Vol. 2 2015
INTOUCH The Official Newsletter of the Asian Theological Seminary
CATALYST FOR CHANGE
www.ats.ph
ATS Vision
To become the leading evangelical seminary in Asia that produces outstanding servant leaders.
ATS Mission
To glorify God by providing quality theological education for Christian leaders to effect Biblical transformation in the Church and society in Asia and beyond.
Alain M. Dizon
04 From Bitter to Sweet
Rev. Elias Osorio, Jr
Ptr. Valeriano Camay
Holism, And LSCC: 06 ATS, Catalyzing Holistic Theology in Urban Poor Communities Tano Emboc
the 09 Empowering Mother-Tongue Translator
Thomas Potter
My ATS Training 15 How Helped in Fulfilling My Responsibility
Women of 17 ATS Excellence
Beyond the 20 Learning Campus: ATS Online
Story of 12 Our Transformative Education
Learning Program
Ptr. Jojo Angeles
26 This Shepherd’s Thirst
INTOUCH STAFF President
Rev. Timoteo D. Gener, PhD
Editorial Staff
Ella Abigail Santos Marizol Duran Junette B. Galagala-Nacion Marc Vincent Peralta Layout Artist: Faye Castillo
Contributors
Alain Dizon Ptr. Valeriano Camay Tano Emboc Thomas Potter Rev. Elias Osorio Jr. Ptr. Jojo Angeles
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT As 2015 closes, it brings the celebration of what the Lord has done for us this year. We praise His movement through the work of our alumni who are effecting transformation in their respective spheres of influence. They are adapting and practising their theology among those they minister to. Our alumni are doing work among underprivileged children, some are pastors and church leaders in the provinces in Bible schools, and there are those involved in translation and literacy work among unreached peoples. This issue also features one pastor’s efforts in empowering his community church to be salt and light among the urban poor. Education has truly been a powerful tool in changing lives and embodying the gospel. As a seminary, we seek to reach God’s workers with quality theological training despite challenges in time and distance. Our efforts in contextualizing the faith now reach the digital sphere. This season, we reflect in thankfulness at how the Lord has enabled ATS to stay true to its calling of producing “outstanding servant leaders”— even in new deliveries and formats fitted to changing times. But the key to a fruitful and meaningful ministry remains the same: being in the constant care of our True Shepherd. May your Christmas be richly filled with the Lord’s presence!
DR. TIM GENER
Alain M. Dizon, MA, RGC
It was in late 2007, a few months after I resigned f rom a call center, that I lost my direction and sense of self. I was contemplating my failures, difficulties, pains, and brokenness. But it was through this season that I discovered the meaning of life in the Lord Jesus. For a few months already, I had been serving in the HIV and AIDS community work of Pinoy Plus Association Inc. (now Pinoy Plus Advocacy Pilipinas Inc.) as a volunteer educator and peer counselor. Throughout this time, God placed the desire and passion for counseling in my heart. Later, I became a certified facilitator/trainer World Vision’s Channels of Hope (CoH), a program designed to help churches and faith-based organizations to respond to HIV and AIDS concerns in a Christ-like way. I began as a CoH volunteer in pyscho-education in 2008 and later became Program Coordinator for Asia Pacific f rom 2010 to 2012. The desire to equip myself professionally in counseling remained in my heart until God Alain Dizon graduated MA Pastoral Counseling in 2015. He passed the Guidance Counselor Licensure Examination the same year along with co-founder Arnold Suson. They were among ATS’s first batch of licensure exam takers.
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finally led me to Asian Theological Seminary in 2011. On my last year as a student, I was thinking of how I could practice everything I learned. Then the idea of putting up a counseling and training center popped up. I shared it to a few f riends and invited them to join me. I did not realize that God was already working! I later learned that two other classmates had a vision and a dream of the same idea. We had our first meeting the summer after graduation. As we discussed our mission, one of us was reminded of Exodus 15:23, which refers to a place called “Marah,” meaning bitter. But if we put our
5 initials together, the word would mean “sweet.” And this exactly the impact we want to make in our community—bringing sweetness, healing, and a certain degree of wholeness to our clients. So “A-marah” (now spelled AMARA) was formed f rom Arnie, Marjorie and Marcia, Archie, Rachel, and Alain. The ministry God has specifically called me to serve – addressing issues on HIV & AIDS and homosexuality – now has a home in AMARA Center for Family Counseling. My work has also extended into career and professional counseling with my recently acquired license as a guidance counselor. Aside f rom being one of AMARA’s pastoral counselors, I was also assigned me as head of our training department. My years of experience in psycho-educative adult learning developed my skill in
teaching and facilitating seminars/ workshops. These skills were honed through trainings I participated in locally and abroad. Although each of us counselors has our own field of expertise, we are called to respond to anyone whom God will lead us to help. As we commit AMARA to God, my prayer is that He will use us in bringing hope, healing and wholeness to His people for His honor and glory alone. AMARA Center for Family Counseling #3 Ligaya Street, Isidora Hills, Brgy. Holy Spirit, Quezon City, Philippines
Tel. No. 533-6183 Email: amaracenter2015@gmail.com AMARA (L-R): ATS alumni Rachel dela Cruz (Executive Director/ Finance), Alain Dizon (Training), Archie dela Cruz (Marketing), Marjorie Gomez (Counseling), Arnold Suson (Ministry), and their friend Marcia Bicomong (Tutorial; third from left).
ATS, HOLISM, AND LSCC: Catalyzing Holistic Theology in Urban Poor Communities Ptr. Valeriano Camay
For Living Springs Christian Church (LSCC) 1 , community affairs are as worthy of engagement as ecclesiastical duties. Leaders of the church organize the communal needs of their urban poor communities: livelihood, electricity, water, peace and order, land and housing tenure, to name a few. As our way of educating the community, the church conducts
“Community affairs are as worthy of engagement as ecclesiastical duties. Leaders of the church organize the communal needs of their urban poor communities.� specific seminars like marital intimacy for couples, family
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enrichment, LGBT issues, and youth concerns. We established a credit and savings cooperative to help the community get rid of the rampant five-six 2 credit schemes. We also set up a junkshop cooperative, which helps the community clean their environment and provides livelihood. The church gathers the community’s garbage to keep the people f rom throwing them into the river. Bio-degradable waste is turned into compost for fertilizer and non-degradable waste is prepared for the junkshop. Until recently, we held the Anti-violence Against Women and Children (AVAWC) desk in the barangay (village) for so many years. But there were challenges in following the AVAWC protocol so we let go of the post rather than compromise our integrity. Another way of helping the community and showing them our care is by allowing them to use the church building for social gatherings such as association meetings, funeral wakes, and birthday parties. The
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ATS professor Lorenzo Bautista speaks at LSCC in Baesa, Quezon City
community can also use church equipment, like chairs and a water pump machine specifically purchased to assist the community in case of fires. Even with these involvements, we still enjoy the ecclesiastical routine of worshipping God together. LSCC believes that spirituality can be best manifested when practiced holistically 3 than only liturgically—that is, meeting God in every situation and dimension of human life. This belief was enhanced, shaped, and sharpened by the training I had with ATS. My studies prepared me not only in
the concepts of theology but also in practice. Before, I was not yet skilled in integrating things as I tend to focus all my energy and intellect
“LSCC believes that spirituality can be best manifested when practiced holistically than only liturgically—that is, meeting God in every situation and dimension of human life.” in f ragments. But I learned to see the bigger picture, seeing where things are going in the church and
community, especially in terms of theology and leadership. Leadership helps me group or summarize things as I apply theology. Problems in leadership, relationships of its members, assets and benefits, and program evaluation are analyzed according to the vision and principles that the community organized and dreamt of. This organization results to good leadership and keeps us in check f rom power intoxication. Because of this, our ministries in the community have been managed well, especially the cooperative (credit and savings livelihood) of Alley 1 Neighborhood Association. Theology helps me as I try to unite the eight local church leaders in formulating and clarifying our convictions and how this matters in all aspects of our lives. I help them fully discover what we believe in and what we teach. My struggle now is to f rame theology into a format that these leaders can easily grasp.
