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Education In
Latin America
Biblical Seminary of Colombia
Medellín, Colombia
Our mission is to play an integral part in the formation and training of Latin American
Christian leaders within a contextualized and academically rigorous environment. !This
training is critical in providing the biblical, theological and spiritual foundation for the
growth of a healthy Latin American church that it might be a transformational and
prophetic witness both within the church and society as well as a powerful force in the
worldwide Christian missions movement.
The Need 2 Timothy 2:15 15 - Do your best to
The evangelical church in present yourself to God as one approved,
Latin America suffers from a worker who does not need to be
a crisis of trained
leadership, shallow ashamed and who correctly handles the
discipleship and word of truth.
nominalism, a stifling
legalism, theologically
questionable church
practices, as well as the sufficiently large enough The Opportunity
rise of aberrant church to support its own Gustavo has been invited to
movements. The work of missionaries; however, join the New Testament
the Biblical Seminary of this enthusiastic and department of the Biblical
Colombia (BSC) is brave core of believers Seminary of Colombia.
critically important for must still possess a solid Currently, this department has
providing a much needed theological training for only a few professors; none of
biblical and theological the work they will whom hold doctoral degrees.
foundation for the growing undertake in other parts Gustavo is being asked and
church in Colombia and of the world. The BSC's encouraged to pursue doctoral
Latin America. high academic standards, studies as an investment into
within a multi-cultural the future of the school as well
and multi-denominational as for the long-term
In addition, the church in
environment is providing development of theological
Colombia is now
the needed training for education in Latin America.
many future missionaries.
PhD Studies
Gustavo will begin formal studies in September, 2009 with the London School of
Theology (LST) in pursuit of a Ph.D. in New Testament. This semi-residential
program is jointly administered by Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary and LST,
allowing Gustavo to study while living in Boston.
The challenge of
equipping pastors with
strong theological
John Contreras foundations is a major
issue affecting the
is one of the Church in Latin America
150 full-time today.
students Some leaders receive
studying for a great training in
Bachelors in traditional seminary
settings; others take
Theology. advantage of TEE
programs (Theological
Education by Extension),
yet many pastors still
don’t have access to
quality training.
POPULATION
Statistics Medellin Metro: 3.5 million
2) Spiritual guidance and mentoring of students - This fosters the students’ devotion, character
and calling to ministry. Studying theology should always lead to a greater vision of God and
his work, to Christian maturity and greater clarity for what God intends for his servants.
3) Development and oversight of practical ministry experiences - Theory and practice should
never be divorced from the theological project. The needs of the church and society should
always be at forefront of our learning objectives. !
Because professors, students and administrators live, work, minister and play together on campus, it
aids in the fulfillment of this vision and allows for the growth of rich relationships, stimulating
interactions and the modeling of a healthy Christian community.
Our vision for training leaders will also include Gustavo becoming an active contributor to the
theological discourse of the Spanish-speaking continent.! This includes research and writing, teaching in
other theological institutions in Latin America as well as participating in regional conferences.
Ultimately, our vision for the ministry of theological education is the formation of strong Christian
leaders who passionately love God, have a servant spirit, and who will utilize the resources of their
theological training to help transform their churches, societies and the world with the message of the
gospel.
Upon graduation from Gordon Conwell We believe the Lord has gifted Gustavo with
Theological Seminary with a Masters of the ability to clearly communicate through
Divinity in 2003, we were commissioned as teaching and writing, to counsel and mentor
Park Street Church missionaries serving students and to assimilate effectively in
with Latin America Mission (LAM) in different cultures. The Lord has given both
Paraguay, South America. Following one Gustavo and Rochelle the desire to be used
year of language studies, Gustavo ministered where resources are limited and the needs are
as a professor at a bible institute for four great. We believe the opportunity to serve
years and as a pastor of a church in the with the BSC is not only an answer to prayer
interior for two years. but an excellent match for our gifting and
desire.
"The Latin America Mission is an inter- The LAM works directly with hundreds
national community of men and women who, of churches and Christian agencies
motivated by their love for the Lord Jesus throughout Latin America by assigning
Christ and in obedience to His commands, qualified personnel to work with them in
encourage, assist, and participate with the carrying out their ministry in the region,
Latin American church in the task of building and to participate with them, at their
the church of Jesus Christ in the Latin world invitation, in evangelism and discipleship.
and beyond."
Invest Financially
We are inviting individuals and partnering churches to financially support
our missionary work via charitable donations to the Latin America Mission.
Pray With Us
A critical need in our ministry is for
people to join us in prayer:
* for this time of preparation
* for BSC in Medellín and its students
* for the Latin American church
* for our transition to life in Medellín.
If you would like to receive updates and
prayer requests, please email us at
gustavok@karakey.com.
Partnership
We are seeking individuals and
partnering churches to help us reach
the goal of preparing for and serving
as missionaries to BSC in Medellín,
Colombia.
Harvesting the fruit together
Summary
We are in need of partners who will help
us with the following financial obligations. Partnering Goals
Ongoing Financial Needs
* Salary & Benefits (health, life, FICA,
retirement) Monthly = Annual Number of
* LAM Administrative Fee Gift Gift Partners Needed
* Travel & Equipment expense
* Educational Needs (PhD) $ 50 $ 600 20
* Initial Outgoing Expenses $100 $1200 15
$200 $2400 5
$400 $4800 3
Inception Date $600 $7200 2
Our full-time missionary status with Latin $800 $9600 1
America Mission (LAM) begins on
September 1, 2009 when Gustavo begins * Total donations needed to cover salary,
his full-time PhD studies. benefits, children's education, LAM administrative
fee and travel & equipment fund equals $6700
Of particular importance is that our monthly.
financial needs will also begin on
September 1st, as Gustavo transitions Special Donations
from a salaried position at Park Street * One time donations needed to cover PhD
Church to that of a full-time PhD tuition equals $7500 annually for 3 years.
student.
During this study leave, our monthly * Outgoing Expenses for relocation and set-up
salary will comprise of the actual estimated to be $24,000.
donations received by LAM on our behalf.
All donations are tax-deductible
1) Use the enclosed Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form to set up an automatic donation