Serving with Zeal

Seminarian Gerardo previously served the congregation in Ciudad Juarez as a student pastor.  In the fall of 2010, he and his family relocated to study full-time in the seminary.  Currently, he is continuing his training in Torreón where he is working with a mission congregation and studying under Pastor Esequiel.

Why did you decide to study/prepare for the ministry?

"That is a question I often ask myself.  I think... in the beginning when, I met Rosa [my wife], and she's the one who introduced me to the church in Ciudad Juarez.  At that time, Pastor Guién was pastor -- who is now in glory.  He constantly invited me to become a member.  It took a while because at first I didn't want to, but finally with his encouragement I became a member of the congregation.  I slowly got more and more involved.  After Pastor Guién, there was Pastor Marío.  And I kept getting more and more involved because there was a need in the church.  It was Pastor Guién who especially convinced me to enter into the ministry.

At that time, we went to a conference in Puebla.  And there, I felt that it was possible, and Pastor Guién kept on encouraging me by saying, 'You are the one...' and inviting me to serve the Lord.  Finally I answered, 'Yes.'

I attended various conventions, and Pastor Esequiel said yes, I would enter the seminary.  But there was a lot of back and forth, and time went by.  I went to more conventions as a delegate, but they didn't accept me in the seminary right away...

Well...  what more can I say?  I moved here [to the seminary] and that is how I am here -- by the grace of God."

What are you currently studying?

"I am studying -- thanks to God -- and thanks to my professors, Pastor Larry, Pastor Natán and Pastor Mike  [They] are instructing me in the Word and in doctrine in order to save souls and preach the gospel.  Learning in order to teach."

Which courses?

"Liturgy, Catechism, Teaching the Faith, Sunday School, Genesis, Shepherd under Christ, and  Preparing Devotions."

How do you plan to serve in the ministry in the future?

"I want to serve wherever you place me, wherever you think there is a need, and wherever you consider me apt to teach.  I will do all I can with what I have learned and what I continue to learn throughout my ministry."

Continue to keep Seminarian Gerardo, his family, and his ministry in your prayers as he continues his training to serve.

Spring Training

Student-Pastor Gonzalo is currently taking online seminary classes with LATTE and serving the congregation Cristo Glorificado (Christ Glorified) in Puebla, Puebla, México.

Recently, the congregation requested leadership training for its members and also invited members from their two sister congregations in Puebla to participate.  This spring, LATTE professors Larry and Natán have each led a workshop focusing on children and youth ministries, including a session on how the adults can support these programs with their time and talents.

Student-Pastor Gonzalo shares a few details about their 'spring training'...

How / Why is the congregation having this workshop?  What is the need?

"Due to the fact that the congregation does not currently have a full-time pastor, but rather is being led by a part-time student-pastor, the congregation asked for additional help.  They asked various pastors for advice, and Pastor Larry came up with the idea of this workshop to train members for ministry to children and youth."  

How does the congregation hope to use the information from this workshop once it is over?

"The congregation's hope is to grow.  Since I cannot serve the congregation full-time, they have extended a call for a full-time pastor.  The goal of the workshop is to help all members become involved and active in ministry.  With a full-time pastor and many active lay-members supporting and participating in the ministry, the congregation plans eventually to extend its mission work beyond Puebla to Huamantla, Tlaxcala where there are already two members and six prospects."

Please pray for Student-Pastor Gonzalo and our Lutheran brothers and sisters in Puebla as they plan ways to serve their congregation and the community.

In the near future, Mexico Missionary Mike will lead the third workshop for the congregation members in Puebla.

Seminary Graduate in Mexico

This month, one of LATTE's students graduated from the IELC (Evangelical Lutheran Confessional Church) seminary in Mexico.  Seminarian Jorge completed four years of ministerial training, including his recent vicar year.

Seminarian Jorge, IELC President Esequiel, & LATTE Professor Larry

A comment from Jorge on his seminary training--

"Well, my studies in the seminary were very interesting.  There were difficult moments with the courses, but thanks to God, I had good teachers who had much patience and helped me alot to prepare for my ministry. I believe that one of the classes I enjoyed the most was Hebrew.

