Fountain Valley, CA  (March 3, 2010)  In early February, Pentecostal theological educators from around the world met for the first Board of Director’s meeting of the newly formed World Alliance for Pentecostal Theological Education (WAPTE).  Board members from the Assemblies of God (including Assemblies of God World Missions, Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada, African Assemblies of God Alliance and the Alliance for Assemblies of God Higher Education), the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) and the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel met at Mattersey Hall, the historic campus of the British Assemblies of God Bible College. The formation of WAPTE was approved by participants from these groups at a meeting in Springfield, MO in July 2009, which followed an earlier exploratory meeting held in Singapore in 2008 at which Assemblies of God missions educators from all regions of the world unanimously agreed to proceed with this initiative. 

 

WAPTE formalizes a cooperative relationship among Pentecostal/Charismatic theological associations, denominational offices and missions agencies that provide educational services to theological and/or ministry training schools around the world.   A major concern of WAPTE is the approval of standards and procedures for the endorsement and accreditation of Pentecostal/Charismatic theological schools by member theological associations in various regions of the world in order to ensure consistency and credibility in these endeavors and enhance the recognition of endorsed and accredited schools.  In addition, WAPTE will encourage research and scholarship that informs the development of theology, leadership and ministry education within the Pentecostal tradition, and organize meetings and consultations to encourage networking among members and create awareness of trends in theological, leadership and ministry education.

 

WAPTE is endorsed by the Pentecostal World Fellowship (PWF), which represents the broad international and interdenominational spectrum of Pentecostal/Charismatic movements.  In his letter of support for the WAPTE initiative sent to the PWF Chairman, Bishop James Leggett, Dr. Jack Hayford stated “I have reviewed the [WAPTE] proposal . . . which was sent for my review and recommendation. I believe that the vision is highly desirable and very timely, and I recommend that it be received and implemented as such.”  In cooperation with PWF, WAPTE is organizing a Bible school/theological track for the Pentecostal World Conference being held in Stockholm, Sweden August 23-27, 2010 and will move forward to implement other aspects of its purposes. 

 

Contact:

John F. Carter, Ph.D.

Chairman, WAPTE Board of Directors

john.carter@agmd.org

209 Parrot Ln.

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

714-369-2236