Asociación para la Educación Teológica Hispana (AETH) was founded in 1992, at the Primer Encuentro of Hispanic Church Leaders and Educators. From its outset, it sought to bring together a wide gamut of people engaged in theological studies: professors and students in Bible colleges, Bible institutes and research universities, pastors, denominational leaders, and others. One of its main purposes has been to promote contact and cross fertilization among these different groups, for the benefit of church and society.
In 2011, AETH decided to establish the Justo González Theological Resource Center to meet the need for accessible and affordable Hispanic-focused and relevant theological resources. The Center was later renamed the Justo and Catherine González Resource Center in recognition of Dr. Catherine Gunsalus González’s significant contribution to theological education and of her commitment to the ministry of AETH. It was created as a program of AETH and was, among other things, to house the extensive collection of the Gonzalezes’ writings and the memorabilia accumulated over their long careers in theological education.
That year, the AETH board of directors decided to accept the invitation from Asbury Theological Seminary to have its Orlando extension serve as host to AETH. For the next decade, Asbury’s facility in Orlando was the home of the Center as well as of AETH’s headquarters, which shared the same staff. In 2021, Asbury Seminary decided to sell its property in Orlando, and AETH and the González Center had to find new homes.
AETH now functions as a virtual organization, with its staff working remotely. The only portion of the organization that requires a physical space is the Center, with all its books, awards, plaques, and honorary doctoral hoods given to the Gonzalezes. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship offered space in its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 2021, the Center’s space at CBF has functioned, as Dr. Jessica Lugo, the Executive Director of AETH, says, “the physical footprint of AETH.”
With the wonderful space offered by CBF, the Center has been able to focus on its core mission with its goals and vision clearly defined.
To find out more about AETH and its many offerings, please click here to be redirected
