We recently returned from Durres, Albania, where we gathered with over 500 leaders and educators from around the globe, responding to a call to move “forward together” with theological education. The gathering, “C-25,” was hosted by the International Council for Theological Education (ICETE), and was the largest in its 45-year history.
Michael A. Ortiz, Executive Director of ICETE and Vice President for Global Ministries at Dallas Theological Seminary called for all theological education to be for all God’s people and described theological education as “the most vital global missiological endeavor of our time.”
Gathering in Albania with our around-the-world colleagues was both encouraging and helpful to our mission. Conversations happened over meals and in hallways and breakout rooms that just wouldn’t have happened online. We deepened relationships, started new relationships, and made plans for future collaboration.
It is widely agreed that collaboration is necessary to even begin to scale global theological education to meet the needs. But collaboration takes trust and time. C-25 provided the opportunity for trust to grow through extended interactions. And the time together allowed us to find commonalities with various organizations so that we can share resources and work together on common goals. These interactions will impact the speed, quantity, and quality of theological education in many parts of the world in the months and years ahead.
It is a blessing and encouragement to link arms and help each other serve in the places where we are called to strengthen the church through theological education. So grateful for all the ways C-25 helped make that happen!
Apollos Training is honored to be an Associate member. ICETE advances quality and collaboration in global theological education to strengthen and accompany the church in its mission. In addition to offering accreditation and support to evangelical seminaries and Bible schools around the world, ICETE cultivates worldwide relationships among formal and non-formal theological organizations. They stimulate those relationships through gatherings, communications for reflection, interactive dialogue, collaboration, and practice in support of the church’s mission.