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Submitted by Lewis McCown  

CHANGES IN LEADERSHIP - In August 2009, Dr. Mikuel Peterson became the new President of CST replacing Lewis McCown who served in that role for the past 15 years and as Dean for 5 years.  This follows the change of a new Academic Dean that took place in October 2008 when David Swafford assumed the position that Ron Hittenberger had filled since 1993.  Dr. James Lowell continues to serve as the Director of CST Graduate Studies.  Lewis McCown continues as a CST faculty member.

CHANGES IN CURRICULUM – To keep up with the demands of the 21^st Century Church as well to meet the requirements of the standards of the Cooperative Educational Agreement with Global University, CST has and is making changes in The Basic Plan curriculum that affects courses both at the Bible school level as well at the CST level.  Rather than The Basic Plan in English being offered only as a hard copy, it is now available online.

CHANGE IN PRESENTATION – In August 2009, the new CST website was launched.  It is designed to serve as a resource for Bible school administrators and teachers as well for CST faculty and students.  This will help facilitate the curriculum updates and announce upcoming seminars to the students and leaders in the Caribbean region.  The website is:  cstonline.org.

CHALLENGES – The need for the training of Christian workers, pastors and leaders has brought an ever increasing challenge to CST.  The Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies, headquartered in Trinidad, has invited CST to offer MA studies.  The Open Bible Church, also in Trinidad, is wanting the CST BA-level program.  All schools operating in Trinidad & Tobago must be recognized by the government.  The application process is presently underway with the Accreditation Council of Trinidad/Tobago (ACTT).

Another challenge that CST is facing is to offer studies at the local church and Bible school levels in several countries.   Recently CST has been asked to provide studies in Exuma, Eluthera, Abaco, in addition to Nassau and Freeport, in the Bahamas, as well as the Turks & Caicos islands.  Turks & Caicos would like to have the courses delivered in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.

CST continues to offer BA and MA studies in Guyana, Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas.  Suriname just had its first CST graduation with seven students completing their studies with CST and is looking at the feasibility of a CST Graduate Study Center. 

We invite you to visit the CST website and give us your input.  CST exists to serves the educational needs of the Assemblies of God churches in the Caribbean.