Why Spanish for ministry?

The Latino immigrant population is one of the fastest growing minority groups within the United States. Latinos are not only increasing in numbers but also becoming more widespread in the areas of the country where they choose to live and work.  The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is committed to becoming a more inclusive body that reflects the rich diversity of the people of God. The advancement of this goal requires the formation of leaders who are called and prepared to serve ethnic specific ministries. Acquiring language skills within the Latino cultural context is critical for this leadership formation.

INCLUDES:

* Classes:
Intensive language instruction, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Students are evaluated and placed at the appropriate level with a maximum of five students in each class.

* Homestay
Homestay with a Mexican family will be provided during the second and third week. This gives students the experience of sharing in the daily life of the Mexican people as well as ample opportunity to practice Spanish in an everyday setting. The host families will be ones who are active in the Base Christian Communities of Liberation Theology (BCC's)..
 
Throughout the program there will be Biblical reflections and devotions in Spanish so that students become familiar with the vocabulary related to ministry. Finally the program will culminate with a eucharistic celebration using El Libro de Liturgia y Cántico as the primary worship resource.

* Activities:

First week: The program begins in Cuernavaca, where the Base Christian Communities were born in Mexico. Cuernavaca is also known as the "city of the eternal spring" because of its favorable climate. The BCC's represent a movement of the "grassroots" church gathering in small groups primarily of the poor reflecting on Scripture as a means of  organizing for better living conditions and a more equitable society.  We begin learning about the history and formation of the BCC's that can serve as a model for ministry within Latino communities in the U.S. We will dialog with priests and lay leaders who are active in the BCC's as well as participate in a BCC meeting.
 
Second week: We see how the BCC's provide a faith foundation for organizing in defense of human rights, environmental protection and fair trade practices. We will visit local community projects and hear from leaders active in these movements.
 
Third week: The program moves to Mexico City with lodging at the Lutheran Center. We explore the context in which we do ministry by seeing how the Mexican reality relates to the Latino immigrant experience in the United States. We will learn about Mexican history that has lead to the current situation as well as the impact of global economics. We will visit with organizations working in solidarity with campesinos, defending immigrant rights and creating alternative economic models for a more just and humane society. We will begin to integrate the training to anticipate how this can be incorprated into our home settings.

Note: All program activities are in Spanish with English translation when necessary.

COST: US$1,680
Cost includes full room and board including the homestay with a Mexican family as well as three weeks of intensive Spanish instruction, educational materials, cultural activities and local excursions. Students are responsible for their airfares and transportation to Cuernavaca.
 

This program is co-coordinated by CETLALIC and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

For more information on "Spanish Language Training for Ministry" please contact:

Jorge Torres
infor@cetlalic.org.mx

or

Kim Erno
elcamexico@yahoo.com

[TO GET AN APPLICATION FORM CLICK HERE]

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