Another challenge is passing on my learning without them feeling inferior or becoming dependent on me. I am trying to be a catalyst within LSCC and our community. Most of the LSCC leaders and elders are not all academically trained, just like me before my studies at ATS. We mainly relied on our gifting and calling for guidance. Thus, our views and theology were limited and insufficient to run the affairs of the church and community organizations we lead. With the training I had at ATS, I am aware of my potential to promote dependency and intimidate my peers. But with the help of God, I am now persuading and influencing LSCC leaders to become effective community leaders. We are strengthening our ministries that connect both to God’s will and our day-to-day lives. 1 Living Springs Christian Church is composed of eight local churches ministering in urban poor communities. The church was formed through Servants Missionary. Although grouped together, each local church has autonomy. The churches are located all over Metro Manila and in Bulacan: Brgy. San Pedro, San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan; Bagong Silang, Caloocan City; Potrero, Malabon City; Brgy. Pinyahan, Quezon City; Militar, Bahay Toro, Quezon City; Sitio. Pajo, F. Carlos, and Mendez, Baesa, Quezon City. 2 Five-six is a loaning arrangement with a 20% interest rate (for example, for a Php5000 loan, the creditor must pay Php6000; hence the term five-six). 3 LSCC defines holistic as the spirituality that encompasses every aspect of human reality, like ecological, works or economic, psychological, sexual (marital intimacy), political (community and society relationships, including family), ecclesiology or liturgical, physical (health), and recreation.
Ptr. Valeriano Camay graduated MDiv in Transformational Urban Leadership in 2015.
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EMPOWERING the Mother-Tongue Translator Tano Emboc
Matigsalug Manobo translators and consultants
Empowerment is an act of bravery. This is true for “othertongue” translators who train mother-tongue speakers to become their own translation consultants. Since the 1920s, missionaries f rom different parts of the globe came to serve tribal communities in the Philippines through literacy programs and translation of Scriptures. The Manobo people group is a recipient of this profound act of kindness. But when these missionaries went home to their respective countries, the momentum they started in the communities fizzled. In the course of their service, empowerment and project sustainability were overlooked because of distrust. Thankfully, current missionaries are undergoing a paradigm shift and are now empowering communities to run their translation projects through ownership. I served as a mother-tongue translator for almost 10 years before I became a translation consultant. Before, we relied so much on “othertongue” consultants to check our translations before publication and distribution. This took so much time. Aside f rom intensive exegesis and a series of community tests, we would back-translate the local-language Scriptures into English. Back-translation enabled American consultants to understand what was going on and check whether our translation was already accurate
Tano Emboc checks the Matigsalug translation of Joel with his mentor and the Matigsalug Bible Translation Project team.
or needed improvement. But it is like making two translations: one for the mother-tongue speakers and another for the English speakers—and the backtranslation would not even be needed as much in the long run. Two things are beneficial in translation work. First, when mother-tongue translators are empowered to manage the project, it is likely that the community will be receptive to the initiative. The community will sustain it because they themselves have been equipped. Second, when mother-tongue translators are trained to be
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leaders (such as consultants), they can be empowered to take initiatives in recreating, reproducing, and formulating new methods that they can use appropriately in the community. This happens through mentoring. In the translation process, a member of the community that speaks the target language will help hasten the project. Because they themselves know their culture, language, and ethnicity, no back-translation would be necessary. On the one hand, they can efficiently help fellow mothertongue translators who don’t speak English well. On the other
hand, they can also provide sociocultural background, essential discourse features, and orality issues, among others, to othertongue translators/consultants who want to help the local team. Most importantly, if a mother tongue translator is trained to think creatively and critically, he can make a new paradigm or method that is more suitable and helpful to the team. This will not undermine the quality of the translation even if it is done only in a short period of time. In the process, the important features of translation principles such as accuracy and consistency will be maximized. Meanwhile other things like naturalness, clarity, and acceptability will become minor issues because of the translators’ knowledge of their language. Language is key.
“When mother-tongue translators are empowered to manage the project, it is likely that the community will be receptive to the initiative. The community will sustain it because they themselves have been equipped.� My role as a consultant is to motivate and train local translators and mentor promising Filipino consultants. I also contribute to field work on language (orality/ stories, literacy, and translation)
and research on Philippine languages (discourse and cultural practices). I recommend translation entities to empower local translators to do their own translation work, train potential translators to be consultants, and let them have a sense of ownership of their work.
