ONTARIO, Calif. -- Gateway Seminary is rapidly expanding the offering of its distance learning Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree through a dedicated scholarship fund and flexible technology.

Jim Wilson, director of Gateway's D.Min. program, said the expansion reflects the Seminary's global perspective. “We are not asking the world to come to us—we are going to them.” he said.

“We anticipate this program will make advanced theological education available to both our missionaries and also to local, indigenous leaders.”

First Baptist Church of Barstow donated the founding gift for the Global D.Min. Fund. Scholarships from this fund will support D.Min. candidates who are members of a distance learning cohort that meets on international soil.

“We want to train leaders, who will train leaders,” Wilson said. “The Global D.Min. Fund will make that possible.”

The Association of Theological Schools approved the distance learning D.Min. in February of 2019 and the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) approved it in August of 2019. The program employs various delivery systems to support international cohorts including video conference technology, online coursework, and traditional classes offered in international locations.

Since the approvals, the Seminary has launched two cohorts in East Asia and one in Southeast Asia. This July they will start a third cohort in East Asia and one for candidates from around the world. This non-regional cohort will not include any face-to-face components. Wilson said cohorts are in development for 2021 and 2022 that will meet in strategic locations in Asia and Europe.

In addition to the distance learning D.Min. degree, Gateway continues to offer D.Min. cohorts on its five campuses, which are all located near North American Mission Board Send Cities. Gateway campuses are located in the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas in California; near Denver, Colo., and Portland, Ore., and in Phoenix, Ariz.

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