About STEP

HISTORY AND PROGRAMS OF STEP

STEP’s roots may be traced to the Evangelical School of the Bible (EEB), founded in 1942 and recognized as one of the oldest theological institutions in the Caribbean. EEB’s success is evidenced by the fact that the majority of its more than 600 graduates are currently involved in Christian ministry throughout Haiti and abroad.

As the evangelical community in Haiti has grown, so has the need for more advanced studies. To that end, the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Port-au-Prince (STEP) was established in 1981 to provide a higher level of theological training. Ninety-two men and women were graduated from this new school from 1985 to 1977, more than 75% are currently involved in Christian ministry.

In an effort to improve the organization’s performance, 1997 marked the merger of the two institutions, EEB and STEP, under the STEP name. The unified STEP is better able to manage its human, physical and economic resources with the goal of better meeting the needs of the church in Haiti. Counting former and current programs together, STEP now boasts more than 1,100 graduates.

STEP operates under the auspices of the Union Evangélique Baptiste d’Haïti (UEBH), an association of more than 100 already-established and 300 developing churches. The UEBH is committed foremost to the development of local churches, but addresses a wide range of societal issues through its education, literature, medical and community development ministries.

TRACK RECORD

While exercising its greatest influence within the UEBH and its churches, STEP also serves as the primary training center for Haitian leaders of numerous other churches, denominations and organizations both at home and abroad.

STEP alumni have played a major role in developing ministries throughout Haiti. At least a half dozen Bible schools operating at the certificate level have been founded or are significantly staffed by STEP graduates. Numerous others have established or direct Christian primary and secondary schools. STEP graduates are active in Theological Education by Extension through the UEBH and other organizations, training church lay leaders who are not able to enter a formal resident training program.

The Christian community at large benefits from the teaching and preaching of STEP faculty on the radio, from books published by faculty and alumni, from texts which have been developed from course notes, and from conferences and seminars led by graduates and present faculty. STEP graduates have founded and currently direct the Integral Rural Development Organization (ODRINO) in the northwest, the neediest region of Haiti, seeking to integrate spiritual, social, material, intellectual and moral development. Numerous other social projects have grown out of the efforts of STEP alumni, from hospitals to projects targeting street kids in the poorest slums of Port-au-Prince.

PROGRAMS

STEP offers biblical, theological, and practical training at the post-secondary level for those aspiring to or already working in positions of leadership in the evangelical community. Two programs of study are available:

• Diplôme en Théologie (Dip.Th.) 4 years, 90 semester credits
  Designed to prepare the student for pastoral ministry.
• Licence en Théologie (B.Th.) 4 years, 120 semester credits
  Designed to prepare the student not only for pastoral ministry, but also for the tasks of teaching theology and developing materials for Biblical education.