The A/G Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS) in Baguio City, Philippines, launched a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program in Pentecostal/Charismatic Ministry in early October.

Fourteen students from nine nations, including Assemblies of God pastors, Bible school faculty and missionaries, joined the first module on Contemporary Pentecostal/Charismatic Issues taught by Dr. Russell Spittler (former Provost of Fuller Seminary and an Assemblies of God Minister) and Dr. Wonsuk Ma, APTS Academic Dean.

The Director of the D.Min. program is Dr. Chin Do Kham, who also serves the seminary as Dean of Students.

"A decade ago, we hosted a D. Min. program in Pastoral Ministries in cooperation with a consortium of Evangelical seminaries in the Philippines," noted APTS President, Dr. John Carter, "but as the Assemblies of God seminary serving the Asia Pacific region, we felt that we could best support the development of our national churches by focusing on Pentecostal distinctives in ministry.

"Our purpose as an Asian-based seminary is to provide high-quality academic programs at an affordable cost so Asia Pacific students do not need to seek further education in the West," added Carter. "Unfortunately, when students from the developing world go the West to study, they are often tempted to remain there rather than to return to their home countries. This is not a problem for our students."

APTS also offers several M.A. and M.Div. degree programs, and a M.Th. in Pentecostal Studies. For more information on the school and its programs, see .

By Albert H. Lee