CASA Pathways for Ministry in Dallas
In 2024, Perkins started offering – in collaboration with Wesley Theological Seminary and thanks to a $5 million grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. – a certificate program in Spanish for pastors with no formal training, lay pastors, and others with pastoral experience in the Dallas Metroplex area. In February of 2025, CASA Pathways for Ministry expanded into the Houston area and beginning in 2026, the program will also be serving the Plano, Texas area.
Certificate in Ministry (5 Courses)
This certificate is designed for pastors without formal training, lay pastors, and others with ministry experience. To receive this certificate, students must successfully complete the five following courses: Pastoral Care, Old Testament, New Testament, Approaches to Leadership and Preaching.
Certificate in Advanced Ministry (10 Courses)
This certificate is designed for pastors without formal training, lay pastors, and others with ministry experience. To receive this certificate, students must first successfully complete the Certificate in Ministry. Additionally, to earn the Certificate in Advanced Ministry, students must complete seven of the following courses: Pastoral Counseling with Marriages and Youth, Interpretation of the Bible, The Torah, Church History, Ethics, Worship, and Evangelism. Lastly, students must successfully complete three elective courses offered year-round of the student’s choosing, for a total of 10 courses.
Description
This course introduces participants to the basic functions of congregational care, learning ways to provide spiritual guidance and emotional care as well as when and how to be a knowledgeable resource for referrals to appropriate services. By taking the course, participants will be more able to oversee appropriate congregational care issues.
Currently, we are offering all of the 5 courses from the Certificate in Ministry both online and in-person.
If you are interested in a self-phased online format, please check out Wesley Pathways for ministry website here.
The in-person courses are currently being offered at Custer Road UMC in plano. If you are interested, please check out the Plano location here.
Description
This course introduces participants to the formation and main events of the Hebrew Bible. Participants will develop skill in biblical interpretation, or exegesis, as a basis for preaching and teaching. By taking the course, students will more fully grasp the breadth of meaning in Old Testament texts and grow more able to exegete, proclaim, and apply scripture in preaching, teaching, and participation in the life of the congregation.
Currently, we are offering all of the 5 courses from the Certificate in Ministry both online and in-person.
If you are interested in a self-phased online format, please check out Wesley Pathways for ministry website here.
The in-person courses are currently being offered at Custer Road UMC in plano. If you are interested, please check out the Plano location here.
Description
This course introduces participants to the Gospels, the Pauline letters, and other New Testament books. Participants will learn about the formation and central themes of the New Testament and develop skills in biblical interpretation, or exegesis, as a basis for preaching and teaching. By taking the course, participants will more fully grasp the breadth of meaning in the New Testament texts and grow more able to exegete, proclaim, and apply scripture in preaching, teaching, and participation in the life of the congregation.
Currently, we are offering all of the 5 courses from the Certificate in Ministry both online and in-person.
If you are interested in a self-phased online format, please check out Wesley Pathways for ministry website here.
The in-person courses are currently being offered at Custer Road UMC in plano. If you are interested, please check out the Plano location here.
Description
Participants will learn how to lead a congregation toward its vision and mission. They will learn ways to navigate obstacles while moving towards transformation. By taking the course, participants will be able to discern the context and engage the congregation in moving toward fulfilling their mission.
Currently, we are offering all of the 5 courses from the Certificate in Ministry both online and in-person.
If you are interested in a self-phased online format, please check out Wesley Pathways for ministry website here.
The in-person courses are currently being offered at Custer Road UMC in plano. If you are interested, please check out the Plano location here.
Description
In this course, participants will learn how to interpret Old and New Testament texts for writing sermons. They will also learn the basics of preparing liturgies for various worship experiences. By taking the course, participants will become more confident in proclaiming God's word and developing meaningful liturgies that support the sermon, the church year, and the life of the congregation.
Currently, we are offering all of the 5 courses from the Certificate in Ministry both online and in-person.
If you are interested in a self-phased online format, please check out Wesley Pathways for ministry website here.
The in-person courses are currently being offered at Custer Road UMC in plano. If you are interested, please check out the Plano location here.
Description
This course provides an overview of the principles of Christian counseling used with couples and adolescents to facilitate accompaniment through the challenges and difficulties that characterize these stages.
Future dates for 2026-2027 pending.
Description
This course provides an overview of the Holy Scriptures, with special attention to the formation and function of the canon, interpretation, and its history, and modern methods of biblical interpretation to recognize its intent and capture its practical value for life.
Currently, we are offering this course online. If you are interested in a self-phased online format, please check out Wesley Pathways for ministry website here.
Description
This course provides a panoramic view of the Torah, examining its formation, history, traditions, and contemporary interpretations. Students will become familiar with the historical, social, cultural, and literary context of the Old Testament.
Currently, we are offering this course online.
If you are interested in a self-phased online format, please check out Wesley Pathways for ministry website here.
Future dates for 2026-2027 in-person course- pending.Description
This course analyzes the biblical and theological foundations in the Holy Scriptures that guide Christians in living a holy and just life in today’s world. It highlights the key influences that shape our faith and daily actions as followers of Christ and members of God’s people.
Future dates for 2026-2027 in-person and online course- pending.
Description
This course explores the major events in the history of the Christian Church and its developments from its origin to the present day.
Future dates for 2026-2027 in-person and online course- pending.
Description
This course offers an introduction to the history and theology of Christian worship and pays attention to the identification and function of liturgy, praise, the proclamation of the Word of God, and the impartation of the sacraments. Students develop a practical theology of worship and will gain experience in planning and leading Christian worship.
Students will meet once a week for five consecutive weeks. The first meeting will be on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The rest of the four classes will meet on Tuesdays, March 24 and 31, along with April 7 and 14 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SYLLABUS (PENDING)
Description
This Bible course is designed to deepen the study of one of the parts of the New Testament and provide a detailed study of its context, historical and contemporary interpretations, and its relevance to the local church. Each professor will give the appropriate emphasis according to their area of specialization.
Classes will be held from May 21 to June 18, 2026 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm.
Students will meet every Thursday once a week for five consecutive weeks.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SYLLABUS (PENDING)
Description
This course offers an innovative approach to the practice of Christian ministry and is designed to equip students for non-traditional ministries in response to today's dynamic and diverse contexts. This initiative represents a significant step in preparing leaders to serve outside the local church building.
Classes will be held on Friday, September 11 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm and Saturday, September 12 from 9am-5pm.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SYLLABUS (PENDING)
Description
The course is designed to provide a study of the theological, biblical, historical, and practical foundations of the practice of evangelism to develop evangelistic strategies in the local church and other contexts.
Fall 2026- Dates and times pending.
DOWNLOAD COURSE SYLLABUS (PENDING)
Description
This pastoral counseling course is designed to respond to special cases or relevant topics in the church and the Spanish-speaking context. Each professor will give the appropriate emphasis according to their area of specialization.
Classes will be held from January 21 to February 18, 2027 from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Students will meet every Thursday once a week for five consecutive weeks. DOWNLOAD COURSE SYLLABUS (PENDING)
Registration fee: $100
To sign up for our next course (Worship) that begins Thursday March 19, 2026, click the button below.