Wintonbury is affiliated with a group called Converge Worldwide. This group is a multi-ethnic, international association of churches. It began in the mid-1800s as the Swedish Baptist Conference and served Swedes who had immigrated to the United States. In the 1940s, as the ethnicity of the group widened, the name was changed to the Baptist General Conference. Recently, in 2008, the name was changed again to Converge Worldwide (CW) in order to accentuate the fact that we’ve become more of a movement of like-minded churches rather than a strictly authoritarian denomination.
By God’s grace, unity has been the hallmark of this group – we’ve never experienced a split between our churches. This is due to the gracious spirit that exists amongst us. Each church is fully independent, yet we work together for the gospel through regional and global outreaches.
Bethel Seminary and Wintonbury Baptist Church are partnering to make the pursuit of a seminary education easier and more affordable. Staff and members of Wintonbury Baptist Church are eligible for a scholarship set annually at approximately 30% of the price of 8 credits of tuition. To be eligible, enrollment must be maintained at two 4-credit courses per quarter. In addition, applicants may qualify for a need-based Bethel grant.
As a world-class evangelical seminary with locations in St. Paul, San Diego, and the Eastern Seaboard, as well as a model distance learning program, Bethel Seminary offers nine master of arts degrees, a master of divinity degree, a doctor of ministry degree, five graduate-level certificates, and a post-graduate certificate. Accreditors have praised the seminary’s approach to developing whole and holy Christian leaders through three-part emphases on biblical/theological foundations, transformational leadership, and spiritual and personal formation.
For more information, please contact the Bethel Seminary Office of Admissions and Recruitment at 651.638.6288 or bsem-admit@bethel.edu.
Regionally, we connect with other CW churches in the Northeast through a group called Converge Northeast (CNE). CNE provides us with resources and encouragement, as well as a partnership in significant ministries such as our denominational retreat center, Lakeside Christian Camp in Pittsfield, MA, and our regional retirement center, Elim Park, in Cheshire, CT.
