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BARBARA DENMAN
Florida Baptist Convention
JACKSONVILE (FBC)—Over 600 Florida Baptists participated
in theological education in Florida last year through classes
offered by the Baptist College of Florida (BCF) and New Orleans
Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS). “We are blessed beyond
measure to have these two great institutions offering coursework
and accredited degree programs throughout Florida,” said
Mark Stephens, director of the Theological Education and Distance
Learning Department for the Florida Baptist Convention. “These
schools are on the cutting edge of accredited distance learning
and extension center work.”
As a department of the Church Development Division, the
theological education program offers training for ministers,
prospective and active church planters, and lay leaders across
the state. From Pensacola to Miami and in six locations across
the state, classes train the next generation of leaders in
Florida to develop healthy, evangelistic churches. Extension
centers offer associate, baccalaureate and graduate level study.
Stephens noted that BCF offers more than just extension center
classes through accredited degree programs online. More
information is available at www.baptistcollege.edu
or by calling the extension center or nearby site. New Orleans
Seminary offers a wide variety of delivery times and locations
for master’s level classes in Florida as well as
undergraduate classes in four languages in South Florida.
David Lema recently joined the Florida Baptist Convention staff
as associate director of the Theological Education and Distance
Learning Department. “David brings the mind of a scholar,
the heart of a missionary, and the passion of a believer on fire
for Kingdom growth to this position,” said Stephens. “I
am confident he will lead the New Orleans Baptist Theological
Center for the Americas to new heights in South Florida,” he
noted. The Center was formerly known as the Ethnic Branch.
For more information and specific start dates for each class,
contact a nearby local site or the office of Theological
Education and Distance Learning in Orlando at 407-514-4412 or in
Miami at 305-271-7907. New students should call as soon as
possible to find out about orientation and new student
registration.