Frequently Asked Questions
- What is LATN?
- Why is LATN needed?
- How will LATN equip Latin Americans?
- Why does LATN use the distance-learning format?
- Is LATN's distance learning culturally relevant to Latin Americans?
- Do Latin Americans have the technology for LATN's courses?
- The benefits of distance-learning aside, why not a traditional residential program (with dorms and classrooms)?
- What will LATN teach that will be different than other programs of study?
- What are LATN's distinctives and values?
- What is the Biblical model followed by LATN?
- Why does LATN focus primarily on the 'equippers of equippers'?
- What role will LATN have in Launching Church Planting Movements in Latin America?
- Will LATN partner with other institutions and organizations?
- Where is LATN located?
- Why does LATN only equip at the master's level?
- What are the greatest challenges and obstacles LATN is currently facing?
- What has LATN done so far?
- How many students does LATN project having in 2006?
- How many students does LATN project having in 2009?
- What about the undergraduate and the PhD levels?
- Which master's degrees is LATN planning on offering?
- Will LATN be an accredited program?
- How long will it take for an LATN student to graduate?
- How much will it cost to develop an LATN course?
- How much will it cost to get LATN fully operational?
- What about the Hispanics in the US
- What do you call LATN in Spanish?
- How long will it take for LATN to be fully functional?
- What do you see happening with LATN in the future?
- What are the development plans for LATN?
- What could be LATN's impact?
- What are LATN's major expenses for the next two years?
- Why is LATN a good project in which to invest?
- How can I invest in LATN?
The Latin America Training Network (LATN) is a new educational program that utilizes recent innovations in technology to overcome obstacles faced by Christian leaders in Latin America. LATN will be a "school without walls," using computer-based training and Internet connectivity to deliver necessary content and student interactions to every part of Central, South and North America. In this way, leaders in ministry can study, communicate, and fellowship around Masters level courses without leaving their families, ministries, or countries in order to study.
Eight thousand people! Eight thousand people are coming to know Christ every day in Latin America. Although this may result in a crescendo of angels rejoicing in heaven, it also creates a dilemma for the Latin American Church: a lack of trained leaders. LATN addresses this need by equipping key Latin Americans leaders responsible for the care and growth of these new believers and the church as a whole
Although leadership training is needed at all levels, from the most basic to the most advanced, LATN was founded on God's call to equip those in the higher levels of leadership to properly disciple and train the greatest number of other leaders in Latin America's Church Planting Movements. In this way, LATN can have the maximum impact for the church and for Christ in Latin America.
3. How will LATN equip Latin Americans?
For the most part, LATN will bring training right into the homes of the students, using Internet tools such as web-based content delivery, computer conferencing, threaded discussions, and e-mail. Course materials will also be delivered via multimedia CD's, videotapes, and through printed manuals and textbooks.
Although technology-based, LATN students are not isolated. LATN classes are led by trained facilitators. Students are also assigned mentors who help make spiritual formation a significant component of the student's educational experience. And equally important, students study together, forming close-knit learning communities with their fellow students and meeting periodically for intensive times of face-to-face dialogue with professors and each other, as well as time for fellowship and prayer.
4. Why does LATN use the distance-learning format?
Technology has drastically affected every aspect of our lives, and education has not been exempt. Just as the chalkboard has moved over to make room for whiteboards, overhead projectors, and computer projection equipment, so too has the traditional teacher-made room for computer-driven distance learning.
Tremendous strides have been made in the field of distance education in the past 20 years. It is now possible to create a robust, highly interactive learning environment that delivers the quality of traditional instructor-led education. A multitude of cognitive research studies have concluded that, all things being equal, there is no significant difference between the two. The advantage that distance learning provides is that it can deliver quality education to locations beyond the walls of the traditional classroom to leaders who cannot attend classes.
5. Is LATN's distance learning culturally relevant to Latin Americans?
Interestingly, distance education has been much more common in Latin America than in the USA. For example, in Costa Rica, 50% of Costa Rica's public school teachers are trained through distance education. It is less common, however, in evangelical theological education circles which, until recently, have largely followed the North American resident seminary model established by expatriate missionaries. We consider ourselves to be trailblazers as we integrate distance learning technologies and techniques in Latin American theological education. LATN is blazing the trail by integrating distance-learning education and techniques in Latin American theological education.
6. Do Latin Americans have the technology for LATN's courses?
Latino professionals, like church leaders, do have access to basic technology, however, they may not have the latest brand or the fastest computer (although in some cases they do!). LATN staff has researched this question over time and have concluded that access to technology is not a limiting factor in Latin America. In fact, access to the Internet has been made even more accessible in Latin America through the ever-present Internet cafes.
