Tiara Pérez and her brother, Raúl, moved to Kansas City from Juncos, Puerto Rico, in 2022 to attend Spurgeon College. Since graduating in 2024 with her B.A. in Worship Ministries, Tiara has begun a master’s degree in Applied Theology at Midwestern Seminary, in further preparation to serve the Church.
MBTS: What led you to pursue a master’s degree at Midwestern Seminary, and how do you hope to use your studies for the Church?
Tiara Pérez: It was impossible to overlook the For the Church vision. Midwestern Seminary fosters a warm campus community where love for ministry and serving the Church is clear. I experienced and saw such clear vision and fellowship as I pursued my undergraduate degree at Spurgeon College, which was a great encouragement as I sought to continue theological education through graduate studies.
In 2020, I had the opportunity to serve at a local church plant near my hometown in Puerto Rico. Through it, I witnessed the beauty of the Great Commission and both the hardships and joys of ministry.
I have three hopes for how I want to use my studies for the Church. First, I desire to grow more in the knowledge and riches of Christ and the gospel story. Learning more about the profound riches believers have in Christ humbles us and leads us to exalt Jesus more. Second, I desire to better serve the believers of my current local church. Formal theological education prepares believers to walk alongside our churches as we grow more into the likeness of our Savior through life together. Third, I desire to be equipped for whatever God may call me to in the future. Whether the Lord calls me to serve in full-time ministry or not, theological education is never wasted.
MBTS: In what ways has your theological education shaped your personal walk with Christ?
Tiara: Theological education has stirred me up to love and seek Christ through loving and serving the local church. Life with other Christians in the local church is where we apply the theological knowledge taught in the classroom.
In addition, theological education has shaped my walk with Christ through sharing the good news. Being able to articulate, dialogue, and reason about the gospel with others has increased my awe for the gospel message and given me so much joy.
Theological education has also influenced growth in my prayer life and dependence on the Lord. Studying theology offers a reminder of God’s faithful and sovereign character, inspiring joy even in seasons of uncertainty.
MBTS: How does the corporate spiritual discipline of worship through music aid the Christian’s spiritual growth?
Tiara: Worship through music reminds believers to look to Jesus. It points both the unbeliever and the believer to the truth that Christ is the only way to salvation, it provides profound insight into the nature of God, and it leads believers to depend, rest, and rejoice in Jesus as we await His second coming.
During my studies in Worship Ministries at Spurgeon College, I took a class on the history of music for worship. In the weeks we studied hymnody, we saw how hymn writers used Scripture to provide profound descriptions of the gospel message. Understanding the theology behind each of the hymns studied and sung at churches today brings not only fresh insight but also sweet reminders of the gospel that changes each believer’s life.
MBTS: You traveled a long way from home to pursue theological education residentially. What makes residential seminary education worth the move?
Tiara: Two things served as an engine for me to seek residential theological education: gospel need and a warm, flourishing community. First, just as Jesus commissioned His disciples, believers today are sent to the world as ambassadors of the good news. Seminary education is not necessary to do the work faithfully, but it is so enriching to continue the work faithfully. Second, the Christian community I am a part of through my local church and with fellow students on campus has been a sweet gift from the Lord. Walking alongside fellow believers, praying with them, having fellowship with them, weeping with them, and rejoicing with them has helped me grow in my love for God and others.
There is great comfort and joy where the Lord leads and provides. If you have considered pursuing theological education residentially, pray, seek advice from mature believers, take the step of faith, and trust the Lord! Wherever He leads you, He will provide, and He will not forsake you.
