Faith Bible Seminary has chosen a unique cohort model for training our M.Div. students for pastoral ministry. In our cohort model, our students enter the program every three years and journey through the three-year M.Div. together with a group of fellow students. These M.Div. students intern either at Faith Church in Lafayette, or at their home church. They are embedded in the church and engage with the community—graduating debt-free with three years of seminary academic training and three years of practical pastoral ministry experience.
The 2019-2022 M.Div. cohort includes 38 students with 31 from the US and 2 from Brazil, 1 from Cuba, 1 from Columbia, 1 from Nigeria, 1 from the Dominican Republic, and 1 from Myanmar. Pictured above are the Faith Bible Seminary 2019-2022 M.Div. student-interns who are serving at Faith Church.
Today, by way of interview, we introduce you one of our newest M.Div. student-interns: Leonardo Cordeiro.
Leonardo Cordeiro: From Racecar Driver to Faith Bible Seminary Student
FBS: “Leonardo, please tell us a bit about yourself, your family, and where you’re from.”
Leonardo Cordeiro (LC): “Hello. I’m Leonardo Cordeiro. I am married to Giovana Cordeiro. And we are from Brazil.”
FBS: “How did you hear about FBS’ M.Div., Leonardo? What motivated you to enroll at FBS?”
LC: “I learned about the Faith Bible Seminary M.Div. through Pastor Sacha Mendes. Sacha graduated from the first FBS cohort. My motivation to come to Faith Bible Seminary is to respond to God’s calling to be equipped and to serve the church better with my gifts.”
FBS: “Leonardo, what you are most looking forward to in the M.Div. program at FBS?”
LC: “I’m excited about the opportunity to learn in an environment focused not only on academics, but also in learning to love God and love others daily.”
FBS: “How do you want to use your FBS M.Div. degree when you graduate, Leonardo?”
LC: “Prayerfully, I would like to serve the Lord and His people as a pastor or missionary, seeking to reach the community and training people to do that.
FBS: “Leonardo, please tell our readers something fun, interesting, or unique about yourself.”
LC: “I used to be a race car driver! After I stopped racing in 2012, I started pursuing other jobs. After I finished my bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, I worked in the commercial area of an aerospace engineering company in Brazil.”
A Word from Our FBS President and M.Div. Chair, Dr. Brent Aucoin
The FBS model for training pastoral students is unique in comparison to traditional seminaries. Our M.Div. graduates are equipped with solid academics and real-world pastoral experience during their training. Upon graduation, they are free from encumbering debt and burnt-out families.
FBS is looking for ministry partners for those who want to see this model continue to equip pastors in this way. Would you consider being a giving partner as part of your stewardship goals? Specifically FBS is looking for partnering donors who can commit an amount of $25.00-$50.00 (or more) per month. I would be delighted to talk with you about this personally. Please email me at baucoin@faithlafayette.org. Or you can go online and set up monthly donations at the following link.
Also, if your heart lies more with training more biblical counselors through our MABC program you can give one time gifts to our MABC scholarship fund at the this link.
Thank you for considering these stewardship opportunities.
