Arcadis Solano Silvera received a doctoral degree from B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary. Silvera, a Cuban refugee now living in Miami, Fla., said the degree was the result of a path he believes God created. He had served as a pastor in Cuba with the Eastern Cuban Baptist Convention for about 10 years when he learned of the seminary's program in Camaguey, Cuba.
After earning a Master of Arts in Theology, Scripture Witness, Silvera said seminary founder Bruce Corley encouraged him to pursue a doctorate. Silvera said he first had to complete prerequisites, including biblical Hebrew, biblical Greek and German. He took the Hebrew and Greek courses in intensive summer sessions at New Orleans Theological Seminary, where he studied in English while using his native Spanish.
Silvera said he taught himself German without the money to take formal classes, then passed the German proficiency exam given through B.H. Carroll. He began his doctoral studies in 2019. He said he faced challenges with spotty internet access and at one point sat in a park in the rain to submit homework.