Introduction
The Russell Shedd Seminary is JUVEP’s premier seminary training Godly people for missions work worldwide, especially cross-cultural evangelism.
WHO ARE WE? - Cross-Cultural Evangelism Training
The Russell Shedd Seminary is an evangelical institution of theological education. We are interdenominational, serving the members of the Body of Christ, which is the Church, seeking to build and strengthen them through the qualification of the ministry granted by God to each one.
GOALS OF THE RUSSELL SHEDD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Theological, ministerial and missological formation of the members of the Body of Christ, called and directed by God. Cross-cultural evangelism is a core strength of the Russell Shedd Theological Seminary. We prepare Godly students for the most diverse ministries in the local churches across the world. Leveraging a holistic and contemporary perspective, we seek excellence in the following areas:
- Pious Life
- Character Integrity
- Emotional Health
- Academic Excellence
- Effective Ministerial Practice
RUSSELL SHEDD THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
The existence of a seminary such as the Russell Shedd Theological Seminary does not guarantee that missionaries, pastors, workers will be prepared for authentic for the Work of the Lord.
There were several schools of rabbi training in Israel, yet Jesus went up on the mountain and begged the Father for the selection of the twelve disciples (Luke 6: 12-16). Why? Because this is a matter of prayer. Jesus Himself commanded, “The harvest is great, and the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest that he send laborers into his harvest. ” (Luke 10: 2). And in response to prayer the workers are appointed by the Lord, to whom belongs the ministerial determination. Therefore, several points are observed in the curriculum and in the educational philosophy of the Russell Shedd Theological Seminary, so we want to form church planters and a good leadership for the postmodern world, for this we must be the following.
CONSCIENCE OF CALLING to Cross-Cultural Evangelism
Authentic workers are called by God to the mission. All the calling for the ministry is essentially missionary. But, we do not deny the other dimensions of the call, such as the charismatic, the communitarian, the magisterium, etc. Being a called is having a mission. Our focus is on those with a cross-cultural call.
The calling is divine, and no theological preparation, ecclesiastical or missiological, can replace it. “It was not you that chose me; but I have chosen you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain “(John 15:16).
The Seminary has sought to be a producer of men and women who have a supreme wealth of conviction and school preparation. This, together with their strong security in the awareness of their calling is the driving force for them to fulfill their duty and embrace the certainty of the called vocation.
We have sought to attract new students not only through organization, structural and pedagogical efficiency, but above all through the divine voice in response to our prayer for genuine workers.
FORMATION OF CHARACTER
Formation, not information – The Russell Shedd Seminary seeks to engage in the improvement of logic, reasoning, work technique. But most of all we seek to perfect the character of the students. The qualification of the successful student has not been in the proportion of “doing”, but in “being.”
Spiritual combat and ability in the power of the Holy Spirit are foundational. One of the primary tasks has been to make people aware that their task is spiritual. In order to win the spiritual battles, empowerment of the Holy Spirit and the appropriate weapons are essential. These are the divine armor. As in Ephesians 6: 10-20: “Put on the whole armor of God … for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and against the powers of this dark world, against the spiritual forces of evil, in the heavenly regions. So take up the whole armor of God … ” The emphasis is on devotional time, prayer and meditation on the Word. This has been part of the extra-class, but not extra-curricular, program. Compulsory activities such as the worship each week, the “Invasion Operations,” seek to provide students with opportunities to develop their spiritual abilities.
The Bible is the foundation and starting point in the formative process. It is essential to believe the Bible is the infallible, inerrant and eternal Word of God. On this Bible we know all life, theology, mission of the Church stands. A great effort has been made to to encourage each student to love, to respect and to understand the biblical text in its originality. Students then use it for teaching of at least one of the biblical languages in which it was originally written, Hebrew and or Greek.
THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION
Theological education is a dynamic process. The Theological Seminary seeks to offer a genuinely biblical theological education. We seek to be comprehensive (taking interest in the student as a whole), contextual (a relevant teaching and applicable to the student’s reality). We are grounded by being methodologically sound (with teachers and students of different evangelical denominations), critical (in order to lead students to self-evaluate and evaluate the whole life of the evangelical Church in Brazil and worldwide). The seminary is also reflective (encouraging and making each student biblical, doctrinal, and participatory beliefs, in which teachers are not truth-keepers and knowledge providers about God but fellow students).
We seek to awaken a new missionary conscience. By including in each semesters curriculum missological subjects, seeking to make each student aware of the divine imperative of: “Go, make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) and call them to embody the mission in the style of Jesus. Often this requires crossing the geographical, cultural, social, linguistic and spiritual boundaries with all its consequences.
Be a relevant response to today’s demands. Understanding the new times in which we live, with all its challenges. We yearn for workers who understand the Gospel in its totality and integrity. Students who want to proclaim it in word and deed. “He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.” (Co 1: 28)
The Theological Seminary seeks to prepare its students to reach their own generation.
FUND-RAISING
Student fees – Part of the resources of the Russell Shedd Theological Seminary comes from the tuition fees of our students; but as the economic reality of Brazil is very difficult, many need to receive a scholarship.
Partnerships – What really facilitates the activities of the Russell Shedd Theological Seminary are our partners. These partners are evangelical churches and brothers and sisters (individuals) committed to the expansion of the Kingdom of God. People are treasured who wish to invest in strengthening the Church of Christ in the impoverished northeastern Brazil through the donation of financial resources.
Sponsor – It is possible to “adopt” and sponsor a single student or broadly support the seminary. In either case, we will work hard to keep you well informed of challenges and successes.
Association of Theological Education in Latin America - AETAL
The Russell Shedd Theological Seminary is currently affiliated with the Association of Theological Education in Latin America – AETAL. AETAL is affiliated with the International Council of Agencies of Recognition (ICAA). This links it to similar associations around the world, including the AABC (Canada), EEAA (Europe), ATA (Asia), SPABC (South Pacific), ACTEA (Africa) and CETA (Caribbean). The ICAA is an organ of the Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEF). The International Council for the Development of Missions and Theological Education (Overseas Council), the Tear Fund and the Evangelical Foundation of Literature (ELT) and other evangelical entities cooperate with AETAL.