International Classroom of Applied Theology
International Classroom of Applied Theology (CITA-EDU, INC.) is a non-profit International Christian ministry in the Protestant Reformed tradition that addresses the need of Spanish speaking leadership preparation.
We are recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) corporation and by the State of Florida as a religious educational institution. We depend upon the tax-deductible contributions of individuals, foundations and churches.
Cita-Edu
VISION
We see thousands of church planters, pastors and lay leaders equipped in dynamic local church settings with a robust theological and practical curriculum for transforming individuals and communities and multiplying churches throughout the Spanish speaking world.
MISSION
Our mission is to equip Christian leaders in Spanish by creating a high-quality reformed seminary curriculum transmitted via internet digital education and by identifying pastor/mentors for student care in local church settings.
NEED
Worldwide the number of Latino Christians is growing rapidly. Today 22% or 110,000,000 Latinos are evangelical; in the USA there are 15,000,000 Hispanic evangelicals. Unfortunately, the preparation of trained leadership is not keeping pace with this growth. The majority of Latino pastors have received little or no theological training. Consequently, the influence of unbiblical ideas such as the promise of wealth for faith, and legalism instead of the good news of grace is taking root.
The traditional solution as a seminaries have been considered the solution, but seminaries are costly and in the USA very few are developing full programs in Spanish. In Latin America traveling long distances and uprooting the family for years of study is not practical. At best a very small number receive training.
SOLUTION
DIGITAL ONLINE EDUCATION VIA THE INTERNET
Taking advantage of the technological revolution and keeping pace with methodologies already in use by the international university community, online digital education allows the trainer of church leaders to reach globally and act locally. If I am teaching fifteen students who are present in my class in Miami, why not at the same time reach fifteen thousand potential pastors and leaders in any corner of the globe by beaming that class into his home or church through the internet? The solution in which CITA-EDU is actively engaged is preparing the complete Masters in Divinity seminary curriculum in Spanish, uploading it to our website in multi-media formats and offering it free to the world.
Using CITA-EDU’s online digital education the student can remain at home, keep his job and continue to grow and serve in his local church. Ideally he can seek mentoring from his pastor, or if he is already a pastor, he can continue his education even while serving. Many pastors in our network have already gathered large groups in their churches whom they are educating with CITA materials, which are available, convenient and easy to use. CITA-EDU online digital education helps to meet the need for mutually sharing resources among church leaders and denominations internationally. It allows the church to aggressively accelerate its desperate need to equip leaders and pastors with a high-quality education. Remaining appreciative of the solid foundation of conventional methods, CITA-EDU sees online digital education as the trend and the present reality for meeting the need for equipping church leaders for Spanish speakers on a large scale, locally and globally.
Statement Of Faith
What We Believe
We believe that Scripture consists of the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament as originally created and given by the Holy Spirit, and is objectively the Word of God written.
The Bible contains one gospel of grace, in seed form in the Old Testament and fully developed in the New.
We believe Scripture reveals only one living and true God, who exists in the three persons of the Godhead: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. These three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
We believe in the full deity and full humanity of Jesus Christ, in his virgin birth, his sinless life, his miracles, his propitiatory death, his bodily resurrection, his ascension to the right hand of God the Father, his present rule over and intercession for the Church, and his visible return in power and glory.
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit; whose work of regeneration is essential for conversion to Christ. By the Spirit’s sanctifying power, which indwells all believers in Christ, we are enabled to live godly lives of worship and service.
We believe the church as established by its Head Jesus Christ exists for the edification of the family of God, and is the agent for expanding God’s kingdom of peace, justice and joy in the Holy Spirit.
We believe in the bodily resurrection of every person for the final day of judgment before the Lord Jesus Christ — the lost unto eternal punishment and the saved unto eternal life.
Doctrinal Standards
A more complete statement of our doctrinal standards can be found in the Westminster Confession of Faith together with its Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
Objectives
Our objective is to provide an academically robust and practical world view curriculum in Spanish and provide it free of charge in multi-media formats via the internet.
Second, we identify pastors/mentors throughout the world who gather, encourage and guide the students through an orderly learning process.
Distinctives
FULL MASTERS IN DIVINITY ACADEMIC CURRICULUM
CITA-EDU follows a syllabus for a Masters in Divinity of 90 credits translating with permission core theological courses from classical reformed seminary websites, matching contact hour requirements. We include the Biblical languages of Greek and Hebrew and the department of Practical Pastoral Theology.
PASTORAL
DISCIPLINE-MAKING ENVIRONMENT DRAWING FROM DECADES OF PASTORAL EXPERIENCE
CITA-EDU videotapes live before a diverse classroom of students from all over Latin America. This enables us to transmit through the internet the interactive dynamic among professor and students, making the educational experience more compelling. Users report high enthusiasm for this attractive feature.