Tano Emboc (MDiv Biblical Studies, 2014) serves as translation consultant and technical supervisor/translation manager of Wycliffe Philippines. The Matigsalug Manobo New Testament is complete. As of November 2015, 11 of 39 Old Testament books have been approved for distribution. Meanwhile, six books are awaiting approval (drafts of all OT books have been made).
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Thomas Potter MDiv Intercultural and Urban Studies, 2013
First class at work in 2014. Photo by Project: Pag-asa.
Abou t six years ago my wife and I came to the Philippines. One of the reasons we came was to establish the Philippines branch of an international missions agency called TeachBeyond. The tagline of that agency is “Transformational Education Services.� But what does transformative mean and how is education transformative? Education at its heart is about imparting known wisdom and information to others. But in what ways can this be a transformational activity? The major reason for our relocation to the Philippines was in response to the call of God for me to continue education at the seminary level. We felt led to ATS through prayer and a number of conversations with spiritually mature f riends and mentors. We
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originally came with the intention to return to our home in Canada after a three-year term in the Philippines. But God had other intentions. In mid-2012, my wife began to volunteer her time as a teacher with a local orphanage, not out of a sense of God’s deep call on her life but as a means of serving Him while I was busy with ATS studies. What we didn't know then was that this was to become the focus of our ministry here in the Philippines. In 2014, we were asked to take on a full-time student f rom an orphanage as the student had been expelled f rom all the local public and private schools in the area. Opening a class for one student was not realistic. But with consultation of three separate orphanages, we saw the opportunity to open a class for 10 students. By the end of the school year, we had 14 students. This change in focus led us to begin examining where God was leading us. Since 2013, we have been partnering with local orphanages to offer educational services via Project: Pag-Asa (www. project-pagasa.ph). As we felt God lead us to
establish Project: Pag-Asa as a ministry to local orphans, we began to wrestle with what “transformational education” looked like for our students. Transformative education must be more than simply giving information to students. It needs to impact each student in a manner that leaves them fundamentally changed f rom their first day of school to the time they graduate. It must not only be focused on education but also on personal discipleship. Moreover, transformative education needs to go further than a few students; it should impact communities and even the nation. For us, this came to be summarised in our founding statements as: Transformative education is: *education that encourages community responsibility, citizenship, and good stewardship, allowing students to affect their nation to bring about social and spiritual change, exemplifying the purpose of the Christian as a transformative agent of God’s redemptive action in culture. 1
Project: Pag-Asa is transformative because: *by educating orphans to a high level and facilitating them to accomplish post-secondary education, you transform the future of each child and ultimately challenge the Philippines by breaking the cycles of poverty, social inequality, and spiritual darkness. 2 As I look back on why we came to the Philippines and how God has led us on this journey, it now becomes clear that the reason we came was not simply to get an M.Div. God knew that this ministry was waiting for us and He even led me to study in the Intercultural and Urban Studies department of ATS.
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“This was no accident, from learning how to navigate in other cultures and learning how to identify needs and opportunities to share the gospel.�
Project: Pag-asa students as of October 2015, with Thomas (center) and his wife Beth (second from left). Photo by Project: Pag-asa.
This was no accident, f rom learning how to navigate in other cultures and learning how to identify needs and opportunities to share the gospel. And f rom the classes I had on missions management, clearly God had a reason far greater than I originally knew for me to study at ATS. My time at ATS gave me many of the tools I have needed to set up and manage both the TeachBeyond mission in the Philippines as well as the founding of Project: Pag-Asa. As we continue along this journey I am excited to see what God has in store for Project: Pag-Asa, our students and the Philippines as we seek to implement transformational education through our ministry. 1 Excerpt from Project: Pag-Asa Educational Philosophy. 2 Excerpt from Project: Pag-Asa Strategic Statements.
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HOW MY ATS TRAINING Helped in Fulfilling My Responsibility Rev. Elias Osorio, Jr. (MDiv Biblical Studies, 2004)
ATS, my alma mater, helped me a lot in developing my perspectives and skills in doing the work of the Lord who called me to serve His people and His kingdom. Since June 2011, I have been serving as president of Philippine Missionary Institute (PMI) here in Silang, Cavite. Honestly speaking, the task is not easy. Someone who is serving the Lord and His people in this capacity does not only need faith but more so, the necessary character and skills that will help him carry out this heavy task. ATS developed in me a heart that always relies on God’s grace, provision, and direction. Because a Bible school such as PMI doesn't have too many financial resources, faith, determination and commitment to God’s calling are very important. But as an academic institution, it also requires intelligence and the necessary skills for leadership and management. Every time I experience discouragement and difficulties, I can’t help but look back at the lessons and trainings I received when I was at ATS.
