Trinity International University

Church Partnerships

Our Church Partnerships are relationally driven by establishing and nurturing partnerships between local churches, Trinity faculty, staff, and our students. Through strategic initiatives, research, conferences and resources, we aim to make theological education more accessible within the context of a local church.

Become a partner

Fill out the form below to receive more information from our Director of Church Relations

Meet Bill Yaccino

As a pastor and leader, I’ve asked many of the same questions you are asking in regards to ministry, disciple-making, and leadership. You’ve heard it said, “The answer is in the room.” I believe that and look forward to meeting you and getting to know you in the coming weeks, months and years. Together, we will seek God’s direction for His church, and build stronger bridges between the local church and theological training here at Trinity.
What a privilege it is to join the Trinity team and serve the big “C” church at the same time! Years ago, while serving in the US Air Force, I experienced an unmistakable call to ministry while at a local church in Omaha, NE. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of serving at several churches including an EFCA church in Fresno, Willow Creek Community Church, and a Converge church here in Chicagoland. In addition, I was invited by a group of senior leaders in the Chicagoland area to be the Executive Director of Christ Together, a collaborative network of churches aimed at uniting around the gospel mission in Chicago.
Bill Yaccino 840x840
William (Bill) G. Yaccino, MA, MS
Director of Church Relations

Train your congregation to be leaders

Certificate Program Partnership
In our conversations with pastors and ministry leaders, we’ve noticed a movement towards “church-based theological education.” In short, people are seeking out educational opportunities – such as classes typically taken in seminaries – within their own churches or ministry settings. We are seeing regular members of churches that are ready to go deeper with their study in the Word.

Accredited theological training is no longer exclusively for full-time seminary students. Through our fully accredited Certificate Programs, local churches and ministries around the world can partner with Trinity to prepare the Body of Christ for deeper engagement and participation in the mission of God. We offer a wide array of certificate programs which will prepare your congregation to address the prominent issues leaders face today.

Children and Family Ministry

12 Credit Hours

Christian Counseling

15 Credit Hours

Christian Tradition

12 Credit Hours

Educational Ministries

12 Credit Hours

Greek Exegesis

12 Credit Hours

Hippocratic Healthcare Ethics

21 Credit Hours

Leadership in Missions

12 Credit Hours

Ministry Care

12 Credit Hours

Old Testament Hebrew

13 Credit Hours

Organizational Leadership

12 Credit Hours

Pro-Life Advocacy and Engagement

12 Credit Hours

Scripture

13 Credit Hours

Teaching and Learning

24 Credit Hours

Theological Studies

21 Credit Hours

Children and Family Ministry

12 Credit Hours

Christian Counseling

15 Credit Hours

Christian Tradition

12 Credit Hours

Educational Ministries

12 Credit Hours

Greek Exegesis

12 Credit Hours

Hippocratic Healthcare Ethics

21 Credit Hours

Leadership in Missions

12 Credit Hours

Ministry Care

12 Credit Hours

Old Testament Hebrew

13 Credit Hours

Organizational Leadership

12 Credit Hours

Pro-Life Advocacy and Engagement

12 Credit Hours

Scripture

13 Credit Hours

Teaching and Learning

24 Credit Hours

Theological Studies

21 Credit Hours

Accredited education made affordable

$167 per credit hour

*with 50% scholarship

Normally $335 per credit hour, students can now register and receive a 50% scholarship for an entire certificate from a premiere seminary like TEDS! All credits from these certificates are normal graduate level courses, fully accredited and fully transferable to another institution, and stackable into one of our MA programs if a student desires to continue their education at TEDS beyond the certificate.

Study Options

Individually: Offer any of our Certificate Programs to individuals in your church who are ready to go deeper in their theological studies. They would be honored if you encouraged them to grow and learn.
Cohort or Small Groups: Use a Certificate Program at your church as a part of your leadership development and disciple-making efforts. Form a 3+ person cohort for training and witness your leaders grow!
Institutes or Academies: For churches that already have an Intern or Residency Program (or School of Ministry, Institute, Academy, etc.), gather your interns locally and offer an accredited level of training to your program.

Who is this for?

By inviting your church members to think theologically, you are entrusting them with the gospel and letting them know that you value their partnership in ministry. Consider the following types of leaders you want to invest in and encourage to take one of our Certificate Programs:

Ministry Staff

Ministry Directors who don't have formal theological education, but are passionate about serving the Lord faithfully and want to continue to grow in the ministry.

Group Leaders

Discipleship or Small Group leaders who want to dig deeper and invest in richer scriptural knowledge.

Retired Ministry Member

Retired or retiring member who is looking for something to delve into their next phase of life.

Pastors

Pastors who already have a Master’s degree but want more equipping, maybe in original language work or counseling skills.

Called to Ministry

Young men and women who feel the Lord leading them to prayerfully prepare for a lifetime of ministry.

Medical or Legal Professional

Medical or legal professional who wants to infuse their faith into their current vocation in a deeper way.

Looking to Hire TEDS Alumni?

Does your church have open positions that you are trying to fill? We would love to help you connect with our students and alumni through our ministry position job board.