CTS Remembers Former Dean Carmelo Alvarez

With an academic legacy that spans over four decades and two continents, Christian Theological Seminary regretfully shares the passing of former professor and Dean of Students Dr. Carmelo E. Alvarez who died October 12, 2025. He was 78 years old.  

Dr. Alvarez began his expansive theological career at the Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico in 1971. He graduated from Emory University in 1974 with his Doctorate and went on to earn his PhD at the Free University of Amsterdam in 2006 with the dissertation “Sharing in God’s Mission: The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Evangelical Pentecostal Union of Venezuela, 1960-1980.” 

Throughout his career, Dr. Alvarez developed an expertise in Venezuelan and Latin American history and theology, cross-culturalism in missionary work, and Liberation Theology in the Third World. In addition to the faculty positions he held at multiple seminaries, Dr. Alvarez was a prolific speaker and writer.  

Dr. Alvarez began his teaching career in 1971 at Emory University and came to the Indianapolis CTS campus in 1993 as the Missionary in Residence in 1993. This position transitioned into an Affiliate Professor of Latin American and Caribbean Christianity, and then into the Dean of Students role from 1992 -2002.  

While teaching at CTS, Dr. Alvarez’s most popular classes were Church History: Early Church to Reformation and Liberation Theology. He also delivered classes on Hispanic Theology in the US and the History of Pentecostalism in Latin America and the Caribbean.  

According to Rev. Mary Harris, the Associate Dean for Student Services who overlapped some of the time that Dr. Alverez was at CTS, he was the strongest link students had to a Latino professor. “Students were excited with his Liberation Theology” classes, she stated, recalling that Dr. Alverez was the first instructor to offer them here. This coincided with the school intentionally recruiting a Latino student population for the first time.  

“He was considered a missionary for the Disciples of Christ Church and travelled often,” Rev. Harris said. “His personal experiences made his teaching authentic.”  

Dr. Alvarez was sought out in many South American universities and seminaries to deliver presentation on his research and areas of expertise. In addition, he was the contributing writer and editor to several texts. One of his more popular books was the 1990 People of Hope: The Protestant Movement in Central America.  

In addition to his love for research and academics, Dr. Alvarez lived the gospel as well. He pastored at over one dozen churches after his ordination at the Puerto Rican Convention of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1972. He was dedicated to being the hands of feet of Jesus Christ and acted as a missionary and critical witness in many South American countries. Dr. Alvarez served as Disciples Overseas Mission staff from 1975-2011. In this role, he helped facilitate training in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Argentina, Cuba, Chile, and Venezuela.  

Dr. Alvarez married the love of his life, Rev. Raquel E. Rodriguez. She preceded him in death. They met while in school and were proud parents to Nina and Margarita Raquel. Dr. Alvarez lived in Chicago at the time of his death