Partnering in Leadership Development in Mexico
Global Ministries Weekly News Update: October 4, 2006
Global Ministries’ missionaries, Zaida Rivera Rivera and Justino Pérez Ojeda, serve in Mexico as consultants for Mission Development. They are working with three partner churches of Global Ministries who have come together to form a “Joint Table for Mission Development.”
Global Ministries Weekly News Update: October 4, 2006
Global Ministries’ missionaries, Zaida Rivera Rivera and Justino Pérez Ojeda, serve in Mexico as consultants for Mission Development. They are working with three partner churches of Global Ministries who have come together to form a “Joint Table for Mission Development.”
In November 2005, the General Board of the Christian Congregational Churches of Mexico (JGICCM), the Alliance of Christian Evangelical (Disciples of Christ) Churches in Mexico (AICE), the Fraternity of Christian Evangelical (Disciples of Christ) Churches in the Mexican Republic (CICE) and Global Ministries agreed to develop this project, which enables them to work together on programs of common interest.
{mosimage}One of the priorities of the “Table” is leadership development. This area is a great need for these three Mexican churches and a point of emphasis in Global Ministries as Justino and Zaida walk with them in their ministry. In this context, the members of the “Table” learned about the Hispanic Summer Institute of Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. After making an inquiry, the “Table” received the formal invitation for twelve Mexican leaders to participate in the summer of 2006 training event. Three pastors and seven lay leaders (7 women and 3 men) were selected by the churches to travel to Fort Worth for the training. During the summer session, each participant had the opportunity to take two courses with highly qualified professors in the areas of Theology, Christian Education, History and Counseling. All of the participants received scholarships for transportation and tuition from Global Ministries, and lodging and meals from Brite Divinity School.
One very gratifying piece of news has been that the “Table” has already received an invitation from Brite to participate in the summer courses in 2007. This time, thirty brothers and sisters will have the opportunity to take these courses and grow in their ability to lead their congregations into the future. Work is underway to raise the necessary funds. What a great example of how we partner with others in leadership development in Mexico.