About (PATA)

Vision

To glorify God by nurturing a Spirit-led, doctrinally sound, and academically excellent community of Pentecostal theological institutions serving India and South Asia.

Mission

To strengthen Pentecostal theological education in India and South Asia by providing accreditation guidance, institutional mentoring, and faculty development, fostering collaboration among Pentecostal institutions, and equipping leaders to serve the Church and society under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Objectives of PATA

  1. To support and accredit Pentecostal theological institutions in India and South Asia in alignment with WAPTE standards.
  2. To strengthen academic quality, curriculum integrity, and faculty development in Pentecostal theological education.
  3. To provide mentoring and developmental pathways for emerging Bible colleges, training centers, and church-based institutions.
  4. To encourage unity, collaboration, and mutual accountability among Pentecostal theological institutions.
  5. To serve the Church by equipping Spirit-filled leaders for ministry, mission, and service to society.

Core Values

🕊️ Spirit-Empowered Education

We affirm that theological education must be led by the Holy Spirit, integrating academic learning with prayer, spiritual formation, and Pentecostal experience.

📖 Biblical and Pentecostal Integrity

We are rooted in the authority of Scripture and committed to faithful Pentecostal doctrinal distinctives, ensuring Christ-centered and sound theology.

🎓 Academic and Ministerial Excellence

We uphold high standards in theological education and leadership formation, preparing competent and effective servants of the Church.

🤝 Collaborative Unity

We promote unity and cooperation among Pentecostal churches, institutions, and educators, fostering mutual respect and shared growth.

🌍 Contextual and Missional Relevance

We encourage theological education that responds to the cultural, social, and missional realities of India and South Asia.

🛡️ Integrity, Accountability, and Transparency

We commit to ethical leadership, responsible governance, and transparent accreditation processes that build trust.

🌱 Capacity Building and Mentorship

We support institutions through guidance, mentoring, and developmental pathways, especially assisting emerging and smaller training centers.

Our Impact

PATA exists to strengthen Pentecostal theological education and ministry training across India and South Asia.

Through accreditation guidance, mentoring, and collaboration, PATA seeks to:

  • Strengthen the quality and credibility of Bible colleges and seminaries
  • Support emerging and smaller institutions through developmental pathways
  • Preserve Pentecostal doctrine rooted in Scripture and Spirit-empowered ministry
  • Develop faculty and institutional leadership for effective theological education
  • Build unity and trust among Pentecostal institutions and churches
  • Serve the Church by preparing biblically grounded, Spirit-filled leaders

As a regional member of the World Alliance for Pentecostal Theological Education (WAPTE), PATA aligns with global Pentecostal theological values while faithfully serving regional needs.

Purpose

The Pentecostal Association for Theological Accreditation (PATA) provides a Spirit-led framework for theological institutions committed to Pentecostal identity, academic integrity, and ministerial excellence.

Our purpose is to ensure that theological education within member institutions is built on:

  • Strong Pentecostal theology and doctrinal distinctives
  • Academic excellence across all levels of study
  • Intentional spiritual formation of students
  • Practical and effective ministry preparation
  • Contextualized training responsive to the Church and society

PATA also establishes and maintains accreditation standards that:

  • Guide institutional development and quality assurance
  • Serve as the basis for self-assessment and peer review
  • Encourage recognition and responsible cooperation among institutions

Through this work, PATA seeks to faithfully serve the Church and glorify God.

Statement of Faith

The Pentecostal Association for Theological Accreditation (PATA) affirms the following core doctrines as essential to the Christian faith and Pentecostal identity:

  1. The Scriptures Inspired
    We believe the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are verbally inspired by God and are the infallible and authoritative rule of faith and conduct (2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21).
  2. The One True God
    There is one true and living God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
  3. The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ
    Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God. His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and exaltation to the right hand of the Father are all affirmed (John 1:1–3, 14; Philippians 2:5–11).
  4. The Fall of Man
    Humanity was created good and upright but by voluntary transgression fell, incurring physical and spiritual death (Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 5:12).
  5. The Salvation of Man
    Salvation is provided through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is received by faith, through repentance and regeneration by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5–7).
  6. Ordinances of the Church
    Water Baptism by immersion is commanded of all who repent and believe. Holy Communion is a memorial of Christ’s suffering and death and a celebration of His coming return (Matthew 28:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26).
  7. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit
    All believers are entitled to and should seek the baptism in the Holy Spirit, with the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance (Acts 1:8; Acts 2:4).
  8. Sanctification
    Sanctification is an act of separation from evil and dedication to God, realized through faith in Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1–2; 1 Thessalonians 5:23).
  9. The Church and Its Mission
    The Church is the Body of Christ, and its mission is to evangelize the world, worship God, disciple believers, and serve in compassion (Ephesians 1:22–23; Matthew 28:19–20).
  10. The Ministry
    A divinely called and scripturally ordained ministry is provided by our Lord for the evangelization of the world and the edification of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11–13).
  11. Divine Healing
    Divine healing is provided in the atonement and is the privilege of all believers (Isaiah 53:4–5; James 5:14–16).
  12. The Blessed Hope
    The imminent return of Christ is the blessed hope of the Church. The resurrection of those who have died in Christ and the rapture of believers still living will take place at His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Titus 2:13).
  13. The Final Judgment
    There will be a final judgment in which the wicked dead will be raised and judged according to their works. Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life will suffer eternal separation from God (Revelation 20:11–15).
  14. The New Heavens and the New Earth
    God will create a new heaven and a new earth, wherein righteousness dwells and God’s redeemed will dwell with Him forever (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1–4).