Thrive

Esteban Hidalgo

Scholar. Research Assistant. Online instructor at Antillean Adventist University in Puerto Rico.
Doctor of Philosophy, Asbury Theological Seminary, 2023.
Share:
“I have spent a lot of time in academic studies but found that the deeper I went, the closer I got to God, and the more I wanted to share Him with others, so I just developed a personal mission statement, to know God and to make Him known.”

Last updated: May 5, 2023

When Esteban Hidalgo graduates from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2023, he plans to return to Puerto Rico to revitalize theological education, helping others see its importance and gain access to it. But he’s not waiting to tell others about Jesus. In addition to his research project that compares the Gospels with Philo’s On the Life of Moses, he also works as a teaching intern for Dr. Fred Long, Professor of New Testament, a research assistant for Dr. Craig Keener, F. M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies, and an online instructor for his “Life and Teachings of Jesus” course for his sponsoring institution.

“I have spent a lot of time in academic studies but found that the deeper I went, the closer I got to God, and the more I wanted to share Him with others, so I just developed a personal mission statement, to know God and to make Him known,” Esteban said.

Prior to coming to Asbury Seminary, Esteban served as a Professor of Theology and chaplain at Antillean Adventist University in Puerto Rico. In these roles, he was able to directly influence the spiritual development of the entire student body.

“I found that the best way to help these students grow is to engage them in ministry,” Esteban said. “We did a lot of outreach and student-led missions.”

As a faculty member, in addition to teaching, Esteban was invited to help rebuild the theological curriculum of the school.

“I did some independent research to find out how we could improve the way we prepare students for ministry today,” he said.

He also remembers fondly assisting international students and those who were transferring from the U.S. who found it difficult to have their credits accepted. Esteban helped one student in particular receive approval for his credits, allowing him to graduate on time, while serving as a spiritual mentor.

“When he graduated, he gave me a plaque of Thanksgiving for helping him achieve his goal, and for our seasons of prayer together,” Esteban said. “I hold that as a dear memory of something I should continue to do, that is, personally investing in students who are pursuing theological education.”

These experiences prompted Esteban to deepen his scholarship. With a heart to serve God and a desire to engage more fully in research, Esteban enrolled at Asbury Seminary.

“The office of community formation impressed me the most about this campus,” he said. “I had known about spiritual formation, but it dawned on me that you can’t have holiness without community. This is something I am taking with me back to Puerto Rico.”

While he’s studying, Esteban is also helping Dr. Keener transfer his research on New Testament backgrounds from index cards to a digital format, allowing the primary material to be easily accessed through a search index. When Esteban graduates, he hopes to translate some of this research into the Spanish language.

“I have been so impressed at the level of scholarship and cutting-edge research available here at the Seminary,” he said. “We have so many books that are being published that need to be made available in the Spanish language. Lord willing, I will serve as a bridge from here into the Latino culture.”

Esteban graduates in 2023 with a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies. He and his wife, Tara, have three children, Elijah, Enoch and Evan. He takes family life so serious that he jokes that he is pursuing two Ph.D. degrees, one in Biblical Studies and the other in ways to love and cherish his wife and care for his family. “Asbury Theological Seminary,” says Esteban, “is the perfect place to fulfill both goals.”


Prepare for the Call

Learn more about how Asbury Seminary can help prepare you for your call. Fill out the form below to get started!

Loading...

Latest

Andrea Baare

As a businesswoman and theologian with experience in both the marketplace and ministry, Andrea Baare struggled with a sense of guilt for many years. She often wondered if she made the right choice moving into the business world instead of pursuing full-time ministry. [...]

Nik Fraustro

Nik Fraustro remembers when Sunday traditions changed in his family growing up. According to him, Sundays were for football, baseball, and other sports. His family didn’t go to church and his father was a corpsman in the United States Navy, meaning they were accustomed to moving. [...]

Generation Awakened

Today on the podcast we are joined by Rev. Dr. Sarah Baldwin to talk about her book, Generation Awakened. Dr. Baldwin is the Vice President of Student Life & Dean of Students at Asbury University and […]

Eddie and Allyson Willis

Camp ministry and retreats had already played a significant role in both Eddie and Allyson’s lives before they met. When they did meet it was, serendipitously, at a United Methodist Conference camp [...]

The Global Impact of the Asbury Outpouring

Today on the podcast we are joined by Robin Lim (M.Div. ’23) and Mark Sayers. Rob and Mark became friends following the Asbury Outpouring, which began in February 2023. We talk about their individual experiences […]

Jess Avery

For Jess Avery, one of the first calls to leadership in the church came at a Dairy Queen in Dublin, Georgia, when she was 16 years old. At that age, Jess had already developed a desire for spiritual community and started a small group at her high school of like-minded students in their pursuit of the Lord. [...]