This year is a very special year for the Adventist Faculty of Theology in Spain because of its 80th Anniversary.
The administration is planning to celebrate the anniversary through visits to churches, online talks, publication of articles, a spectacular congress, and the start of new online courses at all levels (certificates and postgraduate studies).
The beginnings
The beginnings of the institution date back to 1942, shortly after the Spanish Civil War, due to the need to organise the theological training of Adventist pastors. What is known today as the Adventist Faculty of Theology (FAT) is an educational project that was born in 1942, which has lasted until the present day with the clear mission of training men and women in pastoral ministry. Throughout its more than seventy years of existence, the FAT has had as its headquarters the cities of Madrid (1942-1967), Valencia (1967-1974) and Sagunto (from 1974-present).
The Spanish Adventist Seminary (SAE)
During its time in Madrid, the then Excelsior Academy went through various vicissitudes, being closed on two occasions due to the lack of religious freedom in Spain at that time. In 1967, it moved to Valencia under the name of the Spanish Adventist Seminary (SAE). Its facilities were meagre and inadequate, but the enthusiasm, the spirit of sacrifice and self-improvement, together with the love, understanding and excellent disposition of the Valencia-Vives Church, made it possible to overcome all the difficulties for several years.
Finally, in 1974, the project became a reality and the SAE was able to continue its educational work at the Sagunto Adventist College (now the Sagunto Adventist Campus).
The Sagunto Adventist College (CAS)
The CAS (Sagunto Adventist College) was established in Sagunto (Valencia), on a property of 8 hectares acquired in 1969 (in 1981, it would reach the current 23 hectares).
The aim of CAS was to meet the educational needs of the young people of the church and all those who freely wished to share its pedagogical ideology. It began with just 25 secondary school students who were preparing for their school-leaving certificate or studying for the fifth year of Bachillerato (the penultimate year before university entrance).
The Escuela Superior de Español (ESDES)
The Escuela Superior de Español (ESDES) began as the Department of Spanish for Foreigners in 1968, as part of the Seminary in Valencia. In 1970, the North American Division created the Adventist College Consortium known as Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA) and began officially sending university students to Valencia.
In 1974, the department moved to the current campus location under the name of Hispanic Language and Culture (LCH) and, together with the Theology Seminary, began the current campus location.
The Primary and the Secondary School
In 1975, the College started the first year of Secondary School (BUP - Bachillerato Unificado Polivalente) with a total of 13 students, adding one higher level each year until 1978, when the course received its definitive qualification as an approved centre.
In June 1976, a home school was started with seven children between the ages of two and five, children of pupils and teachers. This was the beginning of the Primary School and the implementation and recognition of all the educational stages was gradual over time.
The Secondary School
Subsequently, in June 1980, authorisation was received to begin the University Orientation Course (COU), a course prior to entry into University, which culminated in the introduction of all stages of Secondary Education.
In 1983, the facilities were extended with the inauguration of the Ladies' Boarding School, and the central Administration and Secondary School building was remodelled. In November 1984, the first of the three modules that would form the General Basic Education (EGB) school was inaugurated.
Accreditations from the GC and of the Government
In 1984, the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church conferred Junior College accreditation. Neal C. Wilson, world president of the Adventist Church, visited CAS in June 1986.
On June 23, 1987, the Department of Culture, Education and Science of the Generalitat Valenciana gave final authorisation for the operation of the school for General Basic Education. The same entity, on December 29, 1993, granted the authorisation to teach Infant Education, thus achieving the implementation of all levels of education.
In 1998, it gradually began to offer primary and secondary education, which was fully completed in 2008.
The School of Music
Between 2000-2001, the School of Music received official authorisation and, in 2001, it received its first government grant. At the same time, the process of converting the school into a legal centre began. During these years, the school was authorised by the government to become, firstly, a music school and, later, a J. S. Bach professional centre for elementary and professional education. From 2006 onwards, the official journey and the diversification of specialities began, giving way to a new stage in which the teaching staff, methodologies, subjects, and the official format were formalised. The centre has three choirs (primary, secondary and campus) and two orchestras (children's and campus). There are also four group introductory music courses for pupils from 3 to 7 years of age.
New Institutions
In March 2002, following the 17th Assembly of the Spanish Union, two independent institutions were created: the CAS and the new Spanish Adventist Seminary (SAE).
The CAS became responsible for the Primary, Secondary and Music Departments, and the SAE was to include the Theology Department, the Master's in Education and the Spanish Language School (ESDE, the new name for the former LCH Department).
In April 2004, the SAE was recognised by the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) of the General Conference as a Senior College, allowing them to offer the Bachelor of Theology (Bachelor of Theology).
In 2008, all areas of the school (from infants to Baccalaureate) were accredited.
Agreement with Collonges and Andrews University
In November 2009, agreements were signed with the Faculté Adventiste de Théologie de Collonges - sous - Salève (France) to jointly offer the Master's in Pastoral Theology from the academic year 2010-2011, an agreement that has been recognised by the Adventist University of Friedensau (Germany).
In June 2010, the FAT signed agreements with the Theological Seminary of Andrews University (USA) for the latter institution to carry out in Sagunto, on an extension basis, the Spanish Doctor of Ministry (DMin) programme of Andrews University, which began in July 2012 and was accredited in situ by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Recognition from the Spanish Government
On November 11, 2011, the Ministry of Education of the Government of Spain officially recognised the Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Theology, putting the university level of the Faculty of Theology on par with that of any faculty in the Spanish state.
In January 2021, ESDES received the distinction of being an Accredited Centre of the Cervantes Institute. This is the most prestigious accreditation for centres teaching Spanish as a foreign language.
General Information about Sagunto
The Sagunto Adventist Campus is a Christian educational institution committed to responding to the challenges that current education represents and to offering a comprehensive training in values to its students and their families. It currently offers education at Infant, Primary, Secondary, Baccalaureate, Music School, Art Academy, Spanish School and Faculty of Theology.
It belongs to both the Spanish Adventist Union and the network of the educational system of the Adventist Church worldwide, and has been located on the current Sagunto campus since 1974, although its origins go back even further.
To have more information, please go here.
