Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary’s (GCTS) Boston campus, called the Center for Urban Ministerial Education (CUME) provides ministerial training for urban pastors and church leaders in Boston and throughout the United States. Gordon-Conwell’s CUME officially opened with 30 students in September 1976 at Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Currently located at its own campus facility a block from the original Roxbury location, Gordon-Conwell CUME serves more than 400 students coming from 39 denominations. With 21 distinct nationalities represented in CUME’s programs, classes are also taught in Spanish, French Creole and Portuguese, with occasional classes in American Sign Language.

The Center for Urban Ministerial Education’s main objective encompasses the greater mission of GCTS and is particularly focused to help equip urban pastors and church leaders for more effective ministry and outreach in urban communities locally and throughout the world. CUME’s academic program is contextualized to the needs of the city by means of faculty, staff, tuition, location, and class schedule. This unique program had served as a model for similar programs in Minneapolis; Philadelphia; Los Angeles; and Portland, Oregon; and in international cities such as Quito, Ecuador; and Lagos, Nigeria. CUME has also served in a support capacity by providing resources, ministerial fellowship, and stimulation for cross-denominational endeavors in evangelism and church growth.