BELL GARDENS, CA (August 21, 2007) \u2013 Ed Delgado has been called to be the new president of the Hispanic Center for Theological Studies (CHET) in Bell Gardens, California.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/74\/2007\/08\/0821-Ed-Delgado.jpg\" "\\"0821-Ed-Delgado\\"")
The Evangelical Covenant Church school was formed in 1989 and has been a theological and pastoral training center for Hispanic church leaders, pastors, and lay leaders. The school has grown from fifty students to more than 300 attending four satellite campuses.<\/p>\n
The appointment means Delgado will return to the school, where he served as dean and vice-president for five years prior to 2005. Since then he has worked in the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism as director of evangelism and prayer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am excited to be returning to CHET,\u201d Delgado says, adding that he has appreciated his last two years with CGE. \u201cI must say that I can only describe my spiritual journey over the last two years as diverse, deep, spiritually broadening, relational, stretching, adventurous, healthy, and fun. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to minister across the United States and Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hate to lose someone of Ed\u2019s caliber from our team,\u201d says Gary Walter, executive minister of church growth and evangelism, \u201cbut his whole life\u2019s experience has prepared him for this challenge. The combination of a great work ethic, extensive ministry networks, and living faith will serve the cause of raising up a new generation of Hispanic leaders well.\u201d<\/p>\n
John E. Phelan Jr., president and dean of North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago and a member of CHET\u2019s board of directors, says he looks forward to CHET\u2019s future under Delgado\u2019s direction. \u201cHe has experience and the respect of the Hispanic community,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Delgado says he hopes to continue training \u201cwaves of leaders\u201d to work, not only in Hispanic churches, but also Anglo and multi-ethnic congregations and organizations. He adds, \u201cI plan on being intentional in raising up Hispanic leaders for the Covenant.\u201d<\/p>\n
Delgado is expected to begin his duties later this fall, but no specific date has been set. He succeeds Jorge Maldonado, who retired after fourteen years as president.<\/p>\n
Before arriving at CHET the first time, Delgado had served with Compassion International, a children\u2019s development organization. He was director Compassion\u2019s work in South America, Africa, Mexico, and the Caribbean.<\/p>\n
Delgado holds degrees from the University of Arizona, Thunderbird School of International Management, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Lynda, have three grown children, Sergio, Rita, and Libby.<\/p>\n