SUMMER INTENSIVES 2011

Lance Colkmire

The week of May 16-21, Prof. Lance Colkmire, Pathway Press Editor, returned to teach a summer intensive "Children's Ministry Workshop" at ASCM. He also serves as a Children's Pastor and has written numerous books and curriculum on children's ministry. ASCM is blessed to have such a seasoned professor bring such a vast amount of personal experience in the area of children's ministry to teach and equip our students.  At the end of the course, he facilitated an actual workshop in the local church of one of the students in the province of Laguna.

Dr. Blayne Waltrip

ASCM also had the privilege of having Dr. Blayne Waltrip the week of May 30 - June 3 for the intensive course on "Missional Church."  He is an expert in this area having his PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary with studies in this crucial contemporary topic. He teaches from his extensive experience as a Missionary in Europe and his professional background as an International Businessman who has traveled the world extensively, speaking 6 different languages and interacting personally with numerous cultures and people groups. Gleaning from his class were students from several nations including China, India, Korea, Bangladesh, USA, and Canada. 

Jonathan Land

Wrapping up the Summer Intensive Courses this year was Prof. Jonathan Land who taught "Apologetics" the week of June 20-24.  He brings an extensive knowledge, study, and gift to this vital area so important in the training of ministerial students. The students received a truly remarkable course that gave them powerful tools to equip them in real life questions and answers to accurately defend the faith and take what they have learned to their home countries and ministries across Asia.

SUMMER PROMOTION TOUR

Freshman Orientation

This summer, ASCM embarked on a whirlwind tour of the Philippines to promote the coming school year at major Church of God events. Upon the invitation of Bishop Monico Simon III (ASCM Alumnus Batch 1995), ASCM Academic Dean Jose Abraham and Dean of Students Victor Immanuel Cuarto attended the COG Northern Luzon Regional Youth Camp in Jones, Isabela on April 14, 2011. Both Dean Abraham and Dean Cuarto were given opportunities to speak and encourage the camp participants to enroll in ASCM. To help interested students take the first step in entering ASCM, Music Staff Michael Del Valle and Student Body Organization Officer, Vrishni Lopez administered the English Proficiency Exam (EPE) onsite, giving prospective students an opportunity to pass the exam locally and not have to travel to Manila just to take the periodically scheduled exams at ASCM. Students must score a certain level on the English Proficiency Exam in order to be accepted to study at ASCM.

Next, Dean Abraham, Dean Cuarto, and Master of Social Work Program Director Dr Zonia Tappeiner attended the 11th Church of God National Convention in Baguio City, Benguet on April 26-28, 2011. Dr Tappeiner promoted the MSW Program while Dean Abraham encouraged convention participants to enroll in ASCM's other course offerings.  Dean Cuarto worked with COG National Overseer, Dr. Marc Ligero to bring in Dr. Felix Trongco of Department of Education - Bureau of Alternative Learning System National Capital Region to address the convention participants.  Dr. Trongco gave an orientation on ALS and encouraged the pastors to maximize the program as a literacy tool to reach out to their various communities.

The tour continued as Dean Abraham and Dean Cuarto together with ASCM Junior student Hannah Abuan and intern Lanz Frago promoted ASCM and administered EPE exams in Angeles City, Pampanga and Apalit, Pampanga on May 18 and 25 respectively. Central-Southern Luzon Regional Overseer Bishop Robert Tuazon was instrumental in gathering dozens of pastors and their youth to listen to the ASCM promotions team and take the EPE.

Finally, ASCM Staff Bang Camandero promoted ASCM in the 1st COG Music Camp with the theme "Unstoppable" in COG Dasmarinas, Cavite in May 2011, where ASCM admin staff also administered the EPE to those desiring to attend ASCM.

English Proficiency Exam (EPE) being given at ASCM

As a result of this extensive effort of traveling many long hours across the winding provincial roads of the Philippines in order to connect in person the Asian Seminary to the Church of God and administering the EPE exams on location to the prospective students on location, there resulted in a tremendous response and increase in the enrollment in June. Those that did not take the EPE exam locally, responded in force at the one administered at ASCM on May 24, which led to a very excited incoming Freshman class. To God be the Glory!

DMIN MODULE 2011 

Drs. Hong & Esther Yang

The Doctor of Ministry Program led by ASCM's DMin Program Director Dr. Ayuk Ausaji Ayuk, started its second cohort this June with 12 new doctoral students. Leading off this years module was Dr. Hong Yang, Regional Superintendent of China and Mongolia, who taught the foundational course on "Research in Christian Spirituality" the week of June 6-10. The doctoral students from China, Mongolia, Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, and the USA will be gathering together each June for 3 years to take their required coursework. Each intensive course requires extensive pre-coursework before traveling in from across Asia to do the classwork. While at ASCM, students take advantage of our outstanding library resources to aid them in their research.

Dr. Lisa Long

Following the three weeks of intensives, students return to their homes to do the post-coursework for each course which involves research and paper writing. Through the use of online libraries, our DMin students can do their research from anywhere in the world! For the second week of courses this June, we were honored to have Lee University Professor Dr. Lisa Long return to ASCM for a second time to teach the doctoral course "Biblical & Theological Foundations of Christian Spirituality." In addition to her course, Dr. Long held a training session with the ASCM faculty on the use of online library resources.

Dr. Steve Land

Also returning to ASCM for a second time was Pentecostal Theological Seminary (PTS) President, Dr. Steve Land, who taught the key emphasis course "Pentecostal Spirituality." Dr. Land is the author of the critically acclaimed book, Pentecostal Spirituality: A Passion for the Kingdom. He has served as co-editor of the Journal of Pentecostal Theology and is a member of the Society of Pentecostal Studies, Wesleyan Theological Society, American Academy of Religion, International Pentecostal - Roman Catholic Dialogues. During Dr. Land's visit, he also preached in Chapel and had Dinner Fellowship with the Faculty and Staff of ASCM.