New centre for new indigenous leaders
Thanks to your support, a new generation of leaders is building faith on a firm foundation
Photo: A new training centre for indigenous church leaders was inaugurated in northern Argentina this year
Jorge hadn’t studied for 25 years. Luis only completed the first year of secondary school. Both needed training to confidently serve as deacons of indigenous congregations in the Diocese of Northern Argentina.
Thanks to your support, a new centre in Ingeniero Juárez is equipping them. The diocese is vast, containing 187 churches among five people groups. Since missionaries first shared the gospel with the Wichí people in 1911, many people have become Christians.
“I want to thank those who are praying for us. We can’t hear your prayers because of the distance and language but we feel very supported by them.”
Luis, trainee deacon
But in the last four years, 80 older pastors have died, so training younger, indigenous leaders has been identified as a priority by a CMSsupported Indigenous Mission Congress that brought people groups together to plan a way forward. Vicar General Daniel Lescano says: “Training is needed for good biblical teaching… biblical knowledge and understanding is necessary. Furthermore, widespread drug use and alcoholism are demanding relevant pastoral responses.”
The new Centro de Formación Anglicano (CEFA) offers training designed for students like Jorge and Luis. Trainers like CMS local partner Marcos Humacata understand the leaders have limited formal education, are studying in their second language, Spanish, and come from oral storytelling cultures.
The leaders in training travel great distances to study at the centre (co-ordinated by CMS local partner Mirna Paulo), staying for two weeks, followed by a week at home – so families needn’t be uprooted.
The 10 students at the centre focus on cultivating character and growing in knowledge and abilities. Coming from different cultures means students learn to resolve conflicts and collaborate.
Confidence is building among the newly trained leaders – Luis comments: “When I first got here, I was fearful… now I trust the other students and I enjoy all that we are learning.”
Jorge adds, “Through this training we realise that we have strong foundations, our faith has a firm base and a structure….”
Pray together
Please pray for students to be strengthened and equipped as they take learnings back to their communities.
Pray for safe travels for students between home and the training centre, and pray for their families while the students are away.
Pray for good relationships between students, and that this will help them to build bridges in their ministry.