7. The benefits of distance-learning aside, why not a traditional residential program (with dorms and classrooms)?
Many people today have had the privilege of attending traditional universities and seminaries which have provided them with an excellent education. However, the tuition for these traditional-style schools can be highly expensive for most Latin Americans.
Additionally, LATN's target audience – currently ministering church leaders – are unable to further hone their skills by changing locations. Such a change would disrupt the ministries where they are already having an affect for Christ. And quite often, going to seminary means going to another country in order to study. This has tremendous financial consequences as well as huge implications for a family as it faces a major move.
LATN makes graduate training both affordable and accessible for Latin leaders without sacrificing quality or community.
8. What will LATN teach that will be different than other programs of study?
Since LATN is a brand new institution, it has the freedom to design its curricula with the most current approaches to meet Latin American theological needs and to emphasize aspects of education to drive renewal in Latin America. One such emphasis is in the integration of theological education with Latin American culture. Yet, LATN's program will have many of the courses that one would expect to see in an evangelically conservative seminary.
9. What are LATN's distinctives and values?
LATN is unique in many ways. One of the primary distinctives of LATN's approach is its commitment to accessibility to the student. Descriptors of LATN's distinctives and values are: affordable, kingdom-minded, creative, Biblical, aimed at leadership, committed to dynamic Church Planting Movements (CPMs), multi-disciplinary, contextual, learner-centered, master's level, innovative use of technology, and distributed education.
10. What is the Biblical model followed by LATN?
LATN puts into practice the apostle Paul's admonition to Timothy as presented in 2 Timothy 2:2, 'And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also' (NASB). In this text, Paul instructs a pastor (Timothy) to teach (entrust) the gospel to faithful men able to teach others. LATN follows this model by focusing on the "equippers of the equippers," the "Pauls" and the "Timothys" in Latin America who are leading those "faithful men able to teach others."
11. Why does LATN focus primarily on the 'equippers of equippers'?
The Evangelical Free Church of America International Mission (EFCA IM) conducted an extensive feasibility study in 1998-99. After visiting ten countries and listening to Latin American leaders share their burdens, the EFCA IM became aware of a huge unmet need. The plea heard was the need for training denominational leaders, professors of pastors and missionaries and influential lay leaders who were already proven leaders. These leaders hold heavy ministry responsibilities yet are ill equipped to carry out those responsibilities. Leaders from country after country said the same thing. The vast majority had no hope of receiving on-the-job training apart from a program like LATN.
12. What role will LATN have in Launching Church Planting Movements in Latin America?
Our number one priority is to provide advanced training for the top leaders of our existing Free Church movements in Latin America. However, LATN's vision extends beyond our own associations and embraces Spanish and Portuguese-speaking leaders in need of biblically grounded training within a Latin American context. Our desire is to provide training for godly men and women of Jesus Christ in addition to those in the Evangelical Free Church of Latin America.
13. Will LATN partner with other institutions and organizations? level?
LATN is kingdom-minded and looks forward to partnering with other like-minded evangelical institutions which are theologically and educationally compatible. We realize that to equip the leaders of Latin American's Evangelical Church Planting Movements will take the efforts and resources of more than one institution. In recent years, LATN staff have visited sister institutions in Latin America in order to begin developing relationships. One formal partnership agreement has been signed with another excellent Latin American seminary. Plans are currently underway to begin a partnership with another organization.
The production and administrative center is located in San Jose, Costa Rica. However, consistent with its mode of delivery, LATN personnel have also been working remotely in such places as Chicago, Miami, and England.
Since LATN is not a bricks-and-mortar institution technically it exists wherever training takes place. Quite often, an LATN facilitator may be traveling while at the same time teaching a course from various remote locations. Such is one of the advantages that distance learning provides.
15. Why does LATN only equip at the master's level?
Although its goals are ambitious LATN cannot begin to address all of the Church's theological education needs. At the beginning, LATN must limit itself to one level. The master's level was targeted as the most strategic place to begin because of its high leverage potential. This is the level where LATN can gain the greatest return on its investment of time, personnel and financial resources. As God blesses this effort, it will expand into other areas as well.
16. What are the greatest challenges and obstacles LATN is currently facing?
Although LATN's leadership would like to advance more quickly, like most missionary endeavors it is held back by a lack of human and financial resources. It's not a cliché, it's a Biblical fact: "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matt 9:38-39, NIV).
