New year. Nueva cohort.

In 2024, Perkins School of Theology at SMU welcomed the first cohort of its Master of Divinity in Spanish program, creating a pathway for Spanish-speaking students to pursue advanced theological education in the language in which many already live out their ministries.

Just two years later, 19 first-year students arrived on campus as members of the program’s second cohort. They joined approximately 90 new Perkins students for orientation, marking another step in the growth of a program designed to equip a new generation of leaders for service in Spanish-speaking communities.

For the newest cohort, orientation offered an introduction to a theological community at Perkins built to support their formation in Spanish. 

First impressions

The M.Div. in Spanish cohort began orientation week gathered around tables in Prothro Great Hall, where breakfast offered an early opportunity for students to meet the people with whom they will share their Perkins journey.

“I was surprised by how kindly and lovingly they treated us and welcomed us,” said Anabel Mejías ‘30.

Another new student in the Spanish M.Div. program, Mariana Regino ‘30, shared that she experienced God at work throughout her time at orientation.

“What surprised me most was the community and, above all, being in the chapel,” she said.

Throughout orientation, Spanish-speaking faculty and staff joined students at social events and helped create opportunities for them to engage fully in the Perkins community. Worship services incorporated Spanish translations of hymns and prayers, allowing students to worship in the language most comfortable to them.

Learning for impact

Many of the new cohort members expressed a strong commitment to investing in their communities upon receiving an education at Perkins. Mejías emphasized the importance of studying alongside other Spanish-speaking students and demonstrating that members of their communities can pursue advanced theological education.

“I hope to grow tremendously in every area of my life,” she said. “I hope this transforms my life, my knowledge – absolutely everything – so that I can serve God with much greater responsibility than I do now.”

Other students like Priscilla Mancilla ’30 discussed benefiting from the flexibility of the program.

“The online format was also very important because it allows me to continue actively serving in ministry while pursuing my studies,” she said. “I was also attracted by the possibility of gradually taking courses in English, as I am able, as part of my academic and ministerial growth. This combination of academic excellence, linguistic accessibility and flexibility made Perkins the best fit for this stage of my calling.”

Rocio Bahime ’30 similarly sees bilingual theological education as a tool that can strengthen her ability to serve others.

“We need the voice, a voice for those who cannot speak up for themselves,” said Bahime. “And being bilingual. It's one major tool for this class, and it will give you the opportunity to better serve my people.”

Making theological education accessible for all

The arrival of the second M.Div. in Spanish cohort marks the growing community and need to provide more thoughtful and graduate-level theological education to Spanish-speaking leaders.

In a cohort model, students have the opportunity to grow in their formation in a safe and welcoming environment.

“Although we come from different places and have different stories and ministry experiences, we quickly discovered something that unites us: our call to serve God and God's people,” said Mancilla. “Being able to talk, share our stories, laugh together, and begin this journey as a cohort made orientation especially meaningful.”

That community is now growing across two cohorts, expanding a network of Spanish-speaking students being equipped with theological knowledge they can carry into churches, ministries and communities.

Orientation marked only their first days at Perkins. But as the second cohort begins its studies, its arrival signals growing momentum for a new generation of theological leaders.