They Want to Learn More

Justino Perez-Ojeda & Zaida Rivera-Rivera – Mexico

One of the barriers that has affected the church in the whole world is the lack of competent pastoral leadership in the different ministries. First, we need to know if we have the right people; second, if these people are willing to learn, and third, how to train them.

Justino Perez-Ojeda & Zaida Rivera-Rivera – Mexico

One of the barriers that has affected the church in the whole world is the lack of competent pastoral leadership in the different ministries. First, we need to know if we have the right people; second, if these people are willing to learn, and third, how to train them.

This situation is much more difficult for churches in countries with limited educational resources, poverty, and in countries with ongoing rejection, persecution, and humiliation against Christians. This is one of the most challenging realities that we have worked with in the Congregational Christian Churches and Disciples of Christ Churches in Mexico. They do not have the financial resources, they live in a country in which Catholicism is dominant, and they have a government that is obviously anti-protestant.

With all of these barriers, our churches have an enthusiastic pastoral and leadership body that dreams of having better opportunities for their theological development. We are beginning to dream with them, but more than a dream, we have started to take steps to reach that goal. The long-term goal is to develop a national seminar with the best leadership we could have in different areas of service and ministries.

We do not have doubts when we say that God has begun to open wonderful opportunities. One of them is having the opportunity to participate in the Educational Program for Ministries / Leaders at Brite Divinity School, in Texas, and the California Hispanic Educational Center (CHET).

The first step was taken with the support of Global Ministries, when in November25,2005, the president of CHET, Dr. Jorge Maldonado, offered the first seminar for tutors in Guadalajara, Mexico. In this seminar the participants took part of the personnel required in the design and structure of CHET. Twenty-five pastors and leaders of the Congregational Christian Churches and Disciples of Christ Churches participated in the seminar (10 from the Congregational Church and 15 from the Disciples).

This seminar brought such a passion that immediately they scheduled a meeting to create an agreement between both churches and CHET. Testimonies like the following demonstrate this spirit:

“I feel very motivated to know that we are part of this training we are taking and that we are going to teach in the future, basically, because of the need that we have of well-trained people. I ask God with all my heart that this project persevere.” Pastor Ernesto Gómez

By Justino Pérez & Zaida Rivera
CGMB Missionaries in México

Justino Perez-Ojeda and Zaida Rivera-Rivera are missionaries serving with the Christian Congregational Churches of Mexico, the Alliance of Evangelical Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) of Mexico (AICEDCAR) and the Fraternity of Evangelical Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ) of Mexico. Justino is administered in the country by the Christian Congregational Churches of Mexico. He serves as a consultant for the Mission Development Program. Zaida serves as a consultant for the Mission Development Program.