Pablo Vernola tells us what led him to start producing home-grown Christian education resources in Argentina.

 

“When I was a child my family lived through very difficult times. Economic and marital problems were tearing my parents apart until an uncle invited them to a weekly Bible study and prayer meeting. Little by little I saw God transform their relationship. I could not deny that a miracle was occurring in my family. We all surrendered to the Lord Jesus and began to attend a church near our home.”

 

“Since childhood I have loved to study the Bible. After secondary school I enrolled at the Baptist Seminary and God confirmed my calling to serve him in ministry. Over 11 years I pastored a congregation while studying theology and education. Then in 2017 I was asked to assume responsibility for the National Bible Teachers’ Network.”

 

Teach them to obey all I have commanded you

 

“In diverse congregations throughout Argentina we have seen a desire to learn and teach the Bible in greater depth. This awakening has renewed our calling and strengthened our commitment to this beautiful ministry. It is God who goes forward, opening doors, directing our vision and providing the necessary resources. He is faithful!”

 

Thanks to your support we have published a Christian education curriculum for children, youth and adults. All three series (Step by Step, Heroes and New Bible Training) now have four manuals. We are currently adding a fifth manual to each series.

 

The opportunities and challenges are many

 

“We are also preparing guides for discipling new Christians. Instead of systematically presenting Christian doctrines, this new series will encourage the new believer to know and follow Jesus by studying a gospel. Whatever their context or needs, this approach will enable new disciples to be transformed by the word of God so that they might conform to the will of our heavenly Father and the image of his Son.”

 

“We are planning another series to help people study Scripture in small groups. These inductive Bible studies will explore not only the text but also practical applications that help believers grow more committed to God and neighbour.”

 

“Thank you for your support. You are part of God’s response to our cry.”

 

“We count on your prayers. Please pray for the recruitment of new writers to our editorial team. Pray that the Lord will give us the wisdom and creativity necessary to produce material that is relevant and useful for the church.”

 

 

Pablo Vernola directs the National Bible Teachers’ Network and teaches at the Baptist Seminary in Buenos Aires.

 

$27,000 over three years has enabled the publication of Christian education curriculums for all ages in Argentina.

Thanks to your support, graduates leave St Andrew’s Theological Seminary in the Philippines with a Bible dictionary and commentary.

 

Because their resources are meagre, these gifts become indispensable tools. One graduate, Jenelyn Marino, tells how God sustained her as she studied.

 

“My mother called me while I was working far away from home. ‘Your father has had another stroke. We need you at home. Oh, and you have been offered a place at the seminary.’”

 

“I had to choose between my family and my vocation.”

 

He called me

 

Jenelyn was born in Nueva Vizcaya, a mountainous province of the Philippines. “My father worked hard to feed and educate his family. He supported me through a bachelor degree in information technology.”

 

The priest of Jenelyn’s home parish encouraged her to train for ordination at St Andrew’s Theological Seminary. She made a special journey to a neighbouring diocese to take the admission exam.

 

“I was waiting for my results when my father suffered his first stroke. Even though I wanted to be with my family I kept working in Sagada to pay for his medical bills. Our relief when my father was discharged was short-lived. He had another stroke and was rushed back to the hospital.”

 

An invitation from the seminary was the confirmation Jenelyn had been waiting for. “I resigned from my job and set off for home. How would I tell my family that I wanted to study theology? I got off the bus and ran to our house. My father tried to speak to me but, as a result of the stroke, the words he uttered were unclear. I wept as I played my guitar and sang to him.”

 

He sustained me

 

“I sought my father’s blessing on my decision but he said: ‘I cannot work anymore. I thought you would find a job and support your younger sister in her studies.’”

 

Jenelyn accepted the offer from the seminary but not without much doubt and hesitation. “During my four years at St Andrew’s I was hounded by guilt. How can I expect to serve other people when I do not help my own family? I also doubted whether I had the skills and confidence to fulfil my calling.”

 

“I now see that I persevered with God’s help. He provided financial support. He blessed me with a community. Every time I felt like giving up he sent friends to comfort me. Most of all, he gave me the chance to make up with my father. To God be the glory!”

 

“Please pray that with the help of your gifts I will share the gospel with confidence.”

 

Jenelyn Marino graduated from St Andrew’s Theological Seminary with a bachelor degree in theology.

 

$70 will provide a theology graduate in Manila with a Bible dictionary and commentary.