Le Séminaire Esprit et Vie forme les membres de l’Église de Dieu de la Prophétie pour qu’ils accomplissent la Grande Commission. Il offre une éducation supérieure pour étendre le royaume de Dieu et développer des leaders chrétiens efficaces. Le personnel suivant soutient cette mission.
Dr. Michael Hernandez serves as the Director of Accredited Ministry Development- the division of higher education for the International Offices of the Church of God of Prophecy. In this role, he coordinates the higher education initiatives of the church, partnering with institutions to provide educational opportunities for ministers of the Church of God of Prophecy worldwide. He also serves as the founding President of Spirit and Life Seminary, an institution of the Church of God of Prophecy.
Dr. Hernandez was appointed as the Director of Accredited Ministry Development in 2018. Immediately after his appointment, he was tasked with meeting the requirements for the Church of God of Prophecy to establish a new institution of higher learning focused on ministerial preparation and theological studies. On November 7, 2019, Spirit and Life Seminary was authorized by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and began offering the Certificate in Ministry and Theological Studies program. Immediately after being granted authorization, Dr. Hernandez and the AMD staff began work on completing the requirements for certification from the Association for Hispanic Theological Education (AETH), which provides eligibility for students to pursue graduate studies upon graduation from the CMTS program. On March 29, 2022, Spirit and Life Seminary was granted certification by AETH. In May 2023, Spirit and Life Seminary began the process of pursuing accreditation with the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). On April 29, 2025, Spirit and Life Seminary was awarded accredited status.
Dr. Hernandez previously served as the World Language Coordinator, managing the translation of the White Wing Messenger, Sunday School material, and the publications and correspondence of the International Offices. He served on the Assembly Task Force, coordinating the simultaneous interpretation of the International Assembly in Spanish, French, and Russian. He also served as a contributing developer and writer for the Church of God of Prophecy Minister’s Development Program, which became a requirement for ministerial licensure.
Prior to working at the International Offices, Dr. Hernandez was the director for a mental health center with locations in Cleveland and Athens, TN that provided therapy, case management, and medication management services to children, teenagers, and adults. He has experience working in inpatient mental health, substance abuse, and geriatric units, as well as intensive outpatient mental health and substance abuse units, and providing in-home therapy services and pre-marital, marital, family, and individual counseling in church settings.
Dr. Hernandez is an ordained bishop, a state-licensed and national certified counselor, and has served the body of Christ on staff as a worship leader and associate pastor. He currently serves as a commissioner with the AETH Certification Commission. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Lee University, a Master of Divinity from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary, and the Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Dr. Hernandez was raised in a pastoral home. His parents were called to plant Spanish-speaking and English-speaking churches in California and Hawaii. This experience contributed to his passion for the church and to bless families through the ministry of counseling. He enjoys teaching, reading, and playing guitar. His wife Kara is also trained as a counselor, works as an elementary school teacher, and has served as a partner in ministry. They have one daughter who fills their lives with joy daily named Amariah.
Albert Murza is Spirit and Life Seminary’s Academic Dean. Albert grew up in Moscow, Russia, and is the oldest of five siblings. Albert’s father is the national overseer of Russia for the Church of God of Prophecy. At the age of 16, his mother passed away from cancer. He reports that it was a tough time for his family, but “it made us stronger, and we became even closer”.
He attended European Theological Seminary in Kniebis, Germany where he majored in Church Ministry with an emphasis in Christian Education and a minor in Counseling. During his time in Germany, he met his wife Kristen and they were married in 2016. After getting married, they moved to Cleveland, TN where they became members of Peerless Road Church. Albert has been serving in local church youth ministries since the age of 17. In the Spring of 2019, he and Kristen became the youth pastors for Spring Place Church of God of Prophecy in Cleveland, TN. Since the beginning of 2022, Kristen and Albert serve as youth pastors at Hickory Valley COGOP.
Albert and Kristen believe that God will eventually call them back to Europe as missionaries, so they have decided that they should focus on education as an essential part of preparation. They both graduated from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary where Albert pursued a Master of Divinity degree. Currantly Albert is working on Ed.S. in Higher Education Administration degree at Liberty University. Albert likes to watch soccer, movies, build Legos and travel with his wife Kristen.
Carimet lives in Cleveland, TN, but she grew up in the Dominican Republic. She is the youngest of four kids and is bilingual. She has been a part of the Church of God of Prophecy her entire life and is a member of the Spanish COGOP in Cleveland. She serves as the Assistant Youth Director for her church and as the drummer for the church worship team. Carimet is currently majoring in social work with the hope of helping her community. She enjoys soccer, music, and serving others. Her goal in this position is to grow in the knowledge of God and help others do the same.
Jacob serves as Business Office Manager for Spirit and Life Seminary. Previously, Jacob worked in the Communications department of the Church of God of Prophecy International Offices as their project manager. Jacob earned a bachelor’s degree in music business from Lee University, and a master’s degree in business administration, also from Lee University. Jacob also serves the Peerless Road Church as their part-time Music Director. He and his wife Julie reside in Cleveland, Tennessee.
Debbie served as an academic advisor and music instructor at Tomlinson College from 1987 to 1992. She then taught music in Bradley County Schools before marrying her husband Dennis and moving to Alabama, where she served as an academic advisor at Calhoun Community College.
Debbie later moved to metro-Atlanta and taught music and special education students in Gwinnett County Public Schools for nearly 20 years. She loves to play piano and has enjoyed working with several church choirs on her journey back to Cleveland, Tennessee, where she is excited to serve in a new role as registrar at Spirit and Life Seminary.
Mrs. Brewer is the Director of Library Services at Spirit and Life Seminary in Cleveland, Tennessee, and also at Chattanooga College: Medical, Dental, & Technical Careers. With over 30 years of experience, she has held roles such as faculty member, instructor, consultant, director of library divisions, and manager of various services at several institutions. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Library Science from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and a Specialist degree in Information Studies from Florida State University.
Throughout her career, she has been a member of numerous local and national organizations and has successfully written grants to enhance library services and support educational programs. She also volunteered as a librarian at the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park. Mrs. Brewer is married to Ray N. Brewer and is the primary caregiver for her mother. She credits her success to her Christian faith, lifelong learning, mentors, motivation, and the support of family and friends.
