This past fall the first ever Spanish language orientation to the Christian Reformed Church took place in southern California. The event was sponsored by the Consejo Latino (the association of Spanish speaking CRC leaders) and the denominational Candidacy Committee.
The intent was to provide in the Spanish language the denominational orientation required of those preparing for ordination as a Commissioned Pastor or a minister of the Word. The hope was to also give opportunity for such orientation to other church leaders who were interested and who were able to give the time.
The event began on Thursday evening, lasted all of Friday and Friday evening, and concluded around 4 pm on Saturday. Six modules of three hours each covered basic topics such as:
- Denominational ministries,
- Christian history with a highlight on the CRC story,
- CRC church order,
- CRC Creeds and Confessions,
- reformed identity and
- a reformed approach to Scripture
Eleven persons participated, along with the two presenters from the Consejo, Pastor Harold Caicedo and Pastor Mirtha Villafane.
The hope is that this first offering of the material will lead to future gatherings in other regions of North America, so that a growing number of persons can be prepared to plant and lead Spanish speaking ministries in partnership with the Christian Reformed Church.
The curriculum for the event is available in English as well as in Spanish. Anyone who is interested in the curriculum may contact Rev. David Koll from the Candidacy Committee at [email protected] (or leave a comment below).
Comments
Great to see this training having taken place. A few of us go back a long way in efforts in Southern California to see Hispanic ministry grow. May this new stage prosper and bear fruit. ---Lou Wagenveldd
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