From the LATTE team, I only had Pastor Larry as my teacher. I learned much from him as he instructed me in the Word of God. Also, Pastor Mike was my professor.

I enjoyed my time very much as their student.  It was very edifying, because they were not only my teachers, but also my family while I was in Torreón. 

  

I am very thankful to God for the opportunity that He gave me to be instructed in the seminary, through good teachers and friends, whom He used as faithful tools.

Now that I have graduated and have seen everything they have done for me, I am filled with happiness since I feel prepared for the work which God has given us to do."

Jorge & his fiancé Kerry

Jorge and his fiancé Kerry are planning to be married in mid-February and will be moving to serve a new mission in the Mahahual area located in the Yucatan Pennisula.


Jorge is also the web administrator for the IELC's Spanish website http://www.luteranosmexicanos.net.

Sharing the joy!

When I was recently in the Dominican Republic I get to meet Tiny (Chiquito - below, on the right). Chiquito is the leader of a small group of Christians in Licey, just outside of Santiago. He was a member of Pastor Alex in Moca (in red shirt) who had taught him Bible Institute courses and trained him to serve the Lord's church. Alex's joy and enthusiasm is evident to all. And Chiquito has been infected with that same attitude. They are both evidence that Jesus' promises to be with us with his power and grace are being fulfilled. LATTE's goal of preparing pastors and leaders for the national churches we serve so that they can function independently is being met with people like Alex and Chiquito. Soli Deo gloria!

(Posted by Professor Larry)

Where would you have me serve, O Lord?

Rona Abraham is our first seminary graduate in the Dominican Republic. (Read more about him at our sister blog "WELS in the DR" by clicking here.) He graduated in July and was so excited about returning to his home country of Haiti to share the life-saving Gospel with so many who are still lost in sin and unbelief. But...

Rona may not be able to carry out his plans. He intended to return to Haiti and start a "tent ministry" -- sharing the Gospel while supporting himself with a secular job. With his seminary diploma giving him the title of "licenciado" (equivalent to a bachelor's degree), he planned to get a job as a teacher. But...

He recently found out that since our seminary is not yet registered as an "institution of higher education" with the Dominican government, his degree is not recognized. Without a degree, he cannot get a job. Without a job, he cannot support himself in Haiti. So...

In the DR, we are looking into the requirements to register our seminary so that we can confer degrees that will be recognized and accepted. In the meantime, we ask for your prayers:

• that the Lord would bless our efforts to register the seminary
• that the Lord would guide Rona to know where and how He wants him to serve
• that the Lord would direct us as we consider other alternatives

James reminds us to say, "If it is the Lord's will" when we make our plans for the future (James 4:15). We know that all things are in His hands -- His good and gracious hands! We, therefore, trust Him to bless Rona's ministry wherever that may be.

Freddy Antonio Aquino

Freddy Aquino is a young man studying at our seminary in the Dominican Republic. Raised in the Pentecostal church, he was studying at a Nazarene institute when he met Julio, another of our seminary students, back in 2002. Through Julio, Freddy studied the Bible and was confirmed in the Christian faith in 2003. He immediately began Bible Institute (pre-sem) studies, which he finished in early 2006.

As an example of his love for the Gospel and desire to share its life-saving power with others, Freddy left his job and "comfort zone" of family and friends in San Pedro and moved with his wife Elizabet and infant son Freilin to Santiago (where they didn't know anyone) to attend our seminary. It was a major change in their life, but they have settled in and enjoy the support of their "new" family, fellow Christians in the seminary and local congregation.

We pray for the Lord's blessings on Freddy's growth in the Word, his service to God's people and his family's joy and contentment.

Seminarian, family man, policeman

Eliigo is one of the seminary students taught by our LATTE professors. Eligio leads a very busy life; as a father and husband his family responsibilities are many. But his full-time employment is that of a police sergeant in charge of the night shift at his police station. In spite of that already busy life, Eligio is studying seminary classes nearly full-time. He has scheduled his classes for four hours each morning. You can imagine the stress that he has placed himself under. Please pray for Eligio and his efforts to prepare himself to serve the Puerto Rican national church as pastor.


(Posted by Professor Larry)