally, GBHEM works with the Iglesia Evangelica Nacional Metodista Primitiva de Guatemala, Misión de la Iglesia Metodista Unida in Honduras, Iglesia Evangelica Metodista en El Salvador, La Iglesia Metodista en Panama y La Iglesia Evangélica de Nicaragua to provide Course of Study, Advance Course of Study and Contextual Education programs for local pastors and laity.
Portuguese Course of Study (PCOS)
Portuguese-language courses are provided for our Brazilian pastors through our online training platform.
Universidad Biblica Latino Americana (UBL)
The Contextual Leadership Development program provides support for Hispanic-Latino/a pastors who wish to complete higher education and/or continue to graduate school. This is done in partnership with Universidad Biblica Latinoamericana (UBL) de Costa Rica.
Native American Course of Study (NACOS)
GBHEM offers Native American course of study through two sites: Oklahoma satellite program of Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology, and the Native American Course of Study through Methodist Theological School of Ohio.
Contextual Leadership Formation
GBHEM offers 10 courses in the following areas for lay leadership and pastors.
- Brief History of the Methodist Movement
- Political Structure and Mission of The United Methodist Church
- Methodist Theology and Doctrine
- Liturgy and The Sacraments
- Orientation for Hispanic-Latino/a Immigrant Pastors
- Pastoral Care and Attention
- Evangelism
- Responding to the Call
- Leadership in the UMC
- Safe Sanctuary
For a consultation in Contextual Leadership Formation for Conferences and Districts, email ece@gbhem.org or the Rev. David Martinez at dmartinez@gbhem.org.
