From the 3rd to the 31st of August, 2015, Dr. Jorge Julca, President of the Nazarene Theological Seminary for the South Cone of Argentina as well as the Regional Coordinator for the South America Region for Theological Education, taught the Pastoral Continuing Education Course called “Contemporary Pastoral Challenges in the Latin American Context.”

This course was taught by video conference, and a total of 50 pastors and leaders representing seven districts participated: Gulf and Northwest districts of Mexico, Panama Central, Nicaragua South, Puerto Rico East and the North and Central Districts of Costa Rica.

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Rebecca Flores, a pastor from the Gulf district in Mexico shares these words concerning the course:

“The topics that I most identified with those used with the metaphor of the table, in which we were shown that each area of the ministry is indispensible in order to have the correct balance. The area of the spiritual is the area I most identified with because the spirituality of the preacher affects the hearers, more even than the preacher’s Biblical knowledge, hermeneutics or homiletics.”

Rev. Andres Hernandez who pastors in the East District of Puerto Rico comments:

“The challenges that the church confronts in this postmodern age are a reality in my local church. To know that these challenges are not particular to my church, but that they are a response to a reality called postmodernism has helped me to see that I am not alone in this fight. Also, this course has helped me to see how other churches are dealing with this reality.”

We thank Dr. Julca for sharing with our pastors and leaders this important and excellent course where not only was much information given, but also the challenges of today’s pastorate on this continent were presented. Also, we thank each district and pastor/leader who participated in this continuing education course.

The next course will be held beginning October 26th. The speaker is Rev. Daron Brown from the United States who is the author of the book entitled Shift: How Nine Churches Experienced Vibrant Renewal. You may find more information here.