*This article is the third entry in a series leading up to this year’s Giving Day, taking place Tuesday, Dec. 3* 

Another result of the record-setting fundraising success NOBTS has recently experienced is the establishment of the seminary’s online Spanish program.  

NOBTS officially launched the program in the fall of 2021 as a shift from offering Spanish education at a campus extension center. 

Instead of one physical location, degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level can now be earned fully in Spanish from anywhere in the world through live-taught online classes.  

The program allows Spanish-speaking students to interact with professors and classmates via online video conferencing, while also allowing students the flexibility to watch recorded lectures at their own convenience.

The program started off small, with seven graduate students and 15 undergraduate students during its first semester. 

Since then, the program has experienced more than 100 percent growth for both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs. This semester, the program has around 140 students, with almost 100 of those students being in the undergraduate program and the remainder being in the graduate program.  

Among current students, more than 10 different states and five different nations are represented.  

Fabio Castellanos, director of Spanish online education at NOBTS, said the rest of the seminary has been incredibly supportive of the new program.  

“God has been so merciful with us,” Castellanos said. “The seminary has been very supportive. The Caskey Center has been supportive in offering opportunities for Hispanic pastors to have scholarships.  

“It has been a kind of team effort within the seminary to support the Spanish program. The result has been great. We have been growing little by little. It has been a great blessing to see the first fruits of this.” 

This past spring, the Spanish program celebrated its first ever graduating class of 7 students from the master’s program.  

Several of these students, including some from outside the country, traveled to New Orleans to attend graduation on campus. Many of these students met their classmates, Castellanos and other professors for the first time in-person.  

One of those students, Alvaro Pardo, described the Spanish program as a “gift.” 

“It (the program) provided the flexibility to study at my own pace, which was crucial for balancing my responsibilities,” Pardo said. “But beyond that, the program's content was exceptional, and the professors, who were truly passionate about their subject, made every class a rich experience. 

“Studying the Bible in Spanish felt like coming home. Being able to delve into the Scriptures in my native language allowed me to connect with the text and my peers on a much deeper level.” 

Duvy Guzman, another student from the graduating class, said his experience with the program was “exceptional.” 

“From the very beginning, I felt supported by both the professors and my classmates,” Guzman said.  

“The course content was deep, relevant, and always pushed me to improve, allowing me to grow not only intellectually but also spiritually. Studying in my native language enriched the experience even more, enabling me to connect with the materials on a very personal level. I not only learned from the professors but also from my classmates ... I felt that we were all on this spiritual and academic journey together, which was very rewarding and left me with experiences and knowledge I will always treasure. 

“I am deeply grateful for the quality and effort that the seminary dedicates to each class, making every student feel valued and an integral part of the community.” 

Guzman said attending graduation in the spring was “an unforgettable experience.”  

“Visiting the NOBTS campus felt like coming home, a place where I was able to meet in person the professors and classmates with whom I had shared so much during my studies,” Guzman said. 

“The ceremony was emotional, filled with moments of gratitude and celebration. Meeting other graduates and sharing our stories was very inspiring. It was the perfect conclusion to an important chapter in my academic and spiritual life. 

“I would recommend NOBTS's Spanish program to anyone interested in deepening their biblical and theological studies. The quality of the program, the dedication of the professors, and the learning community that is formed are invaluable. It is a place where you not only gain knowledge but also strengthen your faith and calling. It’s not just an academic institution but a true family. 

Pardo echoed his sentiments regarding the NOBTS graduation experience and recommendation of the program.  

“Graduation was a very rewarding and emotional experience,” Pardo said. “Meeting my classmates and professors in person after so much time interacting online was very special. Graduation on campus was a memorable moment that beautifully concluded my academic journey. 

“The NOBTS online Spanish program is a gem for anyone seeking top-tier theological training.” 

To learn more about the NOBTS Spanish program, click here.  

This year’s Giving Day goal is $500,000. To learn more about Giving Day, click here.