Who We Are

The Baptist Theological Seminary of the Portuguese Baptist Convention is an indigenous, international, multi-denominational community serving the evangelical churches of Portugal. The school has labored to this end in Portugal since 1969, and in its current location since 1979. Its objective, according to the school’s mission statement, is: Mission: Baptist Theological Seminary exists to serve evangelical churches by providing a biblical basis for the empowerment of servant leaders who will be actively involved in transformational ministries in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Vision: Servant leaders empowered to impact society through their churches.
Purpose Commitment: Empowering, serving and transforming
Service Commitments:
1. Being: to mold Christian character with kingdom values
2. Knowing: to provide a Biblical worldview and finding effective ways of communicating and contextualizing kingdom values
3. Doing: to give students opportunities to apply their knowledge through short term planned activities
4. Feeling: teachers will model zeal and passion so that the students would be motivated in fulfilling their calling
5. Belonging: to reinforce the understanding that we are part of the body of Christ; to be salt and light in the community in partnership with other agencies, without compromising Biblical values

Recipient Commitment: Primarily servant leaders of the Baptist churches and all evangelical denominations

Geographical/Scope Commitment: Primarily Portuguese-speaking countries

International
Although the seminary primarily serves the needs of the churches of Portugal, it also provides training for future evangelical leaders of many other Portuguese-speaking countries. Students from Brazil, Angola, Guiné-Bissau and Mozambique, as well as Portugal, are currently enrolled. The faculty, although primarily Portuguese, also reflects an international flavor, with professors from Brazil, South Africa and the U.S. serving alongside their Portuguese colleagues.

Indigenous
The Portuguese Baptist Convention owns and operates the school, and ten of the fourteen current professors are Portuguese. Leading the seminary is Dr. Paulo Pascoal. Dr. Paulo Pascoal is also the leader of the Missions Commission of the Portuguese Evangelical Alliance, Dawn Ministries Coordinator for Latin Europe, President and Founder of Mevic – Intercultural Evangelical Mission, and professor of Missiology, Evangelism, Leadership and Pastoral Ministry.

Multi-Denominational
While the school’s primary affiliation is with the Portuguese Baptist Convention, it also serves the needs of other Baptists in Portugal, as well as the larger evangelical community. Current students come from the Association of Baptist churches in Portugal and from independant Baptist churches, as well as from churches of the convention. In addition to these, students from Menonite churches, Acção Bíblica, Assemblies of God, Bible churches, and the Salvation Army are also counted among the student body. The seminary is in full cooperation with other evangelical training schools in the area, including the Portuguese Bible Institute, with an interchange of professors as well as students. Class credits are also exchanged freely between the schools.

Enrollment
The 2006-2007 academic year has seen a surge in on-campus enrollment, with 42 students enrolled. Of these, 12 live in the seminary facilities. Prior to this year, the average enrollment since 1992 had been around 30. In addition to the on-campus enrollment, 50 students study in seminary extensions in seven different locations around the country.

Curriculum
The Baptist Theological Seminary offers a well-balanced curriculum, with a variety of courses in the general areas of Theology and Ethics, Pastoral Ministry and Practical Theology, Missiology, History, and Christian Education, all centered around a strong core of Biblical Studies. Students both in the residential program and the extensions may pursue three separate degrees:

Curso Básico (diploma) - A one-year program offering a strong foundation in Biblical Studies.

Bacherelato em Teologia (roughly equivalent to an Associate Degree) - A three-year program (120 hours) involving work in all of the five general areas of study. A 12th-grade education is required.

Licenciatura em Teologia (Similar to an american Bachelor’s Degree) - A four-year (160 hours) program which includes a strong regimen of Biblical Languages and Exegesis. Also carries the prerequisite of a 12th-grade education.

Mestrado em Teologia (Master’s on Theology or Divinity) – A three-year program. A thesis is required.

Faculty
Currently, 14 professors carry on the teaching ministry of the seminary. Ten are native of Portugal, two are Americans, one is South African and one is British. Seven receive a nominal stipend for their teaching, while the rest depend on other sources for all of their support. For all, the seminary is a labor of love, often done at great personal sacrifice. One has earned Doctorate, ten have Masters Degrees, and three have their Bachelor’s.

Facilities
The seminary operates in aproximately 9000 square feet of space, situated in three different apartment buildings which are near to one another in Queluz. This space includes three classrooms which can seat from 8 to 30 students, an administrative office, one faculty office which is shared by all of the professors, a 10.000-volume library, a dining hall and kitchen, a guest lounge, a student lounge, 10 rooms for single students, and three apartments for married students.