Educational Opportunities

Equip & Ignite Cohorts

New Ignite and Equip cohorts begin August 2025! Ignite and Equip are conference-sponsored, cohort-based pathways to earning a master’s degree through North Park Theological Seminary. Designed for active pastors and ministry leaders, these part-time pathways combine the flexibility of remote learning with in-person intensives, making seminary education accessible and affordable for those already serving in ministry. This enables staff pastors and lay leaders serving at local Covenant churches to complete an affordable seminary degree with a consistent community of learners while fulfilling the educational requirements for Ordination to Word and Service in the Evangelical Covenant Church. 

 Hear what pastors are saying about Ignite:

“Without Ignite, I don’t think I would have attended seminary or been ordained. Ignite made a path forward for me. It was affordable—especially since my church was willing to share tuition with me. It was accessible, since with my busy schedule it was easier for me to be gone for a few weeklong intensives than to have weekly classes. And being in person and going through the program as a cohort allowed us to develop community.” ~Kristi Smith, Pastor of Family Ministry at Milwaukie Covenant Church

 “The key value for me is undeniably the communal aspect. Taking the same courses with the same people over four years made it more than just peer interaction, it felt like family. The ability to go deeper with fellow classmates increases with each course in how we got to interact with the content, and also one another’s stories and experiences. The cohort model is really special in this regard as it fosters a level of vulnerability and friendship that would be more challenging without it.” ~Ben Zuehlsdorff, Director of High School Ministry at Marin Covenant Church, San Rafael, CA

 One of our core leadership values is Leadership Formation because we believe it is the most effective tool for authentic growth that leads to greater Kingdom impact.  This is why we have chosen to include Ignite as part of our Specialized Ministry Track for equipping and empowering leaders in our church. We are so grateful for the partnership!” ~Michael Jordan, Pastor of La Viña Covenant Church, Kerman, CA

 The lifelong ministry friendships formed in the Ignite and Equip communities contribute to more meaningful engagement within the local church and across churches and communities, resisting the pull of polarization and fostering shared mission. Join an Ignite or Equip cohort and begin your seminary journey. Together we can contribute to cultivating communities for God’s glory and neighbor’s good.

North Park Theological Seminary

North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS) is the graduate theological school of the Evangelical Covenant Church. NPTS envisions a diverse community of scholars and practitioners at the forefront of the integration of biblical and theological competency and missional leadership. NPTS forms pastor-theologians to send out into the world with the ability to evangelize, educate, and disciple communities using Scripture as their guide, and also to lead and transform communities through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Core Values:

In addition to sharing NPU’s values of Christian, city-centered, and intercultural, NPTS aspires to be the following:

Graciously Evangelical: We embrace the centrality of Scripture, live by God’s Word, and offer freedom in its interpretation consistent with unity in Christ. We affirm that the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ brings new life to persons, healing to communities, and hope for creation. We affirm women and men in ministry.

Prophetically Ecclesial: We are committed to the whole mission of the church, emphasizing both the Great Commission to evangelize and make disciples, and the Great Commandment to love God and neighbor. We passionately hold together head, heart, and hands, reflection and practice, worship and service, witness, and justice.

Relationally Global: We are a worshiping and learning community that welcomes all disciples, emphasizing spiritual as well as intellectual formation. We nurture love for local communities—urban, suburban, and rural. We nurture vision for a global church, valuing the diversity of all God’s people. We foster skills for ministry in contexts of cultural diversity.

NPTS Offers the following Degree and Certificate Programs:

  • Master of Arts in Christian Formation

  • Master of Arts in Christian Formation + MBA or MNA (Dual Degree)

  • Master of Arts in Christian Ministry

  • Masters of Arts in Christian Ministry + MBA or MNA (Dual Degree)

  • Masters of Arts in Christian Ministry with Restorative Arts Track

  • Master of Arts in Theological Studies

  • Master of Divinity

  • Master of Divinity +MBA or MNA (Dual Degree)

  • Certificate in Christian Studies

  • Certificate in Spiritual Direction

  • Foundational Courses Certificate

  • Intercultural Minstry Certificate

  • Transformative Justice Certificate

For more information about NPTS programs, Admissions, and Financing, please click the button below.

