GWC’s Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Theological Education (PGDipHTE), officially launched in January 2026, is an online synchronous programme designed with the African context in mind. It aims to equip educators to teach with theological depth and cultural awareness, integrating faith, leadership, and mission within the life of the church.
The PGDipHTE was developed by GWC faculty members Drs Richard and Caroline Seed, who are lecturing the programme’s modules. The Seeds lead the College’s TEDS (Theological Education Development Services) department, which has been running its TALHITE (Teaching and Learning for Higher Theological Education) short course for a number of years. Both TALHITE and the brand new PGDipHTE are unique professional development programmes in Education and Pedagogy for the African continent. They will continue to multiply TEDS’ impact through every classroom it influences as it shapes a generation of theological educators to serve the church with depth, clarity, and conviction.
Reflecting on his experience, PGDipHTE student Julius Kithinji, Academic Dean of St Paul’s University in Kenya, shared:
“I enrolled in the Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Theological Education at George Whitefield College because I believe in the need for ongoing learning and professional development in theological education. While there is much theological education in Africa, not all of it is grounded in sound methodology. This programme brings renewed focus to the Christian foundations of education that we need to recover. The PGDipHTE will benefit Africa by strengthening theological education to be both for Africa and by Africa, through the development of sound pedagogy and professional skill. ”
GWC alumnus Cristóbal Cerón planted the Santiago Apóstol Church (ISA) in Santiago, Chile in 2011, where he is currently the Senior Pastor. He is also the Canon for Church Planting and Training in the Santiago Dioceses. He reflected on how he has experienced the first PGDipHTE intensive:
“The most exciting part is to study with people who are keen to see God’s Kingdom grow and who see theological formation as an important part of it. The first module gave me the opportunity to reflect on the history of theological education and the theological suppositions that have been in the backdrop of every stage. This overview led me to think in our own context: ‘Why do we do things the way we do, and how can they be improved?”