Update: IBCP Seminary in Equatorial Guinea: Training Pastors and Leaders for Ministries of the Gospel

MA. in Ministry with three tracks: Theological Education, Pastoral Leadership, Bible Translation. January 25, 2023.

Graduation of M.A. in Ministry

In 2016, I helped launch — in partnership with SETECA (Central American Theological Seminary) located in Guatemala - the only Master’s level degree in any discipline in the entire country. SETECA is generally regarded as the “top dog” in evangelical theological education in the entire Hispanic world. In 2016, I secured a grant of $60,000 through an anonymous couple in Canada which paid for the program: the finances principally brought visiting professors over to Equatorial Guinea from the USA and Latin America, Spanish-speakers with Ph.D.’s who could teach at the Master’s level. The airfare of my own trip back to EG in Jan. of 2023 was paid for through this fund, as the graduation ceremony basically emptied the coffers of the original grant.

The goal of the M.A. program was principally to raise the level of education of IBCP’s own African professors who teach at the diploma level program. Three “tracks” of the M.A. were eventually added: M.A. in Ministry with Emphases in “Theological Education”, “Pastoral Leadership”, and “Bible Translation”. Eight graduates persevered and were honored not only with M.A. degrees but with B.A. accredited degrees through SETECA.

With national professors possessing M.A. degrees, the way forward towards establishing an accredited B.A. program in Equatorial Guinea at IBCP Seminary now opens up in the future, to help evangelical Christianity keep pace with the next generation of young people graduating from college in the country.

Personally, it was immensely rewarding and satisfying to see this program come to a glorious conclusion; all the churches and pastors and extended families were overjoyed at the accomplishment, which was definitely a “big thing” for Christianity in the country, as no Christian evangelical leader had ever possessed that kind of degree. I was even interviewed by the national media the day of the graduation. To God alone be the glory!

Overview of IBCP Seminary:

IBCP Seminary resides in the former Spanish colony (Spanish Guinea) which received its independence in 1968. Equatorial Guinea is the only country in African where Spanish is the official language. IBCP plays a critical and important role in the discipleship and training of pastors and leaders amongst all the Evangelical and Pentecostal churches in the country.

Instituto Biblico “Casa de la Palabra” Campus in the city of Bata, Equatorial Guinea

Hallway of the first floor of IBCP.

At the present moment, IBCP Seminary is training leaders in both the two major cities of the country: the main campus in the city of Bata on the African mainland has 30 students whereas the extension campus in the island capital of Malabo has 25-26 students studying for future leadership roles for the churches in Equatorial Guinea. Within the last couple of years, IBCP has also pioneered training leaders and pastors “in the interior” of the country in the largest interior village of the African mainland, in the village of Evinayong, with 20 students set to graduate in June of 2023 in phase one of “Biblical Studies”.

The health of discipleship, the integrity of trained pastors, and the overall health of sound doctrine for the churches of Equatorial Guinea can all be traced back, principally, to the vital ministry of IBCP Seminary which works with the breadth and width of the churches of Equatorial Guinea. No other mission in Equatorial Guinea, I believe, plays such a pivotal role for the development and integrity of evangelical Christianity in Equatorial Guinea than does IBCP Seminary. Countless churches have been started by graduates of IBCP Seminary over the last 20 years in a context where virtually all the pastors and leaders of the churches are first-generation Christians.

Specific Future Needs:

During my visit, four specific additional needs which are not included in the annual budget of IBCP came to the foreground.

(1) Resourcing Trip for Rector Gregorio Nsomboro to SETECA in Guatemala: $3,000

SETECA Seminary is interested in helping in the development of the Rector of IBCP, Gregorio Nsomboro. A month-long trip for Gregorio to SETECA in Guatemala would prove immensely beneficial for his ongoing development as the first African Rector of the seminary. Gregorio could meet with students of SETECA (some of whom might be recruited to join as missionary-professors of IBCP Seminary). Gregorio would meet with the leadership of SETECA and get critical insight as to the administration and programming of SETECA which would be invaluable for the development of IBCP. The Academic Dean and Rector of SETECA see the need for IBCP to continue to develop its curriculum and course offerings to be the most effective seminary in the context of Equatorial Guinea and would be happy to mentor Gregorio in his role. Putting Gregorio on a plane to Guatemala for four weeks in the summer of 2023 would be immensely helpful.

(2) TILES in IBCP Bata Classroom and Library: $2,500

The tiles in one of the main IBCP classrooms and the library need to be replaced as the tiles are cracking and coming apart in numerous places on the main campus of IBCP Bata.

(3) IBCP Malabo: $3,600

The extension campus on the island of Malabo is currently undergoing difficulty. The Spanish missionary which originally agreed to house IBCP “rent-free” at the Baptist Church because he saw the great need in Malabo (and saw the effective ministry of IBCP in the country) has moved back to Spain. The current situation of IBCP has placed the campus and students in a nomadic situation and IBCP Malabo needs to rent a space in the city of Malabo.

A 1,800,000 CFCA or $3,600 one-time grant to help IBCP rent space for the next 24-30 months would provide critical stability for the ongoing viability of the IBCP Malabo campus over the next season of its life.

Churches like this one on the island capital of Malabo deserve pastors who “correctly handle the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15).

(4) Primary School Building (Cost: Unknown)

One long-term vision for IBCP Seminary to help stabilize its financial situation is to build elementary classrooms on the IBCP campus in order to provide a Christian school environment, the income which would help fund the annual budget and growth and maintenance of the two campuses of IBCP Seminary (Bata and Malabo) as well as its growth into the interior of the country (extension in Evinayong). The cost for this ambitious project is TBD.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

A big “thank you” for everyone, over many years, who have invested prayer and support into this mission in Equatorial Guinea. This ministry is close to my heart as well as strategic for the entire development of Christianity in Equatorial Guinea!

To God be the glory,

Rev. Dr. Jason Carter