In November of 2013, SENDAS signed an agreement with the Evangelical Methodist Church of Costa Rica (AIEMCR).  At the signing, there were present representatives from both parties:  Dr. Ruben Fernandez and Rev. Franlym Pena (SENDAS) and Dr. Luis Fernando Palomo and Rev. Pablo Bolanos (AIEMCR).

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Dr. Palomo, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Costa Rica, explained that first of all they desired a program that would help the churches in leadership and ministry development (there are 120 churches in the country) and secondly a program that would provide resources and opportunities for pastoral continuing education.

In this agreement, SENDAS makes available the sale and use of the materials in the School of Leadership program with the purpose of having this program as the foundation for leadership development in the local churches of the Evangelical Methodist Church with the hope of encouraging further theological formation at higher levels.  SENDAS agrees to provide the training necessary for the organization and development of the program through a series of workshops.

SENDAS has been characterized by strong commitment to the completion of the Great Commission, which includes making disciples and developing ministers through the highest-level possible of theological education inside and outside of the Church of the Nazarene.  For this reason, SENDAS offers to the Evangelical Methodist Church the following resources:

  • The materials of the plan of discipleship at all levels, which can be found on the website www.pastornazareno.net without cost.  On this same site, there are discussion forums and personalized counseling offered in a private setting.
  • Seminars for pastoral continuing education, taught by professors who specialize in the subject.  These seminars are offered online in a synchronous fashion.
  • Training in the area of virtual education for the faculty of the Methodist Seminary.  Additionally, the courses for the concentrations in the bachelor degree will also be made available online (Youth Pastor, Development of the Child and Adolescent).

The Evangelical Methodist Church of Costa Rica agrees to comply with their responsibilities in developing the School of Leadership program, as well as to make available members of their faculty to collaborate in the various programs of theological education.

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The Evangelical Methodist Church of Costa Rica, because of its affiliation and fraternity with the Nazarene Seminary of the Americas, has made available the services of the Methodist University, with the possibility of an accreditation agreement for some programs that SENDAS deems necessary.

In SENDAS, we are very thankful to God as He allows us to continue advancing in the vision to “Train with excellence the highest number possible of ministers for the extension of the Kingdom of God.” 

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