Pacific School of Religion

"TEL offers the best of PSR's  professors, consultants, alumni and community partners in providing a world class learning experience as well as creating a community in which we pray, cry, worship, share, preach, rejoice, sing, dance, grieve and uplift with those who journey with us. From Uganda to the US, we know that we will never journey alone again, in life or in learning."

Vickey Gibbs, Curriculum Specialist, Office of Emerging Ministries, UFMCC
Certificate of Theological Education for Ministry 2013

Ugandan Pastor Winston Mukasa Learns through TEL

PSR’s Theological Education for Leadership (TEL) program welcomes our first international student, Winston Mukasa, a young minister and musician from Uganda. Winston is a pastor at the Mavuno Church (www.mavunochurch.org) in Kampala, an exciting ministry extending the good news of the Gospel to those who beyond the traditionally churched. Their motto is, “Turning Ordinary People into Fearless Influencers of Society.”

Winston is currently enrolled in the “Thinking Theologically” course, taught by Rev. Dr. Jay Johnson. In his introduction to the other class members, Winston says about himself:

“Music has always been my passion since childhood. Sharing God's word through song is my call. My desire for music was born and nurtured through listening to local rhythms and tunes in the motherland and also songs of international R&B and hip-hop artists of the time mainly in the early 90’s. A major turning point came in 1998 when I committed my life to the Lord, and joined Makerere Full Gospel Church. There I started ministering in the Mass choir and Worship team, and later on became a Praise and Worship Leader. This opportunity opened me up to a world of music-writing.”

Winston has worked, traveled and led worship in U.S. with "The Hope for Africa Children's Choir" (http://hopeforafricachildrenschoir.org/) a project of the East African Conference of the United Methodist Church, since 2007 and in 2008 toured US for 4 months also again in 2009 for 6 months. His life was greatly inspired by these children. Winston says, “it was a timely encounter with God using his own- the little children”. He desires to continue helping needy children like these and many others that God will bring his way. Winston Mukasa recorded and produced a 10-track Album called the “Rise Project” together with Uganda's best producer of this age Sam Namatiti at his studio Black Smith Records. This is an album that will lift up your heart, soul and spirit. Winston prays that it will encourage the child in every one.

In 2011 he did internship in Nairobi, the Discovery Africa Program, a one year leadership training program hosted at Mavuno Church. When he finished his internship, he was commissioned back to his country as a Pastor in training in a new church plant at Mavuno Church Kampala. During Winston’s free time, he is currently working on a new project called Kilungi [So Good], a soothing Afro-beat album which encourages the listeners to embrace God's goodness around us all. In addition to using music as his mainstream tool of delivery of God's message, Winston says “ he desires to equip himself further so that he can reach his dream of teaching God's word wherever he goes” thus the start of his journey here at Pacific School of Religion. “

We are indeed grateful that Winston has chosen PSR to enhance his ministry skills. He has already demonstrated the power of his commitment to this journey as joining the live sessions requires him to rise at around 3 am Kampala time. His participation also broadens the definition of “Community” education and enables us to experience the possibilities available through this new distance learning opportunity. For more information about the TEL program, contact Rev. Ann Jefferson at 510/849-8284 or ajefferson@psr.edu.

Announcing "That They May All Be One" - a TEL-UCC Partnership in Online Learning

We are excited to announce that the TEL program will soon complete its first cycle of ONLINE courses in UCC Polity and Ministry this June!  The one-week course in UCC History taught by Rev. Carol Barriger will mark the end of the year-long series. These classes have been designed to create an opportunity for lay leaders in the UCC, people in churches considering joining the UCC, and persons seeking LIcensure or Commissioning in the Northern California Nevada Conference to gain a working knowledge of the United Church of Christ. 

The TEL UCC Identity Series was developed under the guidance of PSR faculty member, Dr. Randi Walker and take the place of what was formerly known as the NCNC Ministry Institutes.  The classes will utilize both the Adobe Connect live seminar and Moodle online, self-paced formats to teach the material.  Participants can enroll for the individual courses or the entire series.  Please contact us for more details!

UCC History -  June  17 - 24, 2013 - Rev. Carol Barriger, Instructor

UCC Polity - October 2013 - Rev. Carol Barriger, Instructor

UCC Ethos - January, 2014 - Rev. Roland Stringfellow, Instructor

UCC Theology - April, 2014 - Dr. Christina Hutchins, Instructor

Welcome to Theological Education for Leadership (TEL)

Registration for 2013 courses is now open.

This program of special courses and seminars provides progressive, accessible Christian theological education year round for clergy, laity, and spiritual seekers from diverse racial/ethnic communities. Retaining an important emphasis of its antecedent, the Certificate of Ministry Studies (CMS) program, TEL is multicultural in its design and focus.  It may be engaged at the level that works for you - for personal spiritual formation, lay leadership training, professional growth, or continuing education.

Using PSR's "flexible learning" approach, the TEL fosters a strong and supportive community environment while enabling participation locally or at a distance through online learning. A carefully selected curriculum of online and face-to-face experiences may be engaged individually, or as part of various non-graduate-level certificates.

We hope that you will join our growing TEL community. Check us out on Facebook here.

Ann Jefferson, Program Coordinator
ajefferson@psr.edu, 510/849-8284

Contact PSR

We would love to hear from you about your interest in individual courses, or certificates in the TEL program.

If your community has special needs or interests, let us know and we will work with you to develop programs that meet your needs.

Use our contact form to get in touch.  We will keep you up to date on TEL developments and let you know when the final course schedule is released and registration opens.