International Pastors and Scholars Gather at Dallas Campus
There are typically more than 25 nationalities represented among Dallas Theological Seminary’s students, but DTS becomes even more global each summer thanks to an influx of visiting students from around the world. Three programs—the Global Proclamation Academy, SuperWeek, and the Ministry Residency Program—are underway this June on the Dallas campus, connecting servant-leaders across diverse cultural and ministry backgrounds.
Global Proclamation Academy
25 Pastors. 25 Countries. 21 Days.
The 11th annual Global Proclamation Academy, held June 7-27 on the Dallas campus, brings together leading young pastors from Asia, Africa, and Latin America for in-depth biblical and theological training. The Global Proclamation Academy (GPA) is a cooperative effort between RREACH (Ramesh Richard Evangelism and Church Health) and Dallas Theological Seminary, which equips pastors and thought-leaders to reach under-evangelized people groups. Pastors trained on the Dallas campus return to their home countries and, in turn, teach seminars for other church leaders in their area. Through RREACH's ministry of multiplication, Dr. Richard ultimately hopes to “change the way one billion Individuals think and hear about the Lord Jesus Christ, to the glory of the Father and by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Besides their classroom sessions with respected Master Teachers, students also have the opportunity to share ministry lessons and experience Dallas-area attractions and churches. Learn more about RREACH ministries.
SuperWeek
On-campus Intensives for Online & Extension Students
The second annual SuperWeek intensive courses are also being held June 15-26, enabling distance education students to fulfill residency requirements and earn course credits on a condensed timeline. SuperWeek classrooms are filled with students from eight extension campuses and mobile seminary locations across North America and Australasia, representing a wide variety of vocational ministry backgrounds. This year's courses include:
- BE105 The Gospels with Dr. Mark Bailey
- CE105 Teaching Process and Media Presentations with Dr. Jim Thames and Don Regier
- BE103 Old Testament History II & Poetry with Dr. Gene Pond
- SL305 Dynamics of Christian Leadership with Dr. George Hillman.
With classroom time and daily activities scheduled from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m., the SuperWeek experience is certainly challenging. Long days sitting in class and seemingly short nights of sleep weary the mind. So what is so super about SuperWeek?
“Relationships,” said Mike Balbier, Associate Director of Online & Distance Education. “Whether one is from Austin or Boston, we all get the opportunity to build unity. What is most super about this week is that we begin to realize that we really are not separated by endless miles of road or ocean, but that through our Lord Jesus, we really are and always will be connected with each other. That rejuvenates the soul.”
New Zealand Ministry Residency
Two SuperWeek students flew in a week early to complete the coursework for their 12 hours of Ministry Residency credit. As students in the MA in Christian Leadership degree at the seminary's mobile site in Australasia, Paul Gray and Igor Gerritsen had already taken live classes from Dr. Glenn Kreider and Dr. Mark Yarbrough in Auckland. The Ministry Residency course in Dallas gave them the opportunity to study under Dr. Hillman, discussing real-world issues they’ve encountered in their ministry contexts.
“I was told before I left home that everything is big in Dallas,” New Zealander Paul Gray commented. “I’ve been blown away by the ‘big hearts’ of the staff and faculty of DTS that have made my time here amazing. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship, interaction, and learning. Can’t wait for the next SuperWeek!”
