Peru partner school has been reaching the community for 75 years

Founded in 1933, Evangelical Seminary of Lima (ESL) has trained students from almost every corner of Peru over the last 75 years. The interdenominational seminary with 1,000+ graduates seeks to prepare pastors and leaders for evangelical churches and the community. It is one of only two evangelical theological institutions officially recognized in Peru as an institution of higher education.

ESL offers Diploma, Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Theology. Preparation at the seminary seeks to be comprehensive and has three main components: academic, spiritual and practical. Ministerial practice is a requirement for graduation.

Graduate Rino Beretta says, “ESL has opened up new vistas for me in my personal and spiritual life. Many churches in Peru open their doors when they know that I have been trained at ESL…this is the great legacy that I have received from my alma mater.”

ESL has been making several improvements to the campus and curriculum to accommodate the current needs of churches. A new library system was inaugurated, and a Master’s program in Pastoral Counseling and Old Testament has been launched. The seminary recently began a program of continuing education for pastors, and ESL’s library and facilities are accessible to the Christian community.

ESL also established the Fraternity of Peruvian Evangelical Theological Education Institutions and the Institute for the Development of Theological Education to bring together local institutions for training and dialogue.

With these improvements, ESL is more equipped to handle issues in Lima and the lack of formal theological education that affects a high percentage of pastors. The number of Quechua and Aymara communities that have been blessed through the pastoral, preaching and literacy ministries of ESL alumni is beyond count.