CONTEXTUAL
CULTURALLY RELEVANT
CITA-EDU enters the Hispanic world as Paul did in Athens, incarnating ourselves to effectively communicate Biblical Truth in Spanish. We intentionally address issues that arise from the culture which influence the student’s understanding of the gospel. This emphasis will frequently impact the content of our courses.
ORGANIC
CITA-EDU provides a tool for leaders and pastors in their local churches to train their own leaders and even other pastors. CITA-EDU maintains personal relationships with dozens of these pastors who are serving as mentors for these discipleship classes. Thus CITA-EDU encourages a dynamic of discipleship in local churches.
Curriculum Design
The curriculum is designed to capture the interactive dynamic of a live Spanish speaking classroom. In this environment aspiring leaders, motivated lay workers and curious seekers all find a stimulating educational and spiritual experience where the tone is respectful and pastoral.
The material is intentionally directed at the concerns, questions and misconceptions of the gospel that arise from the mindset of the students. The class videos are edited adding attractive graphics and other pedagogical aids and uploaded with a full manuscript and syllabus including class schedule and plans.
CITA-EDU’s goal is to complete the catalogue of courses required for a Masters in Divinity equivalent to a degree at accredited reformed seminaries in the US. Many courses are translated with permission from the websites of Covenant Theological Seminary and Reformed Theological Seminary. An additional focus will develop courses that are relevant to church development in the Hispanic American international multilingual context.
Production
The production of CITA-EDU courses entails pre-production, production and post-production. Pre-production includes the broad academic research of the professor who prepares the syllabus and class schedule with assignments. A manuscript of the class to be taught is downloaded by permission from an accredited seminary in the US and carefully translated into Spanish by a team of translators. The final edition is revised and approved by those whose first language is Spanish. The content is shaped into an attractively presented detailed outline (virtual manuscript) and shared with the students before the class where the teaching is videotaped. The professor rehearses the class material orally, with feedback, anticipating any questions arising from the content, syntax or vocabulary. A final version of the manuscript is produced and uploaded to the web. Those studying remotely can download the syllabus and manuscript-outline to aid in following the video lecture. Locally, the set is prepared for video-taping. In the production phase, two hours are taken to tape the class live with students present interacting with the teacher. Two forty-five minute sessions for each class are taped with a coffee break in the middle. Post-production includes cutting and editing. The chief editor starts this process and delegates to contract editors whom she coaches and supervises for preparing the final version. The editors include graphics, power point and other pedagogical aids. All editors are serious Bible students and theologically trained. After final approval the class video is uploaded to the web and made available.
Distribution
In order to accomplish our distribution goals, we have forged strategic relationships with local churches, presbyteries, many denominations, individual pastors, church planting agencies, educators, seminaries and other Spanish language curriculum distributors. These distributors are located throughout the Americas and other Spanish speaking countries. Although our primary transporter of materials is through our own CITA-EDU, INC. website, we have downloaded to DVD’s courses for distribution in remote areas where the internet does not reach or is subject to government restrictions.
Application
The courses are freely accessible, and anyone is welcome to study them at their own convenience and pace. The courses are designed to be used by individuals, churches, study groups or regional training efforts. Groups offer a better learning experience.
CITA-EDU is a publisher, not an educational institution; therefore, the conscientious student is urged to find a study site or seek out his pastor as mentor.
The underlying philosophy is that church leaders and pastors can be trained in an organic disciple-making local church environment without compromising or reducing quality or scope of the content being taught.
Though not an accredited academic institution, CITA-EDU imitates the accreditation requirements of courses taught at accredited seminaries.
Local study sites are able to offer a certificate of completion for students satisfactorily completing a specified set of courses.
We upload a detailed study guide to assist the student in following the video lecture. Included on the website is a syllabus with assignments, exams and a schedule of classes.
Many of our study sites are using the latest technology for matriculating and supervising their students in the educational process.
CITA maintains a relationship with those serving as mentors in order to encourage them, pray for them and provide guidance. From these relationships CITA also receives valuable feedback and prayer requests.
Major denominations very satisfied with the results, are happily ordaining pastors trained in these organic settings.
Our Story
CITA-EDU, Inc. was envisioned by a classroom of theological students in Miami, Florida from several Latin American countries.
Some who had become Christians through the teaching, came to their professor and said, “We have never heard Christianity explained this way; we must share this comprehensive knowledge of God’s love and grace with the whole world; and we know how to do it.”
Intrigued by the idea Dr. David Moran accommodated a camera in the classroom.
In 2014 application was made for the 501(c)(3) non-profit status, and CITA-EDU, Inc. was established.
In February of 2017 Moran, having put together a team of these motivated students, began fulltime to create a Masters in Divinity curriculum in Spanish to share with the world via online digital education.