17. What has LATN done so far?
By the grace of God, much has been accomplished in the early part of LATN's history. As of June 2004, five courses have been created and tested, a sixth course is being developed for testing during the summer or fall, a course developed in partnership with a Latin American seminary will be tested in August 2004 with an eighth course to be developed by December. Also, LATN's academic program should be finalized by the beginning of the new year.
As of March 2004, LATN has taught (alpha and beta tested) courses to 43 students in nine countries (including the U.S.).
18. How many students does LATN project having in 2006?
A modest estimate for the number of students LATN will have in 2006 is 120 students.
19. How many students does LATN project having in 2009?
By 2009 LATN plans on servicing 250 students. Also by 2009, it is likely there will be another 450 students taking LATN courses through other seminaries.
20. What about the undergraduate and the PhD levels?
The theological education needs in Latin America are much greater than just the master's level. There are also needs at many other levels of leadership. Although LATN is focusing on the graduate level, it anticipates developing partnerships with other institutions which will provide courses for other levels of theological education. In the future LATN may consider expanding to courses for other levels as well. (LATN is currently assisting a sister seminary develop an undergraduate distance course.)
21. Which master's degrees is LATN planning on offering?
LATN hopes to initially offer two master's programs: A Masters in Religious Science with an emphasis in either Contextualized Biblical Theology or Contextualized Christian Leadership. In the future, other programs will be added such as: Missions, New Testament, Old Testament, Church History, and Education, to name a few.
22. Will LATN be an accredited program?
Initially, the courses offered by LATN will be endorsed by accredited sister institutions. This is a great benefit to Latin American leaders who need academic credentials meaningful in their own countries. The goal of LATN is to seek accreditation with the ministry of education of Costa Rica as well as a regional accreditation agency.
23. How long will it take for an LATN student to graduate?
A student will need to complete 60 hours of credits in order to graduate. The length of time needed will be determined by the amount of time a student has available to dedicate to his or her studies. The more courses a student takes per semester, the quicker that student will go through the program. We need to remember that nearly all LATN students will be involved in full-time ministry or full-time secular employment and may find it difficult to go through the program quickly. A modest estimate of time it would take to complete the program would range from slightly over three years to over six.
24. How much will it cost to develop an LATN course?
When the budget process began for the first LATN course, rough estimates placed the cost of a course between $35,000 and $50,000. Professional distance learning consultants affirmed those costs as being reasonable when compared to industry standards (with costs between $150,000 and $250,000 per course). So, the initial budget for our first course was $30,000. By God's grace and mercy, the cost for the first two courses was less than $30,000!
We now estimate that the cost for a course will be somewhere between $9,000 and $15,000. This is a real bargain when one considers that the course could have a "shelf life" of five to ten years.
25. How much will it cost to get LATN fully operational?
The initial cost to set LATN up with an entire Master's level curriculum will cost between $500,000 and $750,000. Thereafter, the yearly budget to develop new courses and maintain the infrastructure is estimated to cost approximately $80,000 a year. (This does not include the salaries of missionaries who work for LATN who raise their own support).
On the other hand, when fully operational LATN is estimated to service from 1,000 to 3,000 students per year with continued growth afterwards. This cost is a remarkably effective and efficient use of funds – a tremendous bargain - when one realizes that the entire program can be developed and delivered for less than the cost of constructing one new building in a residential program.
26. What about the Hispanics in the US
One of the wonderful aspects of LATN is that it will make no difference where a student lives, since the Internet is available virtually throughout the entire world. Therefore, LATN will be able to service the Hispanic population.
27. What do you call LATN in Spanish?
The Spanish acronym for LATN is quite different than its English translation. In Latin America, LATN is known as ProMETA. ProMETA is the acronym for Programas de Maestría en Estudios Teológicos Accesibles (Accessible Theological Education Master's Programs).
28. How long will it take for LATN to be fully functional?
LATN has been designed to begin offering courses to students in the year 2005 with the idea that a student who begins taking the course in 2005 should be able to take courses without interruption until graduation.
29. What do you see happening with LATN in the future?
LATN is in the process of defining its "preferred future" as directed by God. As we look down the road, we see LATN with students and centers in every country in Latin America, partnering with many institutions throughout the continent, producing courses for its students as well as for other institutions in Latin America, developing various master's programs to address the needs of Latin America, continually evaluate its direction and utility, and slowly transition toward becoming an institution led primarily by Latin Americans
30. What are the development plans for LATN?
In order to facilitate long-term planning, a four-stage development process is helpful in looking at the creation and development of LATN. These four overlapping phases are:
1. Creation and Foundations (1996-2002). A 10-country feasibility study was carried out to determine the needs in Latin America, the initial vision given by God was articulated, that vision was affirmed by the Mission Board of Evangelical Free Church of America, personnel was recruited, initial funds were raised and an office building was purchased in San Jose, Costa Rica.