PMI is an undergraduate training institution “committed to church growth and holistic community transformation through biblical, missional, and practical instructions.”
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ATS helped me develop these three major areas: the spirituality of the heart, the scholarship of the head, and the skillfulness of the hands. Of course, it remains to be an ongoing development for me. The Lord used ATS in developing my heart to do the work of the lord. ATS provided the important lessons for utilizing faith, perseverance and character in order to achieve certain things even with limited resources. Above all, ATS taught me the value of integrity in leadership and teaching. Being president is not always a position of power and authority but of service and greater responsibility. For me, relational leadership is the best way of doing things in the kingdom as servant-leaders. And that is what I also learned in ATS. At ATS, I experienced the love, kindness and generosity of God through the people, the staff, my fellow students and servants of God and especially through the lives of my professors and mentors who treated me more than just a classmate or a student but their own family. I still feel
the warmth and hospitality I feel inside the campus even years after I graduated. Theological, academic, and leadership trainings are important in serving the Lord. But above all, I learned that God uses people who are willing to surrender, obey and entrust their lives and everything to
“But above all, I learned that God uses people who are willing to surrender, obey and entrust their lives and everything to Him who gave his life for all of us on the cross.” Him who gave his life for all of us on the cross. I give praises, honor and thanksgiving to our lord Jesus Christ who deserves our life and service. In all these, I thank the Lord for helping me fulfill his calling since the day he called me 30 years ago. Through ATS, I experienced that the Lord is indeed faithful and true.
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ATS Women of Excellence
Dr Amanda Shao Tan receives the ICECBS award recognizing her as qianbei or “senior colleague”.
Dr. Amanda Shao Tan Dr. Amanda Shao Tan was recognized at the 2014 International Congress of Ethnic-Chinese Biblical Scholars (ICECBS) held on August 19, 2014 in Hongkong. The ICECBS honored her as qianbei, meaning “one who goes before us” or “senior colleague”. Among 10 awardees, Dr. Tan was honored as an “Asian biblical scholar and pioneer in Johannine disability studies.” She was also cited for her work with Asian Theological Seminary as Vice-president for Academic Affairs and professor of New Testament and biblical interpretation. She has served with ATS for over 30 years. She was also recognized as a biblical theologian with a pastoral heart. The ICECBS assembles Chinese biblical scholars involved in teaching, research or church service. Among the aims of the 2014 congress were to highlight biblical scholarship among the ethnic Chinese; relay movements in biblical scholarship; acknowledge the work of senior scholars and mentor younger ones; and nurture a dynamic network of scholars in Asia and in Diaspora.
Virginia Ferrer-Calvin Virginia “Jingle” Ferrer-Calvin has been given the “Outstanding Filipino Women Award” by the Philippine Embassy in Pakistan last March 31, 2015. The award recognized her pioneering work through Care Channels Learning Centre in Lahore, Punjab Province. She has served as the centre’s principal for the last 10 years. The centre provides quality child education to underserved communities. Care Channels aims to uplift communities out of poverty through a holistic approach. Virginia “Jingle” Ferrer-Calvin receives the “Outstanding Filipino Women Award” with her husband Peter.
The award was given during the 2015 National Women’s Month/International Women’s Day Celebration. Both Ms. Ferrer-Calvin (MA in Christian Education) and her husband Peter (MDiv in Biblical Studies) graduated from Asian Theological Seminary in 1999.