Today CITA-EDU recognizes dozens of local church-based study sites in eight different countries (including the USA) where church leaders and pastors are being trained
Partnerships
DENOMINATION: IGLESIA BETANIA REFORMADA – VILLAVICENCIO, COLOMBIA
This newly established denomination in the central region of Colombia voted at their General Assembly in January of 2018 to adopt the CITA-EDU curriculum as the official pastoral training program for their denomination. They are highly organized and have opened study sites with mentors throughout the country and in Ecuador. Their most active study centers are located in Villavicencio and Suba.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CORAL SPRINGS, FL
DISCIPLINE-MAKING ENVIRONMENT DRAWING FROM DECADES OF PASTORAL EXPERIENCE
First Presbyterian, under the leadership of CITA-EDU mentor Rev. Pablo Toledo, operates a CITA-EDU training three nights a week at the church.
Students, pastors, and missionaries, in addition to being physically present, zoom in from a dozen Latin countries.
The Hispanic pastor at First Presbyterian effectively and enthusiastically networks for CITA and is responsible, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, for opening doors for CITA in Cuba and northern Colombia.
He also collaborates with CITA-EDU in south Florida for identifying new Hispanic church planters and mentoring them.
THIRD MILLENIUM MINISTRIES, ORLANDO, FL
Third Millennium Ministries provides Biblical training materials on the web in six languages. CITA-EDU and Third Millennium have a written agreement for a mutual exchange of courses.
Specifically, CITA-EDU provides Masters’ level courses for the Practical Theology department of Third Millennium.
HOPE CHAPEL, MIAMI, FL
Hope Chapel, a church in the Country Walk area of southwest Miami, partners with CITA-EDU in multiple ways.
Their pastor a former missionary to Colombia has opened a plethora of contacts in Colombia and Ecuador who are, in turn, partnering with CITA-EDU to train new leaders.
GRANADA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CORAL GABLES, FL
Granada currently hosts the studio for CITA-EDU to video-tape live its Masters in Divinity courses. CITA-EDU has trained Granada church members who are currently serving as pastors of two reformed denominations.
Granada’s Hispanic pastor also mentors other candidates for the ministry, and the church has its own missions program in Colombia.
LAMP – LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY PREPARATION, BROWARD, FL
LAMP is a ministry of the Presbyterian Church in America that trains pastors in a local church setting using seminary courses in audio format.
CITA-EDU provided eleven Masters in Divinity courses that Lamp uses for this training in Spanish.
MISSION TO NORTH AMERICA COMMITTEE, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AMERICA
CITA wrote the original Hispanic Church Planting Manual for MNA, and edited its updated Handbook for Hispanic Church Planting soon to be published.
KEY BISCAYNE PRESBYTERIAN CURCH, KEY BISCAYNE, FL
KBPC – From its inception KPBC partnered with CITA-EDU to video-tape Masters of Divinity courses in Spanish at its facilities.
Today CITA-EDU broadcasts these courses at no cost via its website freely accessed. While pastor of KBPC, CITA’s director served the church by pastoring and equipping leaders from among Spanish and Portuguese speakers.
Board of Directors
Mattew Dubocq: Chair, missionary/ pastor /educator
David Escobar: PHD seminary professor
David Moran: D. Min, pastor / equipper
Angel Justo Velázquez: Law enforcement, PCA Elder
Meet the Team
David Moran – president
Narelle Castro – financial administrator
Susana Pais – coordinator / producer & chief editor / web manager
Eric Arce – video editor
Dimas Espinoza – video editor
Elio Boscan – operations
Pedro Fernández – chaplain
Aida Pérez – prayer partner & assistant editor
Dr. David Moran
Executive Director of Clase Internacional de Teología Aplicada
Dr. David L Moran is president and founder of CITA-EDU, Inc. an evangelical ministry that provides biblical materials for training pastors and church leaders throughout the Hispanic world. CITA was established in 2014 to respond to the scarcity of theological materials for Spanish speakers. Via digital education online, CITA distributes masters level courses for Spanish speakers in multi-media formats, without cost.
Before dedicating himself full time to CITA, pastor Moran developed churches and trained leaders for forty (40) years in predominately Hispanic communities in the USA. Now he brings that wealth of experience and pastoral perspective to assist training programs internationally. Dr. Moran received his M. Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and earned the Doctor of Ministry from Reformed Theological Seminary where he wrote his dissertation on church development among diverse Hispanic cultures in the US. Subsequently he wrote a Manual for Church Planting among Hispanic Americans for the MNA committee of the Presbyterian Church in America. By Faith magazine published an article by Dr. Moran on a biblical view of immigration. Moran has opportunity to travel and teach throughout the nine (9) countries currently using CITA courses, and he serves at home mentoring emerging Hispanic leadership regionally and nationally.