2. Development and Testing Phase (2002-2006). This phase was characterized by the development of LATN's first courses which were tested on students in various Latin American countries. These students evaluated the courses and provided data for modifying the courses. LATN's academic program began to take shape. We anticipate that God will grow the LATN team to over 20 full-time individuals. This is also the phase in which the remaining Subject Matter Experts (SMEs or professors) are recruited for developing the remaining courses for LATN's basic program.
3. Growth and Consolidation Phase (2006-2012). LATN's academic program is finalized and regional centers are identified and become operational with students in many Latin American countries and the US. The courses are also offered in Portuguese.
4. Expansion Phase (2012-?). In this phase, the leadership of LATN is primarily Latin American and has expanded with centers in every country of Latin America and many throughout the United States and other parts of the world. It is anticipated that by this time LATN's students will number in the thousands.
31. What could be LATN's impact?
Because LATN embraces such a new method of ministry, God only knows what LATN's impact on the future of the Latin American church will be. We do know that LATN employs new methods to perform biblical directives: teach the Word, make disciples, and train others for ministry. Should the Lord bless these efforts, LATN has the potential to shape the future of entire countries and continents through Church Planting Movements led by leaders trained by LATN. Just a cursory look at the Bible quickly reveals the positive or negative impact a leader can have on God's people and God's work. Jesus invested most of his energies in equipping twelve men for ministry. Investing in educating God's men and women in Latin America will produce eternal benefits to them and those they affect.
32. What are LATN's major expenses for the next two years?
LATN's major expenses are:
2005-2006
33. Why is LATN a good project in which to invest?
IMPACTS ENTIRE CONTINENTS
It is a BIG project (it touches the entire Spanish and Portuguese-speaking world in Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and the United States) to ADDRESS A MAJOR PROBLEM long identified by missions (training church leaders at a master's level while allowing them to remain in ministry in country without expensive school infrastructure) in a way that allows YOU to have a significant part.
UNIQUENESS
LATN has been one of the first to offer theological training of a unique sort in Latin America. Every year we see more organizations becoming involved in distance learning in Latin America, however, LATN has continued to be viewed as a pioneering pace-setter.
CONTEMPORARY
This high tech ministry for a high touch area of the world will capture the attention of many.
PRACTICAL
Through whatever effort and resources available, Stateside churches can get involved developing Spanish-speaking evangelical leaders, not only overseas but in their own communities. These are the leaders right on your doorsteps!
A GREAT PARTNERSHIP
Those interested in participating in the work of LATN can contribute. Short-term teams can get involved with various aspects of ministry. Technical teams and small construction teams can also have an impact on LATN. And just as LATN delivers courses through technology, remote participation by those willing and able to share their gifts and talents is also possible.
HAPPENING NOW!
LATN is not "vaporware!" It is happening right now!
FOCUS ON THE NATIONAL CHURCH
LATN has a strong emphasis on helping the national church mature without being paternalistic.
HIGHLY COMMITTED AND WELL-PREPARED STAFF
LATN professors have PhDs or similar academic degrees which qualify them to teach at the master's level in an accredited institution.
REFLECTS GOOD STEWARDSHIP OF MISSION RESOURCES
A course produced by LATN has the potential of being used many times over throughout the world. The digitized format of the courses, tied in with efficient use of Internet technology, enables these reusable courses to be offered without the need of securing a missionary professor or an expensive classroom each time the course is taught.
Tax-deductible donations can be made at the web site of the Evangelical Free Church of America using the following link: http://www.efca.org/giving/index/html. Donations may be made online (as a credit card charge) or a paper form may be downloaded and mailed to the EFCA home office.
Important: please designate your donation using one of the following three accounts:
LA Training Network: 26059-0104. (This account is used for scholarships, administrative budget, and general expenses. LATN's goal is to raise $2500 per month.) LATN Course Development: 26059-0902. (The Course Development account receives donations toward the creation of individual courses. Each course will cost approximately $9000-$15,000 to develop. As of April 2004, four courses have received funding.) LATN building: 26059-0903. (The building account receives donations to help toward the purchase of the LATN building. The remaining amount to be paid on LATN's building is approximately $115,000 as of June 2004.) Donations to a particular LATN missionary can also be made at the same web site. However, please communicate with one of the following contact people for specific information on account numbers.
Miami: Keith Anderson, (954) 665-3649, EFCA National Office: Dr. Tom Cairns, (800) 745-2202, Costa Rica LATN office: (954) 283-8511,