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Center for Ministerial Training (CMT) is a interdenominational Bible institute in Minnesota that trains English-speaking pastors and Christian workers to effectively serve God. It was started 2008 by pioneer missionaries Jim and Martha Towner when they returned to the States after 27 years in Mexico and Spain. The Towners’ website is www.toeverynationministries.org.
CMT operates under the covering of Fellowship of Christian Assemblies (www.fcaministers.org). CMT’s theology is pentecostal or charismatic. The school, however, has had students from many different Evangelical groups, and CMT embraces the whole Body of Christ.
CMT focuses on helping students develop their spiritual gifts and ministerial skills within the context of authentic relationships with student peers and with experienced mentors. Most importantly, students are urged to grow in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and in surrender to His will. CMT’s philosophy is sometimes called a head-heart-hands focus because it brings together three crucial emphases: balanced Scriptural knowledge, passionate love for God, and immediate practical application of lessons learned into the real world.
Many of CMT students come from non-Western European cultures and ethnic groups. Since CMT was founded by career missionaries, the school carries as part of its DNA a sensitivity and respect for diversity and a burden to reach the lost among all ethnic groups and cultures of the world. One of CMT’s study centers in Minnesota is located on the Fond du Lac Ojibwe Indian Reservation. CMT has a sister school that operates in Spanish, Centro de Entrenamiento Ministerial (www.centrodeentrenamientoministerial.com).
Most CMT students are already engaged in some sort of Christian work. Often they make great sacrifices to find time for study, while leading ministries and balancing secular jobs and family life. An important goal of CMT is to provide an opportunity to study for ordinary people who may not have the opportunity nor plans to attend a Christian university or an advanced theological seminary.
CMT operates under the covering of Fellowship of Christian Assemblies (www.fcaministers.org). CMT’s theology is pentecostal or charismatic. The school, however, has had students from many different Evangelical groups, and CMT embraces the whole Body of Christ.
CMT focuses on helping students develop their spiritual gifts and ministerial skills within the context of authentic relationships with student peers and with experienced mentors. Most importantly, students are urged to grow in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and in surrender to His will. CMT’s philosophy is sometimes called a head-heart-hands focus because it brings together three crucial emphases: balanced Scriptural knowledge, passionate love for God, and immediate practical application of lessons learned into the real world.
Many of CMT students come from non-Western European cultures and ethnic groups. Since CMT was founded by career missionaries, the school carries as part of its DNA a sensitivity and respect for diversity and a burden to reach the lost among all ethnic groups and cultures of the world. One of CMT’s study centers in Minnesota is located on the Fond du Lac Ojibwe Indian Reservation. CMT has a sister school that operates in Spanish, Centro de Entrenamiento Ministerial (www.centrodeentrenamientoministerial.com).
Most CMT students are already engaged in some sort of Christian work. Often they make great sacrifices to find time for study, while leading ministries and balancing secular jobs and family life. An important goal of CMT is to provide an opportunity to study for ordinary people who may not have the opportunity nor plans to attend a Christian university or an advanced theological seminary.
Curriculum
CMT uses a variety of materials in its training program, depending on a student’s need, location and situation. We offer two main curricula: Berean School of the Bible-Global University courses and SEAN International courses.
Berean School of the Bible-Global University Courses
These courses were prepared by the Assemblies of God (AG) for the purpose of preparing their ministers and are considered the educational prerequisites for applying for ministerial credentials with that organization. Berean-Global has three levels of courses, which correspond to the three kinds of AG ministerial credentials: Certified, Licensed, and Ordained.
CMT students who are affiliated with the Assemblies of God can complete and get credit for these Berean courses in a CMT study center. However, students from other churches and denominations are also welcome in the school. CMT’s interdenominational nature and its FCA affiliation allows it to effectively serve students from across the Evangelical spectrum.
Click here for a list of Berean-Global course offered by CMT.
These courses were prepared by the Assemblies of God (AG) for the purpose of preparing their ministers and are considered the educational prerequisites for applying for ministerial credentials with that organization. Berean-Global has three levels of courses, which correspond to the three kinds of AG ministerial credentials: Certified, Licensed, and Ordained.
CMT students who are affiliated with the Assemblies of God can complete and get credit for these Berean courses in a CMT study center. However, students from other churches and denominations are also welcome in the school. CMT’s interdenominational nature and its FCA affiliation allows it to effectively serve students from across the Evangelical spectrum.
Click here for a list of Berean-Global course offered by CMT.
SEAN International Courses
These courses follow a method of learning called Theological Education by Extension (TEE), which is used extensively around the world in many cultures. SEAN International, an interdenominational foundation that operates in more than 100 countries and in over 70 languages. SEAN materials are biblical and interdenominational and have been prepared for ordinary people, without any need for higher education or advanced theology. Students study alone first, then join together weekly in discussion groups with a mentor or guide. Relationships of friendship and trust are built within the group and are considered very important. Learn more about SEAN International here.
The SEAN ministry courses offered by CMT are designed to immerse students in the Word of God. Most often, important topics and themes are learned through an exegetical study of the Scriptures, where inter-related truths can be understood in a balanced perspective. For instance, students learn homiletics, the art of preaching, by studying broad passages that show how Jesus and the Apostles preached. At the same time, they grasp techniques of hermeneutics, how to interpret the Bible, as they examine those same passages. Simultaneously, they identify and discuss key doctrines that are found in those Scriptural texts and learn how Christ and the leaders of the early church resisted the false doctrines of their day.
Click here for a partial list of SEAN International courses offered by CMT:
These courses follow a method of learning called Theological Education by Extension (TEE), which is used extensively around the world in many cultures. SEAN International, an interdenominational foundation that operates in more than 100 countries and in over 70 languages. SEAN materials are biblical and interdenominational and have been prepared for ordinary people, without any need for higher education or advanced theology. Students study alone first, then join together weekly in discussion groups with a mentor or guide. Relationships of friendship and trust are built within the group and are considered very important. Learn more about SEAN International here.
The SEAN ministry courses offered by CMT are designed to immerse students in the Word of God. Most often, important topics and themes are learned through an exegetical study of the Scriptures, where inter-related truths can be understood in a balanced perspective. For instance, students learn homiletics, the art of preaching, by studying broad passages that show how Jesus and the Apostles preached. At the same time, they grasp techniques of hermeneutics, how to interpret the Bible, as they examine those same passages. Simultaneously, they identify and discuss key doctrines that are found in those Scriptural texts and learn how Christ and the leaders of the early church resisted the false doctrines of their day.
Click here for a partial list of SEAN International courses offered by CMT:
Cost
CMT charges $90 per Berean-Global course. There is an also a one-time $50 new student application fee charged. Continuing students thereafter pay only the course cost. Fees must be paid to the CMT office at least three weeks prior to the start of class to provide time for ordering text books.
CMT charges $60 per SEAN International course.
CMT charges $60 per SEAN International course.
Application
Contact CMT
CMT Administration
Rev. Jim Towner, Director
CMT also has a sister school that operates in Spanish.