Tricia Mazo MA Pastoral Counseling, 2014
I had been praying for the Lord’s direction before I finished my MA in Pastoral Counseling. I had wanted to work full-time at an anti-trafficking organization where I had volunteered as a social worker. But the Lord had other plans. Right before my graduation, ATS offered me the post of disaster coordinator for our Haiyan response in the Visayas. The role involved coordinating the psychosocial support training for churches in the area and the internship of Counseling students. As disaster coordinator, I saw more clearly the need for various churches to be equipped not only in the proclamation of the Word but also in its demonstration. Being ministers of the gospel, churches have a crucial role in disaster risk reduction as well as the recovery and rehabilitation of disaster-stricken areas. While in Tacloban through ATS, I facilitated a modular session on child and adolescent counseling for the Tacloban Evangelical Alliance for Ministers and Churches and in another congregation. There were also opportunities to conduct individual counseling sessions as referred by colleagues. The church is indeed in the f rontline. It should be continually equipped not only in contextually studying and sharing the Word but also in facilitating effective and efficient relief and development work. On my sixth month, I sensed the need to be right where the action is—in Tacloban, Leyte and Samar. I prayed to join a Christian organization but there were no openings for me. I then asked the Lord for opportunities
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in international non-government organizations (NGOs). I later chose Plan International because of its community-based work. So I moved to Tacloban City and also had regular field work in eastern and western Samar and Leyte. I managed the gender and protection sector with a team of four gender and protection officers, covering 21 municipalities. Most of the task involved developing a gender analysis of the target areas; coordinating with local government units (LGU) and NGOs for the establishment of women f riendly spaces; training women and youth leaders and LGU partners; and organizing advocacy campaigns for gender-related national and international awards, among others. My team helped integrate gender into the mainstream agenda of various sectors. We mentored the Plan International staff on gender equality by establishing the Men Opposed to Violence against Women and Children Everywhere (MOVE) and the female mentorship programs to facilitate the sharing of women’s journeys in safe spaces. The MOVE organization continues to cascade in the LGUs. There are now local chapters getting affiliated in the national MOVE organization to rally around the prevention of and proper response to gender-based violence. Apart f rom managing the program and leading my team, I also facilitated counseling and mentoring on psychosocial support for them. There were even opportunities to accompany some of my staff to Bible studies led by local ministers. Indeed, the Lord
creates individual and corporate opportunities for healing and growth—of advancing social justice to build His kingdom. We only need to be keen and trusting in His directions even if the task looks massive and daunting at first. Months before my contract expired with Plan International, I prayed for God’s next direction. Although the INGO offered to extend my service, I sensed the need to end my contract and either scout for PhD opportunities or do international ministry. I thought I was being led to Nepal to help in the earthquake response. However, I was being led to help in the refugee crisis in the Middle East all along. The burden was strong. I prayed to join a Christian ministry whose beliefs and values aligned with mine. And another answered prayer! There was an open door through the relief and development organization Tearfund (The Evangelical Alliance for Relief, United Kingdom). They offered me the position of sexual and gender-based violence specialist in September 2015. I am so excited to
minister alongside this team. We will be coordinating with local churches and NGO partners in providing assistance to the refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Kurdistan Region. The work involves providing technical assistance and facilitating trainings to these partners. With my visa and ticket ready, I was supposed to travel in November through Kurdistan. But the Philippine government raised a crisis level 2 alert for the area, banning first-time workers f rom travelling there for security purposes. But it is God who creates avenues. Through partners, Tearfund was able to process a visa to Jordan and I am now scheduled to travel early in January 2016. It is God who inspires me. I continue to listen to His promptings, even to share His light in the darkest places of our history. When Jesus was born, he and his family were refugees themselves fleeing Herod’s wrath. He was once like them—running for their lives, most vulnerable, marginalized, seeking a safe space for humane existence. The refugees in the Middle East and all over the world are so close to His heart. And he calls for workers to come alongside them during this most critical time. I will go. I will not be af raid. I will go because the Lord is with me. Pray for Tricia today:
Tricia Mazo was recipient of the ATS Counseling Award in 2014. In 2013, she headed one of the ATS teams sent to provide psychosocial support to areas hit by typhoon Haiyan in the Visayas. She is grateful to Jesus and His instruments like ATS, which equipped her in holistic counseling.
1 That fear will not seep in and the Lord will continue to provide courage; 2 That the door for the ministry will remain open and travels will be swift and safe; 3 For smooth transition as she engages a new organization, new partners, and a new culture; 4 That her skills will be used to the fullest in bringing His light into dark places; and 5 That she would be continuously held in His embrace with His protection, provision, and care.