Hispanic Center For Theological Studies (CHET)

La misión del Centro Hispano de Estudios Teológicos (CHET) es servir a las iglesias y comunidades latinas y capacitar a los líderes latinos para un ministerio transformador, misional y práctico. CHET valora mucho la excelencia académica, el aprendizaje centrado en el estudiante y la formación integral.

La jornada de CHET está arraigada en el compromiso de apoyar y capacitar a líderes latinos para un ministerio impactante. Nos esforzamos por crear un ambiente de apoyo para nuestros estudiantes, fomentando el crecimiento académico, el desarrollo espiritual y las habilidades de liderazgo.

Tómese un momento para explorar nuestros diversos programas académicos y descubra el que se alinea con sus metas ministeriales. Ya sea que esté buscando un ministerio a tiempo completo o bi-vocacional en plantación de iglesias, trabajo pastoral, misiones, educación cristiana o alcance comunitario, ofrecemos programas diseñados para ayudarle a seguir el llamado de Dios en su vida.

  • Programa de Orientación del Pacto (CO)

    Preparando Líderes para la Credencialización en la ECC​

    • 12 Horas de Crédito

    • El CO cumple con el requisito de orientación para la credencialización en la ECC

    • Cursos Flexibles e Intensivos

    • Clases en Línea

  • Certificado en Ministerio y Defensa de Inmigración​

    ​Servicio Más Allá de las Paredes de la Iglesia

    • 18 Créditos Académicos

    • Cursos Flexibles de 8 Semanas

    • Clases en Línea

  • Certificado en Cuidado Familiar y Consejería Cristiana

    ​Fortaleciendo Familias a Través del Cuidado Familiar

    • 21 Horas de Crédito

    • Cursos Flexibles

    • 100 Horas de Experiencia Práctica Supervisada

    • Clases en Línea

  • Certificado en Ministerio y Estudios sobre la Vida de Jesús

    ​Formando la Teología Pastoral a Través de la Vida de Cristo

    • 15 Horas de Crédito

    • Cursos Flexibles

    • Clases en Línea

  • Diploma en Ministerio Cristiano y Liderazgo

    ​Estableciendo los Fundamentos para un Ministerio de por Vida

    • 60 Horas de Crédito

    • Cursos Flexibles

    • Clases en Línea 

  • Licenciatura en Ministerio Cristiano y Liderazgo

    ​Equipando a Líderes para un Impacto en el Reino

    • 126 Créditos

    • Transferencias Fáciles

    • Cursos Flexibles

    • Clases en Línea

    • Camino hacia ATS y Seminarios Acreditados Nacionalmente

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The Hispanic Center for Theological Studies (CHET’s) mission is to serve Latino churches and communities and to empower Latino leaders for transformational, missional, and practical ministry. CHET places high value on academic excellence, student-centered learning, and holistic formation.

CHET’s journey is rooted in a commitment to supporting and training Latino leaders for impactful ministry. We strive to create a supportive environment for our students, encouraging academic growth, spiritual development, and leadership skills.

CHET’s programs include:

  • Covenant Orientation (CO) Program

    Preparing Leaders for ECC Credentialing

    • 12 Credit Hours

    • ​CO satisfies the orientation requirement for credentialing in the ECC

    • Flexible and Intensive Courses

    • Online Classes 

  • Certificate in Immigration Ministry and Advocacy

    ​Empowering Leaders to Serve Beyond Walls

    • 18 Credit Hours

    • Flexible 8-Week Courses

    • Online Classes 

  • Certificate in Family Care & Christian Counseling

    ​​​​Building Stronger Families Through Christian Guidance

    • 21 Credit Hours

    • Flexible Courses

    • 100 Hours of Supervised Practical Experience​​

    • Online Classes 

  • Certificate in Ministry and Studies in the Life of Jesus

    Shaping Pastoral Theology Through the Life of Christ

    • 15 Credit Hours

    • Flexible Courses​​

    • Online Classes 

  • Diploma in Christian Ministry & Leadership

    ​​Laying the Groundwork for Lifelong Ministry

    • 60 Credit Hours

    • Flexible Courses​​

    • Online Classes 

  • Bachelor in Christian Ministry & Leadership 

    ​Equipping Leaders for Kingdom Impact

    • 126 Credit Hours

    • Transfer-Friendly 

    • Flexible Courses​​

    • Online Classes ​​​

    • Pathway to ATS & Nationally Accredited Seminaries

For more information please watch this testimonial and visit/ Para obtener más información, mire este testimonio y visite: