In 2007, the Global Learning Center of Grand Rapids Theological Seminary formed a partnership with the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Liberia (ETSEL).

According to the GRTS Web site, the objective of GATE (Global Access to Theological Education) is to partner with indigenous seminaries to offer credible contextualized graduate training for ministry.

The partnership between GRTS and ETSEL started with connections between Dave Livermore, executive director of the Global Learning Center, and the president of ETSEL in Liberia.

According to Peter Osborn, assistant professor and dean of graduate student services, the president of ETSEL had a passion for a seminary based in Liberia that was started and run by Liberians. GRTS had an interest in taking graduate theological education to international students, rather than having the international students come to the US.

“The reason is because when international students come to the USA, they often don’t return to their home country,” Osborn said via e-mail.

Livermore said, through a variety of relationships, GRTS was invited to come along side ETSEL.

“We’re committed to working with indigenous seminaries working in places where there are limited options for seminary education,” Livermore said via e-mail. “Liberia fit our grid.”

According to Livermore, the school started with five to seven students, and in June 2009, the first class of GATE students will graduate.

“I am very excited about this first class graduating because one of the things the students have been doing during their education is taking what they learned in the classroom and immediately going across the country of Liberia and sharing it with other ministry leaders,” Osborn said. “I am very excited, because once these students graduate, they will be able to continue to serve and teach in even greater ways.”

Livermore also expressed his feelings about the first GATE class graduating.

“Our greatest satisfaction is in seeing what the Liberian church has done to make this happen,” he said. “This isn’t a story of the great white seminary coming in to rescue Africa. The greatest hope for Liberia lies in the Liberian church. This graduating class is a testimony to that most of all.”

Through the partnership, GRTS sends faculty to Liberia to teach one week modules that coincide with courses being taught by ETSEL faculty. Likewise, ETSEL sends their faculty to GRTS for one week modules to teach a West African understanding of Scripture, theology and ministry.

Livermore has been to Liberia several times, and said being there is a very rich experience.

“You teach under the palm trees. The leaders are highly motivated to learn, and I spend as much time having them share in the teaching,” he said.

Livermore’s first trip to Liberia left him hungry, literally.

“The first time I went, I asked our host when we should break for lunch, to which he responded, ‘We typically only eat one meal a day. While we’re in class today, our children are selling water or doing whatever the rest of the family can do to earn enough money so we can eat a small meal tonight. So eat whenever you wish.’ Obviously, I went without lunch that week,” he said.

Osborn has been to the school twice.

“My experience was very rewarding. Although I was asked to come and teach at ETSEL, in many ways it was the students and leaders there that taught me,” he said. “The Liberian students are gifted collaborative learners, and the teaching and learning experience was rich and rewarding, for both them and myself.”

The GATE program in Liberia is the first partnership for GRTS.

Possible expansions are in Northern India and Southwest China.