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LEARNING BEYOND THE CAMPUS: ATS Online Learning Program ATS’s mission to provide quality theological education is facing the changing landscape of an increasingly digitized world. As technology affects every aspect of human existence, ATS recognizes the need for “digital incarnation”. This means spreading Christ’s presence online, bridging gaps in geographical distance, contexts and schedule. The apostle Paul himself used distance learning through the letters he wrote to the congregations he established, a “walking seminary” so to speak. This form of reaching out connects ATS with the virtual community and enters the lifestyle of a new, Internet-savvy generation. It also means better stewardship of time and transportation, as ATS distinctly aims to equip Christian leaders all over the globe. ATS is transitioning into a paperless enrolment system.
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21 22 In the Philippines, the number of evangelical churches has almost tripled since the ‘80s (from roughly 25,000 to more than 70,000). However, 40% of local pastors do not have formal theological training. Also, some of the 10 million Filipinos working abroad are ministering even with minimal theological training Currently, no seminary in Metro Manila is offering distance education programs at the graduate level. ATS desires to be at the forefront in addressing this concern, providing the same quality of education of our residential programs. As an educational approach, online learning de-centers, shifting focus towards learning and the student. It will minimize the difficulties of physically coming to campus for classes. It can also aid residential students in finishing their degrees faster. Moreover, internship can be provided based on location.
Phase One In its first phase, ATS’s online learning program received strong
support from the community, from the board down to the students. Professors are open to teaching blended/hybrid and some faculty members are ready to teach fully online courses. Since 2013, ATS started offering hybrid/blended courses as a transition into fully online Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, and certificate programs. Hybrid/blended classes combine online learning and classroom meetings. For SY 2013-14, a total of 18 blended classes and one fully online course were offered. In SY 2014-15, this increased to 33 blended classes and eight fully online courses. For the first semester of SY 2015-16, ATS is offering 15 hybrid/blended and two full online courses. These account for 30.6% out of 49 total courses of the semester. Students appreciate the paperless submissions, which do not require them to be physically present on campus to turn in their requirements. Abigail Libre (MDiv Pastoral Studies) also approves of the accessibility
“As technology affects every aspect of human existence, ATS recognizes the need for ‘digital incarnation’. This means spreading Christ’s presence online, bridging gaps in geographical distance, contexts and schedule.” of dialogues and materials, which can be retrieved anytime. “This… is unique to the online courses because dialogues in the classroom cannot be replayed,” she says. Meanwhile, Morris Fabros (MDiv Counseling) says that the online courses provide him with a broader
view of what he wants to accomplish and apply these in ministry. “Being in full time ministry and a full time student, the online course helps me to always be updated,” he says. Computer software and hardware are constantly being improved in order to give smoother transactions
for students. Aside from improving our website’s appearance and service, ATS has also made the site accessible to mobile devices. We have also enhanced our social media presence. The learning management system ATS is using (Moodle) has been working well. The library database continues its upgrade from Athena to Evergreen, which makes the records available online. We have already purchased electronic books and we look forward to acquiring more in 2016.
Phase Two ATS is now in the second phase of its online program. We aim to establish a school management system to create a virtual campus and develop an online learning culture in terms of administration and instruction. As we are improving our infrastructure, ATS also plans to establish a media room with corresponding services. This allows professors to record their own lectures. Some of our classrooms also need to be made soundproof
as some courses will be recorded for our online certificate programs. We aim to continue strengthening our Internet services and training our faculty for online education. By SY 2018-19, ATS targets to have 180 enrollees in the fully online graduate diploma degrees/courses. We also look forward to having 320 new residential and extension center students. This brings the total number of students to 500.
Embracing Change The online mode of delivery remains fully part of ATS’s identity. Our global curriculum emphasizes outreach and impact throughout the world. We also equip students in the midst of their active ministries and encourage them to serve in their respective home countries. As the demand for off-site training (both local and abroad) increases, pray with us as we navigate the contours of this new paradigm in teaching and learning. May we be found faithful in transforming leaders for the church and the world—even with changing methodology.
Upgraded computers have been made available for students at the ATS library.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS We’ve shifted our Academic Calendar starting school year 2015-16. The first semester runs from August-December while the second semester proceeds from January to May. Second Semester: January 25-May 21, 2016 Enrolment for the second semester is on January 21 and 22, 2016 (9am–6pm).
