May 20, 2004
Ascension of the Lord
You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Acts 1:8
Dear Partners in Christ’s service,
Before ascending to the right hand of God, Jesus commissioned
the disciples to be a part of the church universal and to reach
out to all nations, crossing borders and uniting people around
the earth.
Robert Redford encouraged Brazilian Walter Salles to direct the
movie “Diarios de Motocicleta,” [Motorcycle Diary]
produced by England and France with Argentine and Mexican actors.
Set in 1952, the movie follows the motorcycle journey of two young
Argentines, Che Guevara and Alberto Granado, from Buenos Aires
to Venezuela, as they have an authentic experience of Latin America.
They see people suffering and acquire a new social awareness that
influences their lives and aspirations.
I too witnessed the struggles of people on this subcontinent
as I traveled to Argentina, Colombia, and Venezuela in the past
few months (not on motorcycle) as theological education consultant
and regional liaison for South America. I wanted to get to know
our partner theological institutions, support my mission colleagues,
and experience the political, social, economic, cultural, and
spiritual milieu of these countries.
Argentina
ISEDET, the Evangelical Institute for Higher Theological Studies,
is an ecumenical center in Buenos Aires directed by nine member
denominations. It has the only Spanish-speaking Protestant doctoral
program in Latin America, and is thus the best place for training
professors for seminaries.
Reviewing the history of PC(USA) contributions to ISEDET, Rector
René Krüger said of mission co-worker Katie Griffin,
“Professor Kathleen Griffin represents the Reformed Presbyterian
tradition at ISEDET, which is a greater contribution than any
financial help.” I found that quite significant. The rector
would be happy to have more of a Presbyterian and Reformed presence,
including faculty exchanges and institutional relationships.
Mission co worker Juan Kauer made the arrangements for my visit
and accompanied me in three intense days of meetings at ISEDET
and other ecumenical organizations and leaders. It was a delightful
change of pace to go with Manuela Kauer to a time of sharing with
seven young women from the United States who are serving a year
in Argentina or Uruguay as part of the Young Adult Volunteer program.
Manuela is the site coordinator for these “YAVs.”
Each young person lives with a family and works in a church or
a community organization. I was moved and encouraged by their
stories of working in transition home for boys, a cooperative
gardening project, local congregregations, community projects.
The PC(USA) has a lot to be proud of in the way these young people
have immersed themselves in a different culture and language and
have built strong relationships with the community and their host
families.
Colombia
What had been a seminary in Barranquilla became in 2003 the Reformed
University of Colombia (CUR) of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia.
CUR has the clearest Reformed educational philosophy I have ever
seen, is open to all churches, has courses other than theology
and programs for technical training. Rector Derney Ramos said,
“We want to connect with Presbyterian or Reformed colleges
in the United States and develop exchanges.” PC(USA) mission
co-worker Alice Winters teaches seven courses at CUR and coordinates
international relationships.
Dean Estevan Arias arranged two encounters for me with students.
Of the 43 students, eleven were female, and there were Presbyterians,
Baptists, Pentecostals, and one Roman Catholic. Asked for the
most important thing they had learned at CUR, they answered:
- tolerance
- to listen to the other’s point of view
- that my theology is one among many
- what we are in Colombian society has historical roots and
causes
- the process of unlearning
- that I don’t own the truth
- the practice of ecumenism
- the importance of assuming my responsibility in society.
As one student articulated his vision of the CUR as a social
and political force for change in Colombia, I understood that
the solution to the land and drug-associated conflict which has
resulted in the displacement of over 3 million people from their
homes will never come through armed military intervention.
Venezuela
Before beginning my meetings at another new ecumenical theological
institute (IEES), mission co-worker Carlos Clugy-Soto took me
by cable car for a breathtaking mountaintop overview of the mile-high
city of Caracas sprawling in the valley. He and Deborah are almost
at the end of a four-year adoption process of their two children.
In the next days I received a similar overview of IEES and the
Presbyterian Church of Venezuela. IEES is supported by the Presbyterian
and Lutheran Churches, a Roman Catholic group, and the American
School. They are experimenting with computer technology for distance
learning.
I was invited to lead a discussion on mission in Latin America
one evening at IEES. I said that God’s mission is contextual
and holistic and explained three essential elements: evangelism,
compassionate service, and social justice. When I got to reconciliation
and peace, I asked, “Are society and your churches divided
over the solution to the Venezuelan political situation?”
My presentation abruptly ended and a heated debate ensued over
the prophetic role and voice of the church today. My eyes were
opened to the deep division and impasse in this troubled country
and the need for courageous dialogue to open the way to peace
which flows from justice.
The title of my book to be released in late May is Called
as Partners in Christ’s Service: the Practice of God’s
Mission. Copies can be obtained from Geneva Press in Louisville.
Rejoice with me!
Sherron George
The 2004 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
146
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