CASA Pathways for Ministry in McAllen
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
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: Preaching, Old Testament, New Testament, Pastoral Care, and Approaches to Leadership.
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.
Address: McAllen First United Methodist Church (4200 N McColl Rd, McAllen, TX 78504)
Classes will be held on Friday, October 2 from 6pm-9pm and Saturday, October 3 from 8:30am-4:30pm.
COURSE SYLLABUS PENDING
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.
Address: McAllen First United Methodist Church (4200 N McColl Rd, McAllen, TX 78504)
Classes will be held on Friday, November 13 from 6pm-9:00pm and Sunday, November 14 from 8:30am-4:30pm.
COURSE SYLLABUS PENDING
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.
Address: McAllen First United Methodist Church (4200 N McColl Rd, McAllen, TX 78504)
Dates to be confirmed.
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.
Address: McAllen First United Methodist Church (4200 N McColl Rd, McAllen, TX 78504)
Dates to be confirmed.
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.
Address: McAllen First United Methodist Church (4200 N McColl Rd, McAllen, TX 78504)
Dates to be confirmed.
Registration fee: $100
To sign up for our next course (Old Testament), which starts on October 2, 2026, click the button below.