Graduate Diploma Biblical Languages | Christian Education | Intercultural and Urban Studies | Counseling | Advanced Pastoral Studies Theological Studies | Transformational Urban Leadership Master of Arts Biblical Studies | Christian Education | Intercultural Ministries Pastoral Counseling | Theology | Transformational Urban Leadership Master of Divinity Biblical Studies | Christian Education Intercultural and Urban Studies | Counseling | Pastoral Studies Theology | Transformational Urban Leadership Doctor of Philosophy in Contextual Theology MBA in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management Certificates (Extension Program) Biblical Interpretation | Biblical Preaching | Lay Counseling Pastoral Ministry | Transformational Urban Leadership
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Watch for these upcoming fully online programs in June 2016: Graduate Diploma in Christian Education E-MBA in Biblical Stewardship and Christian Management
OPEN CAMPUS February 1–6, 2016 (Monday–Saturday)
Have a feel of ATS life! Free class sit-ins | Meet and greet ATS professors, students and staff | Campus walking tours Overflowing coffee | Booth displays and library sale See www.ats.ph for course offerings
ADMISSION TEST Exam Dates: January 9 (Saturday) & 11, 2016 (Monday) February 23, March 7 & 26, April 4 & 25, May 2 & 30, June 6 & 27, July 4 (Monday) June 18 & July 30 (Saturday) How has God worked in and through you after ATS? Share your alumni stories with us at ellaabigail@mail.ats.ph and marizol_duran@mail.ats.ph.
This
Shepherd’s Thirst
Ptr. Jojo Angeles, DMD
In Luke 2:8-20, they are in their routine task in the field caring for their flock that fateful night. The angel of the Lord appears and announces the birth of the Messiah and with it, an invitation to see the baby. Still enveloped by fear, the shepherds witness authentic heavenly worship as the angel and heavenly hosts started praising God! The story does not stop after that majestic heavenly spectacle. The lessons are in the aftermath. The reactions of the shepherds after the event answers an unspoken thirst that this “shepherd” feels. Ptr. Elyser “Jojo” Angeles finished his MDiv in Pastoral Studies in 2009. He is currently the president of the ATS Alumni Association.
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I entered Asian Theological Seminary to quench my desire to know God. I finished my course in 2009 satisfied and in 2011, took the rein in pastoring my home church, Caloocan Christian Church. I became a “shepherd under the Great Shepherd”. Pastors like me are called shepherds but when Jesus was born, there were true shepherds.
Desire His Presence Keeping watch over the flocks, the shepherds are told to see Christ and “they hurried out”. To desire to be in His holy presence restores one’s soul. I am reminded that Jesus is and will always be the center of my being and the only reason for it all. It is not the kingdom, not even the sheep but Christ. My prayer is that I will not lose the excitement of seeking the Lord and the passion for Him every time He calls. May I continue to embrace who I am, a
servant to behold His glory and bow at His very feet. Declare His Love Humility personified. That is who Christ is as the shepherds stand opposite that manger. The angel proclaimed His identity and yet He lay in a feeding-box, identifying Himself as one with so many. But
He is love personified. He is compassionate and sacrificial, as revealed entirely at the cross. it is more than humility. Unlike the shepherds, I already know the rest of the story. He is love personified. He is compassionate and sacrificial, as revealed entirely at the cross. The
Messiah always wants to be one with my heart and the world He created. If the shepherds promptly declared what they saw at the manger, I pray that I can continue to proclaim Him even more to a dry, thirsty world. Delight to Praise and Glorify God The powerful experience of communing with God not only can bring back the purpose and excitement of being a servant, but also magnifies our worship. I remember my first encounter with Christ many years back. The memories are surreal but it evokes so much worship f rom the created to the Creator. It brings “hallelujah� to my lips. My prayer is to profoundly rediscover that delight in glorifying Him as I seek His face. May my heart glorify Him more as His presence fills my heart. The shepherds returned to their flock and so will I. But in learning to approach God, I have been filled by His holy presence and satisfied. May it be with me as to all of us who are called to serve.
Ptr. Jojo Angeles with ATS President Dr. Tim Gener and fellow ATS alumni officers (L-R): Ptr. Jesse Dedel (Treasurer); Ptr. Edgar Ebojo (Vice-president); Ms. Julie Riano (Secretary); and Ptr. Rick Boto (PRO).
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