Wesley Divinity School

Wesleyan University – Philippines

REPORT TO THE 2013 ANNUAL CONFERENCES

“WDS at 19: Setting Trends in Theological Education”

By Rev. Dr. Homer Wesley O. Refuerzo

WDS President

To our esteemed Bishop Pete Torio, Jr. and dearly beloved people called United Methodist now
gathered in this Annual Conference, guests, and friends:

Warmest greetings to you all from Wesley Divinity School, WU-P!

This school year has been very eventful in the life of the new WDS in its second year of
operations.

EVENT 1: INCREASE IN ENROLMENT AND NEW FACULTY

The school year started with a pleasant surprise: 22 new Junior students enrolled in the Master
of Divinity program –with a balanced representation of 10 from MEA, 10 from BEA and 2 from DEA.
Added to the number of old students – 7 Middlers and 14 Seniors – our MDiv population significantly
increased to 43. The Doctor of Ministry enrolment was 23 –the Ilocos class, 10 and the Manila class, 13.
Total WDS enrolment for this school year is 66.

New members in the Master of Divinity faculty line-up are: Dr. Rhoneil M. Arevalo (Bible), Dr.
Meynardo Jose (BTR/Christian Leadership), Dr. Johnson Mones (Christian Theology), and Dr. Weon Sik Yi
(Church Administration). In the Doctor of Ministry program, Dr. Junifen Gauuan, Board of Trustees chair
of WU-P, taught Strategic Planning and Financial Management for Church Ministries.

EVENT 2: ONLINE CLASSES IN THE INTERNET VIA WEBSITE “GoToMeeting”

In August 2012, Dr. Luther Oconer, WDS alumnus and Associate Professor at United Theological
Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, USA taught an online course of eight sessions on Methodist History and
Wesleyan Heritage. WDS set up a virtual classroom of a large-screen TV, camera and internet
subscription to the website “ GoToMeeting.” It was such an awesome experience for our Middler and
Senior students to interact with the lecturer located in another part of the world in real time on a TV
screen! This was a breakthrough in the way we do theological education – that opens the possibility to
have lecturers and students from faraway places doing a class session without gathering in one physical
location. WDS plans to implement this blended learning approach of real and virtual classroom
experience in more courses this coming school year, especially in our Doctor of Ministry program.
EVENT 3: THE BAGAS FOR SEMINARIANS PROGRAM OF BEA

Two times during this school year, in August and December, Bishop Rudy Juan and the District
Superintendents delivered several cavans of rice and monetary gifts from BEA local churches. For your
continuing concern, we express our deep appreciation and thanks to you all.

EVENT 4: AFFIRMATION BY THE CENTRAL CONFERENCE OF THECOORDINATING COUNCIL ACTION TO

TRANSFER WDS TO WU-P UNDER A NEW ADMINISTRATION

The Philippines Central Conference in its session on December 12-16, 2012 in Bayombong UMC,
Nueva Vizcaya affirmed the Coordinating Council action to transfer the location of Wesley Divinity
School from its old site to the Cushman campus of WU-P under a new administration. We are ever
grateful to Wesleyan University-Philippines under the leadership of President Pacifico Aniag and the
Board of Trustees for providing us a place in the Cushman campus which we can call home. To
paraphrase the psalmist: “How good and joyful it is when two UMC institutions live together in unity!”
Such a powerful witness of vital piety and learning, a true reflection of our Methodist faith! Such
affirmation, we believe, should pave the way for a peaceful turnover and transition.

EVENT 5: 19TH WDS FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY

WDS celebrated its 19th Founding Anniversary on February 26-27, 2012 at the WU-P Campus.
Highlights of the affair are: Fun Run in the WU-P grounds, Open House of the WDS Dorm rooms,
Palarong Pinoy and a Thanksgiving Worship led by Bro. Arnel De Pano. Dr. Richard L. Wehrman, retired
GBGM missionary to the Philippines and WDS benefactor delivered the anniversary message. Bishop
Rodolfo Juan and Bishop Pedro M. Torio, Jr. officiated the Holy Communion. We set February 24, 2012
as WDS Sunday in our local churches this year and this was disseminated by the offices of the Bishops of
Baguio and Manila Episcopal Areas.

EVENT 6: 17TH WDS GRADUATION CEREMONY

WDS held its 17th Graduation Ceremony on April 5, 2013 at the JJDG Auditorium of WU-P.
Bishop Pedro M. Torio, Jr. delivered the Commencement Address and led this year’s batch of graduates
– 14 in Master of Divinity and 3 in the Doctor of Ministry. Special awards for excellence were awarded
to: Ms. Earlie Pasion-Bautista for Best Thesis, Pastor Willie O. Tolentino in Leadership, Pastor Bennie
Grace Nabua in Pastoral Care, and Pastor Nataniel S. Bonotan in Preaching. Bishop Pedro M. Torio, Jr.
received the John Wesley Award for academic excellence.

