Hispanic Theological Education Program
East Texas Baptist University’s B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary’s Hispanic Theological Education Program (HTEP) is dedicated to making theological education accessible to current and future Latino ministers by offering programs and services in their heart language—Spanish. Delivered entirely online, the courses are thoughtfully designed and taught by credentialed Latino professors who bring deep cultural understanding and experience to the learning environment. HTEP stands out for its affordability, accessibility, flexibility, and tailored support to meet the unique needs of Latino students.
Adlín Cotto, associate professor of Christian Education and director of Carroll’s master’s degree programs, shares insights into the program’s development and purpose.
Briefly describe the project.
We’ve discovered a gap between students’ desire to pursue theological education and their ability to follow through. Processes, like submitting personal recommendations online via links, are sometimes barriers. For some students, forms must be sent via email, completed, signed and returned to accommodate their needs.
Balancing work, ministry, and school, is another challenged we’ve encountered – work often takes priority. There have been students who chose not to submit the last assignment because of ministry or work engagements, which has affected their final grade.
We’ve also learned to “read between the lines” and discern unspoken needs. For example, we discovered the need to provide students with internet financial assistance. A student completing his master’s degree in Mexico and two students in Cuba must pay $100.00 a month for Internet-related expenses such as data. For them, these expenses can be a reason not to pursue their education.
Despite these challenges, we’ve learned that students are eager to learn; they value Zoom meetings and readings and are grateful for the opportunity of pursuing theological education.
Promoting the program outside of our denominational “bubble” has required significant effort, but after a year of dedication, we are beginning to see encouraging results.
Above all, we’ve learned to continue trusting the Lord in this endeavor. He has provided the resources to establish this program, and we trust He will also provide the students to sustain it.
What has surprised you along the way?
We’ve been surprised by the amount of time and effort spent advocating for our students. For example, during our merger, I have to continuously advocate for the Hispanic program and the need of additional infrastructure in Spanish, especially when software-driven the processes are involved. Others are surprised to learn that these needs are not as simple as cutting and pasting.
Another surprise has been the encouragement we found within the network of colleagues doing similar work. Learning from other experiences has been rewarding.
What have been a few of your successes?
Our enrollment had a challenging start, but after two years, the number of applications and inquires has increased. Our greatest success will come in May 2025 when we celebrate the graduation of our two first students – one in Cuba and one in Spain – who will complete their Master of Arts in Religion and Summer 2025, respectively.
What aspects of the project are you hopeful about?
I hope that the program will thrive as we continue to persevere. The Lord has provided everything we need, and He will continue to bring in students. One opportunity lies in creating an ecology of education with an existing undergraduate-level certificate at the university where we will become the embedded seminary. We are working to offer this certificate fully online and available in Spanish, utilizing the faculty joining us through the merger. This will provide a more appropriate level of education for Latino pastors and leaders without an undergraduate degree, ultimately leading to an undergraduate degree in Spanish, and connecting to our master’s degree.
We also hope that an increase in enrollment will allow us to offer a Master of Divinity fully in Spanish, complete with biblical language courses, and to increase the number of specializations for the degree we are offering. It is a matter of time!
What are you learning that could help other schools?
Trust the Lord with all your heart! Trust the Lord! He will fulfill His purposes. I pray daily for discernment and direction. I knock so doors are open. I seek so I can find. I ask so I can receive it. The Kingdom is greater than us!!
About B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary
In early 2025, B. H. Carroll became a new school of East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) known as “B. H. Carroll Theological Seminary at East Texas Baptist University” and will continue to offer graduate theological education through its accredited master’s and doctoral degree programs. The joining of the two institutions enables B.H. Carroll students to access resources, including financial aid, additional scholarship opportunities, and student services.