Theological students graduate in Dominican Republic.

(Note: The editor apologizes for the tardiness of this report.)

On Nov. 24, 2004, the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic celebrated a second graduating class of students in its Theological Program. The Los Toros church hosted the ceremony.

"This class was a special one," reported Guillermo Encarnacion, director of the program. The 22 students who graduated were Cristian Aquino, Felix Antonio Arias, Gloria Elena Beltre, Mariano Cespedes, Maria Altagracia Cespedes, Wander Antonio Cespedes, Bienvenida Cuevas, Odalis Encarnacion, Benito Encarnacion, Miladys Figuereo, Mary Luz Mejia, Josefa Marmolejos, Wilson Nova, Martha Esther Ogando, Maria Mercedes Perez, Alba Nurys Perez, Angel L. Ramirez, Alba I. Rodriguez, David Antonio Reyes, Leonida Vicente Reyes, Ariel de Jesus Rosario, and Viriato Feliz Rubio.

The curriculum of the Theological Program is designed for five years, with emphasis on Old and New Testaments, pastoral care and counseling, preaching the Gospel, church history, Anabaptist and Pietist roots, stewardship, church structure, liturgy and worship, ministry with women, and doctrine, rites, and practices of the Church of the Brethren.

"To implement this curriculum we have been blessed by the collaboration of many excellent teachers and professors in the Dominican Republic and from the United States," reported Encarnacion. He expressed thanks to Allen H. Hansell, former director of Ministry for the General Board; Miqueas Ramirez of the Mennonite Church; Carlos Garcia, professor of the Evangelical University; Bethany professor Daniel Ulrich; Daniel I. de Oleo; Ruben de Oleo; Rebecca and Jerry Crouse; Irvin and Nancy Heishman; Verel Montauban; Cristina Vda. Bobea; Carol and Roger Steffy; and Elias De'Oleo, who serves as the national tutor of the program. Forty-eight students continue in theological training at various stages in the program.

Source: 05/25/2005 Newsline
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