Contribution to Strategy: SIM Bolivia Vision: Thriving missionaries advancing strategic ministries in partnerships. The Bolivian church is well established. SIM Bolivia seeks to identify and minister in unrecognized or weak, but strategic, areas. Theological education in Bolivia lags behind almost all other Latin American countries. SIM Bolivia believes that theological education is strategic for strengthening the church in Bolivia, and the door is wide open for a ministry partnership with the Seminario Biblico Evangelico in La Paz.

Ministry: TE- Extension Programs

Responsibilities: Come invest in the lives of the future pastors and church leaders of Bolivia.The Seminario Biblico Evangelico is in the city of La Paz, a city with over 1 million Aymaran people. The Seminario is an interdenominational seminary with the largest student body in Bolivia (250 students). The school is located near downtown La Paz and offers an undergraduate level training program for pastors and church workers. Currently no missionary teachers have dedicated themselves to serving the school. The seminary is requesting a missionary teacher that would bring an international perspective to the program and strengthen the academic level of the school. Classes at this seminary are held in the evening. The missionary could further help with one to one discipleship with the seminary students and involvement in the local church.

Future Plans: If an expatriate missionary is required to fill this position, what plans are there for a national to be trained and developed to take over this role in the future? The Seminario Biblico Evangelico in La Paz is owned and operated by the national church. A missionary teacher has the potential of strengthening this ministry and bringing an international perspective to the academic program.

Advanced degree required.

Required training: Minimum M.A. or M.Div. in theology, Bible, ministry or Christian education.

Recommended Experience: One year of formal teaching experience or ministry is recommended but not required.

Personality Issues/ Cultural Considerations:: Although the seminary students have a high school degree, their learning style is often semi-oral and many will be teaching congregations that are primarily oral learners. Teachers need to adapt their teaching method accordingly and not rely as heavily on reading the text as is done in most Western seminaries. Therefore, the missionary should be familiar with orality.