Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) has launched a new Arabic-language degree program aimed at strengthening Christian leadership formation among nearly 400 million Arabic speakers worldwide. The initiative, which began this fall, marks a significant expansion of the seminary’s global training efforts at a time when many ministry leaders in the Middle East and diaspora lack access to theological education in their heart language.
In a Dec. 5 announcement, DTS said the program advances its long-standing mission “to equip godly servant-leaders to proclaim God’s Word and build up the body of Christ worldwide.” By offering graduate-level theological training entirely in Arabic, the seminary aims to support pastors, ministry workers, and emerging leaders who remain active in their local contexts while pursuing formal study.
An initial cohort of 10 students—based in the United States and across the Middle East—has already begun coursework in the Graduate Certificate in Christian Studies (GCCS) and the Master of Biblical and Theological Studies (MBTS). Both programs are taught in Arabic with fully translated instructional materials, providing students “an opportunity to study theology in their heart language while remaining active in ministry,” according to DTS.
Milad F. Dagher, director of DTS-Arabic and associate professor of Old Testament studies, leads the program. A graduate of DTS (ThM, 1997; PhD, 2006), Dagher brings decades of pastoral and teaching experience, including service in theological education and church ministry in Lebanon, before joining the seminary to develop the Arabic initiative.
“Many called to ministry in the Arabic-speaking world need access to the same biblical training—delivered in their own language,” Dagher said. “My dream is to see seminaries working together to make better programs that serve Arabic-speaking students everywhere.”
Speaking separately to Christian Daily International, Dagher said he expects the program to have a far-reaching impact on individuals and ministries across the region.
“Those of us that had the privilege to study at DTS saw first-hand how a DTS education and formation have supported our ministries,” he said. “Now, we are grateful for the long-awaited opportunity to have the same education made available to Arabic speaking students around the world.
“Even when the DTS Arabic program is still in its early stages, pastors and leaders are encouraging many of those they discipled to take advantage of this program. DTS’ unwavering commitment to the word of God and its partnership with other like-minded schools in the Middle East is set to influence the biblical and theological formation of future Arabic church leaders for generations to come.”
Arabic is considered by DTS to be among the “most strategic languages for gospel ministry today.” The seminary said the new program continues its century-long legacy “of teaching biblical truth and preparing ministry leaders to serve Christ across cultures and languages.”
Arabic Bible Outreach Ministry estimates there are 14 million Christians in the Arab world who are “descendants of those who did not convert to nor embrace Islam.”
