INTRODUCTION
The construction of the current building of the UEBE Baptist Seminary/Faculty of Theology began in 1973 on land acquired on the outskirts of the city of Alcobendas, in the north of Madrid, culminating in its inauguration in 1976. Established in Barcelona 45 years earlier, the theological institution of the Evangelical Baptist Union of Spain now had its headquarters in the center of the country. Although its geographical location changed, its vocation and ministry have not, as it continues to train the pastors and leaders that the churches and ministries of the Baptist Evangelical Union of Spain need, as well as those of other evangelical denominations.
Since the inauguration of our current building in 1976, there have been continual reforms of the facilities, which year after year are subjected to intensive use. In the summer of 2016, one of the most important remodeling phases was undertaken, which affected the ground floor where the offices and offices of professors of the Faculty of Theology are located. In 2020, another important reform was carried out in the academic area of the Faculty of Theology, where the classrooms, the library and the chapel are located.
With the determined and generous involvement of the Baptist Women´s Missionary Union of Spain, which has endorsed the project and is raising funds, there are plans to progressively remodel the student residence of the seminary as a continuation of the integral project of modernization of the installations undertaken five years ago. After a year of fund raising, the Baptist Women´s group raised over 8,000 €, which was complimented by seminary funds to complete the remodeling of the first apartment. (See photos below)
HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST SEMINARY/UEBE FACULTY OF THEOLOGY
In 1922, promoted by the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention of the USA (FMB), a meeting of Spanish Baptist leaders took place in Madrid, with the aim of unifying the Baptist work in Spain. At this meeting it was decided, among other important agreements, to establish a Baptist seminary in Spain. In this same year, the Baptist Theological Institute (hereinafter, seminary) was inaugurated in Barcelona and began its journey with seven students and four professors: Nils Bengston, Ambrosio Celma, Everett Gill and Percy Buffard. In 1925, Vincent Leroy David, a FMB missionary, arrived in Spain as director of the seminary. Two types of studies were given: one for the preparation of pastors, and the other for the preparation of lay workers, with the objective that they attend to the mission points that arose in response to the missionary initiatives of the churches.
Evidence of the maturity that the seminary was acquiring was the appointment, in 1978 of José Borrás Cerveró as director, the first Spaniard to hold this position in fifty-six years. Since then, the successive directors have been Spanish, and its teaching staff has also been reinforced with native personnel. In 1997, the seminary changed its name, becoming the Theological Seminary, UEBE. In September 2011, the training degrees offered by the seminary received civil accreditation from the Spanish State, and the seminary became the Faculty of Theology of the Baptist Evangelical Union of Spain. Currently, it is one of the most prestigious theological institutions among Spanish evangelicals.
Strategically located next to the commuter train station of Alcobendas and well connected to other public transportation hubs, the seminary draws students from the province of Madrid and as well as other areas of Spain. Many students come from the Baptist churches of our Union, but some from other denominations choose the FT-UEBE for pastoral and ministry training of pastors because of its commitment to conservative biblical foundations, supervised ministry practicums, and the advantage of studying in person with excellent professors. Accredited degrees are offered in undergraduate and master’s programs. In addition, the Seminary offers other non-accredited diplomas, and participates in four regional lay leadership training programs, one in Madrid, one in the Southwest, one in Canary Islands and one in South (Andalucía & Extremadura). Online study programs are also offered. Currently there are 35 students in these programs, and seventy in the four regional lay leadership training programs, with 28 people living in the student residence apartments.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project "New homes for the students of the Faculty of Theology UEBE" aims to renovate the apartments occupied by the seminary's students, which have become obsolete after forty-six years of intense use, since there are many occupants who have passed through them. This renovation will include the replacement of doors and closets, the installation of a new floor in the apartments, the adaptation of the electrical system of each apartment to current regulations, the complete remodeling of the bathrooms, the installation of new kitchen tiles and cabinets, as well as general painting, as specified in the following budget.
Budget per apartment
1. MASONARY AND PAINTING
2. ELECTRICITY
