When: June 9, 2022, 9:00 am - Thursday

Where: Ezell 211

Session 3

Session Abstract

Stone-Campbell mission activity in Latin America has grown significantly in recent decades. This session focuses on listening to stories about the challenges and opportunities for leadership training and theological education in Latin America. How have churches responded to the growing needs and challenges of flourishing Christian movements in different contexts? How do local initiatives avoid unhealthy dependencies? How do churches and institutions respond to opportunities of new technologies? The goal of this session is to examine this recent history and lay a solid foundation for expanding leadership training and theological education in Latin America.

 

Paper Abstracts

Steve Austin, Texas International Bible Institute, “Challenges and Opportunities in Online Theological Education in Latin America”

In the last 15 years, many exciting challenges and opportunities have appeared in the realm of online theological education in Latin America. Whereas in the past such training was restricted to a limited number of locations and students, now technology has expanded the geographical and educational horizons of millions of Christians, thousands of congregations, and hundreds of schools across all denominations. This essay tells the story of the Texas International Bible Institute as an example of the possibilities now available for theological education and practical training.

 

Joshua Marcum, Escuela Quiteña de Estudios Bíblicos, “Bi-vocational Missions: ‘Operation Ecuador’ as a Viable Model of Sustainability”

This presentation analyzes learning advances one Latin American mission effected over a span of more than thirty years (1989-to the present) known co-operatively as Operation Ecuador (OE). Though all OE ministries influence the overall image and success of the mission, this study centers on the interconnection the Bible training school, Escuela Quiteña de Estudios Biblicos (EQEB), has had within its church planting program. The transition OE made in 2015 to incorporate bi-vocational training and implementation of this ministry in new church planting teams has resurrected a Pauline model as viable missiological practice for a less Western-dependent missional advance.

 

Timothy Archer, Herald of Truth, “What Can’t Be Embargoed: U.S.-Cuban Church Relations”

For three decades, from 1959 until 1990, there was almost no contact between churches in Cuba and churches in the United States. For the last three decades, however, there has been consistent ongoing interaction, wavering between paternalism and partnership. Now Cubans are increasingly taking the leading role in plotting a path forward for their faith communities. This presentation looks at the history and nature of this growing relationship.

 

Speakers

Chris Flanders, Abilene Christian University, Convener

• Steve Austin, Texas International Bible Institute, “Challenges and Opportunities in Online Theological Education in Latin America”
• Joshua Marcum, Escuela Quiteña de Estudios Bíblicos, “Bi-vocational Missions: ‘Operation Ecuador’ as a Viable Model of Sustainability”
• Timothy Archer, Herald of Truth, “What Can’t Be Embargoed: U.S.-Cuban Church Relations”
• J. Omar Palafox, Abilene Christian University, Respondent