EVENT 7: WDS STRATEGIC PLANNING

WDS held its Strategic Planning session on April 3, 2013, by a team of WDS faculty, together with
Bishop Pete Torio, Jr representing the University Senate of the PCC-UMC. The planning session defined
the WDS Vision and Mission statements and core values. Trends in theological education that WDS will
pursue are:
TREND 1: LEADERSHIP INTHE CONSORTIUM OF THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS

Upon recommendation of the Committee on Clergy, the Philippines Central Conference held in
Bayombong approved the formation of a consortium of UMC theological schools, with WDS to take
leadership. Building on what we have started this school year, WDS will pursue a blended curriculum
approach and offer theological education jointly with existing conference and district centers.

a. Initially WDS will offer the Doctor of Ministry program in partnership with Ecumenical Christian
College in Tarlac City and with John Wesley College in Tuguegarao City under the leadership of
Dr. Rodel Acdal.
b. Conference course of studies will be offered jointly with two centers upon their request. One is
Immanuel Bible School in Tarlac for Aeta pastors under the leadership of Rev. Elmer Victoria
and Rev. Jestril Alvarado. The other is the Pampanga School of Theology in Minalin, Pampanga.

TREND 2: THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION FOR THE LAITY

WDS will offer theological education for the laity jointly with the Lay Academy of MidPAC under
the leadership of Dr. Gladys Mangiduyos. We plan to establish the Methodist Theological Open
Seminary (Metheos) for continuing education of lay and clergy in a more central location – the
Ecumenical Christian College in Tarlac City.

TREND 3: PROPOSE TO WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY-PHILIPPINES A LADDERIZED CURRICULUM OF M.A. IN

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND MASTER OF DIVINITY DEGREE PROGRAM .

Foundational Courses in Bible, theology, church history and Christian education will be taken in
the first two years, together with thesis writing that will lead to the completion of the MA in Christian
Education. WU-P will seek CHED recognition and eventual accreditation of this degree program.

In the third year, practical theology and missiology courses will be offered toward the
completion of the Master of Divinity degree with a missiological focus.

TREND 4: FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY

WDS survived the difficult transition period largely because of three sources of funds: 1)
personal donations from Dr. Richard Wehrman, 2) Korean scholarships thru Dr. Weon Sik Yi, and 3)
annual interest of WDS trust funds, with donations from a few local churches. The heavy dependence on
uncertain foreign sources should give way self-support. The times call for greater participation from
local sources to support the education of its clergy persons. The path to financial sustainability would
include several strategies. We are recruiting WDS sponsors who will establish a Foundation that would
support professorial chairs for WDS. The annual interest of WDS trust funds managed by the PCC-UMC
Treasurer, and the connectional contribution from local churches will be used for operations and
infrastructure. Annual Conferences are encouraged to establish financial support system for their
students. And we pray that the Korean scholarships to WDS will continue.
TREND 5: RECORDING STUDIO TO PRODUCE WORSHIP RESOURCES FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH

The College of Bishops decided to transfer the recording studio at the UMC Headquarters in
Manila to WDS at WU-P. We are pursuing its original intention as a NIMPP project to develop and
produce worship resources for our local churches. This will be one distinct contribution of WDS to our
churches and WDS students with gifts in this area of ministry will be harnessed.

TREND 6: INTERNATIONAL LINKAGES AND NETWORKING

a. The main international linkage of WDS since the start up to the present is the Korean Methodist
Church with the dedicated coordination of Rev. Dr. Weon Sik Yi. Nine of our Senior and Middler
students went on a 10-day ministry immersion in Korea in October this school year.
b. WDS is a founding member of APAMEI - Asia Pacific Association of Methodist Educational
Institutions which has a project for faculty development under the MGEFLD and the United
Graduate School of Theology, Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea.
c. WDS is invited to join the IAMSCU- International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and
Universities in its next meeting to be held in Hiroshima, Japan.
d. WDS has recently established mission partnership with the Northwest District of the Georgia
Annual Conference under the leadership of Rev. Herzen Andone, a Fil-Am District
Superintendent.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. That Wesley Divinity School Sunday be observed by all local churches with special offering on
the last Sunday of February of every year. This would also be an opportune time to remit the
Central-Conference-mandated connectional obligation of 1% of local church budget for the
support of Wesley Divinity School thru the Philippines Central Conference Treasurer.
2. That the WDS Alumni Association be organized and set an alumni homecoming during the WDS
Founding Anniversary celebrations.
3. That sending Annual Conferences thru the Board of Ordained Ministry and Scholarships
Committee set up a financial support system (minimum of P7,500 per semester which will
include meals and lodging) for their students at WDS which would be a requirement for
enrolment, together with the Board of Ordained Ministry endorsement.

CONCLUSION
On behalf of the faculty, students, staff and administration of Wesley Divinity School, let me
express our most profound gratitude to you all for lifting WDS up in your prayers, sending student
pastors for our mentoring, and supporting our very own United Methodist seminary with your
resources. It is our earnest prayer that our partnership in ministry for training clergy to propagate
the Gospel will truly contribute to our mandate of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the
transformation of the world.
Sincerely in Christ,
REV. DR. HOMER WESLEY O. REFUERZO