What is Cloud Theological Institute?
Our Experience
We have over 16 years of combined teaching experience, and we have seen the whole spectrum of training & equipping. This includes secondary, college, and graduate levels, in the USA & global context, in both modern & rural settings, in the seminary & the local church. Additionally, we have over 10 years of combined graduate educational experience. This includes programs that employed traditional, hybrid, & fully online live & asynchronous education.
The Challenges
The following are difficulties that we have experienced as educators, learners & listeners of our students’ experiences.
Huge funding requirements to set up & to operate a school
Huge funding & support structures to bring students from different geographic areas
Students are uprooted from their local church & communities for an extended period of time or permanently.
Students feel inadequately trained & ready to enter ministry under current theological models, especially those who have not had formal or advanced education.
Programs do not have a unified worldview, framework & methodology for teaching all areas related to theology & ministry.
Many students are visual learners & struggle in academic reading & research contexts
Professionals, who are students, cannot leave their current occupation or area.
Ministering to professionals, pastors, & students with families often leads to large amounts of absences & tardiness.
Education is often impacted by weather, travel, work, & pandemics.
Our Solution
Cloud Theological Institute is a re-imagination of equipping church leaders & its members for life & ministry utilizing 21st century technology & the internet as our primary space to build relationships: to equip, to partner & to send & digital visual media to bring the Bible & God’s eternal truths to life.
“It is visual, powerful, scalable, effective, transformational & sustainable”
Vision & Mission
… and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2).
Vision – Re-imagining theological education, resource development & networking, the same grand old story in a global, digital, social media context, for the joy of the church & the glory of Christ
Mission – Equipping pastors, church leaders & members, especially in a global context, who want to grow deeper in their faith but lack the ability &/or educational background to pursue traditional theological education, through the means of cloud-based technology, in the historical, confessional, Protestant, evangelical Christian tradition with the goal of the advance of the gospel, the growth of the church & the strengthening of the family for the purpose of God’s glory & our joy.
“When compared to traditional theological education & equipping, it is not an ‘either-or.’ Rather, it is a ‘both-and’.”
“Cloud Theological Institute is not for everybody, but it fills a much needed gap for many who can’t pursue traditional education.”
What We Believe
Cloud Theological Institute is founded upon & guided by the Biblical, Christian, historical faith.
Who We Are
Below are our core values which unite us & are fundamental to our culture & success. Click on the link to get a more thorough explanation for each core value.
Founded & Centered on the Word
Theologically Rich & Practical
Christ-like Shepherd Leadership
Contextual, Historical, Confessional & Protestant
A unified Approach & Framework for Instruction
Innovative Thinking
Committed to Learning & Implementing New Tech & methodologies
Organic, Relational Growth
Academic Excellence & Continuing Education
What We Do
Below is an overview of the type of work which we do.
Develop visual, theological courses
Teach visual, theological courses
Develop resources specifically for social media equipping & training
Partner with existing churches & institutions to equip & to teach their leaders & students digitally
Network with global theological institutions & startups
Train missionaries & national, indigenous leaders in effective, online, gospel ministry & using visual theology in their local context
Meet our Team
Rev. Tim Spears, Th. M., M. Div.
Co-Founder, Pastor, Teacher & Content Creator
I grew up in the Philippines. After I received my under grad degree in Mechanical Engineering, God called me to be a minister of the Gospel. I love my family, the global church, theology & most of all Jesus. It has taken me a long time, but I am slowly learning what it means to wait on the Lord, to rest in Christ, and to value the small things in life.
It was during COVID while we were in Tacloban City, Philippines that the Spirit led us to re-think the way in which we equip leaders in the church when traditional methods are not accessible or feasible. Cloud Theological Institute is the result. I deeply believe in what we are doing as we have seen the Lord’s work, its power, effectiveness, sustainability & scalability.
When I am not developing content, teaching or preaching, you will find me playing with my girls, working out, throwing the frisbee with our German Shepherd, or enjoying some good food around a fire. I believe that those things too are most holy if done by faith. I would enjoy connecting with you.
Bethany Spears, M. A. R., M. S.
Co-Founder, Editor & Social Media Specialist
I grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina. I completed my graduate work in both teaching & theology. While I lived in the Philippines for 6 years with my family, two of my favorite passages of Scripture are “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His People from this time forth & forevermore” (Psalm 125:1–2).
I love my girls, my son, my dog, hospitality, & fitness. I am also very passionate about women generally, wives & mothers especially, embracing theology & wrestling with the deep truths in Scripture. Theology is not just for the pastor but also for the home & our daily lives.
I believe in what we are doing because I have seen Christ’s work in my life, and I want to help those similar women with my experience who can’t attend a traditional theological seminary but want to grow in their understanding of God, love & daily Christian walk. I would enjoy connecting with you.
Rev. Michael Aiken, Th. M, M. A.
Research Fellow: Systematic Theology
I have lived all my life in the greater Harrisburg area of Pennsylvania serving my community & my church, Community Evangelical Free Church of Harrisburg. After completing my undergrad & Master of Arts in Bible from Bob Jones university, I went on to further studies in theology at Westminster Theological Seminary and completed my Master of Theology in Systematic Theology.
I am incredibly passionate about two things in life & ministry. We as a church, as families, & as individuals need to pursue a Biblical understanding of classical Trinitarian Theology. It almost has been lost by the church, & we need to reclaim it. I believe with all my heart that as we accomplish this, the practical effects will be incredibly in our lives, the lives of our families, the life of the church & our local communities.
When I am not reading on theology, you will find me on the tennis court. I would enjoy connecting with you to talk about Trinitarian Theology, family life & marriage, or tennis.
Rev. Entering Ramoneda, M. A. R. (Ongoing at PRTS)
Leader of Student Care
I am from the island of Cebu & a lover of all things basketball. But, God had greater things for me. He called me by his grace to pursue him & the great commission of His Son. I relocated my family to Metro Manila & planted Cruciform Life Church. We are a church that loves the gospel & the discipleship of the nations, especially our families & Filipinos.
I am currently pursuing my education at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary to be better equipped to care for & to lead the sheep entrusted to me by the great shepherd.
I am very passionate about the gospel, discipleship & reaching the grass roots demographic.
Message me or if you are in Manila, let’s get together to connect.