A True Partnership with Latin America

January 21, 2009

Langham Partnership Regional Council attendees in Quito, Ecuador

When people mention partnership with the Majority World, they most often think of this in light of the West providing funding for programs happening overseas. Langham Partnership International believes that true partnership is a two-way street and while the West may provide funding, the West should also receive the benefits that come from the Majority World.

This was very evident in the Langham Partnership International Regional Council meeting for Latin America held in Quito, Ecuador, this past November. The gathering brought 14 top Latin American leaders together to share how JSM is working in their countries and discuss how JSM can be of the most help in the future. Jorge Atiencia, from Colombia, said it best when he described the relationship between JSM and Latin America as “como anillo al dedo,” which means “like a ring fits on a finger.”

The most moving aspect of this gathering was when these 14 Latin American leaders gathered around the leadership of LPI to pray for the organization. This was truly inspiring. While LPI received wonderful encouragement and information, there were also offers to help with fundraising, as these leaders wanted to provide introductions to individuals and churches who they believe have an interest in the work of LPI.

LPRC participants Marcelo Vargas, Igor Amestegui, Carlos Pinto, and Nelsa Zolezzi

This council gathered at the Nazarene Seminary in Quito from November  15-17, 2008, with the following members present: Langham Scholar Daniel Salinas-Paraguay; Nelsa Zolezzi-Peru; Miguel Rivas-El Salvador; Igor Amestegui-Bolivia; David Bahena-Mexico; Langham Scholar Victor Morales-Mexico; Jorge Atiencia-Colombia; Carlos Pinto-Peru, (living in Ecuador); Humberto Fernando Bullon-Costa Rica; Langham Scholar Marcelo Vargas-Bolivia; Willfredo Weigandt-Argentina; Sadrac Meza-Costa Rica; Milton Acosta-teaches at seminary in Colombia; Ruth Padilla de Boorst-CRC World Mission on loan to FTLA, IFES Costa Rica and Ian Darke-with Letra Viva in Costa Rica.  The program directors for Langham Partnership International were also present along with several LPI staff members.

While there was much to discuss regarding the implementation and expansion of the preaching program, the beginning of the Latin America Bible Commentary project, Literature distribution, scholar selection and the Fellowship of Langham Scholars, the highlights were the reports from each country to update the work of Langham.   The following is a synopsis of these reports.

Langham Partnership Regional Council as they work through projects

Colombia
Milton Accosta reported that they would like to see younger students learn English and prepare for their PhDs.  They do have a few students in sight. On the Langham Literature program, Pieter Kwant reported that he was recently in Colombia and has set up the literature program in Colombia with CLC. Langham Preaching escuelitas are doing very well with the growth and lessons learned presented and discussed later.

Mexico
David Ruiz reported that There are several Langham Scholars in Mexico, but the Literature and Preaching programs still need to get underway.  There is hope to see the preaching program set up as entry program for all of the other Langham programs in Mexico. Pieter Kwant and Ian Darke will look into some options for the literature program.

Fernando Bullon reviews the Langham Literature catalog

Costa Rica
Fernando Bullon reported that there are two people supported as scholars, but that we have not promoted the program as we should. We need more coordination with seminaries.  The preaching program has some good possibilities to launch before too long.

Brazil
Daniel Santos reported that the scholars program has seen four scholars (Rodrico de Sousa, Hebert Campos, Daniel Santos, Cesar Lopez) working together at the same place with 40,000 students at the University in Sao Paulo. The idea of working together is very helpful. Perhaps we can be of help in future with preaching seminars. Chris Wright is putting plans in place for Langham Regional Council for the Portuguese world and it would be helpful to have Brazil represented. Langham Literature is beginning work on a commentary that includes authors from the whole of Latin America.  Brazil will be taking part in this project.

Bolivia

LPRC attendees Daniel Santos and Ken Perez

Marcelo Vargas reported that five years of preaching seminar have impacted church. Each year we have distributed two books to each attendee. On the scholars program, Marcelo is almost at point of finishing a doctorate and thinks he is the only Bolivian who has done this. There are a couple of candidates close to being granted scholarship.  Igor Amestegui reported that a group of preachers have been formed in La Paz and they meet each month. They have been given study books and to use as they prepare their sermons. We have started escuelitas in Cochabamba and several churches have started their own versions of the escuelitas. One of these is in a prison ministry. We have also started groups with university students as well.

Ecuador

Carlos Pinto reported that he sees ISEDET as an ideal place for Latin Americans to study and that this is a helpful example for  Ecuadorians. He encourage Langham to continue to pursue other locations in Latin America for doctoral studies, as language and family are an issue for many potential scholars. ISEDET opens its doors to Cuba as well.  In the literature he would like to see an Ecuadorian group embrace the program as CLC works through Colombia. The first preaching seminar will be offered next week.  We hope to expand to three locations in coming years.

LPRC participant Nelsa Zolezzi

Argentina
Willfredo Weigandt reported that there are three students studying at ISEDET in Buenos Aires.  One is Argentian, one Chilean and one Peruvian.  The preaching program has been growing since 2002 when John Stott came there, andthere has since been at least one workshop every year and two workshops in the last  two years.  In each of these workshops, we give away two books through Certeza or Editiones Kairos. The strength of the workshops on preaching is in being able to serve the pastors in the interior of Argentina. When John Stott came, there were 15 participants, but in the interior of Argentina we never have less than 60.  This is because of the surplus of resources in Buenos Aires, in contrast to the interior. Pentecostal and neo-Pentecostal, Baptist, and Nazarene participants are growing.

Peru
Nelsa Zolezzi reported that there are two Langham Scholars in Peru including the one currently studying at ISEDET.  Dario Lopez has graduated and is about to have his 10th book published and is invited to speak in many places. We have worked very hard so that the literature ministry could be born. Langham came at a crucial moment. Forty percent of seminaries are in the interior of Peru, and we have been able to provide good literature.  In the preaching program, approximately 100 pastors have participated in the Level 1 program, representing most the denominations and cities. We are seeking ways to help this program become an annual event. Currently there are 200 pastors in small groups (escuelitas) and each group has a tutor to motivate and guide them.  They meet at least monthly.  Other conferences have been held in between annual Langham Preaching seminar.  There are two pastors very committed to the program, they teach in different seminaries and provide direction and travel in interior. There are also several testimonies of well-prepared pastors, for example: one pastor mentioned he must ask Lord for forgiveness for the number of times he has gone into the pulpit without proper preparation, and now he gives 1-2 days retreat to prepare.

El Salvador
Miguel Rivas reported that the preaching program was born when Chris Wright came to El Salvador with approximately 150 participants and the idea of the ministry was developed from there. Escuelas de Expositorios Biblicas have been formed.  These were inspired by Colombia but contextualized for El Salvador. Every module lasts for three months. Modules are: 1) How to Understand Bible, 2) Hermeneutics, 3) Exegesis and the Practice of Exegesis [using the book, Word of God for the People of God]—also Textual Criticism, 4) Homiletics, 5) Liturgy.  So far 22 have graduated and 30 are in the process.  In the literature program, we are working with five editorial houses including Certeza, Kairos, and a Catholic house. We have distributed all the books of John Stott.  One popular pastor said that he had been too busy to do what we taught, but after the seminar he began to prepare his sermons in an expository way. His congregation then asked him to tape his sermons. Now he is a tutor for the program.