GEA Interfaith School of Ministry

🌐 Interfaith School of Ministry

A bridge-building academic division of GEA University of San Marco’s College of Ministry

📘 Overview

The Interfaith School of Ministry (ISM) is dedicated to preparing students for pastoral, spiritual, and leadership roles within pluralistic, multifaith, and culturally diverse environments. Grounded in the principles of mutual respect, interreligious dialogue, and service, ISM forms leaders who can engage meaningfully across religious boundaries without compromising their own faith identity.

This school recognizes that ministry today often happens in hospitals, schools, military, prisons, nonprofits, and interreligious forums—settings where compassion, listening, and cooperation are essential.


🎯 Mission Statement

To equip future chaplains, spiritual care providers, and community leaders with the tools to serve faithfully and effectively in religiously diverse societies—through theological education, interfaith literacy, and hands-on ministry formation.


📚 Core Focus Areas

  • World Religions and Interfaith Literacy
  • Spiritual Care and Pastoral Counseling
  • Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
  • Religious Pluralism and Global Ethics
  • Multifaith Chaplaincy and Sacred Presence
  • Theology of Hospitality and Dialogue


🎓 Programs Offered

Undergraduate:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Interfaith Ministry
  • Certificate in World Religions and Dialogue

Graduate:

  • Master of Interfaith Ministry (M.I.M.)
  • Master of Arts in Interreligious Leadership
  • Interfaith Chaplaincy Diploma (Postgraduate)

Continuing Education / Non-Degree:

  • Certificate in Multifaith Chaplaincy
  • Workshops in Interspiritual Counseling
  • Peacebuilding and Interreligious Mediation Training


🧭 Ideal Career Paths

  • Hospital, prison, or military chaplaincy
  • NGO and humanitarian leadership
  • Campus ministry in secular or multifaith contexts
  • Interfaith dialogue facilitator or consultant
  • Spiritual director in pluralistic settings


🏛️ Curriculum Themes

  • Foundations of Ministry in a Multifaith Context
  • The Abrahamic and Eastern Traditions
  • Ethics in Interreligious Relationships
  • Interfaith Worship and Shared Ritual
  • Listening Skills, Presence, and Sacred Space
  • Pastoral Theology and Crisis Response
  • Comparative Theology and Sacred Texts


💠 Key Characteristics

  • Non-denominational and inclusive of all traditions
  • Emphasizes practical ministry skills alongside deep reflection
  • Faculty from diverse faith backgrounds and lived experience
  • Suitable for students who want to serve, not proselytize


🤝 Field Education and Partnership

  • Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) tracks
  • Internships with multifaith organizations, interreligious councils, hospitals, and community centers
  • Study abroad and immersion programs in interfaith dialogue


🧾 Admission Guidelines

  • Open to applicants from all religious or spiritual traditions
  • Both single and married, male and female candidates welcome
  • Demonstrated commitment to service, spiritual maturity, and respect for religious diversity